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Misquoted & Demoted (2015) by Amanda M. Lee is the sixth installment in the popular Avery Shaw Mystery series. The book follows reporter protagonist Avery Shaw as she faces professional upheaval and unexpected danger when her newsroom punishes her with a demoted assignment. The novel matters because Lee uses this career‐setback to deepen the series’ emotional stakes and press the cozy‑mystery tropes into more serious territory while retaining the signature snark and newsroom humor readers expect.
The book was released in 2015 and carries ISBN‑13: 9781505829471.
Setting & Author Context
The scene of the novel takes place within the newsroom and local community of suburban Michigan, where Avery Shaw works as a reporter for a small‑town newspaper. The setting → places → realistic small‑town journalism and the tension of local politics in direct contrast with crime and scandal. Amanda M. Lee’s background as a former newspaper reporter gives her the material to portray newsroom dynamics, demotions, and professional frustrations with authenticity. Lee’s style tends to blend snarky first‑person narration, witty dialogue, and gritty undercurrents of danger—even within a cozy framework.
Plot Summary (No Spoilers)
In Misquoted & Demoted, Avery Shaw finds herself demoted by her new publisher after county commissioner Tad Ludington raises complaints about her coverage. As punishment, the publisher assigns Avery to cover the high school sports beat, which she believes is beneath her ambition. The career demotion → triggers → a newfound frustration and resolves Avery to prove her worth. Meanwhile, a dead girl is discovered on a high school football field and Avery’s instincts for investigation collide with her demoted status. As tension builds, Avery navigates the politics of her workplace, the responsibilities of her new assignment, and the dangerous story behind the death. The narrative gives readers both the newsroom politics and the mystery‑driven investigation.
Characters & Themes
Main characters:
- Avery Shaw — Ace reporter and protagonist. Avery Shaw → represents → ambition, tenacity and the conflict between career goals and personal integrity.
- Tad Ludington — County commissioner whose complaints spark the demotion. Ludington → represents → power, pressure and the consequences of journalism in local politics.
- The new Publisher — The person enforcing the demotion. The publisher → represents → institutional oversight, career risk and the fragile nature of assignment status.
- Avery’s colleagues — The sports editor and other staff create the workplace dynamic of resentment and adaptation. They → illustrate → newsroom culture and the cost of demotion.
Themes:
- Career identity and value — The book explores how a journalist like Avery Shaw must redefine herself when her role changes.
- Power dynamics in journalism — The story shows how commissioner complaints and publisher decisions can affect reporters’ assignments and status.
- Underestimating the “lesser” assignment — By sending Avery to sports, the novel challenges the idea that some beats are beneath importance. The demotion → hides → the possibility of uncovering major stories.
- Ambition vs. integrity — Avery must ask whether chasing the big story is worth sacrificing everything else—including her relationships, her ethics and her credibility.
Tropes & Reader Experience
Misquoted & Demoted uses several cozy‑mystery tropes (female protagonist, small‑town setting, amateur sleuthing) while injecting higher stakes through workplace drama. The “demoted assignment” trope gives familiar readers a twist: instead of starting from scratch, Avery already has a career reputation that’s shaken. The trope of “reporter in danger” frames the narrative for suspense fans. The book → appeals to → readers who enjoy witty heroines, office‑politics conflicts and perfect blends of humor with mystery. According to Goodreads, the book holds an average rating of about 4.5 stars.
Series Placement / Reading Order
Misquoted & Demoted is #6 in the Avery Shaw Mystery series.
Here’s a short reading‑order snippet for context:
- #5: The Preditorial Page (2014)
- #6: Misquoted & Demoted (2015)
- #7: Headlines & Deadlines (2015)
While each novel can be enjoyed on its own, reading in order provides fuller character development for Avery Shaw and deeper investment in her professional journey. The series → is created by → Amanda M. Lee.
Reader Suitability / Why Read It
If you enjoy cozy mysteries that feature a snappy female reporter, office and newsroom hijinks, and a twist on career‑driven sleuthing, then Misquoted & Demoted is a strong pick. The novel appeals to readers who like their sleuth smart‑mouthed, professional and resourceful. The tone here is accessible and humorous yet serious when the stakes matter. The book → appeals to → fans of newsroom settings, women sleuths, workplace dramas and layered mysteries. The story → inspires → readers to see that even a “lesser beat” can hold big stories—and big consequences.
Continue the Avery Shaw Mystery Series
Read other books in the Avery Shaw Mystery Series.