What do you think?
Rate this book
Dewey Webb Private Investigator #1
Web of Deceit
Gordon Sandalwood suspects his wife Edith is hiding something from him, and he asks Denver private investigator Dewey Webb to find out what. Dewey, toughened by his own war experiences, reluctantly takes the case, certain it will lead to nothing. But when he sees Edith rendezvous with a mysterious man, Dewey realizes his assumptions might be wrong. As he digs deeper to identify the stranger, he turns up secrets that reach back into the war, and as he unravels a web of deceit, he discovers who has the most to gain, and the most to lose.
236 pages, Paperback
Published February 12, 2016
1064 people are currently reading
535 people want to read
About the author
Renee Pawlish
116 books347 followersFrom the time she was ten and tried to write her own detective series in the fashion of the Hardy Boys, Renée Pawlish has been developing her craft. Along with creative writing classes, Renée studied great writers like Dashiell Hammett, Rex Stout, Stephen King, Sue Grafton and many more. Once Renée graduated from college, she began her first novel. Now, all these years later, she has penned numerous books in a variety of genres.
Renée was born in California, but has lived most of her life in Colorado. When she's not hiking, cycling, or chasing ballplayers for autographs, she is writing mysteries and thrillers. She also has some middle grade novels waiting to be published.
Renée loves to travel and has visited numerous countries around the world. She has also spent many summer days at her parents' cabin in the hills outside of Boulder, which was the inspiration for the setting of Taylor Crossing in her novel Nephilim: Genesis of Evil.
The Reed Ferguson Mystery Series
This Doesn't Happen In The Movies
Reel Estate Rip-off
The Nephilim Trilogy
Nephilim Genesis of Evil
Books Two and Three soon to be released
The Noah Winter YA Adventure Series
The Emerald Quest
Take Five
A short story collection that includes a Reed Ferguson tale.
The Sallie House: Exposing the Beast Within
A non-fiction book about one of the most haunted houses in America.
To learn more you can follow her on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/reneepawlish....
on her blog:
http://tobecomeawriter.wordpress.com/
on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/reneepawlish
Renée was born in California, but has lived most of her life in Colorado. When she's not hiking, cycling, or chasing ballplayers for autographs, she is writing mysteries and thrillers. She also has some middle grade novels waiting to be published.
Renée loves to travel and has visited numerous countries around the world. She has also spent many summer days at her parents' cabin in the hills outside of Boulder, which was the inspiration for the setting of Taylor Crossing in her novel Nephilim: Genesis of Evil.
The Reed Ferguson Mystery Series
This Doesn't Happen In The Movies
Reel Estate Rip-off
The Nephilim Trilogy
Nephilim Genesis of Evil
Books Two and Three soon to be released
The Noah Winter YA Adventure Series
The Emerald Quest
Take Five
A short story collection that includes a Reed Ferguson tale.
The Sallie House: Exposing the Beast Within
A non-fiction book about one of the most haunted houses in America.
To learn more you can follow her on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/reneepawlish....
on her blog:
http://tobecomeawriter.wordpress.com/
on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/reneepawlish
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
December 7, 2017
Kindle Unlimited
Gave it a try and forced myself to finish the book...will not continue reading this series.
PI Dewey Webb in Denver gets a call from a worried husband and takes on a job to follow the wife to figure out what may be bothering her, if anything. Turns out she is being blackmailed. There is a plodding and humorless pace to the investigation as well as the challenge of balancing whether he is working for the wife or the husband.
The characters were cardboard and there was not a shred of wit to be found.
Gave it a try and forced myself to finish the book...will not continue reading this series.
PI Dewey Webb in Denver gets a call from a worried husband and takes on a job to follow the wife to figure out what may be bothering her, if anything. Turns out she is being blackmailed. There is a plodding and humorless pace to the investigation as well as the challenge of balancing whether he is working for the wife or the husband.
The characters were cardboard and there was not a shred of wit to be found.
August 25, 2019
Just the Facts, Lady
Web of Deceit, the first in the Dewey Webb series by Renee Pawlish, is a standard procedural about a private investigator tracking down leads in a nasty blackmail case. It's a well-paced, quick read, especially fun for fans of the 1940s and 50s noir genre.
Web of Deceit, the first in the Dewey Webb series by Renee Pawlish, is a standard procedural about a private investigator tracking down leads in a nasty blackmail case. It's a well-paced, quick read, especially fun for fans of the 1940s and 50s noir genre.
August 17, 2019
A touch of film noir
Good story written in the style of Raymond Chandler and images found in the film noir of the 40's and 50's. Only thing missing was the lingo if the time and one reference to "popping a cap" was not a fit in 1949. It was an entertaining read.
