What do you think?
Rate this book
Hailey Webb Mysteries #5
Pretty Dead
Hailey Webb, assistant for the Palm Shores Gazette in California, gets the chance to explore the behind-the-scenes moments of the Majestic Palms beauty pageant.
It doesn’t get more exciting than this. Or does it?
When the director of the show—a former beauty queen—is found dead, Hailey finds herself embroiled in yet another investigation.
But with a suspect list longer than a couture gown, Hailey needs help from both her best friend, Kat, and Mike, the crime reporter.
Adding more stress to her life is Hailey’s mom, who is dead set on finding Hailey a man, with rather unconventional methods. Is there a How to Escape Your Mom’s Nagging for Dummies book out there?
With the final show of the beauty pageant around the corner, Hailey needs to sharpen her sleuthing skills.
Will Hailey be able to find the killer, or will she die trying?
PRETTY DEAD is a humorous, fast romp, perfect for fans of Janet Evanovich, Jana DeLeon, Gemma Halliday, Liliana Hart, and JB Lynn.
It doesn’t get more exciting than this. Or does it?
When the director of the show—a former beauty queen—is found dead, Hailey finds herself embroiled in yet another investigation.
But with a suspect list longer than a couture gown, Hailey needs help from both her best friend, Kat, and Mike, the crime reporter.
Adding more stress to her life is Hailey’s mom, who is dead set on finding Hailey a man, with rather unconventional methods. Is there a How to Escape Your Mom’s Nagging for Dummies book out there?
With the final show of the beauty pageant around the corner, Hailey needs to sharpen her sleuthing skills.
Will Hailey be able to find the killer, or will she die trying?
PRETTY DEAD is a humorous, fast romp, perfect for fans of Janet Evanovich, Jana DeLeon, Gemma Halliday, Liliana Hart, and JB Lynn.
- GenresCozy Mystery
287 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 2, 2023
About the author
Deany Ray
42 books247 followershttps://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.
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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 10, 2023
This series just keeps getting better!
Hailey Webb’s best friend Kat has gotten a job at the Majestic Palms USA pageant and Hailey is excited about seeing the behind-the-scenes workings of a beauty pageant. This is going to be fun – but Hailey does have a habit of finding dead bodies wherever she goes and as the curtain opens for rehearsal, there is the director lying in a pool of blood. There is no shortage of suspects as she and her friend/crime reporter Mike try to find the murderer. Each time you think you have figured it out, a new suspect pops up. I highly recommend this book. You can easily read it as a stand alone but the previous books in the series are just as good.
I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
Hailey Webb’s best friend Kat has gotten a job at the Majestic Palms USA pageant and Hailey is excited about seeing the behind-the-scenes workings of a beauty pageant. This is going to be fun – but Hailey does have a habit of finding dead bodies wherever she goes and as the curtain opens for rehearsal, there is the director lying in a pool of blood. There is no shortage of suspects as she and her friend/crime reporter Mike try to find the murderer. Each time you think you have figured it out, a new suspect pops up. I highly recommend this book. You can easily read it as a stand alone but the previous books in the series are just as good.
I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
February 5, 2023
Another fun escapade with Hailey Webb, her sidekicks Kat and Mike, and her well intended (are we sure about that?) mother.
Hailey's friend Kat has a temp job working for the Majestic Palms beauty pageant. And when the director is found dead, Kat and Hailey are right there-along with the pageant participants and a multitude of behind the scene workers. First order of business, tell Mike, the crime reporter at the Gazette. Second order of business, help Mike solve the crime. So much happens as that second order of business is in progress. Sleuthing, yes, but not all gloom and doom. Plenty of humor, and lots provided inadvertently by her mother.
Wonderful characters and fun dialog is interspersed by work for her actual job...er sort of. There may have been some research that wasn't strictly job related involving a possum! One thing for sure, this book had me reading instead of doing much else for a few hours! Hard to put down such a humorous escapade with a dash of nerve-wracking! I loved it!
