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The Spellmans #6
The Last Word
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Humor (2013)"The Last Word is Raymond Chandler meets Arrested Development. Zany, witty, and full of dark surprises, Lisa Lutz's novel is pure fun—and Izzy Spellman, PI, tops the list of 'Fictional Characters I'd Like to Meet for a Bourbon.'"—Gillian Flynn, New York Times bestselling author of Gone Girl
The sixth installment of the critically acclaimed, New York Times bestselling, Edgar- and Macavity-nominated and Alex Award-winning series by Lisa Lutz, finds our intrepid heroine of the series, Isabel Spellman, PI, at a crossroads. Izzy is used to being followed, extorted, and questioned—all occupational hazards of working at her family’s firm, Spellman Investigations. Her little sister, Rae, once tailed Izzy for weeks on end to discover the identity of Izzy’s boyfriend. Her mother, Olivia, once blackmailed Izzy with photographic evidence of Prom Night 1994. It seemed that Spellman vigilance would dissipate after Izzy was fired for breaching client confidentiality, but then Izzy avenged her dismissal by staging a hostile takeover of the company. She should have known better than to think she could put such shenanigans behind her.
In The Last Word, Izzy’s troubles are just beginning. After her takeover of Spellman Investigations, her employees are the furthest thing from collegial...and Izzy finds herself struggling to pay the bills. But when she is accused of embezzling from a former client, the ridiculously wealthy Mr. Slayter, the stakes become immense. If Izzy gets indicted, she could lose her PI license and the Spellman family’s livelihood, not to mention her own freedom. Is this the end of Izzy Spellman, PI?
The Last Word is, hands down, the most powerful book in the bestselling, award-nominated Spellman series.
The sixth installment of the critically acclaimed, New York Times bestselling, Edgar- and Macavity-nominated and Alex Award-winning series by Lisa Lutz, finds our intrepid heroine of the series, Isabel Spellman, PI, at a crossroads. Izzy is used to being followed, extorted, and questioned—all occupational hazards of working at her family’s firm, Spellman Investigations. Her little sister, Rae, once tailed Izzy for weeks on end to discover the identity of Izzy’s boyfriend. Her mother, Olivia, once blackmailed Izzy with photographic evidence of Prom Night 1994. It seemed that Spellman vigilance would dissipate after Izzy was fired for breaching client confidentiality, but then Izzy avenged her dismissal by staging a hostile takeover of the company. She should have known better than to think she could put such shenanigans behind her.
In The Last Word, Izzy’s troubles are just beginning. After her takeover of Spellman Investigations, her employees are the furthest thing from collegial...and Izzy finds herself struggling to pay the bills. But when she is accused of embezzling from a former client, the ridiculously wealthy Mr. Slayter, the stakes become immense. If Izzy gets indicted, she could lose her PI license and the Spellman family’s livelihood, not to mention her own freedom. Is this the end of Izzy Spellman, PI?
The Last Word is, hands down, the most powerful book in the bestselling, award-nominated Spellman series.
353 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 9, 2013
215 people are currently reading
4602 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Lutz
28 books3,972 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 946 reviews
April 3, 2015
When the parental unit goes on strike, Izzy finds that she's bitten off more than she can chew running Spellman Investigations but that is far from her only problem. Her friend and former client, Edward Slayter, has Alzheimers. Henry Stone wants to talk to her. Her brother keeps tricking her into spending time with her niece. And exactly what is a Conflict Resolution Specialist. Oh, and there's a little matter of embezzlement...
The Last Word is the sixth Spellman book published and the last to date. As the series goes on, I feel like a parrot and not the dead one from the infamous Monty Python sketch. How many different ways can I declare my love for this series?
As per usual, the cases are secondary and the mysteries surrounding the various members of the Spellman family and their associates take center stage. What's with the parents? What's with Rae? What's with Demetrius? Who slipped Slayter the mickey? So many questions.
One thing I love about the Spellman Files that I've likely mentioned before is that Lisa Lutz manages to craft a mystery with a lot of laughs without making it descend into ridiculousness. While there is hilarity, it's of the realistic sort and not cutesy unbelievable crap.
I also like that the characters aren't static. They change with every book. I like where The Last Word left the Spellman clan but I'll be ready when the next book comes.
Still no detective babies. Four out of five stars.
The Last Word is the sixth Spellman book published and the last to date. As the series goes on, I feel like a parrot and not the dead one from the infamous Monty Python sketch. How many different ways can I declare my love for this series?
