Devious Web: A Novel

by Shelley Grandy

Gone Girl's twists, The Social Network’s scheming, and Agatha Christie’s detective sleuthing coalesce in this suspenseful mystery fiction novel set in Toronto in a mid-pandemic business environment.

When Tom Oliver, a successful Canadian entrepreneur, is offered millions from a Silicon Valley company for his data analytics business, he believes his only challenges as he considers the offer will be deciding on next steps for his company and reconciling with his aloof wife. What could possibly go wrong?

Things escalate quickly when Tom is targeted by an unknown perpetrator and his inner circle of family and colleagues comes under scrutiny. Tom’s friend, homicide detective Jason Liu, strives to keep Tom safe while he investigates to find the truth. Who would want to murder a well-liked tech CEO at the top of his game, and why? A progression of intriguing plot twists takes this bingeworthy thriller through business, politics, social media, interpersonal relationships, and even equestrian scenarios. When the dust has settled literally motivations become clear, and Tom discovers that while some relationships are worthy of long-term investment, others have expiration dates.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller

259 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 15, 2024

About the author

Shelley Grandy is a Canadian communications professional
whose type-A personality and honors journalism degree from
Ottawa’s Carleton University fueled a career that started in
newspapers and progressed to twenty-five years at high-tech
company Nortel. She subsequently founded Grandy Public
Relations Inc. and has supported tech sector clients in Ontario
and Quebec for the past sixteen years. After writing countless
press releases and technical articles for trade media, Devious
Web is Shelley’s debut fiction novel.
When not writing, Shelley enjoys intriguing Netflix-style
productions and is known to frequently reference scenes from
Grace and Frankie. You can also find her at the boarding stable
with her horses, Chancey and Briosa. Shelley lives in Trenton, Ontario, Canada, with husband of thirty-plus years Roy,
husky dog Luka, and cat Otto, within spoiling distance of her
beautiful granddaughters, Emilia and Olivia .

Reviews

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you enjoy corporate intrigue, hidden agendas, and mysteries that keep you second-guessing everyone, Devious Web is a great pick. This thriller takes readers into the world of business deals, technology, and ambition, where a seemingly straightforward opportunity quickly unravels into something far more dangerous.

I really enjoyed how layered the mystery was. Every time I thought I had figured out what was happening, a new revelation made me reconsider everything. The corporate setting felt fresh and added an extra level of tension to the story, making it stand out from more traditional crime thrillers.

While the story takes its time building the pieces of the puzzle, the payoff is worth it as the secrets and betrayals come to light.

Overall, Devious Web is an entertaining thriller with plenty of twists, complex characters, and a mystery that keeps you hooked until the end.

[Karen Siddall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing, clever, and unputdownable!

Devious Web by Shelley Grandy is a riveting tale of betrayal and suspense. With its mesmerizing plot, clever execution, and a host of surprisingly unlikely suspects, I was glued to the book because I had to find out who could possibly be behind it all!

Tom Oliver is the owner of the multimillion-dollar Toronto tech firm Pellucid, and he’s torn about the latest offer to buy his company, which he started from scratch. He’s honestly concerned about the impact such a sale would have on everyone involved in helping the business grow but feels like it’s probably the right thing to do and the right time to do it. He’s a genuinely nice guy who has put everything into building his company and knows his choices have hurt his marriage with Miriam, his wife of many years.

Supporting characters are well developed and readers get the opportunity to know them well as their points of view also tell the story. I think I alternated having almost everyone at the top of my suspect list and knocking them off at some point during the book, and I still felt like it could have been any one of them up until the actual reveal.

The plot is well-paced and oh-so-clever. I’m smiling as I write this because devious describes how well I was led all over the place. The suspense throughout was palpable. I was loathe to put the book down once I got into it and the great plot twists only made that more difficult!

I recommend DEVIOUS WEB to readers of thrillers, suspense, and mystery, especially those who enjoy a story with a business or tech setting, set during COVID, or a Toronto location.