Hailey's friend Kat has a temp job working for the Majestic Palms beauty pageant. And when the director is found dead, Kat and Hailey are right there-along with the pageant participants and a multitude of behind the scene workers. First order of business, tell Mike, the crime reporter at the Gazette. Second order of business, help Mike solve the crime. So much happens as that second order of business is in progress. Sleuthing, yes, but not all gloom and doom. Plenty of humor, and lots provided inadvertently by her mother.
Wonderful characters and fun dialog is interspersed by work for her actual job...er sort of. There may have been some research that wasn't strictly job related involving a possum! One thing for sure, this book had me reading instead of doing much else for a few hours! Hard to put down such a humorous escapade with a dash of nerve-wracking! I loved it!
February 6, 2023
Hailey thinks she's just going to enjoy a simple pageant . . . till she finds a body.
"It lights a fire in you to see someone lying there who had lived and breathed, who'd had plans, maybe for drunks after work. Or were a hundred pages into an exciting thriller and would never read the end."
With that mind-shattering thought in mind, Hailey prepares to unmask a killer.
You'll find some truly laughter-inducing moments - picture a bevy of beautiful pageant contestants in a catfight - to pique your interest while Hailey and Mike, with Kat's help, chase down clues. Ray's turns of phrase are definitely among the highlights of her work - "the new director who had been elevated into the job of her dreams by the violent swing of a violin" - but it's her characters and plotlines that keep you turning pages.
[I was fortunate to receive an Advanced Reader Copy of the book from the author, with no obligation to review. The opinions expressed herein are given freely and are entirely my own.]
"It lights a fire in you to see someone lying there who had lived and breathed, who'd had plans, maybe for drunks after work. Or were a hundred pages into an exciting thriller and would never read the end."
With that mind-shattering thought in mind, Hailey prepares to unmask a killer.
You'll find some truly laughter-inducing moments - picture a bevy of beautiful pageant contestants in a catfight - to pique your interest while Hailey and Mike, with Kat's help, chase down clues. Ray's turns of phrase are definitely among the highlights of her work - "the new director who had been elevated into the job of her dreams by the violent swing of a violin" - but it's her characters and plotlines that keep you turning pages.
[I was fortunate to receive an Advanced Reader Copy of the book from the author, with no obligation to review. The opinions expressed herein are given freely and are entirely my own.]
February 17, 2023
Once again Hailey Webb finds herself with a front row seat to murder. Her friend is working at the Majestic Palms USA Pageant and Hailey comes by to check it out. That's when the body of the former beauty queen, Lana Prejean, is discovered. Now Hailey as an employee of the local newspaper is helping investigate. Mike the crime reporter is good at his job. He and Hailey make a great team. Can they track down the killer? I'm betting on it! Hailey is a unique character. I like that she and Mike have such great chemistry. Seeing them track down the culprit is enjoyable. However, Hailey's mom is a challenge. I have to laugh at this mother daughter relationship. This mystery is filled with interesting characters as well as humorous situations. Hailey has a talent for ending up in awkward situations but she always comes out looking good and with
the killer in tow. Deany Ray always delivers a wonderful cozy mystery.
the killer in tow. Deany Ray always delivers a wonderful cozy mystery.
January 28, 2023
Deany Ray is a superb writer of cozey mystery and murder as is proven once again with this adventurous ,comical and intriguing cozey mystery. The array of characters are bold, colorful and some a little quirky and they will draw you quite quickly with their daily drama and mayhem. Then you will find yourself enticed further with the intrigue and madcap adventure into the world of runways and beauty queens while the alluring plot carries you throughout with its madcap gurney it's nonstop excitement and laughs that will keep you enchanted turning page after page until you've reached the unexpected and climatic conclusion. I couldn't find the strength to put it aside until I read from the engaging beginning to the delightful delivery of the end. Acquire " Pretty Dead " the fifth book in the ( Hailey Webb Mystery series for hours of intriguing and enjoyable entertainment. Kat
February 6, 2023
I've been enjoying this series from the beginning, but I think this is the best so far. Hailey has a go-fer job at a newspaper, but she has a reputation for stumbling across dead bodies. This time it's at a beauty pageant. There are a lot of potential murderers because the contestants are out to win and let nothing stand in their way.
