Avery Shaw Series by Amanda M. Lee

Avery Shaw is having a bad week. First, she had to cover a story on a barricaded gunman who likes to dance naked in his window. Second, she's receiving death threats with her morning newspaper. Lastly, and most importantly, her mom keeps vetoing her outfit choices. It's all in a day's work for this hardworking, if easily distracted, reporter... moreAvery Shaw is having a bad week. First, she had to cover a story on a barricaded gunman who likes to dance naked in his window. Second, she's receiving death threats with her morning newspaper. Lastly, and most importantly, her mom keeps vetoing her outfit choices. It's all in a day's work for this hardworking, if easily distracted, reporter. Avery Shaw is hot on the trail of the story, even if it means tangling with her hot ex-boyfriend -- the county sheriff -- and the equally hot, if slightly shadier pawnshop owner down the street. Getting the story is going to be totally worth it -- that is if Avery can survive the week. less

Local news reporter Avery Shaw’s week is going from bad to worse.It’s bad enough there’s a dead body in the parking lot of the paper, but when the investigation into the death leads to drugs – and a tie to her own family – things continue to spiral downward.If she could focus on that, though, it would just be another normal week... moreLocal news reporter Avery Shaw’s week is going from bad to worse.It’s bad enough there’s a dead body in the parking lot of the paper, but when the investigation into the death leads to drugs – and a tie to her own family – things continue to spiral downward.If she could focus on that, though, it would just be another normal week. Constant run-ins with both the men in her life – neither of whom seems to be showing her the level of respect she feels she deserves – are making things more stressful than they need to be.Avery is going to get the story – even if it means taking down her own cousin. Surviving to file that story, though, that’s a whole other problem altogether. less

Journalists are supposed to report the news, not be it. For Avery Shaw, though, that's easier said than done.Avery has spent the last month on her boss' list -- you know the one -- and she can't figure out a way to get off it. When a missing persons case involving a wealthy mother in the northern suburbs surfaces, Avery figures the best way to get back in his good graces is break the story of the year.There's just a few problems standing in her way... moreJournalists are supposed to report the news, not be it. For Avery Shaw, though, that's easier said than done.Avery has spent the last month on her boss' list -- you know the one -- and she can't figure out a way to get off it. When a missing persons case involving a wealthy mother in the northern suburbs surfaces, Avery figures the best way to get back in his good graces is break the story of the year.There's just a few problems standing in her way. First off, she's being stalked online -- and it's starting to make her life difficult. She's also decided to actually start dating the hot pawnshop owner, Eliot, who saved her life a few weeks back. That sounds good in theory, but she's constantly crossing paths with her ex-boyfriend and that tends to make things uncomfortable (to say the least).When you compound that with the fact that this missing persons case is more than it appears -- and the office tool has been assigned to the story with her -- Avery manages to get in over her head. Again.Avery is sure that she can work things out to her advantage -- as long as she doesn't die in the pursuit of yet another story in which she manages to get personally involved.Warning: These characters are sarcastic and snarky -- and they do tend to swear when things get out of hand. Read only if you want a good laugh -- and you aren't easily offended. less

