If It Bleeds, It Leads

Avery Shaw #2

by Amanda M. Lee

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. 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.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Romance, Audiobook, Humor, Chick Lit, Mystery Thriller

252 pages, ebook

First published May 14, 2012

About the author

When I was a kid, I was torn between whether or not I was going to grow up and be the Incredible Hulk or Wonder Woman. I flirted with being a Jedi Knight for awhile, but I wasn't up for the intense travel associated with the gig. In my teens, I settled on being a writer -- although I had no idea the effort that would entail.
Not only am I a writer now, but I'm a writer in several different mediums. I'm a longtime newspaper reporter, an avid reader and a voracious science fiction fanatic.

Reviews

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

Well this was just sad.



I really enjoyed the crazy in the first book, and I don't know why but this one I seriously could not stand Avery's character. She went from fun, sassy, petty, snarky, bitchy, self-entitled and smart...to just down right insufferable.



I know every character doesn't have to be perfect, but it seems like the author is really going out of her way to make me hate the h. And it doesn't matter how many times Avery says "I never said I was a nice person" it doesn't make the self-deprecation admirable. Just because you accept your an asshole doesn't mean people around you have to put up with it, or that I want to read about it.

Also, maybe I didn't notice in the first book, but it just seemed Avery's character was turned up even more-- there was more racist remarks, some homophobic comments, and just obnoxious amounts of slut shaming other women to the point I almost DNF'ed.

The Polish shyster who usually covered the police beat --

When she moved down to Detroit at the age of 18, she started braiding her hair in cornrows and talking like a little ghetto beast.

“Maybe you’re picking dates from the wrong gender pool. I mean you already walk around like you have something shoved up your ass. This might be the solution.” I started the ‘Brokeback Mountain’ gossip, too.

I’ve always wanted a fun gay friend and Jared would be a great bitchy queen.

She’s still a slut. I didn’t say that out loud, of course. “She’s not a slut.” Carly was giving me a dirty look. Whoops, maybe I did say it out loud.

Also, I mean why does this author make the women the 'love interests ' are talking to basically shove their boobs in their face or flaunt themselves in some way?--to make Avery look good in comparison?
It just screams 'I'm not like other giiirrlllsss'



Or their names are like Sunshine and Candy as a way to, what, make them not serious? Then Avery verbally degrades them by calling them vapid and whores...i mean cliche much?

And don't get me started on the Star Wars sthick. I get it already she likes Star Wars! There was almost 60 references to it and it got really old. Not to mention how many times and ways can you say she's shitty? We get it.
Repeatedly saying it doesnt change anything it just makes it...repetitive.



Don't know why I was so annoyed about this one? It was just one thing after another I guess. Sorry for the reading rant...

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avery Shaw is obnoxious and self-absorbed, and she often lacks that inner-filter most people have. She's prone to speak before she thinks, and that often leads to her being unintentionally rude. Well, usually it's unintentional.

She's also hysterical. Amanda M. Lee's novel "If it Bleeds, it Leads" had me laughing more than any other book I can remember recently.

This go round, Avery shows up at her newspaper office one day to find her coworker, Darby, has been murdered outside. Avery's editor assigns her to write the main story, as well as a sidebar--the little auxiliary story where friends and relatives recount what a wonderful person the deceased was.

In her research, Avery stumbles upon something that just doesn't feel right. Darby's ex-boyfriend is a known drug dealer named Kevin Walker, Jr. Kevin, Sr, owns the area's largest auto dealership, and it seems the apple fell far from the tree.

Avery may be abrasive and immature, but she has a reporter's instincts. She digs deeper into the story, searching for answers to Darby's murder, but that story is quickly overshadowed by the true scope of Kevin's drug operations. He isn't some stoner dealing weed to neighborhood teens. The police conduct a raid on a warehouse and discover Kevin's real home base: a giant meth factory.

Add into this mix Avery's screwball cousin, Lexie--who thinks she's black, and always ends up with boyfriends who deal--plus a coworker's Oxycontin-addled girlfriend, a stripper named Sunshine, and the two guys filled with both longing and exasperation over Avery, and you have the perfect blend for a fun, smart book.

The key to this series' success is Avery Shaw herself. She is far from stupid: she's a good reporter with sharp instincts. She's also far from being a normal adult. She's obsessed with Star Wars--she has a Darth Vader pancake mold and matching cookie jar, for crying out loud--and thinks nothing of working in Star Wars t-shirts and Adidas Darth Vader high-tops. As a narratrix, she shows charm and an acerbic wit. We all live and work among people who drive us nuts. In her family--as well as her newspaper--Avery has her share. Her descriptions and anecdotes show both impatience with stupidity and a certain twisted affection for the eccentrics in her world. Her bark is worse than her bite--well, except at the end, where she really bites someone.