Tie that in with Hailey's mother trying to play matchmaker with some less than optimal candidates.
This book really struck my funny bone. Although I had several chuckles throughout the book, the last part of it had me laughing out loud and then I continued giggling.
So I highly recommend this book for people who enjoy cozy-type mysteries along with a good deal of humor.
I received an advance reader copy of the book. This is my honest review.
Tie that in with Hailey's mother trying to play matchmaker with some less than optimal candidates.
This book really struck my funny bone. Although I had several chuckles throughout the book, the last part of it had me laughing out loud and then I continued giggling.
So I highly recommend this book for people who enjoy cozy-type mysteries along with a good deal of humor.
I received an advance reader copy of the book. This is my honest review.
February 23, 2023
Haley finds herself right in the middle of another murder just by being at the rehearsal for a beauty pageant. Kat is working at the pageant and invited Haley to watch rehearsal. Haley and Mike work together to solve the murder. During their investigation they set a trap for the killer which leads to a dangerous situation for Haley. In the end a confession is made on live Television.
Received this as Advanced Read Copy
Received this as Advanced Read Copy
January 27, 2023
High heels, fabulous gowns, pageant competitions, murder.
You know, just the normal stuff.
This story has developed characters, lots of humor, and a steady pace.
Think of the movie 'Miss Congeniality on steroids.
This was the most fun story in the series yet.
You know, just the normal stuff.
This story has developed characters, lots of humor, and a steady pace.
Think of the movie 'Miss Congeniality on steroids.
This was the most fun story in the series yet.
February 3, 2023
This is another excellent Hailey mystery that will entertain you and keep you guessing. There are some laugh out loud moments during the pageant. This is a lighthearted mystery that you will certainly enjoy reading.
February 4, 2023
Cute whodonit
Enjoying this series. I like the main characters. I hope at some point Mike and Hailey get together. For now they are work friends who like to solve murders that Hailey keeps stumbling across.
No steam. No language. No cliffhanger. Quick, cute read.
Enjoying this series. I like the main characters. I hope at some point Mike and Hailey get together. For now they are work friends who like to solve murders that Hailey keeps stumbling across.
No steam. No language. No cliffhanger. Quick, cute read.
May 2, 2023
Fun series
Hailey again is around when a dead body shows up. She's gifted like that. This time she is smack in the middle of a beauty pageant where not is all as it seems.
This series us just so fun to read, with real laugh out loud moments. Awesome books!
Hailey again is around when a dead body shows up. She's gifted like that. This time she is smack in the middle of a beauty pageant where not is all as it seems.
This series us just so fun to read, with real laugh out loud moments. Awesome books!
September 2, 2024
Funny
I enjoyed reading this next book in a hilarious and high quality series. The pretty part is a huge mess, the accidental investigation surprisingly spot on, and the story quite entertaining.
I enjoyed reading this next book in a hilarious and high quality series. The pretty part is a huge mess, the accidental investigation surprisingly spot on, and the story quite entertaining.
February 7, 2023
I love this series! The characters are great and the pacing is good. I look forward to the Hailey’s next escapade.
October 17, 2025
Why
I've been waiting for something between Hailey and Mike. What gives already? What are all the secrets with Mike? Please
I've been waiting for something between Hailey and Mike. What gives already? What are all the secrets with Mike? Please
May 10, 2026
great author!
Loved this series! I did laugh out loud reading it! Love her sense of humor! I highly recommend her books!
Loved this series! I did laugh out loud reading it! Love her sense of humor! I highly recommend her books!
June 3, 2023
I enjoyed this book. well written and a good recommendation from me
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews