Reviews

The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz

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debs4jc's review

4.0

Izzy Spellman works for her family's detective agency. That's a bland way to describe her and her family - which is markedly unusual. Trained in surveillance and spy craft from a young age, they regular spy on each other (and any potential significant others) and use blackmail as a way of getting what they want. But they just might learn the value of trusting those closest to them when the youngest member of the family Rae disappears. The question is - was she kidnapped by one of the Spellman's enemies, or is it an elaborate hoax staged by Rae herself? You'll just have to read the book to find out.
I found this an enjoyable read and my book club enjoyed picking this family apart. I'd suggest it for someone looking for a lighthearted diversion with quirky - if somewhat unbelievable at times - characters and plot lines.

starborne's review

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4.0

It's a cute, humorous, and occasionally heartwarming book that reminded me of the journey I've made full circle through realism, darkness, madness, philosophies, and finally back to where I began as a child when I first seriously started reading using cozy books.

The main character is a bipolar machiavellian detective who just self destructs. We love broken people. The cases aren't thriller material, I don't even think Nancy Drew worthy. But I enjoyed laughing out loud quite often.

I needed it. It seems I like these types of stories more now as an adult male than the preteen youth who only wanted fathom girls his age. It didn't help much as teen girl-sleuths didn't exist in my neighborhood.

3.5 for it's content but probably closer to 4.0 due to how good it made me feel.

starborne's review against another edition

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adventurous funny fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

monicadee88's review against another edition

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2.0

I found this book to be a major disappointment and I don't know how or why I stuck through until the last page. Firstly, the style and organization threw me off and it took me some time to get into the story--flashbacks mixed with flash sideways (?) and subtle font changes. Second, I was continually frustrated with the main character and narrator Isabel--her antics, hardheadedness, and complete disrespect for others (the other members of her family are the same way) only served to emotionally distance me from the characters and the story. Third, it took obscenely too long for anything exciting to happen, and the "big reveal" was one of the most anticlimactic reveals I have read. There is little I can appreciate about this book except that what little mystery there was--for the short time it was a mystery--was compelling.

clurr_burr's review

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4.0

Around age 16 I devoured this series. Predictable at times, but still a riot to read. I love books with characters I can relate to and this protagonist has it all. I love her spunk. You will be delighted in the end.