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The Spellmans #5
Trail of the Spellmans
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Humor (2012)Now in paperback, the fifth installment in the critically acclaimed, bestselling, Edgar Award-nominated series about a fearless private investigator Izzy Spellman and her quirky, yet endearing, family of sleuths: “Lie back and enjoy this tale of intergenerational gumshoe mayhem” (Kirkus Reviews).For the first time in Spellman history, Isabel Spellman, PI, might be the most normal member of her family. Mom has taken on an outrageous assortment of extracurricular activities—with no apparent motive. Dad has a secret. Izzy’s brother and sister are at war—for no apparent reason. And her niece keeps saying “banana” even though she hates bananas.
That’s not to say that Izzy isn’t without her own troubles. Her boyfriend, Henry Stone, keeps wanting “to talk,” a prospect Isabel evades by going out with her new drinking buddy, none other than Gertrude Stone, Henry’s mother.
Things aren’t any simpler on the business side of Spellman Investigations. First, Rae is hired to follow a girl, but then fakes the surveillance reports. Then a math professor hires Izzy to watch his immaculate apartment while he unravels like a bad formula. And as the questions pile up, Izzy won’t stop hunting for the answers—even when they threaten to shatter both the business and the family.
That’s not to say that Izzy isn’t without her own troubles. Her boyfriend, Henry Stone, keeps wanting “to talk,” a prospect Isabel evades by going out with her new drinking buddy, none other than Gertrude Stone, Henry’s mother.
Things aren’t any simpler on the business side of Spellman Investigations. First, Rae is hired to follow a girl, but then fakes the surveillance reports. Then a math professor hires Izzy to watch his immaculate apartment while he unravels like a bad formula. And as the questions pile up, Izzy won’t stop hunting for the answers—even when they threaten to shatter both the business and the family.
373 pages, Paperback
First published February 28, 2012
242 people are currently reading
3941 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Lutz
27 books3,974 followersLisa Lutz is the New York Times bestselling author of the six books in the Spellman series, How to Start a Fire, Heads you Lose (with David Hayward), and the children's book, How to Negotiate Everything (illustrated by Jaime Temairik). Her latest book, The Passenger, a psychological thriller, will be published March 2016 by Simon and Schuster. Lutz has won the Alex award and has been nominated for the Edgar Award for Best Novel.
Although she attended UC Santa Cruz, UC Irvine, the University of Leeds in England, and San Francisco State University, she still does not have a bachelor's degree. Lisa spent most of the 1990s hopping through a string of low-paying odd jobs while writing and rewriting the screenplay Plan B, a mob comedy. After the film was made in 2000, she vowed she would never write another screenplay. Lisa lives in the Hudson Valley, NY.
Although she attended UC Santa Cruz, UC Irvine, the University of Leeds in England, and San Francisco State University, she still does not have a bachelor's degree. Lisa spent most of the 1990s hopping through a string of low-paying odd jobs while writing and rewriting the screenplay Plan B, a mob comedy. After the film was made in 2000, she vowed she would never write another screenplay. Lisa lives in the Hudson Valley, NY.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,121 reviews
August 14, 2016
I gave the first 4 books 5-stars but this gets 3-stars. And I'm not only rating this on the incredibly upsetting event. Although that was ridiculously awful! I didn't read four books where I felt like I was climbing Mt. Everest to only barely reach the top in the fifth book and then be thrown off the cliff before I can even take a look around! I was also very disappointed by all the characters. No Henry/Rae scenes. No Henry anything basically! His character was wasted in this installment. There was still some brilliant writing and a lot of LOL moments but I'm just not happy.
I'm pretending this was the end! I loved the ending to the last book!
“We knew we were doomed. The kiss was a warm acceptance of years of bickering, years of me consuming foods that I found barely edible and Henry tidying up after someone who already thought she had tidied up. When I kissed Henry I wasn't imagining Ex-boyfriend #13; I was picturing Husband #1."
I'm pretending this was the end! I loved the ending to the last book!
“We knew we were doomed. The kiss was a warm acceptance of years of bickering, years of me consuming foods that I found barely edible and Henry tidying up after someone who already thought she had tidied up. When I kissed Henry I wasn't imagining Ex-boyfriend #13; I was picturing Husband #1."
March 25, 2015
Why are Rae and David Spellman not on speaking terms? Why is Mom throwing herself into numerous hobbies? What is the link between the case Izzy is working and the one dear old Dad has his hooks in? All these questions and more will be answered in Trail of the Spellmans!
My all time favorite dysfunctional family of detectives is back in a fifth installment and I'm glad to say the level of quality hasn't diminished.
In this outing, Lisa Lutz throws a few new characters into the mix. There's the infant Spellman, Sydney, Demetrius, the wrongfully convicted man Izzy helped free in the last book, and a geriatric Spellman that I don't think was every mentioned before. In addition, old favorites like Bernie and Henry Stone also have roles.
One thing I love about the Spellman series is that the titular characters aren't stagnant. They're all growing and getting older as the series progresses. David is married with a child, Rae is quickly approaching 21, and the parents are nearing retirement age. Izzy makes some changes in this volume as well, some for the good, some for ill, and one change that made me close my Kindle for a few minutes.