As per usual, the cases are secondary and the mysteries surrounding the various members of the Spellman family and their associates take center stage. What's with the parents? What's with Rae? What's with Demetrius? Who slipped Slayter the mickey? So many questions.
One thing I love about the Spellman Files that I've likely mentioned before is that Lisa Lutz manages to craft a mystery with a lot of laughs without making it descend into ridiculousness. While there is hilarity, it's of the realistic sort and not cutesy unbelievable crap.
I also like that the characters aren't static. They change with every book. I like where The Last Word left the Spellman clan but I'll be ready when the next book comes.
Still no detective babies. Four out of five stars.
July 25, 2013
Oh, Izzy. I just want to give her a big hug, despite the fact that I know she'd feel awkward and stiff and try to pull away.
In The Last Word we find Isabel Spellman at her most vulnerable, confused, and messy. I always remember and recommend the Spellman books as being funny, which obviously they are, so I am surprised every time when they also make me cry. Isabel, who never tells us how she feels, tells us early on that news from Henry feels like "that time I stole my brother's LSAT prep book and he sat on my chest until I gave it back. Actually, it felt worse than that." I always feel for Izzy and her Avoidance Method, which is, of course, why I love these books so much. And I really relate to her constant efforts to grow up, even though she doesn't exactly know what that means.
I think in The Last Word, she does actually get there, as much as any Spellman can. Which is why, as far as I can tell, this book really is the last word (I've thought other Spellman books were the last ones though, so maybe I'm not the best judge of this).
Lisa Lutz ends her acknowledgments, which I read even though she recommended I didn't, with this, which I love:
"Finally, I'd like to thank my reader for staying with me all these years. I especially want to thank the ones who understand that the world isn't made up of happy endings, but messy, complicated, and untidy ones."
In The Last Word we find Isabel Spellman at her most vulnerable, confused, and messy. I always remember and recommend the Spellman books as being funny, which obviously they are, so I am surprised every time when they also make me cry. Isabel, who never tells us how she feels, tells us early on that news from Henry feels like "that time I stole my brother's LSAT prep book and he sat on my chest until I gave it back. Actually, it felt worse than that." I always feel for Izzy and her Avoidance Method, which is, of course, why I love these books so much. And I really relate to her constant efforts to grow up, even though she doesn't exactly know what that means.
I think in The Last Word, she does actually get there, as much as any Spellman can. Which is why, as far as I can tell, this book really is the last word (I've thought other Spellman books were the last ones though, so maybe I'm not the best judge of this).
Lisa Lutz ends her acknowledgments, which I read even though she recommended I didn't, with this, which I love:
"Finally, I'd like to thank my reader for staying with me all these years. I especially want to thank the ones who understand that the world isn't made up of happy endings, but messy, complicated, and untidy ones."
August 16, 2013
Lisa Lutz is becoming like Sue Grafton to me, as each new book feels like settling into a comfortable and familiar place, and in Lutz’s case, a really amusing one.
Unfortunately, Lisa no longer lives in San Francisco, but thankfully the Spellmans still do.
I wasn’t expecting that, on the 2nd to last page (do NOT look ahead!) but it makes 100% sense to me. By the way, speaking of not looking ahead: About 1/3 the way through the book I did read the appendix. After all, us readers keep getting invited to do that, so I usually do it sometime as I'm still reading, and this time I saw something I might rather not have seen (a spoiler.) I was fine with what's was coming though. But, my advice is (for this book) to not accept the frequent invitations to read the appendix before you finish reading the book.
I think this might be my favorite Spellman book, though they all have their charms. It’s wonderful to read a series where the books actually improve rather than deteriorate. What was so unique remains so clever and still feels fresh and just as funny and heartfelt as ever. I love the characters, both the old and some of the new.
I love that I was taken by surprise at times, which was really fun. And, even more than most series, readers HAVE to read these books in order in order to get the characters and fully appreciate them. Well, maybe not every reader does, but it’s imperative for me.
I love this author and this series. I found this book so satisfying. It was a perfect comfort read for me. I laughed and smiled a lot, and felt deeply too. I can’t wait for the next one. There had better be a next one.
If you’re a reader who enjoys reading about unique dysfunctional families, and you like really quirky, very humorous novels, I highly recommend these books.
ETA but not to feed again so as to not annoy those who've already read this review:
I appreciate how this author respects the reader and trusts them to remember her characters and their names. Once she introduces them, she doesn't overuse/repeat the full name, and gleefully uses nicknames. I love it!
