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Press Releases & Puff Pieces (2023) by Amanda M. Lee is the 23rd book in the popular Avery Shaw Mysteries series, a cozy‑mystery about a tenacious newspaper reporter named Avery Shaw. In this installment, Lee deepens the series’ exploration of journalism, danger and small‑town community dynamics, making it a significant entry for fans of witty, character‑driven mysteries.
Setting & Author Context
The story takes place in and around Macomb County, Michigan. This locale matters because the small‑town newsroom environment and local politics drive much of Avery’s conflict and investigation. Amanda M. Lee draws on her journalism background to give the setting credibility and texture.
Lee’s style tends toward sharp humor, credible investigative detail and warm character relationships—she often writes about reporters, oddball personalities and the everyday chaos of local newsrooms.
Plot Summary (No Spoilers)
In Press Releases & Puff Pieces, Avery Shaw starts off expecting a routine day covering a seemingly light‑hearted court case—a perfect opportunity for a “puff piece” or easy story. Instead, the plaintiff bolts during proceedings, setting off a chain of events involving explosions, hospitalizations and possible foul play.
As Avery recovers from a head injury and returns to work, she finds herself reassigned to the fluff side of journalism while a more serious story simmers beneath the surface: something is very wrong at the largest hospital in the county. Avery must decide whether to accept a “safe” assignment or push into danger to uncover the truth. The tension escalates as she realizes the threat may be closer than she thought.
This book explores the theme of reporter vs. powerful interests, and the cost of pursuing truth in a world full of distractions, deadlines and hidden hazards.
Characters & Themes
- Avery Shaw: A bold, inquisitive newspaper reporter who isn’t content with “safe” stories. She embodies the theme of integrity under pressure.
- Alice Wendell: A serial plaintiff with a reputation for lawsuits. She represents the unexpected catalyst—her death forces Avery into a high‑stakes investigation.
- The Sheriff & Avery’s Boss: These characters embody institutional resistance to truth‑seeking. They represent tension between status quo and challenge.
- The Hospital / Medical System: Less a single character, more a setting that symbolizes secrecy and power in the community—one of the major thematic arenas of the book.
Key themes include: - The conflict between surface‑level journalism (puff pieces) and deep investigative reporting.
- The risk reporters face when they step outside the comfortable beat.
- The interplay of small‑town community familiarity and hidden corruption.
- The personal cost of chasing a story when the target fights back.
Together, these elements deepen the reader’s connection to Avery’s world and underline that even a cozy mystery can carry serious stakes.
Tropes & Reader Experience
This edition of the Avery Shaw series uses familiar cozy‑mystery tropes—an amateur sleuth (the reporter) tied to a community, witty dialogue, family and friends in the background—but also raises the stakes with near‑danger and hospital settings rather than purely quaint locales. The tone balances humor and suspense: you’ll get the snarky banter Avery is known for and a plot that keeps moving.
Readers who enjoy “newspaper reporter sleuths,” “small‑town mystery,” “cozy with danger,” or “funny investigator” will feel at home here. Because the investigation involves physical peril and a replay of professional risk, it adds a bit more edge than some earlier cozy entries in the series.
Series Placement / Reading Order
Press Releases & Puff Pieces is Book #23 in the Avery Shaw Mysteries series.
Here’s a short excerpt of the sequential positioning for context:
- #21: Opinionated & Out of Control (2022)
- #22: Overedited & Underpaid (2023)
- #23: Press Releases & Puff Pieces (2023)
- #24: Banner Headlines & Late Deadlines (2024)
While each book can stand fairly well on its own, reading in order enhances character arcs, running jokes and background references. If you’re new to Avery Shaw, starting earlier gives more context for relationships, recurring characters and newsroom dynamics.
Reader Suitability / Why Read It
If you’re looking for a cozy mystery that blends humor, media‑industry insight and real suspense, this is a smart pick. The novel is ideal for readers who like character‑driven investigations (rather than graphic violence), enjoy a newsroom environment, and want witty dialogue plus the possibility of real danger.
Fans of sleuths who aren’t professional detectives but rely on curiosity, serpentine leads and community connections will appreciate how Avery balances her life as a reporter with her investigative instincts. The storyline gives an emotional impact by putting the protagonist’s usual safe zone (a light story, puff piece) into disarray, forcing her to confront what she really stands for.
In short: readers looking for witty, workplace‑inflected mysteries with heart and stakes will find plenty here.
Verified Book Facts
- Release year: 2023. The audiobook lists a release date of September 5, 2023.
- Publisher: Self‑published by Amanda M. Lee (author lists her own imprint on her site).
- Series: Avery Shaw Mysteries Book #23.
- Genre: Cozy mystery / amateur sleuth / workplace reporter setting. (The metadata lists “Mysteries & Thrillers”.)
- Reader Consensus: According to reader reviews on Goodreads, fans praise the humor, characterisations, and plot pace.
- Author Background: Amanda M. Lee is a former newspaper reporter turned full‑time author. Her website emphasises that her protagonist’s newsroom world reflects her real‑life past.
Continue the Avery Shaw Mystery Series
Read other books in the Avery Shaw Mystery Series.
Where to Buy
View “Press Releases & Puff Pieces” on Amazon
Final Thoughts
Press Releases & Puff Pieces deftly weaves workplace humor, detective instincts and real threat into a cozy‑mystery framework. Amanda M. Lee delivers an entry in the Avery Shaw series that both honors the familiar (snark, newsroom chaos, lovable side‑characters) and elevates it with higher stakes and sharper suspense. For fans of the series it’s a strong addition; for newcomers it’s an inviting ride into Avery’s world—and one that may prompt you to explore earlier titles.