The Not So Average Life of Average Jane: She's watching you, but you'll never notice her

by Marissa Malson

“Infused with personality and lighthearted humor throughout…as well as some truly jaw-dropping revelations.” -Judge in the 33rd Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards

What readers are

A cross between Ocean’s Eleven and Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series.Think Mission Impossible with a mostly female cast.Like Elle Cosimano's Finlay Donovan Is Killing It? You'll love Average Jane!Perfect for fans of Lisa Lutz’s The Spellman Files and Sam Tschida’s Errands & Espionage.A breath of fresh air in the mystery genre.

She might be average, but solving murders isn't! Jump into this light-hearted mystery, filled with humor, intrigue, suspense, and lovable characters.

Jane Smith used to hate being average. With her mousy hair and watery brown eyes, she blends into the background, easily forgotten. But that’s exactly what makes her a successful private investigator. While others stand out, Jane goes unnoticed, gathering valuable information along the way.

Her mother, on the other hand, is the complete opposite. She’s the nosy busybody of the neighborhood and always wants Jane to investigate something. This time, it’s their new neighbors who have caught her attention. Despite numerous attempts to meet them, they seem to be hiding something. And according to her mother, anyone who rejects her invitations and welcome cookies has something to hide.

But when Jane investigates the suspicious death of a local man, she realizes the mysterious house next door may hold the answers she’s been searching for. Little does she know, the web she’s about to unravel will also reveal secrets of those closest to her.

With a blend of suspense, intrigue, and wit, this cozy mystery will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the shocking truth is revealed.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

281 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 30, 2025

About the author

Marissa Malson is a marketer turned mystery author. Her highly rated debut novel, The Not So Average Life of Average Jane, has become a fast favorite among readers.

The owner of Just A Good Book Publishing, Marissa provides coaching, marketing, and design services for independent authors. She is also the author of Plot Twist on Substack where she shares actionable and authentic marketing ideas and solutions tailored to the needs of indie authors.

Like Jane, she believes life tastes sweeter with a glass of Crémant. Or Cava. Or both!

Follow Marissa on Instagram and Facebook at @marissamalsonauthor to keep up with her latest releases!

Sign up for emails from Just A Good Book Publishing to be the first to know about Marissa's new releases, special offers, promotions and more. https://www.justagoodbook.com/email-s...

Reviews

[Sandrine]

This book is a delightful and quirky read that turns the ordinary into the extraordinary. Following Jane, a self-proclaimed “average” woman, the story takes unexpected twists as her seemingly mundane life unravels into a series of charming, humorous, and heartfelt adventures. The author’s witty prose and relatable characters make it easy to root for Jane as she discovers her own uniqueness. While the pacing is occasionally slow, the book’s charm lies in its celebration of the everyday, proving that even the most average life can be anything but. Perfect for anyone seeking a light, uplifting escape with a touch of whimsy.

[Casey thirty_wordy_and_reading]

I am giddy-I just finished this cozy mystery and was quite satisfied. After being disappointed with thrillers I was in the mood for a good mystery. This book delivered that in a fun approachable way.

I wasn’t expecting the journey this book took me on. I was literally just expecting a story about a PI solving a crime pr multiple crimes but the plot thickened…

What to expect:
Suspicious neighbors
Classic supportive best friend
Plot twist
Family Secrets
Private Investigator
Ocean’s 11 vibes

Looking forward to more of Jane Smith!

2026-Re read as The Consultants coming out soon. Still moved it

[Jennifer Lewis]

I couldn't put this book down! From the first page, I was hooked—Jane's adventures pulled me in, and I needed to know what happened next. The clever writing and attention to detail made every twist and turn feel earned, and I loved how everything came together in the end.​

Jane is a character I could root for—smart, determined, and full of heart. The way her relationships evolved added depth without overshadowing the main plot.

The blend of humor and suspense kept me on the edge of my seat. It was like being right there with Jane, solving the case together—her partner, her Watson. I can't wait for Jane's next adventure!​

[Louise Gray]

This was such a fun story with a lead character I really loved. There are plenty of funny scenarios mixed in with a pretty thrilling heist and the author’s knack for a quirky character really hits the mark.

[Madison]

This is a delightfully cozy mystery! One that I would recommend to anyone, especially if you are needing to get out of a reading slump!

[Lana]

This book had me turning pages so fast! An unstoppable protagonist who has no idea what she’s stumbling upon and all the twists and turns that follow 👏

[Julie Kleine]

I am beyond impressed with Marissa Malson’s debut novel, The Not So Average Life of Average Jane. It’s not easy to write a first book this well, but she absolutely delivers. The story is incredibly easy to read and follow while still weaving together a layered and complex mystery.

One of my favorite things about this book is how unpredictable it is. At no point did I feel like I knew what was coming next, which for me is exactly what makes a mystery so exciting. If a story becomes too predictable, I tend to lose interest, but with this one I couldn’t wait to keep reading and see where it would go.

I was also really impressed by the attention to small details throughout the story. You can truly tell this was a well thought out passion project, crafted with care and intention.

I can’t wait to see what Marissa Malson does next. Bring on book two!

[Chloe]

I really enjoyed this book and could not put it down. There is everything you could want in a cosy mystery read here, from the quirky characters to the witty remarks. It was a very easy book to get stuck into. I loved Jane's character, a basic, plain person who is often invisible but is actually so much more. She's clever, funny, fiercely determined, and has an expectional eye for detail. This is a character I really connected with. The book is written in such detail that you actually feel like you were part of the story and this was one i didn't want to end, so i really hope there's more "consulting" (and joe) to come☺️

[Lisa reads alot Hamer]

What a great book!
Average Jane a PI easily overlooked by the people around her, the blurb got me interested but the book is so much better.

Full of humour, Jane’s narrated thoughts are brilliantly funny.
Short chapters and told through different POV mean it hard to put down, just one more chapter got me reading this really quickly.
It has a great flow to the writing you get immersed into the story and the twists I did not see coming.

I could write for ages about the characters in the book but what I really want to say is, read it!
Highly recommended cosy, quirky mystery and a debut book that will appeal to any mystery fans.

[Kez Marie]

This was an intriguing mystery that switches between Jane's pov - a private investigator, and Anonymous, the suspicious new neighbour hiding secrets and wanting to avoid detection.
I loved how Jane uses her initiative to find out information and how to engage with people to get what she wants with cover stores, fake personas, and gaining sympathy.
What starts as a missing person investigation and being nosey at the new neighbour, quickly turns into an unexpected daring undercover operation and high stakes rescue mission.
I enjoyed the revelations, and the splash of romance amongst all the chaos and action.
This was a fun start to the series and I'm looking forward to more from Jane.

[Hannah]

This book was the perfect cozy mystery! The story begins in a small town with Jane. She looks like just an average Jane, however she’s a private investigator who uses her unassuming nature as an advantage to fly under the radar. This makes for an incredibly interesting story but it also makes Jane very relatable and easy to feel like I’m walking alongside Jane.

As the case Jane is investigating unfolds and explodes into something far more complicated, the book becomes impossible to put down. This book had a perfect pace, an amazing balance of relatability to action, and the right mix of lighthearted vibes to keeping me on the edge of my seat. I cannot wait until the sequel!!

[Reading . Current]

This is book 2 of the Average Jane PI series and I must confess I haven’t read the first book. But I love that this can be read as a standalone and having read it I want to know what happens next (I'm fully invested).

The granny makes me laugh seeing as she's wealthy with a staff of twenty in France yet makes comments like the following: "Driving myself reminds me that I came from humble beginnings". The entire family dynamic is brilliant actually and feels really authentic especially in regard to Jane's mum who is the epitome of Gladys Kravitz (Bewitched).

What I've taken from this story is that you should listen to a mother's intuition! Without spoiling too much, there were interconnected plotlines that led to plot twist after plot twist. I couldn't put it down!

What an ending, I can't wait for the next case and a joint one at that.

[Jaclynn Graf]

A must read series!!!

I could not put this book down! Marissa's writing pulls you into the story right away and I felt like I was right there alongside Jane the entire time. There are twists and turns at every corner and when I did finally tear myself away, I was often still hypothesizing even when I wasn’t reading. I could easily see this book becoming a movie and I can't wait to read about Jane's next adventure! If you enjoy cozy mysteries and shocking twists you didn't see coming, you need this book!!

[Tammy Morton]

This was a blast not what I was expecting, I thought it was going to go a certain way as a mystery but then took a turn I did not see. Love that the chapter were different viewpoints, one being Jane and the other the mysterious neighbour that Jane's mother is trying to welcome to the neighbourhood but who she is also pestering her daughter to look into as she finds they aloofness suspicious. I love this story and was surprised by the direction it went into. Can't wait for another one.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cheli Vance]

Delightfully entertaining from start to finish! A smart, well-written cozy mystery bursting with intrigue, wit, humor, and thrills. Not just a must-read book, but a must-read again fantastic debut novel from Marissa Malson! Grab a blanket, your favorite hot drink, and enjoy the ride of The Not So Average Life of Average Jane! Looking forward to any and all prequels and sequels from this author!

Very Satisfied Reader

[Kyly Wandell]

I really enjoyed this book!! It had all the ingredients for a cozy mystery novel. An average, but not so average PI, a small town setting, and a perfect twisty mystery that kept me on my toes. I was obsessed with the way this story was written in such great detail, like watching a movie in your head! If you’re looking to curl up and go on a little adventure, this is the perfect book to do that.

[Melanie Ollila]

This was a great addition to my PI authors! A cozy mystery with a great introduction to the characters.

Written in an easy reading style, flows quickly. Started out with Stephanie Plum vibes, average Jane going home every Sunday for a meal with the fam, nosy mom tracking the neighborhood.

It started to feel predictable near the middle where I was like yep that’s the bad guy and then they were revealed but bam with a twist you don’t see coming! Loved the turn at that point and sets the stage for a series.

Now there’s no Morelli or Ranger if you are an Evanovich fan, but there’s a hint at GI Joe😉

[Sinead]

This book is a DELIGHT. Jane is a thoroughly ordinary, unnoticeable woman, and that very ordinariness is what allows her to do her private investigating. I had so much fun reading this, but it also made me think about celebrating Jane’s ordinariness- and my own! So charmingly written, I’m very much hoping for at LEAST one sequel. I want to solve more mysteries with Jane!

[Lynda McDaniel]

Jane is one of the most exciting characters to enter the amateur sleuth annals in ages. I was rooting for her from page one! Love the humor, the good-heartedness, and the writing. Great book!

[Kaitlin]

The story captured my attention right away and kept my interest the entire time! Great book and I hope to read more of Jane's adventures!

[Alexia | Books4Dreamz]

A fun and engaging cozy mystery that drew me in right away and kept my interest until the end. The writing is clear, fast-paced and confident, with a fresh concept that blends humor, intrigue, and charm—perfect for fans of the Finlay Donovan series. It’s entertaining, satisfying and thoroughly enjoyable. I’m fairly certain there will be a sequel and I’ll definitely be reading it.

[Karly Sullivan]

This is an easy, engaging read that pulls you in from the start. The characters are well-developed and the author does a great job capturing the inner thoughts of Jane, which adds depth and authenticity to the story.

[Molly]

What a page turner! Jane is a PI who is drawn into a web of criminals. She has to think, think, think who is the link?

[Nik]

4.25 stars

I loved every moment and couldn’t put it down. This book just made me happy. Jane our FMC is awesome. She is so relatable. I am excited to read the next book. Full review to come.

Copy provided by the author for review

[Laura Schmidt]

I loved every minute of this book!! Amazing ❤️

[Lila]

This was a fantastic first book by author Marissa Malson! The story was fun and I kept finding myself thinking about the book even when I wasn’t reading - the sign of a great book!! I look forward to reading more books by Marissa!

[Olivia Glavac Miller]

A nice cozy mystery with a side of whimsy and quirkiness! I really liked Jane, and I felt like I really got to know all the other characters well. The plot did get a little far fetched for me, but it was enjoyable and intriguing! The inner monologue was written well, as I felt like I was just having a conversation with Jane.
A great debut novel!

[Sarah]

I loved this book! A great mystery novel that wasn’t over the top. I was always looking for more time to read about Jane’s adventures, I couldn’t put it down! Can’t wait to see what is next for author Marissa!

[Linzi]

" ..you're not as forgettable as you think"

This was a fun read! It all unfolds through different POVs and with it's short chapters and fast pace throughout, it's easy to fly through it. I always enjoy books with different POVs and I quite liked how we get the POV of the mysterious neighbour, never really knowing what they're up to 🕵🏻‍♀️ There's quite a few characters in this book but not too many that you can't keep up. I think Jane's mum was probably my favourite, she definitely made me laugh at times! The only thing I wasn't too keen on was the twist, I just found it a little unbelievable that they never knew this whole time?! and at times I felt it was maybe a little too easy for Jane. I feel like being a PI things would be trickier to find out whereas everything just kind of fell into place, but that's just my opinion 🤷🏻‍♀️ I quite enjoyed the ending and feel there will definitely be more from Jane in the future! overall it's a fun, fast paced, cosy murder mystery that definitely keeps your attention!

[Natasha sebuwufu]

The Not So Average Life of Average Jane by Marissa Malson
4 / 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What a fun and entertaining read! I really enjoyed following Jane’s not-so-average adventures. She’s a lovable main character with just the right mix of curiosity and charm, and I found myself eager to keep turning the pages to see what she’d get up to next.

Marissa Malson’s writing style is super easy to read, with short chapters (which I always appreciate!) and a cozy mystery vibe that makes this the perfect weekend read. While the pacing dipped a little in the middle, it picked back up quickly and kept me hooked right through to the end.

I’d definitely be up for joining Jane on another case—I have a feeling her next mystery will be just as delightful!