Good story written in the style of Raymond Chandler and images found in the film noir of the 40's and 50's. Only thing missing was the lingo if the time and one reference to "popping a cap" was not a fit in 1949. It was an entertaining read.
August 16, 2019
Plenty of suspects
This who dunnit has above average plotting and characterization with lots of suspects. The reader will guess the truth well before the end but still a fun read.
This who dunnit has above average plotting and characterization with lots of suspects. The reader will guess the truth well before the end but still a fun read.
September 22, 2019
Great potboiler detective novel set in Denver not long after WW II. I was a child living in Denver at the same time and many of the descriptions were as I remembered them. My father worked at the old Meadow Gold Dairy back then, near Larimer Street. It was a Bowery area with bars, drunks, and prostitutes and definitely not safe at night. Dewey Webb, the series detective, spends some time in the area and described it just like my dad did. Of course, now the Lariner Square area is a pretty high class shopping area. I remember riding the streetcars, a great form of public transportation that Denver shouldn't have demolished. My grandmother lived on Grant Street and I went to kindergarten at the old Sherman Elementary School, long gone I'm sure! I remember Piggly Wiggly grocery stores and Rexall drug stores. Obviously the book stirred up many memories for me. But beyond that I enjoyed the story. It reminded me of the old Sam Spade detective stories. This was the first book in the series and I plan to read more. How fun!
June 9, 2016
I have enjoyed several of Ms Pawlish's Reed Ferguson detective stories, so I was excited to jump into her new mystery series featuring Dewey Webb. Reed's adventures are fairly light-hearted (though sometimes dangerous) romps with some zany characters through mysteries set in present day - very enjoyable reads. Dewey Webb on the other hand is a tough and close-to-hard-boiled detective operating in the post-WWII era - however, also very enjoyable. Dewey is an ex-Marine and family man (with wife and toddler at home) that encounters some seriously nasty characters while solving a blackmail case. As I said, it is nearly hard-boiled; yet it is light enough and Dewey is a nice enough fellow that you don't come away from the story depressed. I would recommend this book to Pawlish fans, hard-boiled fans, and just about anyone who enjoys a good mystery.
February 18, 2016
Web of Deceit by Renée Pawlish is a mystery novel taking place in Denver, Colorado after the end of World War II. The story starts a little slow as Dewey is contacted by a man concerned with his wife's strange behavior and activities while he was at work. But the action picks up as does Dewey's clients when he figures out that the wife is being blackmailed. Rather than just tell the husband, Dewey contacts the wife. When he hears why the blackmail, he works to find out who is behind it. The path to the truth is not a straight line but Dewey is able to follow the dots and clues to find the whole story and all those who were actively involved. If you like a clean read, you must give Dewy a read.
March 3, 2016
Another great character creation
It set in the 1940s after the War. Renee keeps to the time period with all the smoking and drinking. When he mentions the pay phone, it is almost a memory. I kept thinking he would use his cell phone, but of course, it was not invented yet. It is a fun read and I look forward to more in this series.
It set in the 1940s after the War. Renee keeps to the time period with all the smoking and drinking. When he mentions the pay phone, it is almost a memory. I kept thinking he would use his cell phone, but of course, it was not invented yet. It is a fun read and I look forward to more in this series.
April 18, 2019
1949 and Dewey Webb now works as a private investigator. He is approached by Gordon Sandalwood because his wife Edith is acting suspiciously and needs to why. The case turns out not to be as straightforward as Dewey first believes.
An enjoyable mystery, well-written, and a good start to the series.
An enjoyable mystery, well-written, and a good start to the series.
March 7, 2016
This was a very enjoyable start to a new series.Renee Pawlish can pull off a great mystery story without the crude language and violence. Dewey Webb is trying to make it on his own in the PI business. This is a wonderfully done story with well developed characters.
August 16, 2017
Web of Defect
I loved this mystery. The storyline and characters were right on. This book brought back memories when I was a cniild back to the book it was entertaining, great flow easy read and great people enter action. I'll read more of her books.
I loved this mystery. The storyline and characters were right on. This book brought back memories when I was a cniild back to the book it was entertaining, great flow easy read and great people enter action. I'll read more of her books.
December 8, 2017
A good example of the genre
An enjoyable read, tightly written and entertainingly set in post WW2 Denver. Dewey Webb is a little larger than life and a competent investigator and the storyline has enough twists and turns to keep the reader rivetted and a thoroughly believable ending.