As always, it was amazing watching the various plots converge. Lisa Lutz is one of the few authors that manages to surprise me a couple times in each book. I don't really know what else to say. It's a Spellman book so if you've read and enjoyed the previous four, this one should be a no brainer.
The only bad thing about this series is that there's only one more volume in existence. 4 out of 5 stars.
My all time favorite dysfunctional family of detectives is back in a fifth installment and I'm glad to say the level of quality hasn't diminished.
In this outing, Lisa Lutz throws a few new characters into the mix. There's the infant Spellman, Sydney, Demetrius, the wrongfully convicted man Izzy helped free in the last book, and a geriatric Spellman that I don't think was every mentioned before. In addition, old favorites like Bernie and Henry Stone also have roles.
One thing I love about the Spellman series is that the titular characters aren't stagnant. They're all growing and getting older as the series progresses. David is married with a child, Rae is quickly approaching 21, and the parents are nearing retirement age. Izzy makes some changes in this volume as well, some for the good, some for ill, and one change that made me close my Kindle for a few minutes.
As always, it was amazing watching the various plots converge. Lisa Lutz is one of the few authors that manages to surprise me a couple times in each book. I don't really know what else to say. It's a Spellman book so if you've read and enjoyed the previous four, this one should be a no brainer.
The only bad thing about this series is that there's only one more volume in existence. 4 out of 5 stars.
February 2, 2014
Sometimes you just need light and fluffy. Lutz’ Spellman series fits the bill perfectly, with enough complexity and surprises to prevent boredom, clever lines to provide laughter and a remarkable entertaining heroine.
In this installment, Isabel is active again in her family’s detective business. Her younger sister Rae is off at college at Berkley, but still takes a hand in a case or two. Rae mostly seems to come around to work on convincing Spellman Investigations’ newest employee, Demetrius, to file a lawsuit against the state for false imprisonment. Isabel’s mom has enrolled in a surprising number of classes including Russian and crochet (or is it croquet? Isabel can’t read her writing) and her dad remains on his health-food diet without his knowledge since Demetrius does most of the cooking. Isabel’s still living with boyfriend Henry, but his mom has come to visit and Isabel still hasn’t given him the answer to that pesky question. Next to, underneath or behind all of this are a number of mysteries–the mystery of the OCD client and the suspicious household incidents, the surveillance of the college student at the request of her parents, the society wife who wants Isabel to tail her husband doing his normal routine, the society wife’s brother who wants the agency to tail his sister–and those are just the billable ones. Then there is the mystery of her brother David evicting Rae from his basement apartment, and Rae’s withdrawal from the family. Interestingly, the surveillance of the college student bothers Isabel the most–she who is normally so free violating others’ privacy:
“Vivien had been a minor only six months ago. I believe in the folly of youth. I believe in rebellion and questioning authority and I even believe it’s okay to commit a few misdemeanors now and again. ‘Try to steer clear of felonies’ is my motto (1).
(1) In fact, that will be the title of my memoirs, should I ever write them.”
******************************************************
Three and a half stars
Full review will hang out at where it can't be deleted at some corporate tool's whim at:
http://clsiewert.wordpress.com/2014/0...
AND
http://carols.booklikes.com/post/7786...
In this installment, Isabel is active again in her family’s detective business. Her younger sister Rae is off at college at Berkley, but still takes a hand in a case or two. Rae mostly seems to come around to work on convincing Spellman Investigations’ newest employee, Demetrius, to file a lawsuit against the state for false imprisonment. Isabel’s mom has enrolled in a surprising number of classes including Russian and crochet (or is it croquet? Isabel can’t read her writing) and her dad remains on his health-food diet without his knowledge since Demetrius does most of the cooking. Isabel’s still living with boyfriend Henry, but his mom has come to visit and Isabel still hasn’t given him the answer to that pesky question. Next to, underneath or behind all of this are a number of mysteries–the mystery of the OCD client and the suspicious household incidents, the surveillance of the college student at the request of her parents, the society wife who wants Isabel to tail her husband doing his normal routine, the society wife’s brother who wants the agency to tail his sister–and those are just the billable ones. Then there is the mystery of her brother David evicting Rae from his basement apartment, and Rae’s withdrawal from the family. Interestingly, the surveillance of the college student bothers Isabel the most–she who is normally so free violating others’ privacy:
“Vivien had been a minor only six months ago. I believe in the folly of youth. I believe in rebellion and questioning authority and I even believe it’s okay to commit a few misdemeanors now and again. ‘Try to steer clear of felonies’ is my motto (1).
(1) In fact, that will be the title of my memoirs, should I ever write them.”
******************************************************
Three and a half stars
Full review will hang out at where it can't be deleted at some corporate tool's whim at:
http://clsiewert.wordpress.com/2014/0...
AND
http://carols.booklikes.com/post/7786...
August 10, 2012
My family's obligatory Sunday-night dinners have always had the atmosphere of a disappointing baseball game: lots of shouting, subpar and semidigestible dining options, and various individuals occasionally making a run for it.
Isabel Spellman
Here's the latest go-round from that wacky family of private investigators known as the Spellmans.
All the current cases seem rather mundane compared to the theatrics of Izzy's own family. Mom has overscheduled herself to the point of exhaustion with classes and hobbies she's frankly not very good at, and doesn't even enjoy. Dad is grumpier than usual. Little sister Rae has been kicked out of older brother David's house, and no one will tell Izzy the reason. Boyfriend Henry wants to have an adult conversation (gulp!), and his mother has a big secret of her own. Is it any wonder Izzy's reduced to hiding in the basement for a little peace and quiet?
There's also a new member to the Spellman clan - young Sydney, Izzy's niece. The two of them have no rapport whatsoever. Here's what happens when Izzy babysits for the first time:
"Where are you?" my brother's shaken voice shouted into my ear.
"On a surveillance," I replied.
"Excuse me?" he said, even louder.
"You said take her for a drive if she wouldn't settle down. Well, let me tell you something, she wouldn't settle down. But the driving trick worked like a charm. Thanks for that."
"You took my daughter on a surveillance?"
"I took her for a drive that included surveillance."
"Bring her home immediately," David said.
AND, if that isn't enough, say "Hello" to Grammy Spellman, the "Mussolini of Grandmas." (Don't worry. There's a nice cot in the basement...and maybe some single-malt scotch.)
The cases? Well, things really get rolling when two of the surveillance jobs intersect, and a paranoid man's fears begin to come true.
It's always a treat hanging out with the Spellmans - possibly the ONLY family so dysfunctional they can make my own look normal.
Isabel Spellman
Here's the latest go-round from that wacky family of private investigators known as the Spellmans.
All the current cases seem rather mundane compared to the theatrics of Izzy's own family. Mom has overscheduled herself to the point of exhaustion with classes and hobbies she's frankly not very good at, and doesn't even enjoy. Dad is grumpier than usual. Little sister Rae has been kicked out of older brother David's house, and no one will tell Izzy the reason. Boyfriend Henry wants to have an adult conversation (gulp!), and his mother has a big secret of her own. Is it any wonder Izzy's reduced to hiding in the basement for a little peace and quiet?
There's also a new member to the Spellman clan - young Sydney, Izzy's niece. The two of them have no rapport whatsoever. Here's what happens when Izzy babysits for the first time:
"Where are you?" my brother's shaken voice shouted into my ear.
"On a surveillance," I replied.
"Excuse me?" he said, even louder.
"You said take her for a drive if she wouldn't settle down. Well, let me tell you something, she wouldn't settle down. But the driving trick worked like a charm. Thanks for that."
"You took my daughter on a surveillance?"
"I took her for a drive that included surveillance."
"Bring her home immediately," David said.
AND, if that isn't enough, say "Hello" to Grammy Spellman, the "Mussolini of Grandmas." (Don't worry. There's a nice cot in the basement...and maybe some single-malt scotch.)
The cases? Well, things really get rolling when two of the surveillance jobs intersect, and a paranoid man's fears begin to come true.
It's always a treat hanging out with the Spellmans - possibly the ONLY family so dysfunctional they can make my own look normal.
March 7, 2012
I LOVE the Spellmans, and I did laugh out loud quite a bit while reading this fifth document. That being said, sometimes i think it's best to quit while you're ahead. It seems like Document 4 was intended to be the series conclusion, and Trail of the Spellmans suffers that flaw of so many sequels, in that it takes knotted loose ends and happy endings, undoes them and says "Just kidding!"
Most of which is to say: IZZY AND HENRY AREN'T SUPPOSED TO BREAK UP!
No, I don't think Izzy would want to have kids, realistically--or at least, she wouldn't know her own mind about it for a few years yet. I can see Henry wanting kids... But I can also see him being okay with not having any. They can't break up, please! He looks kind of like Dr. Who!
And then, for the rest of the book, everyone keeps asking her "are you sure? You're not going to find a guy like that again. Do you want to end up alone?" Realistic, but not the light-hearted fun I look for in the Spellman Clan.
Fix it, Lisa Lutz!
Most of which is to say: IZZY AND HENRY AREN'T SUPPOSED TO BREAK UP!
No, I don't think Izzy would want to have kids, realistically--or at least, she wouldn't know her own mind about it for a few years yet. I can see Henry wanting kids... But I can also see him being okay with not having any. They can't break up, please! He looks kind of like Dr. Who!
And then, for the rest of the book, everyone keeps asking her "are you sure? You're not going to find a guy like that again. Do you want to end up alone?" Realistic, but not the light-hearted fun I look for in the Spellman Clan.
Fix it, Lisa Lutz!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 6, 2013
Have you ever had a craving for your favorite treat? All day long you've looked forward to indulging in it and when you finally sit down to eat it, it doesn't taste right. Like someone has made it sugar free, carb free, and taken the chocolate bits out. Yep , that's this book. As a huge fan of her superb series, books 1-4 that is, I was seriously disappointed with her latest installment in a series that really should just have been left finished.
Her usual zany cast of characters were made to seem dull, even dumb. What was dysfunctional but quirky and even endearing is now just dysfunctional and not even very funny. I gave her the benefit of the doubt through the entire book, thinking that eventually something of interest would happen. Nope, not even to the bitter end where she left Izzy's relationship with Henry in the toilet after using the first four books to show you why they really belonged together. Except now she wants you to believe that after all this time (and effort) forty-eight year old Henry has decided he wants children and Izzy to be their mother. Please, Izzy couldn't be a mother to a cat and Henry has always known that. The rest of the family are now just annoying, especially Rae who the author turned in to this mean, pathetically needy girl. The new characters introduced were equally depressing: a horrible, humorless grandmother, Henry's mother who turns out is a bit of an adulterous whore ( really? at seventy some odd years, she's promiscuous??) and Walter, who had the most promise, ended up flat and uninteresting.
All this could have been forgiven a little if there were any sort of interesting story going on with the cases the family of P.I.'s were working on. But don't expect that either, in the end I wanted to cry a little for the demise of a much loved series. Please Lisa Lutz, don't be a one trick pony, I know you have it in you to write something else!
Her usual zany cast of characters were made to seem dull, even dumb. What was dysfunctional but quirky and even endearing is now just dysfunctional and not even very funny. I gave her the benefit of the doubt through the entire book, thinking that eventually something of interest would happen. Nope, not even to the bitter end where she left Izzy's relationship with Henry in the toilet after using the first four books to show you why they really belonged together. Except now she wants you to believe that after all this time (and effort) forty-eight year old Henry has decided he wants children and Izzy to be their mother. Please, Izzy couldn't be a mother to a cat and Henry has always known that. The rest of the family are now just annoying, especially Rae who the author turned in to this mean, pathetically needy girl. The new characters introduced were equally depressing: a horrible, humorless grandmother, Henry's mother who turns out is a bit of an adulterous whore ( really? at seventy some odd years, she's promiscuous??) and Walter, who had the most promise, ended up flat and uninteresting.
All this could have been forgiven a little if there were any sort of interesting story going on with the cases the family of P.I.'s were working on. But don't expect that either, in the end I wanted to cry a little for the demise of a much loved series. Please Lisa Lutz, don't be a one trick pony, I know you have it in you to write something else!
May 31, 2012
*Rating* 4.0
*Genre* Mystery/Comedy
*Review forthcoming*
I seriously love this series! I am so happy that after a nearly 2 years of a reprieve from writing this series, Trail of the Spellman's returns without any luster being lost on the characters or the storyline itself.
More shortly.
*Genre* Mystery/Comedy
*Review forthcoming*
I seriously love this series! I am so happy that after a nearly 2 years of a reprieve from writing this series, Trail of the Spellman's returns without any luster being lost on the characters or the storyline itself.
More shortly.
March 3, 2012
After reading the Trail of the Spellmans I can't shake the feeling that Lutz planned on ending the series with her fourth (the previous) novel. She'd tied up the loose ends and made it seem like the family had worked through all of their problems. With this book she kind of through a grenade in the middle of life and waited to see where the carnage ended. This book didn't have any of the crazy antics I enjoyed in the earlier novels, and the whole book felt ... forced. Worse of all, the most of the quirky character traits I enjoyed in the previous novels were missing.
As for the writing style, it's very smooth and easy to read, but the story didn't compel me to stay up all night reading the way I expected it to.
As for the writing style, it's very smooth and easy to read, but the story didn't compel me to stay up all night reading the way I expected it to.
March 10, 2012
I am so upset I want to cry. I'm not even finishing this book unless a sixth book comes out to rectify things. Why did I pick this up? I loved this series and told everyone I know about it. Now I'm going to tell them that book 4 is the last in the series. Seriously, I need a forget spell. I would like to understand why all the characters get to grow and be happy except Izzy. Resist the suspense if you know what is good for you and do not read this. You can then remain in the previously inhabited world I used to live in where books have happy endings. I don't like movies or books that end tragically because life can be tragic enough. If I want realism, I can look around me.
April 3, 2012
I have that deep fear concerning the survivability of the Spellman clan and I hope LL wasn't trying to tell us something. I loved this book..it was LL typical high standard of writing with a ton of questions at the end!
May 24, 2012
REALLY we have to wait a whole year!! I love the Spellmans....
March 1, 2012
I don't know. Maybe I'm over it. I liked it. I liked revisiting the characters, and the story stayed true to all of them. Still, you know when you see a sequel to a movie that had a very satisfactory ending, and the sequel is fine but you can't help but wonder if it was really necessary? This was like that.
March 22, 2012
This is the 5th book in the Spellman series, all 5 star books for me, most of them (why not all?!: Do I have to rectify that?!) on my favorites shelf. (I assigned 5 stars for Lutz’s standalone book too.) (And, there is a new children’s book that will be out in 2013, and readers of this book get a teaser about it, illustrations included.)
I literally laughed out loud, numerous times. The story is hilarious, delightful, and a perfect comfort read for me, warped sense of humor that I have.
The relationships between family members and with others too and (most of) the plot resolutions were deliciously satisfying, and I am eager to read the next book. There had better be a book 6!
This book, of all so far, does San Francisco best, although perhaps I noticed one or two errors, and one or more typos at the footnotes. Maybe. The footnotes are definitely worth a bit of effort because as usual they are great.
In addition to some wonderful San Francisco locations and tours, there are a couple quotes that really resonated:
“You don’t drive much in San Francisco unless you have to. Once you find a parking space you keep your car there until circumstances warrant driving.”
and
“…a common phenomenon in San Francisco. Unless you carry luggage with you at all times, you’ll never be appropriately attired.”
But mostly I love romping with the members of the Spellman family, and there were some wonderful new(ish) characters too. D. in particular is a wonderful addition, but there are many others, some brand new. The “new David” is even funnier than the “old David” and I enjoyed seeing how everyone is evolving. The Spellmans are very endearing, I think. And they make me laugh. And their idea of an “afternoon pick me up” is so entertaining.
The author dedicated the book to two Morgans, and one is Morgan Freeman, and it happens that he’s frequently mentioned in the book. Which is fine because I like Morgan Freeman, as does (pretty much) everybody. I did get a kick out of the repeated references and I hope and assume that he did as well.
Oh, and bananas have never ever been so funny, and not at all in a lewd way.
I also appreciated that there are two serious non-fiction topics mentioned: The Innocence Project (http://www.innocenceproject.org/) and a heartfelt message about giving business to (spending money!) at independent bookstores, and she has a message on her blog about that issue too: http://lisalutz.com/blog/respect-your.... Now, I will reluctantly return my copy of this book to the library, which will make some other library patron very, very happy; the reserve queue is long, understandably. Oh, and another sobering topic is part of the plot, one that I guessed before Izzy did, and I assume that was the point. These are books where the included mysteries are not the crux of the stories, just fun parts of them.
I’ll toast Lisa Lutz with some ginger ale! (Read the book and you’ll understand that.)
I literally laughed out loud, numerous times. The story is hilarious, delightful, and a perfect comfort read for me, warped sense of humor that I have.
The relationships between family members and with others too and (most of) the plot resolutions were deliciously satisfying, and I am eager to read the next book. There had better be a book 6!
This book, of all so far, does San Francisco best, although perhaps I noticed one or two errors, and one or more typos at the footnotes. Maybe. The footnotes are definitely worth a bit of effort because as usual they are great.
In addition to some wonderful San Francisco locations and tours, there are a couple quotes that really resonated:
“You don’t drive much in San Francisco unless you have to. Once you find a parking space you keep your car there until circumstances warrant driving.”
and
“…a common phenomenon in San Francisco. Unless you carry luggage with you at all times, you’ll never be appropriately attired.”
But mostly I love romping with the members of the Spellman family, and there were some wonderful new(ish) characters too. D. in particular is a wonderful addition, but there are many others, some brand new. The “new David” is even funnier than the “old David” and I enjoyed seeing how everyone is evolving. The Spellmans are very endearing, I think. And they make me laugh. And their idea of an “afternoon pick me up” is so entertaining.
The author dedicated the book to two Morgans, and one is Morgan Freeman, and it happens that he’s frequently mentioned in the book. Which is fine because I like Morgan Freeman, as does (pretty much) everybody. I did get a kick out of the repeated references and I hope and assume that he did as well.
Oh, and bananas have never ever been so funny, and not at all in a lewd way.
I also appreciated that there are two serious non-fiction topics mentioned: The Innocence Project (http://www.innocenceproject.org/) and a heartfelt message about giving business to (spending money!) at independent bookstores, and she has a message on her blog about that issue too: http://lisalutz.com/blog/respect-your.... Now, I will reluctantly return my copy of this book to the library, which will make some other library patron very, very happy; the reserve queue is long, understandably. Oh, and another sobering topic is part of the plot, one that I guessed before Izzy did, and I assume that was the point. These are books where the included mysteries are not the crux of the stories, just fun parts of them.
I’ll toast Lisa Lutz with some ginger ale! (Read the book and you’ll understand that.)
November 26, 2012
Lisa Lutz typically records the crazy, but plausible antics of the Spellmans. This file contains the realistic, very plausible musings of a tired investigator. In many ways the Spellmans have matured.
So I'll address how each of the characters have changed (matured):
Albert Spellman (Father): In this book he mainly does paperwork and runs the compnay like a normal boss. No more "retirement age crisis" or interesting hobbies.
Olivia Spellman (Mother): She no longer is obsessed with playing Yenta the matchmaker and now focuses on cleaning up her language and developing better etiquette due to the influence of a new employee. Despite the attempts to clean up her act, the book over all has a little bit more foul language that is equilvilant to John Grisham's earlier novels.
Rae Spellman (Younger Sister): A sophomore at Berkeley, she is too busy studying to annoy Isabel and she apparently is no longer interested in the family business. One of the more colorful characters in the earlier books, she is dearly missed.
David Spellman (Older Brother): Relegated to the role of stay-at-home dad, he is no longer the OCD, overachieving white sheep of the family.
Henry Stone (boyfriend): Not really present, except for a one or two scenes where their relationship matures a several notches above a previous recorded chaste relationship.
Isabel Spellman: Any book in the Spellman file grabs your attention by having you sympathize and laugh at Isabel Spellman's (the protoganist) attempts to live life unencumbered by her eccentric family (the primary antagonists) and a supporting cast of colorful friends and clients. She doesn't go into any gray legal areas, her mother is not setting her up with lawyer/doctor dates, Rae is gone, and the main antagonists are merely mildly annoying clients who she is paid to help. Her "problems" are not unique and completely believable to a fault.
The most colorful new character is Henry's mother who turns out to be like crazy Grandma Puckett in "Hoodwinked." She should have been used more :(.
The book seems to the last in the series, however, she left opening for future novels. Hopefully, Lutz can revive some of the more colorful character and ensure the Isabel faces some bizarre dilemmas in the future.
So I'll address how each of the characters have changed (matured):
Albert Spellman (Father): In this book he mainly does paperwork and runs the compnay like a normal boss. No more "retirement age crisis" or interesting hobbies.
Olivia Spellman (Mother): She no longer is obsessed with playing Yenta the matchmaker and now focuses on cleaning up her language and developing better etiquette due to the influence of a new employee. Despite the attempts to clean up her act, the book over all has a little bit more foul language that is equilvilant to John Grisham's earlier novels.
Rae Spellman (Younger Sister): A sophomore at Berkeley, she is too busy studying to annoy Isabel and she apparently is no longer interested in the family business. One of the more colorful characters in the earlier books, she is dearly missed.
David Spellman (Older Brother): Relegated to the role of stay-at-home dad, he is no longer the OCD, overachieving white sheep of the family.
Henry Stone (boyfriend): Not really present, except for a one or two scenes where their relationship matures a several notches above a previous recorded chaste relationship.
Isabel Spellman: Any book in the Spellman file grabs your attention by having you sympathize and laugh at Isabel Spellman's (the protoganist) attempts to live life unencumbered by her eccentric family (the primary antagonists) and a supporting cast of colorful friends and clients. She doesn't go into any gray legal areas, her mother is not setting her up with lawyer/doctor dates, Rae is gone, and the main antagonists are merely mildly annoying clients who she is paid to help. Her "problems" are not unique and completely believable to a fault.
The most colorful new character is Henry's mother who turns out to be like crazy Grandma Puckett in "Hoodwinked." She should have been used more :(.
The book seems to the last in the series, however, she left opening for future novels. Hopefully, Lutz can revive some of the more colorful character and ensure the Isabel faces some bizarre dilemmas in the future.
March 18, 2013
Clearly, if I am reading the fifth book in any series it's because I thoroughly enjoy the series. What first attracted me to these stories was the originality in their presentation. Ms. Lutz uses a number of interesting, call them gimmicks, to present the story. Not as much for this novel, but she has often utilized in media res techniques as a way to foreshadow. Since the Spellman's are private investigators, she presents scenes as transcripts of recorded conversations. Which creates an interesting economy to parts of the story. And, well, I don't want to give all her tricks away. Suffice it to say, Lisa Lutz has done something wonderfully different from the standard narrative with the Spellman stories.
All of these stories are completely character driven and oddly enough (pleasantly enough? Differently enough?) they have very little external conflict. Thus, the "escalations" that occur within every story happen much more organically. Of course, this means Ms. Lutz has had to work overtime creating a set of characters interesting enough to perform such a feat.
I gave this particular story 4 stars out of 5, only because I felt it on par with the rest of the books in the series, which I would definitely rate each as 5 stars. When this series first came out, I felt it was quite different and intriguing in its presentation. Seeing as this was the 5th book, I felt it was time the author start pushing the envelope of this series a bit. Whether Ms. Lutz does this or not in the 6th book, I'm sure I'll be there to buy it if, and when, it comes out.
All of these stories are completely character driven and oddly enough (pleasantly enough? Differently enough?) they have very little external conflict. Thus, the "escalations" that occur within every story happen much more organically. Of course, this means Ms. Lutz has had to work overtime creating a set of characters interesting enough to perform such a feat.
I gave this particular story 4 stars out of 5, only because I felt it on par with the rest of the books in the series, which I would definitely rate each as 5 stars. When this series first came out, I felt it was quite different and intriguing in its presentation. Seeing as this was the 5th book, I felt it was time the author start pushing the envelope of this series a bit. Whether Ms. Lutz does this or not in the 6th book, I'm sure I'll be there to buy it if, and when, it comes out.
February 7, 2012
This is one of the most fun, laugh-out-loud series that I have ever read. After the fourth installment, The Spellmans Strike Again, I had believed Internet rumours that said it would be the last Spellman book, so my delight was tremendous when I first heard about this book's imminent publication (and don't worry, this time the Internet is very upfront that an additional two books have been contracted in the series!)
I love Lutz's writing style and sense of humour - in fact, I first read The Spellman Files in 2008, and have since re-read it aloud on a road trip, and just for fun to myself several times over these four years. I would definitely recommend reading them in order, though Lutz provides appendices to fill in out-of-order-readers, I think you will the whole experience more enjoyable if you read them in order - and it is certainly worth it!
In the two years since we last saw the Spellman family, plenty of changes have taken place and right from the beginning, there is plenty of excitement, intrigue and family feuds. I loved the whole book - I think I smiled the entire time, and actually read it in one sitting, so my face was quite sore afterwards! It was just a joy to read! The worst part was coming to the last page, knowing that it will be a long wait before the sixth book is published...