Content warning: The storyline features negative portrayals of Fox News, Republicans, and then former President Donald Trump.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.

[Country Mama · Rating 4 out of 5]

Devious Web is a book about our MMC named Tom. Tom is a Canadian tech entrepreneur who is thinking of selling his company to a California buyer, named Pellucid. Tom becomes a target and someone wants him dead and out of the way! It's up to Detective Liu to investigate and find out who is trying to get Tom out of the way before he becomes a dead man!
I thought the writing was well written for a tech based thriller about a CEO tech owner who is trying to sell his company and retire or not have to work again for some time. Tom is married to another woman at first in the book but then he meets Elise and they become quite the item. I did not like that part of the book as I am a firm believer in marriage as a one and done institution but I understand how others may not see it that way or have different experiences than myself. I did like the rest of the story trying to figure out who was the person behind trying to take Tom out, it was a lot closer than both he and I realized! I was not expecting that ending!

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very interesting mystery centered around the attempted murder of a tech company CEO. We are taken into the world of corporate dynamics and the strong people involved in leadership. The cutting edge technology involved data analysis I appreciate learning a bit about it. There were a couple of suspenseful scenes but in general, the pace of the plot moved along in a consistent manner. I had no idea who the villain was nor did the investigating detective until near the very end.

For me, the best part of this novel was Grandy involving some recent American politics into the plot. I admire her not being hesitant to write about technology being used to affect elections through gerrymandering. I also admire her having a January 6 individual as a character, and including some of the opinions he had. I think only a Canadian author could be so blunt.

I recommend this entertaining mystery.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.

[Virginia Winfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this quick suspenseful story. I really liked Tom, Elise and Detective Liu. I enjoyed that the story took place just after the worst of Covid. I loved all the secrets that came out during the story. I loved the twists and turns. I received a copy of the book and gave an honest opinion.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the story here, and it was fast paced however my only hang up is the climax of the who-done-it part. The private cottage meeting seems far stretched to be truly believable, but then this is fiction and I truly enjoyed the characters and the storyline. Looking forward to the next book by Shelley Grandy!

[Fatima Zaidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

You wont be able to put this crime novel down, be prepared to be on the edge of your seat. It's a very clever and well crafted read.

[Lola Allin · Rating 5 out of 5]

With her debut novel, Devious Web, Shelley Grandy has woven a slick, fast-paced murder mystery. Chock full of corporate intrigue, ambition, and jealousy, this mesmerizing novel will keep you guessing. —Lola Reid Allin, author of Highway to the Sky: An Aviator's Journey

[Caralyn Rubli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book in a giveaway through Goodreads
Very good story.
I like that it takes place in Toronto and surrounding areas. I like the short chapters

[Kim Heilijgers · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

Suits meets murder mystery.
I really liked it. I have never read a murder mystery but listening to it had me laughing, sitting in suspense and then figuring out who did it. I had a couple suspects and one of them was right!

About the story: Tom is a succesful data analytics business owner and he wants to sell his company to a Silicon valley company. However, he is murdered before he can sell this.
And who did it?
His wife? The man he just fired? A competitor?
Detective Lu is trying to unravel the murder, and he gets some help by a friend of Tom.

The audiobook is narrated in one voice, I personally found him to speak a bit to slow for my liking so I put it on 1.5x and then it was perfect.
The story itself is really good! The twists and turns make it so interesting.

This is a book for you:
- Murder mystery
- You like Suits
- Set during Covid & in Toronto

[Ruth Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good page turner, kept you guessing!

[Holly Found · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book pulls you in instantly. Shelley weaves together characters, locations, politics and boardroom drama to create an engaging storyline that has you guessing the entire time. All of the details have been well researched; the depth gives the reader ease to connect with the characters and their roles. This novel deserves a place on everyone’s bookshelf!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Devious Web is a wonderful debut for talented author, Shelley Grandy. I do have to admit that it took a couple of chapters in to get into it. It started off rather slow but suddenly it was non stop from there. I enjoyed reading this thrilling piece of fiction that often kept me on the edge of my seat. There were a lot of twists and turns that I found to be unpredictable. I was often wondering what could possibly happen next from scene to scene. Just when I felt I had the mystery solved something else occurs and had to make another guess. Overall, I thought it was a great suspense filled novel and was honored to have the opportunity to give it a read.