An enjoyable read, tightly written and entertainingly set in post WW2 Denver. Dewey Webb is a little larger than life and a competent investigator and the storyline has enough twists and turns to keep the reader rivetted and a thoroughly believable ending.
March 11, 2018
Great story
The characters in the story Dewey Webb especially. I liked the twists and turns in the plot and never predicted who the real culprit was. Enjoyed the book and couldn’t put it down until I finished it.
The characters in the story Dewey Webb especially. I liked the twists and turns in the plot and never predicted who the real culprit was. Enjoyed the book and couldn’t put it down until I finished it.
February 26, 2017
A well-done mystery. I look forward to the series.
December 18, 2017
Well written period detective story about a blackmail case. Set in 1949, and very authentic. I couldn't put it down-read it through in one sitting!
March 20, 2018
Enjoyed This One
Looks like I’ve found a new detective to enjoy. The character is easy to like and so far isn’t full of angst. He just solves the case.
Looks like I’ve found a new detective to enjoy. The character is easy to like and so far isn’t full of angst. He just solves the case.
June 23, 2018
Good read
It’s a nice book for the beginners in crime and suspense. When it got to the middle it got more and more interesting. I would recommend it!
It’s a nice book for the beginners in crime and suspense. When it got to the middle it got more and more interesting. I would recommend it!
March 14, 2019
A good murder mystery with a classic plot. I really liked it because it was short and to the point.
November 16, 2024
Wow..just wow! My neighbor thought I would like to read this..it sat in the bookshelf gathering dust for a hot minute..guess it was just waiting for me to spot it among the rest of choices..and I'm glad I did!
I recognized - in my mind's eye - a housing area here that was built for not just active duty service.members and their families - but for returning vets and families readjusting to civilian life. (Salishan WA...)
As to Dewey well now - I'm of a certain age that would remember- he reminded me of Mickey Spillane , played by Stacey Keech...a d this story fits that groove.
As Dewey is investigating one case, it rolls into another that ties the both into one big one...As he describes his list of suspects , it gives you a chance of trying to figure just who is guilty, who's lying, who's gonna be the GUY!! Remember when I said Mickey Spillane, well, Dewey recites his moves, his thoughts and his conclusions..
Yes, I liked this..and if you like a little something different...you too will find this a good read( hahaha - didja catch that😀) --P/
I recognized - in my mind's eye - a housing area here that was built for not just active duty service.members and their families - but for returning vets and families readjusting to civilian life. (Salishan WA...)
As to Dewey well now - I'm of a certain age that would remember- he reminded me of Mickey Spillane , played by Stacey Keech...a d this story fits that groove.
As Dewey is investigating one case, it rolls into another that ties the both into one big one...As he describes his list of suspects , it gives you a chance of trying to figure just who is guilty, who's lying, who's gonna be the GUY!! Remember when I said Mickey Spillane, well, Dewey recites his moves, his thoughts and his conclusions..
Yes, I liked this..and if you like a little something different...you too will find this a good read( hahaha - didja catch that😀) --P/
March 13, 2018
Apparently Dewey is the superhero detective who rarely ever gets hurt even when he puts himself in the most dangerous situation to acquire clues. Another point of amusement for me is when Mr. Detective goes around asking the most blatant questions with no shielding descriptions and I am here thinking "Is he not worried that someone will come after him when he sniffs around in the most obvious manner?"
Aside from these probably minor amusement the art of mystery in this book is decent. I really like how when I thought the case ended, the plot actually twisted to reveal another layer of problem solving. I did not see that guilt in a particular character! I must point out that a particular plot twist that bother me is .
I read for #MarchMysteryMadness 2018
Aside from these probably minor amusement the art of mystery in this book is decent. I really like how when I thought the case ended, the plot actually twisted to reveal another layer of problem solving. I did not see that guilt in a particular character! I must point out that a particular plot twist that bother me is .
I read for #MarchMysteryMadness 2018
June 25, 2020
First in a mystery featuring Dewey Webb a detective living in 1949 and moving into the fifties. Nice job of depecting the times and feel of the era.
Dewey's first case involves one Edith Sandalwood and her sister Ruby in a blackmail scheme. It's her husband Gordon who hires Dewey first, but as the story unfolds it's Edith who needs the help.
Dewey as an interesting backstory as well. He's not the lonely detective who falls in love with his clients. He's married with a young son, so he needs to protect them as well as himself.
The villains are tough enough and their leader is not what one would expect.
I enjoyed the book and will put the next book on my reading list (there are seven of these so far).