Life should be good for Avery Shaw. She's got a hunky new boyfriend in local pawnshop owner (and sometime private detective) Elliot Kane, her cousin Lexie swears she'll be moving out of her house one day "real soon" and her family has been relatively quiet for a whole week. That's practically perfection in Avery's world. Then, what appears to be a random freeway shooting resulting in the death of a young mother, causes upheaval on just about every front... moreLife should be good for Avery Shaw. She's got a hunky new boyfriend in local pawnshop owner (and sometime private detective) Elliot Kane, her cousin Lexie swears she'll be moving out of her house one day "real soon" and her family has been relatively quiet for a whole week. That's practically perfection in Avery's world. Then, what appears to be a random freeway shooting resulting in the death of a young mother, causes upheaval on just about every front. County Sheriff Jake Farrell announces that the same gun used in the current shooting was also used in a similar shooting one county over a few weeks before. A joint task force is assembled and the denizens of southeastern Michigan are on edge – including Elliot and Jake, who still can't quite seem to make amends with one another. Avery is on the case, but she's got a few distractions blocking her way. The commander of the local National Guard base is acting cagey, there's a new public relations liaison in the sheriff's department that is laying down the law about media leaks and her grandfather is refusing to report for jury duty which, most likely, will result in his own incarceration. When you couple that with Carly's upcoming wedding, the opening of Lexie's new yoga studio and Avery's mom's insistence that Thundercats shoes are not appropriate footwear for public outings, and Avery's happiness quotient continues to plummet. Avery is determined to get the story – even when it becomes apparent that her efforts have turned the shooter's attention to her. When Avery finally does find an answer, will she survive to tell anyone about it? These books are full of sarcasm and are a little bit snarky -- so read only if you like to laugh and you aren't easily offended. This is the fourth book in the Avery Shaw Mystery series. less

Is speed-dating okay when you're in a relationship? It is when you're looking for a killer, especially in Avery Shaw's world. A naked body has been discovered in the nearby Clinton River, and while Sheriff Jake Farrell is keeping his cards close to his vest, Avery has another avenue of Eliot. It doesn't hurt that the medial examiner seems to have a crush on her -- and verbal diarrhea -- and she keeps stumbling on information that propels her ahead of the pack... moreIs speed-dating okay when you're in a relationship? It is when you're looking for a killer, especially in Avery Shaw's world. A naked body has been discovered in the nearby Clinton River, and while Sheriff Jake Farrell is keeping his cards close to his vest, Avery has another avenue of Eliot. It doesn't hurt that the medial examiner seems to have a crush on her -- and verbal diarrhea -- and she keeps stumbling on information that propels her ahead of the pack. Unfortunately for Avery, when she discovers information that no one else has -- and she finds herself on top of the media game -- she has to make a decision, and that decision is going to tick off everyone she knows. Between Jake's anger, Eliot's worry, and Grandpa's insistence that you can't force a handicap parking space on a business owner, Avery has her hands full. Lexie has a new place to live, Carly is adjusting to married life and Avery is trying to convince the men in her life that she's not in danger, despite all evidence to the contrary. It's a busy week -- kind of. In actuality, it's just a normal week for this hard-headed reporter, until someone's eye focuses on Avery and she finds herself in real danger. Again. Jake is angry and Eliot is torn, but Avery has an idea on how to solve the case. The only problem is, when all is said and done, someone is going to be shot ... and Avery is going to regret every move she's made on this case when it happens. Will someone survive to see another Avery Shaw catastrophe? less

Avery Shaw’s life is a mess – and that’s putting it mildly. County Commissioner Tad Ludington is on the warpath, and his complaints haven’t fallen on deaf ears. The new publisher is watching the staff – and Avery is of particular interest. As punishment, he’s decided to bust her down to sports – and no one is happy about it. The sports editor hates her, and the rest of the staff is struggling to tolerate her... moreAvery Shaw’s life is a mess – and that’s putting it mildly. County Commissioner Tad Ludington is on the warpath, and his complaints haven’t fallen on deaf ears. The new publisher is watching the staff – and Avery is of particular interest. As punishment, he’s decided to bust her down to sports – and no one is happy about it. The sports editor hates her, and the rest of the staff is struggling to tolerate her. As for Avery? Her new world has sent her into a tailspin, and no one can console her – even long-suffering boyfriend Eliot, who can’t deal with Avery’s depression (or constant attitude). She desperately wants to chase the story swirling around the dead girl found on a high school’s football field. Instead, she’s forced to sit through wrestling meets and basketball games. She’s not happy, and that means everyone around her isn’t happy. No, to be fair, they’re downright miserable. When Avery’s current assignment crosses paths with the story she wants to chase, things come to a head. There’s a tangled web of steroids, obnoxious teenagers, and sketchy coaches to unravel. When you compound that with Grandpa and Mario’s new business venture – they’re running a traveling food truck and taking it to local high schools – Avery’s tenuous grasp on reality is starting to fray. Then there’s that whole “Jake thing” – you know, how he told her he loved her when he thought he was dying – and Avery is also expending a lot of energy hiding from him. Can this long-suffering reporter climb her way out of sports and survive when she becomes a target yet again? less

