Devious Web by Shelley Grandy Audiobook Review | A Corporate Thriller Full of Secrets and Suspense
A gripping story that translates beautifully to audio, making every twist hit harder.
Before we step into the details, here's a closer look at what Devious Web is all about.
About Devious Web
Devious Web By Shelley Grandy
Published by Spark Press on October 2024
Genres: Suspense, Mystery, Thriller
Formats: Audiobook, eBook, Paperback
Pages: 272
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.
Reader resources:
You can explore more about the book here:
View Devious Web on StoryGraph
Review at a Glance
| Genre: | Mystery, Suspense, Thriller |
| Setting: | Toronto, Canada; corporate tech and business world |
| Length: | 272 pages (audiobook length varies by edition) |
| Content Rating: | PG-13 - mild violence (attempted murder), non-explicit references to sex, alcohol, and recreational drug use |
| My Rating: | ★★★★☆ (4 stars) |
| Quick Take: | A twist-filled corporate thriller with layered secrets, shifting motives, and a steady build of suspense that keeps you guessing. |
Curious how I rate books? Read my full rating system here.
This story includes mild violence (including attempted murder), as well as non-explicit references to sex, alcohol, and recreational drug use. While not graphic, these elements are present within the context of a corporate thriller and may be worth noting for sensitive readers.
With that in mind, here are my thoughts on Devious Web
My Thoughts
Devious Web pulls you into a world where success looks polished on the surface-but underneath, there's a steady undercurrent of secrets, ambition, and quiet tension
The story blends corporate intrigue with a classic whodunit structure in a way that feels seamless and engaging. The stakes remain personal even within the larger business setting, and as the investigation unfolds, each relationship carries an undercurrent of uncertainty. Motives shift, loyalties blur, and a quiet sense that something isn't quite right builds at a steady, compelling pace.
The suspense here isn't built on shock value, but on layers. Information is revealed thoughtfully, allowing the mystery to develop without feeling rushed or overly complicated. It's the kind of story where you find yourself reconsidering earlier assumptions as new details come to light.
Listening to this as an audiobook added an extra dimension to that experience. The pacing works especially well in audio format, giving the tension room to breathe while still keeping the story moving forward. Key moments land with a bit more weight, and the unfolding mystery feels immersive without becoming overwhelming. It's an easy listen in terms of flow, but one that still keeps your attention.
In Conclusion
If you enjoy character-driven mysteries with a modern, corporate edge-and a storyline that leans more on tension and layered reveals than high-intensity action-Devious Web offers a thoughtful, steadily suspenseful ride.
If you enjoy suspenseful, character-driven thrillers, you might also enjoy my review of Thunderbird Rising: A Maxx King Thriller by John H. Thomas.
I always enjoy hearing directly from authors, and Shelley Grandy shares a thoughtful perspective on the writing journey below.
Guest Post from Shelley Grandy
Is It Worthwhile to Write a Novel?
At a recent bookstore signing event, I met a woman who told me she was writing a book-but sometimes questioned why. She had a creative spirit and plenty of ideas, yet felt discouraged when she saw the sheer number of books already available online and in stores.
When I asked if she found joy in writing, she said yes. That answer says everything.
If writing a book is satisfying for the author, then it's worthwhile-no matter what. Finishing a well-written, compelling manuscript is an accomplishment in itself.
That said, it's important to define expectations early. If the goal is to complete a book and share it with friends and family, that's absolutely attainable. But if the expectation is to write a bestseller and nothing less will do, that can lead to disappointment-especially for a first-time author.
A writer's publishing strategy should align with their goals and budget. Today, there are more options than ever: self-publishing, working with an independent or hybrid publisher, or pursuing a traditional path through an agent. For Devious Web, I chose the hybrid route, which allowed me to bring the book to market more quickly while still benefiting from distribution through Simon & Schuster.
Once published, it's easy to get caught up in rankings and reviews. Seeing your book ranked somewhere deep in the hundreds of thousands on Amazon doesn't do much for the ego! That's where understanding metadata, BISAC categories, and keywords becomes important. Knowledge truly is power.
New authors also need to be their own advocates. Promoting a book means putting yourself out there-through signings, library events, and social media. Like the proverbial tree falling in the forest, a book can't be discovered if no one knows it exists.
So, is writing a novel worth it?
If writing comes naturally to you, brings you joy, and fuels your creativity-I believe the answer is yes. The publishing process can feel daunting, but meaningful accomplishments rarely come without effort. And for those who stay focused, do the work, and remain positive, success is absolutely within reach.
Cheers to all the aspiring authors out there-and feel free to remind me of this post as I work to finish the sequel to Devious Web this summer!
Meet the Author
About Shelley Grandy
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 horse, 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 Oulds.
Explore more from the author:
Website | Amazon | Goodreads
Where to Find
If this sounds like your kind of read, you can explore purchase options below.
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Tour dates: May 4 to May 22, 2026. To see the full schedule of stops, visit the
iRead Book Tours - Devious Web Tour Page.
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