This series has so much promise. Author Amanda M. Lee deserves credit for her creation, as well as encouragement to write faster.

Highly recommended.

[A.L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a while to get used to the rhythm of this book. The main character, Avery Shaw, was hard to like at first, then somewhere in the middle I realized that she was the sum total of her familial experiences and I began to understand why she was the way she was. I, too, have a big family, and most of my bad choices were based on my desire to either please them or purposely go against what I know would please them. Avery’s loyalty to her family, in particular her younger cousin, Lexie, while it is understandable, annoyed me. Lexie needed a swift kick in the ass or to suffer the consequences of her actions, but Avery’s first instinct is to save her. Now to the story:

Avery works for a newspaper as a reporter and when one of her co-workers is murdered, she is assigned to cover the story. Lee’s descriptions of Avery’s co-workers are spot on to anyone who has worked in an office environment in that she thought she knew the dead girl, but finds out that she really didn’t know her at all. As she interviews family and friends of the victim, Darby, Avery finds that Darby’s involvement with a local drug dealer may have cost her her life. Avery’s past association with the local sheriff, Jake, and a pawn shop owner with a great body, Eliot, are woven throughout the book, and I found these relationships believable. We get to know Avery through her constant inner dialog and I was genuinely surprised by the twist at the end. I would recommend this book to a friend.

[JadeShea · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the second book of the Avery Shaw series, Avery is not having a very good day. One of her co-workers has been murdered in front of the newspaper station. Now, she's on the case and must do what she can to figure it all out. However, she has her ex-boyfriend, and and a new guy trying to get her attention, and then her cousin, Lexie, is also in the middle of things getting into trouble. Avery will have to crack the case before it is too late.

This book was interesting, and I really enjoyed the human in it. I didn't really like the love triangle thing though. And I was a little bit annoyed with how the men treat Avery even though they claim to want to be with her. Other than that I liked it, and I do look forwad to reading more of this series.

[Andrea B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was hilarious!! I loved it more then the 1st book. It leaves you wanting more. I have completely fallen in love with all of them! With this second book- this has gone to my favorites

[politetemper · Rating 1 out of 5]

Honestly?

Wasn't for me.

Really looking for a new cozy mystery series as I'm in-between at the moment and thought this one might be it..unfortunately, didn't like the characters, story or narrator.

The first book I really didn't get the mystery. When it ended I suddenly thought 'oh, this is what this book is about', honestly thought we were still world building to get to the mystery.

I was actually really looking forward to Avery! I love strong female characters, and I actually mean that. A lot of times when people say they want a strong female, when they get it, they take issue of a woman having opinions. Avery was not a 'strong female' she was whiny, judgemental and just straight mean. She judged people way too early and seemed to lack basic human empathy. Making a strong female doesn't mean taking away all of their feelings and making them 'immune'. I would of respected her way more if she actually knew how to deal with her feelings, speak her mind and not act like a child!

There were also really weird racist comments and characterisations... the classic 'acting black'. Like if the author's research into black people was watching some random white washed police procedural and taking notes from 'gang member #2'. Like we're multi faceted. We don't all walk the same, talk the same and act the same, if you don't understand that, I'd prefer if you don't make your books inclusive/diverse. Stick to what you know.

Anyone who loves audiobooks like I do, this is for you: the narrator wasn't it :/
Honestly, the characters sounded like they were from The Simpsons or Family Guy. Hardly any distinction between character voices so I found it difficult to remember who's who.

I'm kinda annoyed I didn't like this. There are like 20 books I could've binged! I didn't finish this one and I read the comments from a couple of books ahead and the issues I have with this one (and the first) seem to be still there. A shame really..

So as to not end on a bad note! If anyone is looking for a good cozy mystery series The Lane Winslow Mysteries is what I'm currently obsessed with. I have to wait until October for the audiobooks for books 7-9 to drop and I really can't wait!

[Julie Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the mystery but found the many character rude or snarky just because she could or for the fun of it. I think she would have done better using honey instead of vinegar. Otherwise it was fun and there was a few funny moments. This is the second book in the series and you don't need to read the books in order because so far they work as stand alone stories. As I said the mystery was interesting and contained a number of suspects. Just wish the main character wasn't so childish, she wasn't totally dislike able as she showed a strong loyalty and caring side towards her cousin. I did like the way the two potential boyfriends ganged up on her, it didn't work but was fun listening to them try.
Avery is surprised to find all the news is taking place in the car park instead of the office news room. One of the employees was gunned down. Avery is given the task of talking to her bereaved family for the paper. The article writes it self until she meets a cousin of the deceased, who paints a very different picture. It seems she wasn't the saint every body thought she was. Could her death have something to do with her break up with her drug dealing boyfriend? The boy friend has connections and investigating him and his family might not prove to be so easy. Especially as the trail leads Avery to start looking at a favourite cousin that has terrible taste in men and just can't keep out of trouble. Will Avery be able to solve the murder and keep her cousin out of trouble.
I liked the narrator and think she used her voice well to portray a snarky character.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Betty Fernau · Rating 1 out of 5]

I find a book series I like, and then I read every single series by the same author. Once I finish, I find a new series by a different author. I’m in the middle of one such quest.

I stumbled upon a witch series by Amanda M Lee. Wicked Witches of the Midwest. It was hilarious and sweet, mysterious and magical. I loved every word, and even got my husband hooked on the series. I finished that series and read a crossover series about Scout and Gunner. I loved it almost as much as the Wicked Witches.

After that series ended, I thought this “Avery Shaw” series would be good. Boy, was I wrong. The main character is shallow, hateful, and the type of person who says “I’m not racist, I hate everyone.” She cares only about herself. She’s a reporter in Michigan (so was Bay Winchester and several other leads of the other series written by the same author) and all she does is gripe about work and play video games. In the last chapter I read before deleting the book, she makes fun of someone with a birth defect, body shamed Susan Boyle, then she called some guys the “W word” for a white person who “acts black”, which is horribly offensive. At that point, I have had enough. I left a one star review, only because I couldn’t give it zero stars.

Avery is the worst person, the worst character I’ve ever read. I tried to hang in there, but you lost me with the horrible word “wiggers”, which tells me everything I need to know about the author. I can’t believe this is the same woman who wrote The Wicked Witches of the Midwest. I only chose this Avery series because it has so many books available. I learned my lesson. No more Amanda M Lee. Shame.

[Ashley Kelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Crazy MC but a fun quick read.

I dont mind the snark and sarcasm, of Lee's characters. In fact I find the nerdy girl to be a nice breath of fresh air. It's a little unbelievable that she would attract such hot men though, but even that I could deal with. What I found hard to read was the choppiness of the plot. Some scenes were underdeveloped, some overly so. Some didnt seem necessary to the plot or development. There is a boatload of backstory that feels tedious at times and the dialogue doesn't develop beyond a few exchanged tags and then back into Avery's mind...which is honestly a crazy place to be and makes you feel crazy just reading about her. She is a unique character though...very much an anti-hero which does keep my attention. I want the narrative to develop more smoothly but my curiosity is engaged. There is the potential for so much growth in the character I hope to see that through the series, at least to the point where I dont constantly want to punch her in the face. Now that I think about it her brand of crazy might just be attractive to some men, so maybe it isnt such a stretch after all. Let's see where this goes!

[Kat, lover of bears... · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's hard to read the second book an author has ever written after reading current releases. The book has too many elements from other books and other characters. Perhaps if I had read this before Wicked Witches of the Midwest series I would have felt differently, but there are too many similarities to Bay and Thistle. Some of the character's names are even from other books, which can't be the same character given that one is from a paranormal series and the other is not. I like the author's writing style, it's comfortable and enjoyable to read before bedtime for me. The author's obsession with being kissed on the side of the mouth is just weird. She writes about it like it is some gesture of true romantic love. For me, it's a sign that either one person turned away to miss the kiss or the other person wasn't trying hard enough to make the mark..... just weird....

[Raqiyah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilariously flawed main character

Hilarious read! I like that the character is extremely flawed, and relatable; you normally don’t find this in a main character, it’s more typical of the best friend/sidekick. It works and more author’s should try it. There is a bit of racial insensitivity and stereotyping but I’m not sure if it’s the author beliefs or how she’s trying to portray the character; things like “if they weren’t white, I’d assume they were gangsters” (the quote may not be 100% accurate, but you get my drift. Overall though I laughed so hard, that I will continue to read the series.

[Mike Haxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mean girls.

This is book 2 in the series. I still haven’t wrapped my head around a potty mouthed non-magical protagonist.
So far these novelettes haven’t spent as much time on character development as sex and smartass. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but I see that I’m going to have to put more work in getting the nuances here that are more prevalent in her more magical heroines and hero’s.
My biggest problem right now is that I recently saw a vid interview with Amanda Lee and she looks, sounds, and has many of the mannerisms’ of one of my old girlfriends. That’s not a bad thing.

