Falise

Take one dysfunctional family and put them in business together and then make them live together, minus one and that is the recipe for The Spellman Files. The Spellmans are a family comprised of: Albert and Olivia, the parents that love the P.I. business, David the eldest and only son, Isabel, fondly known as Izzy that chronicles boyfriends and the youngest Rae, a precocious young lady looking for her place and attention in this family.

As private investigators, The Spellmans don’t respect privacy on any level. Imagine tailing your mother; or planting a bug in your grown daughter’s room; or one sister picking the lock of another sister’s room. None of The Spellmans honor the boundaries David has tried to set by becoming a lawyer and putting the family business behind him. And for the record neither does he as he often engages their services for cases while some in the family try to engage his wallet on a daily basis.

I really enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to curling up with the second Spellman installment that just came out in April, The Curse of the Spellmans. The pace and style reminded me of the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. I was sorry to learn in our The Dish feature, just off to the left, that Lisa does not have the same longevity planned for Izzy Spellman.

The book reads like a screenplay and it had my mind wandering who I would cast in the roles for these characters. It was no surprise to learn that Lisa started her writing career as a screenwriter. I was pleased to learn that this book was optioned for the big screen and that it is in development.

If I had a criticism it would be the way the story skipped around from chapter to chapter. But once I got the hang of it, after a few chapters, it did not bother me again. With the witty and laugh out loud moments you should not miss getting to know The Spellman family.

JoAnne

I first discovered the Spellman Files last year and was excited to be rereading it for our May review. Lisa Lutz not only has the perfect voice and tone to get you into the mood for spring, but the irreverent laughs will help you shake off the winter doldrums. (it still isn’t spring in some states)

In an eccentric dysfunctional family of Private Investigators, Isabel Spellman is the quirky resourceful daughter. (read Middle Child between the perfectionist, and the baby) Izzy not only follows in the family business, which she starts as a young teen, but is stellar as a PI. We are talking an unnatural talent for uncovering secrets, trailing suspects planning stakeouts, and making lists. All this is really tested when she has to find her baby sister Rae, and deal with the police. Between these serious events, she dates the dreaded dentist, and discovers her brothers love interest. (I saw that one before she did).

All the supporting characters are the perfect foils for Izzy and help to round out a fun new detective character. Picture a love child between Nancy Drew and Mickey Spillane. Add dialogue that would make Jerry Seinfeld roar, fabulous chapter graphics and you have a fabulous weekend read.

It is the perfect tome to give Mom this Mothers Day, because you will want to follow up later with Lutz’s second book, The Curse of the Spellmans. Actually, I can’t wait to see who is going to play Izzy in the upcoming movie.