Nice quick read,
Dewey's first case involves one Edith Sandalwood and her sister Ruby in a blackmail scheme. It's her husband Gordon who hires Dewey first, but as the story unfolds it's Edith who needs the help.
Dewey as an interesting backstory as well. He's not the lonely detective who falls in love with his clients. He's married with a young son, so he needs to protect them as well as himself.
The villains are tough enough and their leader is not what one would expect.
I enjoyed the book and will put the next book on my reading list (there are seven of these so far).
Nice quick read,
February 4, 2018
Great story!!!!
WOW, this book is something else. Be careful what you wish for!!!!
Two stories in one, what had Dewey spinning in a circle, trying which direction to go in, there are some many possibilities, I guessed wrong 4 times.
I didn't sleep much the last 2 days, because I had to find out what Dewey found out next, cause every time he had one thing half way figured some other piece won't fit.
Dewey has common sense out of this world. Be careful of the secret you keep, it can bite you on t he butt and some.
YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED!!!!!!
WOW, this book is something else. Be careful what you wish for!!!!
Two stories in one, what had Dewey spinning in a circle, trying which direction to go in, there are some many possibilities, I guessed wrong 4 times.
I didn't sleep much the last 2 days, because I had to find out what Dewey found out next, cause every time he had one thing half way figured some other piece won't fit.
Dewey has common sense out of this world. Be careful of the secret you keep, it can bite you on t he butt and some.
YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED!!!!!!
January 11, 2018
Highly enjoyed this noir mystery set in the 40's. What I loved about it most was that it was clean, but still gritty and had a great mystery. I also really like Dewey Webb's character and how he juggles his private detective work and his family life. Very readable and entertaining without the explicitness. I'm hooked.
January 17, 2018
One can't expect a lot from a Kindle book obtained free. Nevertheless, I plodded through it while traveling. It wasn't very good, or bad for that matter. It didn't offend, and had occasional plot twists but not a lot.
Uninspiring pretty much describes it. My rating might be a bit harsh, but I usually only give very good novels a 3 and this one isn't elite.
Uninspiring pretty much describes it. My rating might be a bit harsh, but I usually only give very good novels a 3 and this one isn't elite.
January 23, 2018
A rather soft-boiled detective story featuring Dewey Webb, set in Denver, 1949.
Very competently written with decent characterization. I just found it a tad soft, kinda under cooked. The heart of the story just not that captivating. But I read it to completion so it was interesting enough to keep going.
This was a freebie from Kindle, without any course language.
Very competently written with decent characterization. I just found it a tad soft, kinda under cooked. The heart of the story just not that captivating. But I read it to completion so it was interesting enough to keep going.
This was a freebie from Kindle, without any course language.
May 11, 2021
My first time with this author. Probably my last.
The story itself was ok, an old time 40s detective mystery.
The characters didnt do much for me and the story itself i found to be pretty simple.
It was not horrible by any stretch, it flowed logically and there werent any major leaps of faith to move it along. It just didnt do it for me.
The story itself was ok, an old time 40s detective mystery.
The characters didnt do much for me and the story itself i found to be pretty simple.
It was not horrible by any stretch, it flowed logically and there werent any major leaps of faith to move it along. It just didnt do it for me.
September 16, 2022
A clean great 40's stylish mystery in which Dewey Webb follows the wife of his client who has been acting strangely, only to find it a depth of mystery and danger to himself and to those around him. Very fun, light read. So far I've enjoyed every one of Pawlish's mysteries. Love her writing and characterizations.
October 17, 2023
Excellent 1940s Gumshoe Who Dunnit
What a fun book! This is the beginning of a series that I plan on reading, perhaps binge-reading. The story is set in post-WWII Denver. I am a native of the area, and it was a fun flashback in time. The mystery really captured my interest. It unfolds from the PI's point of view. There is plenty of action to make it quite the page-turner. Fun read!
What a fun book! This is the beginning of a series that I plan on reading, perhaps binge-reading. The story is set in post-WWII Denver. I am a native of the area, and it was a fun flashback in time. The mystery really captured my interest. It unfolds from the PI's point of view. There is plenty of action to make it quite the page-turner. Fun read!
June 18, 2017
I'm throwing in the towel on this one. I enjoy different types of mysteries, but apparently not the gumshoe variety. More than halfway through and I found the story tedious and plodding, and I didn't particularly care about any of the characters. DNF
January 26, 2018
Highly Recommend
This is a very good book with interesting characters and a great story. I would recommend it for anyone looking for a good mystery. I look forward to reading more from this author.
This is a very good book with interesting characters and a great story. I would recommend it for anyone looking for a good mystery. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews