Off Target

Hailey Webb Mysteries #3

by Deany Ray

‘Til death do us part?

Hailey Webb, assistant and errand runner for the local newspaper in Palm Shores, California, enjoys a night out with her best friend, Kat. At their favorite bar, they’re promptly invited to join a bachelorette party.

Too bad the fun doesn’t last when someone tries to strangle Hailey in the bar restroom, and she barely survives. Was she the actual target? Or was it Laura, the bride-to-be, who could pass off as Hailey’s twin?

Either way, Hailey stumbled into something she just can’t let go. Or better yet, she stumbles upon something while investigating. A dead body.

With help from her best friend, her mom, and her hot coworker, Mike, Hailey is left with no choice but to get to the bottom of this mystery before a killer catches her.

Genres: Mystery

303 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 25, 2021

About the author

https://www.facebook.com/deanyraybooks/

Deany Ray has always wanted to be a writer so she decided to take the plunge and dive into it.
She loves writing cozy mysteries, as this is what she likes to read the most.
Her favorite activities are traveling, going to the movie theatre, meeting up with friends and having cooking sessions with her awesome mom.

Reviews

[Rosemary K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hailey Webb is just getting her life back on track after her fiancé cheated. She likes her new job at the Palm Shores Gazette. Plus she has warm, fuzzy feelings for Mike, their crime reporter. Unfortunately a fun night night out turns deadly. A masked man tries to strangle her. Or was it a case of mistaken identity? Did he want to kill the giddy bride-to-be? I was glad Mike is protective. She needs him there to help her find answers. The threat won't go away! Mike and Hailey make an awesome team. Plus sparks fly when they're together. Off Target has so many surprises that I couldn't stop reading. I had no idea who was behind these attempts. I loved how Hailey and her mother bonded over a French cooking class. It was a pure Lucy and Ethel experience. I couldn't stop laughing. Deany Ray has outdone herself. This book has it all - a great mystery, a touch of romance and plenty of humor. A perfect way to unwind!

[Barbara Hackel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hailey is right in the thick of things---again! The usual characters (Hailey, Co-worker Mike, friend Kat, and Mom) are joined with a couple characters we have met in other books, and a whole flock of bridesmaids. What starts as a chance meeting in a bar ends with Hailey having a target on her back. The author has done a great job of infusing fun into a nightmare featuring Hailey and a mystery attacker. A great balance of tension and terror with humor. Even Hailey's mom is more fun than usual.

This is a fun series with a heroine who might like to lean on a friend when times get tough, but is determined and quick thinking enough to get out of her own scrapes. I love the series and am already thinking about what's coming next!

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Please do not abuse the HOLY NAMES of GOD or the word "Holy" again. This is blasphemy and is NEVER acceptable. Sadly costs you 1*
That said, an otherwise good story

[Dee Gee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Does Hailey get on anyone else's nerves? She's ummmm moronic? She tells people she isn't going to do something dangerous and then ho hum goes off to meet someone in an alley and almost gets run over? I keep looking for a fresh fun mystery series that doesn't drive me crazy and I'm just not having luck. I was hoping this series might fit the bill and I forced myself to read up to this third book thinking it had to improve...not so much. A great deal of the story feels so forced. Like, am I supposed to be giggling over that nonsense in the cooking class with her mother? To me it was painful and I was rolling my eyes waiting for it to be over. It was like "cue funny cute stuff here and now you laugh." Her mother isn't comic relief, she's basically pretty awful and tiresome to read whenever she is inserted into the story for no reason. Her friend Kat (and then Mike) making Hailey repeat over and over again what happened to her in the bar like she was being funny? Just no. And I'm sorry, but at the end of these three books I've suffered through thus far to get to the end and have the author ask "wasn't that fun?" Again, no.

[Roxx Tarantini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always in the thick of things - this is the best way to describe our heroine, Hailey Webb! Ray has another action-packed, twisty-turny adventure for our intrepid heroine in book three of the Hailey Webb Mysteries. This time we have a case of mistaken identity. Or do we?

We can trust Hailey - with her intrepid sidekicks Kar & Mike - to dig through the rat's nest of relationships and secrets to get to the bottom of things in the nick of time.

Ray has crafted believable, multi-faceted characters here, but I think my favourite of them all is Hailey's mom - and as a mom of adults myself, I'm glad to see that perhaps the contentious relationship between these two seems to finally be settling into something - dare I say - almost amicable. While I always look forward to a new Hailey Webb adventure, I look forward to seeing more of the emerging closeness between these two characters more.

[I was fortunate to receive an Advance Reader's Copy of the book from the author, with no obligation to review. All opinions expressed herein are given freely and are entirely my own.]

[Gwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is it a case of mistaken identity or does Hailey have a target on her back? During a night out with her friend, Kat, the girls get invited to join a bachelorette party. Hailey and the future bride are similar in appearance, so when Hailey is attacked in the washroom it is unclear who is the real target. Hailey, Mike and Kat are on the hunt for the person behind the crime.
Mixed in with the fun , Hailey has a couple of memorable outings with her mom where we see a new side to her mom. There are moments of laughter and fun mixed with the suspense and danger. A good mix that keeps the reader entertained.
As with the rest of the series, I had trouble putting it down and am definitely looking forward to book four. I received an ARC copy of this book and this is my freely given and honest review.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hailey and Kat are at a bar enjoying a girl's night out.

They wind up getting invited to join a bachelorette party.

When Hailey goes to the ladies, the bride puts her veil on her.

While washing up, someone tries to kill her with a rope around the neck,

and only some quick thinking on her part saves her.

The only question now, was she the actual target?

Or was she mistaken for the bride-to-be?

This is a fun story with developed characters, a bit of humor, a couple of atypical characters and surprise ending.

[Susan Lutfi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Hailey Webb – she is fun, smart, and funny with a habit of stumbling into situations with dead bodies. However, this time, she may become the dead body. While having a girls night out with her best friend Kat, they are invited to join a bachelorette party, the bride looking eerily like Hailey. When Hailey goes into the ladies room, someone wraps a rope around her neck, choking her, but was she intended victim? More attempts on her life (or perhaps mistaking her for the bride?). Fast paced, interesting reading will keep you guessing until the end. Definitely a must read!

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deany Ray has done it again! Hailey and her best friend Kat had gone out for a fun night of music and a few drinks when they joined up with a bachelorette party. Things were going great until Hailey goes to the restroom and is attacked by a masked man. Why would he attack her and was she even the target? Hailey and her coworker Mike jump in to solve the mystery amid lots of twists and turns. And then there’s Hailey’s mother! A fun read you won’t want to put down! Can’t wait for the next one!

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book. It is full of action and suspense with really great characters who make the story so good that I couldn’t stop reading.

Hailey and Kit’s night out at a bar started out making new friends and leading to a lot more action than they anticipated. Hailey’s coworker Mike was also a big help collaborating with her to solve the crime. The story line got a lot more exciting as clues and information were uncovered.

The books in this series keep getting better, and I can’t wait to find out what happens next in the series.

[Linda J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased this as part of a bundle called THE HAILEY WEBB MYSTERIES - VOLUMES 1-3. This was my favorite of the bundle.

This author always throws in a surprise of the villain, and I liked that. The pacing in this one was good and not too many dumb moves by the h.

Suspenseful moments, twists, intrigue, love the mom and bbf. Also, the relationship that is building between the H/h.

Great whodunit, no cheating, no cliffhanger, HEA and clean. Lord's name used in vain I believe twice.

I can't improve on the blurb, just giving you extra tidbits to decide whether to purchase. (ljb)

[Cathy P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this addition to the series

Hailey has the worst (or maybe best) luck when it comes to being in the thick of things. She is also amazingly efficient at protecting herself on accident. I like the slow burn relationship possibly building between our h and H. Loved the book and looking forward to next in series. Humorous mysteries, no cursing or steamy scenes.
Told from h POV. No cliffhanger.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so enjoyed this mystery of intrigue, danger, intense mystery and a woman who seems to be able to handle it all. A well written clean cozey murder mystery with splashes of humor and the bonding of a mother and daughter. Vibrant characters that give you chills and make your heart melt Deany Ray is a truly talented writer that keeps you enthralled from start to finish. Acquire " Off Target " so you yourself can enjoy it as much as I have. 😏Kat

[Janet Bunbuc · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book. Grabbed my interest from the beginning. I started reading and didn't want to stop until I got to the end. Hailey Webb is just an average woman trying to do her job as assistant at the newspaper. So how does she always find herself in the middle of the headline story? Great characters, plenty of action. I love this series!

[Rebekah Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

4 stars, it’s good…

-1 star for chapter 15. Gun safety is not a joke. That wasn’t funny. I almost stopped reading. Also, red flag waving on your guy Mike. He’s shady, not forthcoming and kind of patronizing.

The mysteries, Kat, and Sheryl are great though. Hailey can be an idiot and that bugs me.

[E'Who'Reads'a'Thousand'Mysteries · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder, yoga, wedding

This hilarious mystery is so well written with twists and turns ... had me looking in the wrong direction for 3 / 4 of the book. Loaded with well-written humour, natural dialogue and realistic danger, I enjoyed this book and will definitely grab the next in the series.

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

a fun read! I love Hailey, she is always entertaining and manages to get herself into mischief.Lots of twists and turns, interesting and quirky characters. Wonderful cozy mystery.Keeps you guessing until the very end. A must read

[Samantha Anderton Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book! I love trying too figure out who done and usually I can, but this one kept me guessing the whole time. If you are looking for a great book that will keep you interested this one will! Come meet Hailey, Mike, and Kat!

[April Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This installment of Hailey Webb's story is fabulous. All of the same characters, but we get to know most of them in a deeper way. And this time the mystery is more personal and thus more intriguing and really pulls you in. Has become one of my favorite series!

[Mary Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun read
The third installment of this charming series is a light, fun, summertime read. With Hailey settling in to her job and getting comfortable with her colleagues, more attention is paid to the central mystery and budding attraction to her coworker. Perfect reading getaway.

[Marie Connolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun Mystery

Hailey is a great character, and her mother, co-worker Mike, and best friend Kat help Hailey enjoying life. I'm looking forward to Hailey's next adventure.

[Angela Burnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Hailey Webb story is fun and adventuresome as the others. This is a quick read that keeps you guessing until the end. I definitely recommend this series for a lighthearted fun read.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was definitely my favorite of the series thus far!

[Angie Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, fast paced, adventurous read, however why use God’s name as slang in your books? Totally unnecessary in an otherwise wonderful “cozy” series.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the series.

[Lorna Francis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another high octaine, action packed, very entertaining and funny read.

[Susan Hamann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in a series, but you can start with this book and not miss a beat
Hailey and her friend Kat go out to a club to relax and meet up with a bachelorette party of young women that they completely hit it off with. The partiers invited Hailey and Kat to join them. When Hailey goes to the ladies' room, someone follows her in and tries to kill her by strangling her with a rope. Hailey successfully fights him off, but gets involved in an investigation over who he is and why he'd decided to kill her. Can Hailey keep herself from being victimized again?

This is a fun read, well written, and the suspicions move from one potential perpetrator to another. It can be read by young adults and up.

I was provided an advance reader copy of this book by the author. This is my honest review.