I don't feel like editing/adding, but it's important to note that each book has serious things in it too, and this one in particular had a couple very serious (one could say sad) plot points. So, while I laughed and smiled a lot, I got kicked in the gut a bit too.
I just read that Lisa Lutz doesn't want to write more books in this series. I hope she changes her mind. She's brought me so much pleasure that I certainly want her happy, not unhappy. But I'd sure miss the Spellmans if this book is the last. At some point I'd have to do a 1-6 reread!
Unfortunately, Lisa no longer lives in San Francisco, but thankfully the Spellmans still do.
I wasn’t expecting that, on the 2nd to last page (do NOT look ahead!) but it makes 100% sense to me. By the way, speaking of not looking ahead: About 1/3 the way through the book I did read the appendix. After all, us readers keep getting invited to do that, so I usually do it sometime as I'm still reading, and this time I saw something I might rather not have seen (a spoiler.) I was fine with what's was coming though. But, my advice is (for this book) to not accept the frequent invitations to read the appendix before you finish reading the book.
I think this might be my favorite Spellman book, though they all have their charms. It’s wonderful to read a series where the books actually improve rather than deteriorate. What was so unique remains so clever and still feels fresh and just as funny and heartfelt as ever. I love the characters, both the old and some of the new.
I love that I was taken by surprise at times, which was really fun. And, even more than most series, readers HAVE to read these books in order in order to get the characters and fully appreciate them. Well, maybe not every reader does, but it’s imperative for me.
I love this author and this series. I found this book so satisfying. It was a perfect comfort read for me. I laughed and smiled a lot, and felt deeply too. I can’t wait for the next one. There had better be a next one.
If you’re a reader who enjoys reading about unique dysfunctional families, and you like really quirky, very humorous novels, I highly recommend these books.
ETA but not to feed again so as to not annoy those who've already read this review:
I appreciate how this author respects the reader and trusts them to remember her characters and their names. Once she introduces them, she doesn't overuse/repeat the full name, and gleefully uses nicknames. I love it!
I don't feel like editing/adding, but it's important to note that each book has serious things in it too, and this one in particular had a couple very serious (one could say sad) plot points. So, while I laughed and smiled a lot, I got kicked in the gut a bit too.
I just read that Lisa Lutz doesn't want to write more books in this series. I hope she changes her mind. She's brought me so much pleasure that I certainly want her happy, not unhappy. But I'd sure miss the Spellmans if this book is the last. At some point I'd have to do a 1-6 reread!
August 12, 2013
Running your own business is hard work. It can be made even more difficult if you have disgruntled employees. And it can be super, super difficult if those disgruntled employees are your parents...and one of them refuses to put on pants.
Izzy's "hostile" takeover of Spellman Investigations has not been going well. Besides the aforementioned barely clad parents, her other employees are all involved in "top secret" cases, and Izzy is clearly out of the loop.
Her sister, Rae, is now some sort of mediator, or possibly a hitwoman.
Someone seems to be threatening her sister-in-law, Maggie.
Her niece, Sydney - aka Princess Banana, is driving everyone nuts with her republic of extreme good manners.
It's going to take something mighty big to get those Spellmans working together as a team again.
While this go-round was not as hilarious as some previous episodes, I was intrigued by the all of the cases, plus, I really enjoyed the, dare I say, touching moments between Izzy and her boss, Edward, who is suffering frequent memory lapses due to Alzheimer's disease.
This may or may not be the last we hear from the Spellman clan. If it is, well, it's been a good run and I have no complaints if Ms. Lutz has decided to move on. I'll be delighted to meet any new characters she cares to introduce.
On the other hand, young Sydney has proven she's got the personality and stubbornness required of a Spellman female.
And, The Banana Files does have a certain ring to it....
Izzy's "hostile" takeover of Spellman Investigations has not been going well. Besides the aforementioned barely clad parents, her other employees are all involved in "top secret" cases, and Izzy is clearly out of the loop.
Her sister, Rae, is now some sort of mediator, or possibly a hitwoman.
Someone seems to be threatening her sister-in-law, Maggie.
Her niece, Sydney - aka Princess Banana, is driving everyone nuts with her republic of extreme good manners.
It's going to take something mighty big to get those Spellmans working together as a team again.