Avery Shaw is in a funny spot. Her best friend is pregnant, her cousin’s girlfriend is up to something and her boyfriend has serious issues on the brain. When teenager Sierra Jackson goes missing, Avery is in a unique position to scoop everyone. The girl’s fighting family is more concerned with a messy divorce and pointing fingers than helping find Sierra, so Avery becomes obsessed with discovering her whereabouts on her own... moreAvery Shaw is in a funny spot. Her best friend is pregnant, her cousin’s girlfriend is up to something and her boyfriend has serious issues on the brain. When teenager Sierra Jackson goes missing, Avery is in a unique position to scoop everyone. The girl’s fighting family is more concerned with a messy divorce and pointing fingers than helping find Sierra, so Avery becomes obsessed with discovering her whereabouts on her own. When allegations of misconduct land on Avery, things spiral out of control. Instead of dealing with her issues, she picks a fight with her long-suffering boyfriend Eliot and the ensuing argument is one for the ages. Avery has to deal with the fallout of false accusations, get her boyfriend back – which involves (gulp) apologizing – and find a missing girl before the unthinkable happens. It’s all in a day’s work for this hardworking reporter – and the world better look out when she decides to go on the warpath. Avery knows all about fighting families, but she also knows about loyalty. She’s going to find the missing girl if it’s the last thing she does – and it very well might be. less

Life is changing for Avery Shaw. She’s searching for a house with her boyfriend Eliot so they can officially move in together. She’s been gifted special passes to Macomb County’s comic book convention – and she couldn’t be more excited. She’s also been put in charge of her most hated enemy at work, and the power is going straight to her head. When Eliot lets Avery visit the convention center early, the duo stumble across a dead body and Avery’s happy week is thrown into turmoil... moreLife is changing for Avery Shaw. She’s searching for a house with her boyfriend Eliot so they can officially move in together. She’s been gifted special passes to Macomb County’s comic book convention – and she couldn’t be more excited. She’s also been put in charge of her most hated enemy at work, and the power is going straight to her head. When Eliot lets Avery visit the convention center early, the duo stumble across a dead body and Avery’s happy week is thrown into turmoil. She’s determined to find answers and figure out who killed the victim, but she has her hands full with other things – including her personal life – as well. Her former boyfriend Jake Farrell is in charge of security at the convention center – with an assist from Eliot – and he’s dealing with his own personal issues. In addition to jealousy over Avery and Eliot moving forward, he finds his relationship with his girlfriend Cara going down the drain. Comic book conventions are filled with funny folks, and Avery is happy to meet all of them – no matter how odd. As she gets closer to a killer, though, she becomes the new target. Jake and Eliot have to work overtime to keep Avery safe, but in the end, she’s the one who has to save the day if she expects those around her to survive. In a world full of superheroes, Avery may be the most wonderful of them all … as long as she lives to tell the tale, of course. less