I love Lutz's writing style and sense of humour - in fact, I first read The Spellman Files in 2008, and have since re-read it aloud on a road trip, and just for fun to myself several times over these four years. I would definitely recommend reading them in order, though Lutz provides appendices to fill in out-of-order-readers, I think you will the whole experience more enjoyable if you read them in order - and it is certainly worth it!
In the two years since we last saw the Spellman family, plenty of changes have taken place and right from the beginning, there is plenty of excitement, intrigue and family feuds. I loved the whole book - I think I smiled the entire time, and actually read it in one sitting, so my face was quite sore afterwards! It was just a joy to read! The worst part was coming to the last page, knowing that it will be a long wait before the sixth book is published...
November 21, 2016
Another great Spellman book, though a little less so than the others so far. So much wit it hurts, so much smart it makes you jealous. So obvious Lutz is having so much fun writing this series, and this makes it so much fun to read, especially when you need a little laugh.
January 11, 2021
The Spellmans are back! Again! In the fifth installment of Lisa Lutz’ acclaimed series following a family of detectives, there is no shortage of suspicions and backstabbery (I don’t think this is a word, but I’m going to use it anyway). This go-around, we have family members that are no longer on speaking terms and the parental unit is playing the reasons for their own actions close to the vest. Now in a new relationship, has Izzy matured at all? Or is her infamous list of ex-boyfriends destined to add a new name?
Like the best episodes of Frasier, everyone’s problems could be solved quickly and efficiently if these people would just be honest with each other. Then again, where’s the fun in that? Also, counting on dishonesty between folks is the backbone of the P.I. industry – so we can’t have people telling the truth all the time, can we? That said, having established a pattern that it seems to be OK to go behind one another’s back leads to a monumental event at the novel’s conclusion. Maybe it would be better to sometimes leave well enough alone.
I know this should be a given, but Lisa Lutz makes her characters frustratingly consistent in their decision making and behavior. I absolutely love Izzy, but man… can she be a difficult character to root for. You just want the best for her and the worst is that she knows what is best for her, but still proceeds with total self-destruction. Don’t get me wrong, they’re all stubborn in their own ways, but I feel Izzy is the only one whose actions result in placing her in a worse position. Well, maybe Rae too.
Enough about Izzy. Lutz’ series has one of the best supporting casts of any ongoing series I’m reading – and even more great ones are added in this entry! There’s not a bad one in the bunch that I wish would just “go away” and the fact that there are so many keeps each book just flying by like a Japanese bullet train. I mean, these are hard books to put down and Trail of Spellmans is no exception. If you’re wondering why I’m being so vague, this is the fifth book in the series and I’m desperately nervous about even dropping the slightest spoiler.
Having finished the fifth book, I just have one more waiting for me but I’m just not ready to say goodbye to these characters yet. I’m not sure if Lutz ties things up with a bow at the sixth book’s conclusion or if she’s left it open-ended enough for an eventual return to the characters down the line. Although, things are blown up spectacularly at the end of this book and I have no idea where things will go from here.
Like the best episodes of Frasier, everyone’s problems could be solved quickly and efficiently if these people would just be honest with each other. Then again, where’s the fun in that? Also, counting on dishonesty between folks is the backbone of the P.I. industry – so we can’t have people telling the truth all the time, can we? That said, having established a pattern that it seems to be OK to go behind one another’s back leads to a monumental event at the novel’s conclusion. Maybe it would be better to sometimes leave well enough alone.
I know this should be a given, but Lisa Lutz makes her characters frustratingly consistent in their decision making and behavior. I absolutely love Izzy, but man… can she be a difficult character to root for. You just want the best for her and the worst is that she knows what is best for her, but still proceeds with total self-destruction. Don’t get me wrong, they’re all stubborn in their own ways, but I feel Izzy is the only one whose actions result in placing her in a worse position. Well, maybe Rae too.
Enough about Izzy. Lutz’ series has one of the best supporting casts of any ongoing series I’m reading – and even more great ones are added in this entry! There’s not a bad one in the bunch that I wish would just “go away” and the fact that there are so many keeps each book just flying by like a Japanese bullet train. I mean, these are hard books to put down and Trail of Spellmans is no exception. If you’re wondering why I’m being so vague, this is the fifth book in the series and I’m desperately nervous about even dropping the slightest spoiler.
Having finished the fifth book, I just have one more waiting for me but I’m just not ready to say goodbye to these characters yet. I’m not sure if Lutz ties things up with a bow at the sixth book’s conclusion or if she’s left it open-ended enough for an eventual return to the characters down the line. Although, things are blown up spectacularly at the end of this book and I have no idea where things will go from here.
May 18, 2014
okay, so i'm gathering some time passed between lutz's book 4 and her book 5 because, dang, was the voice and tone off on this one.
first, the snarky magic of the first four was just...gone. maybe as izzy gets older, it just gets more pathetic for her to be quite as snappy without it coming across as "bitchy" instead of "quirky." here, she's avoiding the subject of marriage and children with henry by throwing herself into her investigative work and staging a spellman coup in her copious spare time.
i know she did that whole thing with old david vs. new david - i think lutz really needs to consider new izzy, because she's just unlikable.
finishing the series, but feeling like maybe sort of kind of book four should have been the last one.
first, the snarky magic of the first four was just...gone. maybe as izzy gets older, it just gets more pathetic for her to be quite as snappy without it coming across as "bitchy" instead of "quirky." here, she's avoiding the subject of marriage and children with henry by throwing herself into her investigative work and staging a spellman coup in her copious spare time.
i know she did that whole thing with old david vs. new david - i think lutz really needs to consider new izzy, because she's just unlikable.
finishing the series, but feeling like maybe sort of kind of book four should have been the last one.