While this go-round was not as hilarious as some previous episodes, I was intrigued by the all of the cases, plus, I really enjoyed the, dare I say, touching moments between Izzy and her boss, Edward, who is suffering frequent memory lapses due to Alzheimer's disease.
This may or may not be the last we hear from the Spellman clan. If it is, well, it's been a good run and I have no complaints if Ms. Lutz has decided to move on. I'll be delighted to meet any new characters she cares to introduce.
On the other hand, young Sydney has proven she's got the personality and stubbornness required of a Spellman female.
And, The Banana Files does have a certain ring to it....
February 28, 2014
As usual, Isabel Spellman is having a rough time. After staging a hostile takeover of the family business (previously described in book document #5), she’s discovering being the boss is harder than she thought. Her parents are protesting the new management (she’s lucky if her dad comes to work in pants); her newest employee is spending all her time on a personal vendetta; Rae refuses to report in on her cases; D., her employee of the month twelve months running seems to be lying about his research to Maggie, his former lawyer and Isabel’s sister-in-law; and the accounting software is so confusing that Isabel has taken to hand-writing out company checks. Then there’s the investigations for the firm’s major client and Isabel’s benefactor, Edward Slayter. To add insult to injury, he wants to hold his business meetings while jogging. Finally, there’s her chaotic personal life: her parents are hiding something, she’s worried that Slayter’s Alzheimer’s disease is worsening, Henry seems to be stalking her, and her brother keeps trying to trick her into babysitting.
Light on the detective element, the ‘mysteries’ largely surround the people Isabel knows and loves acting in unusual ways. Unfortunately, she’s spread too thin to resort to her usual stalking investigative techniques, and tends to bounce from issue to issue as she tries to understand what’s going on. At heart, this is a story about relationships with people we love but don’t always understand. What I enjoyed most was the humanity and the reality threading through the book. Lutz manages to balance the frustration and worry with moments of comedy, achieving a great narrative that is as prone to making me say, “oh, Isabel” with sympathy, as it is to making me laugh out loud.
*************************************
continued at
http://clsiewert.wordpress.com/2014/0...
and
http://carols.booklikes.com/post/8086...-
Why? Because Goodreads' Customer service is a major fail, and they threatened to boot me for re-posting my banned reviews--which they forgot to take down in the first place. So everything needs to be permanently located elsewhere. Take that as a word of advice, folks.
Light on the detective element, the ‘mysteries’ largely surround the people Isabel knows and loves acting in unusual ways. Unfortunately, she’s spread too thin to resort to her usual stalking investigative techniques, and tends to bounce from issue to issue as she tries to understand what’s going on. At heart, this is a story about relationships with people we love but don’t always understand. What I enjoyed most was the humanity and the reality threading through the book. Lutz manages to balance the frustration and worry with moments of comedy, achieving a great narrative that is as prone to making me say, “oh, Isabel” with sympathy, as it is to making me laugh out loud.
*************************************
continued at
http://clsiewert.wordpress.com/2014/0...
and
http://carols.booklikes.com/post/8086...-
Why? Because Goodreads' Customer service is a major fail, and they threatened to boot me for re-posting my banned reviews--which they forgot to take down in the first place. So everything needs to be permanently located elsewhere. Take that as a word of advice, folks.
July 30, 2013
I've been a solid fan of the Spellman series and was glad that there was a book to wrap up the saga.¹ I was, however, disappointed. Let's just say that I wasn't as entertained as I'd hoped.
Isabel, now 35 and now CEO of Spellman Investigations, seems to be loosing it. Everything is going downhill rapidly and throughout the book it just seems to get worse. Isabel's keen edge has been worn to a fuzzy nub and she just seems overwhelmed. Familiar characters drift in and out, things are happening in the background and Isabel is just skatter-brained. Also, it is clear that the Spellman paranoia doesn't include the understanding that the FBI might not adhere to the law to gather information. The troubles keep adding up and I kept thinking "Where is the comic relief?" Well, I did stay up until early hours to finish reading as I've done with the rest of the series, but when I fell asleep it was with the question, What was that?
¹If the story continues from Rae's POV, I hope it gets better.
Isabel, now 35 and now CEO of Spellman Investigations, seems to be loosing it. Everything is going downhill rapidly and throughout the book it just seems to get worse. Isabel's keen edge has been worn to a fuzzy nub and she just seems overwhelmed. Familiar characters drift in and out, things are happening in the background and Isabel is just skatter-brained. Also, it is clear that the Spellman paranoia doesn't include the understanding that the FBI might not adhere to the law to gather information. The troubles keep adding up and I kept thinking "Where is the comic relief?" Well, I did stay up until early hours to finish reading as I've done with the rest of the series, but when I fell asleep it was with the question, What was that?