[Loretta TheMoodyRedhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

What part of Don’t leave the house did you not understand?
Oh boy, Avery did it again and got herself in some big trouble and by that I mean life threatening here.
Plus, her snarkiness was bound to further irritate the killer, which it did. Avery, sometimes you’ve just got to shut your trap!
Well, it’s a good thing she has two hotties looking out for her, isn’t it? The question of this hour is - which hottie will she choose? Will she actually choose either one or decide it’s safer for both the men to be away from her? Probably.

Onto book 3: Buried Leads

[Dallass · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m slowly warming up to Avery.

Like I said for book one, she’s really an acquired taste. She’s mouthy, bullheaded and likes, no, loves to win no matter what her goal is. Having a discussion? must be right. Having an argument? need to win that. Snooping around for a story? Well, need to be ahead of everyone and hold back information from Jake and her cousin. It gets a little tiresome after a while. She’s so high maintenance. Still, the story was fast paced and had enough action that I devoured it in no time.

3.5 stars ⭐️

[James Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Avery is not the usual woman in these books. She can be very nasty, snarky, sneaky, pushy and she's a newspaper reporter. She does things her way even if it tees off other people.

This time it starts off with one of the workers in the newspaper found dead in the parking lot. Then there's a lot going on with a computer program which is in code, a friend of hers that's in a lot of trouble, a dead thug and, oh yes, a bomb that goes off.

It's a really good and somewhat complex story and Avery's character continues to be done very well.

[Sherry E. Wainwright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avery Shaw is a delight again! I do love this series, the characters,, and the unique situations.

Such an amazing experience each and every time. I look forward to reading all of these books and I AM ANTICIPATING MANY MORE HOURS OF BLISS. THANK YOU!!!

[Barry J. Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun read

If you are looking for a fun novel to read, this will fit the bill. It is not a great literary work and the characters are a bit silly but it is fun. I enjoy having a book to read that is fun and takes my mind off the crazy world for a while. Start with book one though.

[Denise Keef · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is one of my new obsessions! The characters are quirky (in a good way) and there are so many laugh out loud scenes! Definitely a great pick me up series! I can't help myself from binge reading it!

[Erin S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laugh Out Loud

I'm sorry I didn't start with this series. I love how she screws up with attitude! Loyal to family & excellent taste in movies, she needs special forces to help her out of horrendous situations

[em jensen · Rating 1 out of 5]

The main character, Avery Shaw, prides herself in being obnoxious, unlikeable, immature and a liar. Idk how this series has such good reviews because she is all of these things, which made the book obnoxious and unlikeable.

[Dawn Ales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good, fun read!

This is the second book in the series I have read. I thoroughly enjoyed both and look forward into diving into the third. If you like Janet Evanovich and Charlaine Harris, you’ll like Amanda M. Lee.

[Janet · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just couldn't finish this. I tried since I really like other series the author has. I could not deal with the main character. It just wasn't worth the frustration of the inane comments and ridiculous "thoughts". This is going to be a series I just say No to.

[Caroline 'relaxing with my rescue dogs' · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love this series, but listening out of order is weird (strongly recommend listening in order it would make more sense) but that is down to me. This is just such fun and the narration just brings it alive.

[Bobbi ❤️ Book Addict · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, these are getting much better 😂 freaking hilarious and offensive and I’m here for it. Happy she finally made a decision with Eli. Trying not to give any spoilers. Like all the rest of her series, I’m starting to like this one even though it wasn’t a favorite from book #1

[SpadesQueenTLF · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good but crazy read!

This was an excellent addition to the Avery saga! It had so many twists and turns it was really something to keep up with them all! But I love how Avery never gives up on being truly uniquely HERSELF!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are like potato chips ... fun, yummy, a little salty, and gone in a flash [drive]. Love the quirky family and the neighbors...what a hoot!

[Diane Spurlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good ok

This book was very good. I enjoy this writers novels. I recommend these series for quick entertaining reading. Can’t wait to read more.

[Rebecca Dowd · Rating 5 out of 5]

MORE INTENSE!!!

Boy, Avery Shaw just can't seem to catch a break. Not only is a co-worker murdered but, she is in two explosions. All because of a case she is solving.

[Shawna Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun read

I throughly enjoyed this book. Amanda Lee delivers again on a fun filled book. I can’t wait to start the next book.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super fun. And a love triangle I actually enjoy.