I had the pleasure in listening to the audio version of Devious Web. I enjoyed hearing the narrator, Justin Smallbridge. Their performance and voice really brought this novel and scenes to life. It waw a perfect addition to the book. I did not want to press stop and wanted to continue to listen on.

I am going to give Devious Web four and a half stars. I believe that readers who love book genres of suspense and thriller fiction. I would be interested in reading more from Shelley Grandy in the future.

I received a audio version of Shelley Grandy's Devious Web from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

[Gina Rae Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Devious Web by Shelley Grandy is a steady, character-driven mystery that weaves corporate intrigue into a classic whodunit setup.

Set in Toronto’s tech world, the story centers on a well-liked CEO who becomes the target of an unknown threat. As the investigation unfolds, the tension builds through shifting motives, blurred loyalties, and the growing sense that something isn’t quite right beneath the surface.

I appreciated how the suspense develops through layers rather than relying on big, dramatic twists. The audiobook format works especially well here, allowing the pacing to feel natural and immersive without becoming overwhelming.

If you enjoy mysteries with a modern setting, a touch of business-world drama, and a focus on relationships as much as plot, this one is worth a look.

Thank you to iRead Book Tours for the opportunity to review this title.

Read more book reviews at
Gina Rae Mitchell • Championing Indie Authors & Stories Worth Discovering

[Harsh Tyagi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story follows Canadian entrepreneur Tom Oliver as his successful life suddenly turns dangerous while considering the sale of his company to a Silicon Valley buyer. It begins as professional ambition that spirals into something far darker as hidden motives, deception, and personal relationships start colliding around him.

The novel builds its suspense through a mix of corporate intrigue, murder investigation, and family drama. I really enjoyed the story. It turned out to be a page turner. I've been enjoying corporate thrillers lately. They become especially addictive when polished boardroom appearances begin cracking under pressure. This one is set against the fast-moving worlds of tech, business deals, politics, and social media influence.

I listened to the audiobook for this one, and it made the suspense feel even sharper. The narration helped maintain the fast pacing of the story really well. It worked nicely for a thriller. Devious Web is an entertaining thriller that feels slick, timely, and made for binge reading.

[Anjali Sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Devious Web: A Novel is one of those thrillers that pulls you in from the very first chapter and refuses to let go till the end.

Set in a mid-pandemic business world, the story follows Tom Oliver, a successful tech entrepreneur whose life takes a dangerous turn when he becomes the target of an unknown perpetrator just as a multi-million dollar deal comes into the picture.

I genuinely had such a fun time reading this book. It was gripping, fast-paced, and filled with twists that constantly kept me guessing. The blend of corporate drama, mystery, social media politics, and detective investigation made it such an engaging read.

If you enjoy thrillers and mystery novels that keep you hooked and make you keep turning pages late into the night, this is definitely a book you should pick up. Such a delightful and binge-worthy read for thriller lovers.

[Francesco Paola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devious Web by Shelley Grandy is a great blend of psychological intrigue, corporate drama, and classic whodunit storytelling set against the backdrop of mid-pandemic Toronto. The novel follows Tom Oliver, a successful entrepreneur at a crossroads in both his professional and personal life, as he considers an offer that could transform his career and his data analytics company. What begins as a high-stakes business decision quickly spirals into a web of danger and deception when Tom becomes the target of a mysterious assailant.

Fans of thrillers will appreciate the character development and the fusion of tech-driven suspense and emotion. With its clever twists, Devious Web is a must-read for anyone who loves mysteries that keep you guessing until the very end.