¹If the story continues from Rae's POV, I hope it gets better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2013
I love the Spellmans. I do. I love their dysfunction and their quirkiness and their snarky wit. I love the way they interact with people, especially each other. All of these things are predictable Spellman fare, and I like that I know exactly what I'm going to get when I pick up one of their installments.
But I also don't like it. The first in the series, The Spellman Files, was fresh, innovative, and downright hilarious at times, and the second and, to some extent, the third maintained this high fairly easily. We're now six books into the Spellman Family saga, however, and what was once clever and exciting has become a bit too predictable. I don't begrudge Lutz sticking with a formula that started off so brilliantly for her, but it would be nice to see some character growth over the course of the series. This is a character-driven series, after all. I don't want to just see them make goofy mistakes, I want them to learn from those mistakes, or at least attempt to learn from them. For the past several books, though, no one seems to be learning much of anything with the exceptions of Rae (who is, ironically, the youngest Spellman) and Henry (whose role in the series seems to be diminishing, which angers me). Isabel especially irks me as of late, which is troublesome considering these have always been her "files" (until Lutz decided to change it up a bit in The Last Word, a "twist" I'm still not sure I like). Part of me wants to hang out with her, and part of me wants to tell her to grow the f*!k up. I refuse to believe that a more mature, grounded Isabel would lack all the spunk and sass of the Isabel we have come to love over the course of the series. Why does one have to mean the elimination of the other? Can't people change for the better without losing the essence of who they are?
And so we are at an impasse. I love the Spellmans and will continue with the series should this in fact NOT be the last word, but I will do so more out of a sense of duty than love. And that makes me sad.
But I also don't like it. The first in the series, The Spellman Files, was fresh, innovative, and downright hilarious at times, and the second and, to some extent, the third maintained this high fairly easily. We're now six books into the Spellman Family saga, however, and what was once clever and exciting has become a bit too predictable. I don't begrudge Lutz sticking with a formula that started off so brilliantly for her, but it would be nice to see some character growth over the course of the series. This is a character-driven series, after all. I don't want to just see them make goofy mistakes, I want them to learn from those mistakes, or at least attempt to learn from them. For the past several books, though, no one seems to be learning much of anything with the exceptions of Rae (who is, ironically, the youngest Spellman) and Henry (whose role in the series seems to be diminishing, which angers me). Isabel especially irks me as of late, which is troublesome considering these have always been her "files" (until Lutz decided to change it up a bit in The Last Word, a "twist" I'm still not sure I like). Part of me wants to hang out with her, and part of me wants to tell her to grow the f*!k up. I refuse to believe that a more mature, grounded Isabel would lack all the spunk and sass of the Isabel we have come to love over the course of the series. Why does one have to mean the elimination of the other? Can't people change for the better without losing the essence of who they are?
And so we are at an impasse. I love the Spellmans and will continue with the series should this in fact NOT be the last word, but I will do so more out of a sense of duty than love. And that makes me sad.
August 8, 2016
This book is the perfect example as to why I am not a series reader. Books 1 through 4 were light and fun and wonderful and crazy and zany with madcap characters in which you were completely invested. Books 5 and 6 completely dissolved all of the goodwill built for those characters and provided no smiles, no laughs, and no cheer. The 2 year break between the release of books 4 and 5 seems to have dissolved the joy. Lutz's acknowledgment note of "I especially want to thank the ones (readers) who understand that the world isn't made up of happy ending, but messy, complicated, and untidy ones" is frustrating as the tone and humor of the first 4 certainly prepared the reader for escapist enjoyment, not the complete change of tone that occurred. Frustrating series and I would have to recommend to friends that they stop at book 4.
July 3, 2013
*Genre* Mystery and HiJinks
*Rating* 3-3.5
*Thoughts*
35 year old Private Investigator Isabel Spellman has her hands completely and utterly full in The Last Word. If you haven't yet read Trail of the Spellman's (Episode 5), I would suggest you go back and read it so that you understand the fallout from Isabel's hostile take over of Spellman Investigations and the implications it brings to the entire family.
