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Oracles & Obituaries (2019) by Amanda M. Lee is a cozy mystery in the long‑running Avery Shaw Mysteries series, blending newsroom snark with small‑town suspense and a dash of autumnal creepiness. Set in Michigan and centered on a fearless reporter who never backs down, this entry matters because it sharpens the emotional stakes between Avery and her partner Eliot Kane while delivering the series’ signature mix of humor, romance, and investigative grit.
Setting & Author Context
The story unfolds in Michigan, where Avery works the local beat and treats every rumor like a lead worth chasing. The Midwestern setting grounds the mystery in everyday places—corn mazes, county roads, and coffee‑warmed newsrooms—which keeps the danger intimate and the jokes delightfully local. Lee, a former newspaper journalist, channels that background into authentic newsroom dynamics—deadlines, rivalries, and ethics that bend but don’t break—so the investigation feels both witty and workmanlike.
Plot Summary (No Spoilers)
Halloween is Avery Shaw’s favorite season, and a festive trip to a corn maze turns perilous when she stumbles onto what looks like a kidnapping attempt. The confrontation leaves Avery injured—and furious. While she heals, tips about missing girls and a town “oracle” begin to thread together into something bigger. Eliot Kane, her live‑in partner, steps in to help—not to rein her in, but to make sure she can push back safely. As the clues tighten, questions multiply about how far the perpetrators’ reach extends and why Halloween traditions are being used as perfect cover.
Characters & Themes
Below are the core characters you’ll track as the tension builds:
- Avery Shaw — journalist, truth‑hound, and chaos optimist. She embodies the series’ central theme: persistence with a punchline. Even when hurt, she treats fear as fuel and keeps reporting.
- Eliot Kane — steadfast partner and quiet strategist. Eliot’s protective instincts never cancel Avery’s autonomy; together they model a partnership where trust and tact carry as much weight as raw courage.
- Jake Farrell — the county sheriff and Avery’s ex. Professional friction and personal history collide whenever their cases overlap, adding spark and stakes to every scene they share.
- The “oracle” — a local curiosity with unsettling influence. Whether charlatan or seer, she amplifies the book’s Halloween vibe and raises timeless questions about belief versus manipulation.
Big Ideas the Book Explores
This entry leans into themes the series handles well:
- Power vs. performance. Public rituals and seasonal spectacles create perfect camouflage for private crimes—and the book shows how communities can miss the obvious when they’re busy having fun.
- Resilience with humor. Avery’s recovery arc spotlights grit without becoming grim; she fights to regain confidence while still cracking jokes that keep the tone firmly cozy.
Tropes & Reader Experience
If you enjoy cozy mysteries with banter‑rich dialogue, a competent amateur sleuth, and slow‑burn relationship beats that actually move, you’ll feel right at home. Expect:
- Seasonal cozy vibes: pumpkins, corn mazes, and a playful Halloween palette that contrasts nicely with the darker investigation.
- Found‑family newsroom energy: colleagues who bicker, rivalries that sharpen Avery’s instincts, and case updates traded over takeout and sarcasm.
Series Placement & Reading Order
Oracles & Obituaries is Book #15 in the Avery Shaw Mysteries. It lands after Above the Fold & Below the Belt and before New Media & Old Grudges, with ongoing relationship threads and newsroom arcs that reward reading in order. A quick mini‑map:
Earlier milestones to know
- Who, What, Where, When, Die (Book 1)
- If It Bleeds, It Leads (Book 2)
- Shot Off the Presses (Book 4) and The Preditorial Page (Book 5)
- Unwritten & Underwater (Book 11)
Books that follow
- New Media & Old Grudges (Book 16)
- Weddings & Whodunits (Book 18)
- Overedited & Underpaid (Book 22)
- Press Releases & Puff Pieces (Book 23)
Facts & Editions (Verified)
For collectors and librarians, here are the key publication details:
- Release year: 2019 (Kindle first published September 2019; paperback listed December 13, 2019).
- Series number: Book 15 in the Avery Shaw Mysteries.
- Publisher: Independently Published.
- ISBN‑13 (paperback): 9781071436226.
- Format availability: ebook, paperback, and audiobook editions exist.
Who Will Love This Book (and Why)
Readers who like character‑driven cozy mysteries with smart banter, seasonal ambiance, and high personal stakes will click with this one. Community dynamics feel lived‑in rather than cute‑for‑cute’s‑sake, and the investigation builds steadily without gore or graphic content—perfect for fans who want tension, not trauma. Goodreads consensus trends very positive, with readers praising the Avery‑Eliot dynamic and the brisk, quip‑friendly pacing.
Where to Start & How to Continue
You can read Oracles & Obituaries independently, but starting from <a href=”/avery-shaw-mysteries-series/who-what-where-when-die/”>Who, What, Where, When, Die</a> and moving forward in order deepens the humor and the heart. If you’re specifically chasing holiday‑adjacent entries, pair this with <a href=”/avery-shaw-mysteries-series/mayhem-and-mistletoe/”>Mayhem & Mistletoe</a> for a fall‑to‑winter mini‑arc that showcases the series’ seasonal charm.
Continue the Avery Shaw Mystery Series
Read other books in the Avery Shaw Mystery Series.
Where to Buy
View “Oracles & Obituaries” on Amazon
FAQ
Is Oracles & Obituaries a standalone?
It can be read on its own, but you’ll appreciate recurring relationships and running jokes if you’ve read earlier books—especially the first few entries that establish the newsroom and Avery’s history with Jake and Eliot.
What’s the tone?
Snappy, cozy, and suspenseful without graphic content. Think investigative hijinks, romantic banter, and seasonal spookiness rather than high‑octane violence.
Where does it fit in the series?
It’s Book #15 in the Avery Shaw Mysteries reading order.
Are there special editions or an audiobook?
There’s an audiobook release along with ebook and paperback; no widely noted special editions or screen adaptations at this time.