[Dani Urban · Rating 4 out of 5]

Devious Web by Shelley Grandy is an amazing novel of mystery, suspense, drama, and more. It is action-packed and contains a global intrigue kind of dangerous vibe to the story. It rains chaos in the particular well-liked tech. His life just got complicated and twisted. I loved all the characters. Shelley Grandy created a novel that can be considered an all new classic. The themes and characters have what it takes to keep readers guessing and on edge. Tom, the main character, reminds me of Gatsby with a little bit of James Bond mixed in...a doer of many things, yet prone to danger. All mystery, crime fiction, and thriller fans beware this book is addictive in nature.

I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.

[Crystal Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

Devious Web is one of those stories that slowly pulls you in and makes you start paying closer attention as you go. Not everything is as simple as it first seems, and that’s what keeps you turning the pages.

This isn’t a fast-paced, jump-right-in kind of book. It takes its time building the story. But if you stick with it, you start to see the layers unfold. There were moments where I found myself questioning what was really going on and who could actually be trusted.

What I appreciated most is that it made me think. It took till the ending to be able to fully put the pieces together.

Overall, this is a solid read if you enjoy thrillers and the tech world. If you like mysteries, you’ll enjoy this book as well.

[Ag · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspenseful. Intriguing. Complex. Dramatic. Tense. Thought-provoking.
The book will awaken your anxiety (but in the best kind of way, you know? The bookish anxiety that’s contained within the book only!), it will awaken your empathy, it will awaken your frustration, and there will be moments of resolution and clarity, bringing you relief, a very palpable kind of relief. There are intricate plot and suspenseful atmosphere, and – the most realistic depiction of corporate life. You and this book will be a perfect match if you love mystery, suspense, character-driven stories, and also corporate thrillers that are filled with drama.

[Erin Bury · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this novel, and it kept me guessing until the end. I really loved how the book wove together a tech startup's rise with the components of a traditional whodunit. As a tech entrepreneur myself, I really identified with the main character, Tom, and the issues he faced running his business. I also loved that the book is set in Toronto, since I lived there for 14 years and recognized a lot of the places. I would recommend for anyone who likes thrillers.

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devious Web is a cleverly designed mystery that had me intrigued. There were a lot of plot twists and turns that kept me eager. I found it to be unputdownable. Tom is a highly notable CEO of a tech company and someone wants him dead. I was thrown in different directions as I was reading and it had me interested for the outcome. I have nothing in common with the characters but somehow I felt connected. The author has written a stellar mystery.

[Therearenobadbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is fast-paced, corporate greed novel during pandemic that reads like a tv show always keeping our interest and raising the stakes. It's unsettling in a good way because we're always thinking this time he is gone for real. The short chapters make it easier to read faster. Lots of drama, intrigue and family secrets. Even at the end some characters are still more concerned with appearances and social media. Ahah. Tom definitely saw all of their true colors.

[Michelle Godard-Richer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the aspects of tech and corporate life included in this mystery thriller, and I loved the familiar setting in Toronto. The plotting was engaging, filled with interesting characters, an intriguing whodunnit, and smart twists. This is the perfect read for fans of mysterious thrillers.
4.5 stars.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read from beginning to end. Keeps you on the edge of your seat with the characters and the storyline…love the whole twists and turns as it had me wondering the whole time! Thank you Shelley Grandy…I hope you have another novel up your sleeve for us to read!

[Anita Alton · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premise was quite promising. The book read like a report - or a draft. I just couldn’t FEEL anything . Even when monumental things happened - they just….happened. No buildup - no suspense. The writing was simplistic. I’ll forget this book quickly.

[Julie J · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think there is a decent story here but it needs some fine tuning. It also could just not have been my style. If you want an easy going murder mystery I do suggest giving it a go.

[Burt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok story but what’s the deal with the author’s writing style? She writes like an old person explaining things to her young grandchildren. We don’t need a play by play of how to turn on a computer or upload video to the cloud like both are some sort of modern miracle. It’s all very cringey and hard to read. Two stars for some solid anti-Trump plot twists toward the end.