Camping is supposed to be a peaceful and relaxing time … unless you’re Avery Shaw, of course. No, when you’re Macomb County’s most intrepid reporter, camping is akin to murder … or a very slow and painful death by disease-carrying bugs. That’s what Avery thinks as she takes a well-earned vacation with her boyfriend Eliot Kane. When the duo stumbles across a body at a local festival, Eliot has to force Avery to ease up on the suspicion and embrace the vacation decadence... moreCamping is supposed to be a peaceful and relaxing time … unless you’re Avery Shaw, of course. No, when you’re Macomb County’s most intrepid reporter, camping is akin to murder … or a very slow and painful death by disease-carrying bugs. That’s what Avery thinks as she takes a well-earned vacation with her boyfriend Eliot Kane. When the duo stumbles across a body at a local festival, Eliot has to force Avery to ease up on the suspicion and embrace the vacation decadence. She’s out of her coverage area, after all, and she’s supposed to be taking it easy. Eliot wants rest and relaxation but Avery is pining for adventure. When Avery returns to work the same carnival workers hit town for Mount Clemens’ annual festival, and another body drops as soon as they arrive. Avery thinks it’s fate but Eliot isn’t so sure. Between moving into her new house, hiding from her overzealous mother while shunning the woman’s decorating instincts and potentially stirring a race riot when local politicians fail to care about an underprivileged victim, Avery has her hands full. Danger is closing in on Avery, and it’s coming from different directions. From nefarious politicians to shady carnival workers, Avery has her pick of suspects. When she finally zeroes in on one, though, things could become dangerous … for Avery. Can Avery save herself when she uncovers a story bigger than she ever dreamed? Or will she fall victim to a killer’s hatred and become another victim? less

Avery Shaw is back from her honeymoon and on the prowl for a story. She wants to prove that marriage has softened her – nothing ever could – and the way she’s going to do that is by rocking the news world with something monumental.Then a body drops in her neighborhood, only blocks away from her house, and the hunt is on.The victim is divorced, having an affair with a married co-worker, and generally unlikable... moreAvery Shaw is back from her honeymoon and on the prowl for a story. She wants to prove that marriage has softened her – nothing ever could – and the way she’s going to do that is by rocking the news world with something monumental.Then a body drops in her neighborhood, only blocks away from her house, and the hunt is on.The victim is divorced, having an affair with a married co-worker, and generally unlikable. Avery has multiple places to look for a suspect … and then another woman dies only a block away from Avery’s house and the entire dynamic of the story changes.Avery’s new husband Eliot is worried, enough so that he taps Sheriff Jake Farrell to help. Avery’s anger with Jake hasn’t diminished but now they’re working as a group to track down a deadly killer.Avery doesn’t want help but she needs it, because someone is watching her house and, more importantly, her. Eliot is beside himself and begins upgrading their security system but it doesn’t feel like enough.Avery is supposed to cover the news, not become part of it. This time the headline that’s coming for her includes the word “victim,” however, and she’s having none of it.She’s a strong, capable woman, and if she has to take down a serial killer, she’s going to do it … as long as she’s not taken down first.Her team is large and in charge and it’s going to take all of them working together. Even then, they may not be strong enough to stem the tide of death washing over Macomb County.It’s time. Avery is ready for war. less

Avery Shaw thought she’d seen it all. Then she gets the sort of call she never expected.Buried in a part of the city she never visits, across the road from the Dairy Queen of all places, is Antique Dolls. It’s a niche strip club featuring dancers over the age of 40… and a very unique clientele.When a masked intruder comes barreling into the club firing a gun and hits the owner, Avery is intrigued... moreAvery Shaw thought she’d seen it all. Then she gets the sort of call she never expected.Buried in a part of the city she never visits, across the road from the Dairy Queen of all places, is Antique Dolls. It’s a niche strip club featuring dancers over the age of 40… and a very unique clientele.When a masked intruder comes barreling into the club firing a gun and hits the owner, Avery is intrigued. When she gets to the hospital and hears that the local police secreted away a politician under the cover of flashing lights and jurisdiction problems, she’s practically frothing at the mouth.Finding a motive for the shooting should be easy, but when a secretive lifestyle minister inserts himself into the investigation, Avery is left spinning. He’s got a colorful past and an army of followers willing to fight for him.What he doesn’t have is Avery Shaw. She’s determined to uncover the truth, even if it means putting herself in danger. When Grandpa and Mario decide to help—Mario going as far as to position himself as an undercover dancer—Avery has more backup than she bargained for.Information is coming at her from all sides, and so is danger.Avery Shaw doesn’t lose. This time, however, there might not be a winner. less