January 14, 2019
Nice uptick after the disappointing fourth book. Everyone’s grown up a little bit which is a hard thing to pull off among the jokes which still flow thick and fast. Isabel is as quick witted as ever while her siblings are both further on with their lives than before.
With one final entry in the series to go, I’m back on board hoping for a happy ending but knowing that it will make me giggle either way.
With one final entry in the series to go, I’m back on board hoping for a happy ending but knowing that it will make me giggle either way.
November 17, 2020
I feel like I'm in the minority of readers, since I first loved, then just liked, then almost disliked this series, but I'm happy to say this 5th book was a nice improvement. One important thing I've learned along the way is that Lisa Lutz can write a very good mystery. While I may not always appreciate the family zaniness, the core mysteries have been consistently good throughout, and this one (like most before it) kept me guessing at what was really going on. I think it helps that there's always multiple mysteries that are interwoven in the stories — sometimes connected and sometimes not. I liked that the overarching family story is advancing, and I really enjoyed the additional characters who've come into the fold. I wasn't surprised that Izzy still has numerous personal and relationship challenges, but I liked her character development too. Since I've made it this far, I'm obviously going to finish out the series, but I'm pleased to realize that I'm actually looking forward to doing so after reading this one.
July 28, 2023
This books are so stinking funny.
April 6, 2022
A friend of mine enjoys “The Spellmans” books so I decided to give this one a try. The Spellmans are a family of private investigators and, at least in this book, most of their cases involve surveillance. The book is narrated by older daughter, Izzy, who’s snarky and irreverent which was entertaining at first but got old after a while. The book centered around the family and their drama rather than the cases the firm was investigating so I think it was the wrong book to pick up. I think people who are familiar with the series and its characters will like this book more than I did.
August 31, 2021
I remember when I first started this series. As soon as I read the first novel, I was hooked. The Spellmans were just so hilariously dysfunctional and I loved them all. It was really fun reading about Izzy and I wanted to watch her grow into a mature adult. By the end of the fourth book, she had reached a good place and it seemed like she had settled into her new life. I had mixed feelings when I found out there would be a fifth novel since I thought the fourth book ended perfectly.
This book definitely still has those laugh out loud moments that Lutz is famous for. Izzy is still as insane and endearing as ever, and so is her family. I really liked the addition of Demetrius to the Spellman clan and he seemed to be a great influence on everyone.
This is a solid addition to the series, but it does seem a little lacking at times. There weren’t even any Henry and Rae scenes! The whole book seems to be missing the spark and charm that I loved in the first four novels. The Spellman clan seemed so fragmented and Adult Izzie is fine to read about, but a part of me does miss Irresponsible and Reckless Izzie.
I’m completely invested in this series and I adore the Spellman family. I recommend this series to anyone looking for a laugh and wanting to meet a dysfunctional and loveable family of private investigators.
This book definitely still has those laugh out loud moments that Lutz is famous for. Izzy is still as insane and endearing as ever, and so is her family. I really liked the addition of Demetrius to the Spellman clan and he seemed to be a great influence on everyone.
This is a solid addition to the series, but it does seem a little lacking at times. There weren’t even any Henry and Rae scenes! The whole book seems to be missing the spark and charm that I loved in the first four novels. The Spellman clan seemed so fragmented and Adult Izzie is fine to read about, but a part of me does miss Irresponsible and Reckless Izzie.
I’m completely invested in this series and I adore the Spellman family. I recommend this series to anyone looking for a laugh and wanting to meet a dysfunctional and loveable family of private investigators.
May 10, 2016
I loved the first four books in this series to pieces. However I was really disappointed with this one. A lot of the series is kind of chaotic but usually you can follow along. Here it just didn't feel cohesive at all. Things just randomly happened that felt like they should have been addressed but instead were glossed over. The detective work was interesting but it just didn't feel as fun as the other books.
September 2, 2015
I love the Spellman books. They are just hilarious. I love the writing style and the characters. Once I pick one up, it's hard to put down. The whole family is completely dysfunctional, yet they all seem to work together.
This installment was no disappointment (for the most part). If I had any complaint, it would be that I didn't agree with some of Izzy's decisions. Oh, well, I guess nothing's perfect.
This installment was no disappointment (for the most part). If I had any complaint, it would be that I didn't agree with some of Izzy's decisions. Oh, well, I guess nothing's perfect.
January 18, 2017
What happened? I loved the first three books and the fourth was ok as well. I lost all interest around page 200. I didn't care enough about the plot to even finish. The thrill is officially gone with this series. I'm out.
April 15, 2012
Releasing March 2012.
April 14, 2012
I love the shizz out of the Spellmans!
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