As a summary, Isabel has been working for her parents (Albert & Olivia) Private Investigation business since she was 12 years old. Without getting into it too much, Isabel has always been a party girl who enjoys drinking...a lot. She's had more than a few boyfriends including Detective Harry Stone. She's been arrested more than a handful of times because her antics usually backfire on her. Her own parent's are a wee bit eccentric as well and aren't afraid to let Izzy sink to the lowest lows before tossing her a lifeline.
Yet, Izzy always seems to find the right angle to explore even when she's told to back off or she'll be terminated from her job. She's also the only Spellman offspring who is fully committed to her job as a Private Investigator. Her brother David quit being a full time lawyer to raise his daughter Sydney who is an absolute terror. Her younger sister Rae has just graduated from UC Berkeley and seems to have other ideas for her future which don't include long and insufferable stake-outs. The Spellman's also have two part time employees in Vivian, a college student, and Demetrius who was wrongfully convicted of something he didn't do and was exonerated by the Spellman's and David's wife Maggie.
Once again, The Last Word isn't just about Izzy's struggles as the CEO of Spellman Investigations, or the fact that her new benefactor has Alzheimer's or that someone is out to ruin him and as well as Izzy and she needs to pull every resource together she has in order to lure the perpetrators out into the open. There are some tender moments as well as Izzy understands that her methods are a little far fetched and she can't treat family with disrespect and expect bygones.
The Last Word is "apparently" the last book in The Spellman's series which I have been a faithful and loyal supporter and follower of since the release of The Spellman Files (2007). It's kind of sad to realize that there won't be any more hi-jinks from Isabel, Rae, David, Maggie, Demetrius, Albert or Olivia Spellman or even Henry trying to get Izzy to wake up before it's too late. It was nice of Ms Lutz to bring back Isabel's former best friend and co-conspirator Petra back to the series even for just a brief moment in time.
The Last Word actually ends with Rae doing a wrap up which kind of surprised me since we've never really had her do any sort of story telling until now. Rae has always been a rather abrupt and one who doesn't care how far across the line she goes in order to get her way. I can only hope that Lutz doesn't spin off this series and have Rae as its star.
The Series:
1. The Spellman Files
2. Curse of the Spellmans
3. Revenge of the Spellmans
4. The Spellmans Strike Again
5. Trial of the Spellmans
6. The Last Word
*Recvd via Edelweiss 04/24/2013* Expected publication: July 9th 2013 by Simon & Schuster
*Rating* 3-3.5
*Thoughts*
35 year old Private Investigator Isabel Spellman has her hands completely and utterly full in The Last Word. If you haven't yet read Trail of the Spellman's (Episode 5), I would suggest you go back and read it so that you understand the fallout from Isabel's hostile take over of Spellman Investigations and the implications it brings to the entire family.
As a summary, Isabel has been working for her parents (Albert & Olivia) Private Investigation business since she was 12 years old. Without getting into it too much, Isabel has always been a party girl who enjoys drinking...a lot. She's had more than a few boyfriends including Detective Harry Stone. She's been arrested more than a handful of times because her antics usually backfire on her. Her own parent's are a wee bit eccentric as well and aren't afraid to let Izzy sink to the lowest lows before tossing her a lifeline.
Yet, Izzy always seems to find the right angle to explore even when she's told to back off or she'll be terminated from her job. She's also the only Spellman offspring who is fully committed to her job as a Private Investigator. Her brother David quit being a full time lawyer to raise his daughter Sydney who is an absolute terror. Her younger sister Rae has just graduated from UC Berkeley and seems to have other ideas for her future which don't include long and insufferable stake-outs. The Spellman's also have two part time employees in Vivian, a college student, and Demetrius who was wrongfully convicted of something he didn't do and was exonerated by the Spellman's and David's wife Maggie.
Once again, The Last Word isn't just about Izzy's struggles as the CEO of Spellman Investigations, or the fact that her new benefactor has Alzheimer's or that someone is out to ruin him and as well as Izzy and she needs to pull every resource together she has in order to lure the perpetrators out into the open. There are some tender moments as well as Izzy understands that her methods are a little far fetched and she can't treat family with disrespect and expect bygones.
The Last Word is "apparently" the last book in The Spellman's series which I have been a faithful and loyal supporter and follower of since the release of The Spellman Files (2007). It's kind of sad to realize that there won't be any more hi-jinks from Isabel, Rae, David, Maggie, Demetrius, Albert or Olivia Spellman or even Henry trying to get Izzy to wake up before it's too late. It was nice of Ms Lutz to bring back Isabel's former best friend and co-conspirator Petra back to the series even for just a brief moment in time.
