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New Media & Old Grudges (2020) by Amanda M. Lee is the sixteenth book in the Avery Shaw Mystery series. The novel centers on investigative reporter Avery Shaw as she confronts political enemies, high‑stakes scandal and the evolving world of media coverage. Lee uses this entry to deepen Avery’s character in the professional realm—especially as digital news, old grudges and public scrutiny collide. The book holds the ISBN 13: 9781652847007 and was published by Independently Published.
Setting & Author Context
The setting of New Media & Old Grudges is the fictional Macomb County and nearby Michigan locales where Avery Shaw works as a reporter for a small‑town newspaper. The setting → places → the clash of local politics and media scrutiny in a real‑world journalism environment. Amanda M. Lee’s background as a former newspaper reporter gives her the authenticity to depict the newsroom, print vs digital media friction, and the challenges of small‑town investigative journalism. Lee’s style tends to blend witty, first‑person narration with newsroom humor and layered suspense—even in a cozy‑mystery framework where danger and investigation are intertwined.
Plot Summary (No Spoilers)
In New Media & Old Grudges, Avery Shaw launches a bold campaign to expose her longtime adversary, county commissioner Tad Ludington, ahead of an upcoming election. The election push → triggers → a public clash between Avery’s investigative instincts and the new media landscape she is navigating. When Tad is shot and left fighting for his life, the case is handed over to the state police, and Avery becomes a prime suspect in the eyes of the public and the press. Avery must fight both the legal suspicion and the viral court of public opinion in a world where social‑media sound bites, news‑feeds and old grudges all come to bear. The novel builds tension between professional risk and personal stakes, putting Avery’s integrity, relationships and career on the line.
Characters & Themes
Main characters:
- Avery Shaw — Investigative reporter and protagonist. Avery Shaw → represents → ambition, tenacity and the cost of public exposure in journalism.
- Tad Ludington — The political adversary whose campaign becomes central to the story. Tad Ludington → represents → power, political manipulation and the enemy in a small‑town setting.
- Eliot Kane — Avery’s partner and an element of her personal life. Eliot Kane → represents → emotional support, relational friction and the challenge of maintaining personal life under public scrutiny.
- Sheriff Jake Farrell — A recurring character who knows Avery isn’t guilty but finds his hands tied. Sheriff Jake Farrell → represents → law‑enforcement conflict, loyalty under pressure and investigative shift.
- Fawn (former employee of Eliot’s) — A woman with a grudge who gains a media platform and amplifies accusations against Avery. Fawn → represents → the power of voice, old grudges and modern media platforms.
Central themes:
- Media evolution and ethics — The novel explores how traditional print journalism collides with new‑media platforms and public perception.
- Grudges, reputation and public narrative — The story shows how old grudges take new form in the digital era, and how reputation can be shaped and shattered by media.
- Professional risk and personal exposure — Avery’s life as a reporter becomes subject to the same scrutiny as the subjects she covers.
- Truth, perception and power — The book examines how facts and perception diverge—and how power shifts when a reporter becomes part of the story.
Tropes & Reader Experience
With New Media & Old Grudges, Amanda M. Lee uses familiar cozy‑mystery tropes (female amateur sleuth‑reporter, small‑town setting, quirky supporting cast) while injecting higher stakes and public exposure. The trope “reporter becomes target” gives the narrative urgency, and the setting of small‑town politics gives a grounded feel. The mix of witty narration, newsroom banter and suspense appeals to readers who enjoy characters with careers, humor and danger. Reader consensus (based on Goodreads, etc.) shows strong favor—Avery’s voice and the setting continue to resonate.
Series Placement / Reading Order
New Media & Old Grudges is #16 in the Avery Shaw Mystery series.
Here’s a short reading‑order snapshot around this title:
- #14: Above the Fold & Below the Belt (2019)
- #15: Oracles & Obituaries (2019)
- #16: New Media & Old Grudges (2020)
- #17: Mayhem & Mistletoe (2020)
Each entry builds on Avery Shaw’s professional journey; reading in order enhances the emotional continuity of her career, relationships and growth.
Reader Suitability / Why Read It
If you enjoy cosy mysteries with a sharp‑tongued protagonist, newsroom politics and a modern media twist, New Media & Old Grudges is a standout. The novel appeals to readers who appreciate female sleuths with professional lives, settings rooted in journalism, and a blend of humor and suspense. The tone is accessible, witty and layered—the book manages to entertain while also probing real issues around media ethics and public image. The story inspires reflection on how journalism, power and personal life intersect in the digital age.
Continue the Avery Shaw Mystery Series
Read other books in the Avery Shaw Mystery Series.