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Above the Fold & Below the Belt (2019) by Amanda M. Lee is the second book in the long-running Avery Shaw Mystery series, a witty, small-town cozy mystery filled with newsroom drama, murder, and plenty of sarcasm. The novel deepens the character dynamics established in the debut (On Deadline & Under Fire) while exploring the personal and professional challenges of an investigative reporter who can’t help but get too close to danger.
Amanda M. Lee combines sharp humor, brisk pacing, and an authentic newsroom setting to deliver another fast-moving entry in her Michigan-based series. Her signature writing style, equal parts snark and sincerity, keeps readers hooked from the first chapter.
Setting & Author Context
The story once again unfolds in Macomb County, Michigan, the familiar setting that defines much of Lee’s cozy-mystery landscape. Local diners, radio stations, and courthouse steps become the stage for gossip, corruption, and crime. Lee captures the pulse of a small town where everyone knows everyone — and secrets don’t stay buried for long.
Amanda M. Lee, a prolific author with dozens of mystery titles, is known for her strong female leads and irreverent tone. Across her series (including Wicked Witches of the Midwest and Charlie Rhodes Mysteries), Lee crafts stories that balance suspense with comedic realism. Her background in journalism shines through Avery Shaw — a heroine who chases leads with the same stubborn curiosity that makes her both likable and trouble-prone.
Plot Summary (No Spoilers)
The novel begins with Avery Shaw, a reporter at the Macomb Daily, facing another hectic week of breaking stories and office politics. When a routine political assignment turns explosive — both figuratively and literally — Avery finds herself entangled in a scandal that could shake the county to its core.
As the story unfolds, Avery investigates a corruption case involving campaign finances, personal grudges, and public image. The “above the fold” part of the title reflects her fight to get big stories on the front page; the “below the belt” captures the low blows exchanged in both politics and the newsroom.
What starts as a heated editorial rivalry soon becomes something far more dangerous. A string of threats, a suspicious death, and a mysterious informant pull Avery deeper into the crossfire. Her determination to uncover the truth — while juggling relationships, colleagues, and family — drives the narrative with energy and humor.
The pacing remains brisk but not rushed. Lee keeps the mystery layered, letting readers enjoy both the investigative unraveling and the character banter that defines the series’ charm.
Characters & Themes
- Avery Shaw – A snarky, relentless reporter whose moral compass doesn’t always align with her patience. Avery embodies persistence, independence, and loyalty, even when her curiosity leads to danger.
- Elliot Nash – The love interest and Macomb County Sheriff’s Department detective. He represents logic and restraint, often clashing with Avery’s impulsive nature.
- Carly Shaw – Avery’s cousin and closest ally, providing grounded humor and occasional wisdom. Carly reflects the theme of family loyalty amid chaos.
- Jake Farmer & Dottie Shaw – Avery’s colleagues who infuse the newsroom scenes with wit and realism. Through them, the book highlights how news culture mirrors investigation, and sometimes exaggeration drives public perception.
Thematically, Above the Fold & Below the Belt explores truth vs spin, ambition vs ethics, and the cost of exposure. Every investigation comes with collateral damage — a recurring motif across Lee’s series. By grounding these conflicts in Avery’s relationships, Lee keeps the mystery emotional as well as procedural.
Tropes & Reader Experience
Amanda M. Lee plays cleverly with several cozy-mystery tropes:
✅ “Amateur Sleuth with a Professional Edge” — Avery is not a detective but a journalist; her profession naturally pushes her toward crime scenes and secrets.
✅ “Small Town, Big Trouble” — Macomb County feels intimate, yet every corner hides a potential scandal.
✅ “Enemies to Allies” — Rival editors, cops, and suspects often blur moral lines, adding both humor and unpredictability.
✅ “Witty Women & Dry Humor” — Lee’s voice turns even tense scenes into moments of levity, preventing the story from growing too dark.
The tone is unmistakably lighthearted, but the stakes are real. Readers enjoy Avery’s blend of sarcasm and sincerity — she makes mistakes, says what others won’t, and always lands back on her feet. Fans of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series or Gretchen Archer’s Davis Way Crime Caper books will recognize the blend of chaos and charm.
Series Placement / Reading Order
The Avery Shaw Mystery series should ideally be read in order, as character arcs and romantic subplots evolve from book to book. The first three titles follow this sequence:
- On Deadline & Under Fire (2018)
- Above the Fold & Below the Belt (2019)
- Opinionated & Out of Control (2022)
That said, each installment stands alone with a complete central mystery. Readers can jump in anywhere without confusion, but they’ll appreciate the continuity of tone and humor when read sequentially.
Reader Suitability / Why Read It
Above the Fold & Below the Belt appeals to readers who love character-driven cozy mysteries with plenty of bite. It’s particularly rewarding for:
- Fans of journalism-based fiction who appreciate insider newsroom details.
- Readers who prefer mysteries solved through intuition and persistence rather than forensic evidence.
- Those who enjoy snark, friendship, and fast dialogue more than dark psychological depth.
The book strikes a balance between humor and heart. While the central whodunit remains compelling, much of its appeal lies in Avery herself — flawed, outspoken, and refreshingly real. Amanda M. Lee’s dialogue captures the rhythm of a newsroom and the friction between professional ambition and personal ethics.
Readers consistently describe the novel as funny, fast-paced, and full of memorable one-liners. It’s easy to binge, hard to put down, and leaves you ready for the next headline-worthy scandal.
Continue the Avery Shaw Mystery Series
Read other books in the Avery Shaw Mystery Series.