The Last Word actually ends with Rae doing a wrap up which kind of surprised me since we've never really had her do any sort of story telling until now. Rae has always been a rather abrupt and one who doesn't care how far across the line she goes in order to get her way. I can only hope that Lutz doesn't spin off this series and have Rae as its star.
The Series:
1. The Spellman Files
2. Curse of the Spellmans
3. Revenge of the Spellmans
4. The Spellmans Strike Again
5. Trial of the Spellmans
6. The Last Word
*Recvd via Edelweiss 04/24/2013* Expected publication: July 9th 2013 by Simon & Schuster
September 25, 2024
The sixth and final (to date) installment of The Spellman Files series sees Izzy at a crossroads in her life. Having instigated a coup against her parents and becoming the majority shareholder of Spellman Investigations, Izzy quickly finds herself in over her head.
Izzy’s benefactor, Mr. Slaytor, who bankrolled her ability to gain majority ownership of her family’s detective agency, asks her to investigate a company prior to a corporate takeover. While Izzy is preoccupied with that job, her sister Rae begins work as a mysterious Conflict Resolution Specialist offering little to no explanation as to what she’s actually doing (par for the course for the Spellmans). Meanwhile, a sudden deluge of funds in the company account has the FBI sniffing around looking for answers. The bills are piling up and the Spellman parental unit have begun slacking off. Can Izzy gain control or will Spellman Investigations become a thing of the past?
I have no idea how Lisa Lutz plots these books. I feel like she bunkers down in a basement with three tack boards, a sharpie, a stack of cue cards and a mile of red string. Not only are there seemingly a half dozen storylines occurring at the same time, but she has to try and outsmart people who outsmart others for a living while maintaining an air of believability. There’s no point in this book or the preceding five where you feel like Lutz has anything less than full control of where things are going and her track record leaves you with no reason to doubt her. I’m not sure Lisa has ever met a plot hole she didn’t fill with a wheelbarrow of gravel.
If you’re a fan of the series, then I can’t imagine you would have a problem with Spellman Six. The comedy is here on full display and Izzy is as charming as ever. She’s the kind of person you would absolutely love to share a drink with, but would laugh at you and call you an idiot for wanting to do so. Now that I’ve read all six novels, I’m going to miss her whisky soaked retorts. Hell, I’m going to miss the whole Spellman clan.
If this truly is the end of the Spellman series, it’s hard to complain where Lutz leaves the story. For purely selfish reasons, I could read another half dozen of these books, but I could say that for a handful of other series that leave well before I’m ready to say goodbye. I’m absolutely going to check out the rest of Lutz’s catalog sooner rather than later.
Izzy’s benefactor, Mr. Slaytor, who bankrolled her ability to gain majority ownership of her family’s detective agency, asks her to investigate a company prior to a corporate takeover. While Izzy is preoccupied with that job, her sister Rae begins work as a mysterious Conflict Resolution Specialist offering little to no explanation as to what she’s actually doing (par for the course for the Spellmans). Meanwhile, a sudden deluge of funds in the company account has the FBI sniffing around looking for answers. The bills are piling up and the Spellman parental unit have begun slacking off. Can Izzy gain control or will Spellman Investigations become a thing of the past?
I have no idea how Lisa Lutz plots these books. I feel like she bunkers down in a basement with three tack boards, a sharpie, a stack of cue cards and a mile of red string. Not only are there seemingly a half dozen storylines occurring at the same time, but she has to try and outsmart people who outsmart others for a living while maintaining an air of believability. There’s no point in this book or the preceding five where you feel like Lutz has anything less than full control of where things are going and her track record leaves you with no reason to doubt her. I’m not sure Lisa has ever met a plot hole she didn’t fill with a wheelbarrow of gravel.
If you’re a fan of the series, then I can’t imagine you would have a problem with Spellman Six. The comedy is here on full display and Izzy is as charming as ever. She’s the kind of person you would absolutely love to share a drink with, but would laugh at you and call you an idiot for wanting to do so. Now that I’ve read all six novels, I’m going to miss her whisky soaked retorts. Hell, I’m going to miss the whole Spellman clan.
If this truly is the end of the Spellman series, it’s hard to complain where Lutz leaves the story. For purely selfish reasons, I could read another half dozen of these books, but I could say that for a handful of other series that leave well before I’m ready to say goodbye. I’m absolutely going to check out the rest of Lutz’s catalog sooner rather than later.
July 18, 2013
I have been lying to all of you for years. Actually, I have been repeating that same lie to family, friends, even strangers on the street. I have even been lying to myself (though that's really easy to do because it turns out I'm pretty gullible when it comes to things that I say in my own head). The lie: Jim Butcher's "Dresden Files" book is my current favorite of all the series that I try to keep up with. The thing is, it was true at one point, but the truth is a transitory thing and I did not keep up with current events well enough to realize that the truth of that had faded. I apologize for misleading you all these years.
The Spellman Files books are my actual favorite continuing book series, and that has been true for quite a while. Full to bursting (like a cheap water balloon) with unusual characters, sarcastic wit, hilarious situations, depth of feeling, loneliness, mistrust, confusion, problem solving, family issues, and reality, these books are nowhere near as light as they can appear.
I hope my revelation and confession have not come too late, for the title "The Last Word" does sound rather final. Six books is a good size for a series, but if this is the end, then I will be mourning... mourning for a series that I didn't realize how much I was underappreciating it until it sounded like it might be gone. If this is the last book, though, I do want to say that I am so glad that this series crossed my path one day. My life is better for it.
The Spellman Files books are my actual favorite continuing book series, and that has been true for quite a while. Full to bursting (like a cheap water balloon) with unusual characters, sarcastic wit, hilarious situations, depth of feeling, loneliness, mistrust, confusion, problem solving, family issues, and reality, these books are nowhere near as light as they can appear.
I hope my revelation and confession have not come too late, for the title "The Last Word" does sound rather final. Six books is a good size for a series, but if this is the end, then I will be mourning... mourning for a series that I didn't realize how much I was underappreciating it until it sounded like it might be gone. If this is the last book, though, I do want to say that I am so glad that this series crossed my path one day. My life is better for it.
July 12, 2013
Mon avis en Français
My English review
I was looking forward to the release of this new volume! I must say that this is always the case for each of the volumes in this series. Indeed Lisa Lutz is a wonderful Mystery Thriller / Comedy writer. In this type of books I have two authors that I love, and Lisa Lutz is definitely one of them. Izzy and his crazy family are always a delight to follow and I love each second!
I admit that the first thing that came to my mind when starting this book is my great hope to go back to a relationship between Henry and Izzy. Well I must say that after a few pages it is clear that our hope is doomed to failure. Completely and permanently. I was really sad by this, for me these two characters were really meant to be together and I think it will take me some time for me to accept the fact that someone else is here for our heroine. But let’s leave that aside for a moment.
Our heroine took over the family business and intends to operate as she wishes. Yes, isn’t she the owner? Doesn’t she have the right to demand what she wants? The power quickly goes to her head and as her parents were not very happy with this change, they will go on strike altogether. Coming to work at odd hours? Done. Coming dressed in pajamas? Done! Doing everything to make Izzy’s life and work difficult? Done and redone! It was really fun to see how they could make her suffer so she capitulates and understands that what she did was not a good thing. But again, she must really understand it. In addition to that, I was pleasantly surprised to see Slayter throughout the novel, the new Izzy’s boss. He will manage to do what most people were never able to do, like make her jog. Yes and I can say that she doesn’t like that, but not at all. She became very close to this man who sees her as his confidante, but with his onset condition, it is increasingly difficult to keep the secret. Especially when someone is trying to sabotage everything they have done so far, discrediting this great leader while accusing Izzy to steal funds. Yes of course, she has already committed minor offenses but this time it is much bigger and she could lose everything, especially with her employees who do their best to ignore her. Our young detective must find the culprit before getting charged for something she did not do. And without the need to think more, Rae is back, wanting to rework in business with a very special position. David and Maggie try their best to deprogram Sidney, after a big brainwashing done by her grandmother. Finally you can see, not a dull moment and a lot of things in perspective that keep us interested throughout the novel.
I was really curious to see where Lisa Lutz wanted to take us this time and I must say I am not disappointed with the trip. This is again a very good novel and I hope there will be many more. If you do not know the series, I can only recommend it to you, you will surely not be disappointed. Crazy family, explosive business and many disasters await you. Of course, all this is not rosy and there will be pretty emotional moments that are very well written and that surprised me. Finally you can see, a nice sixth great volume even if I did not have exactly what I wanted, but is not this always in real life? A series to discover!
My English review
I was looking forward to the release of this new volume! I must say that this is always the case for each of the volumes in this series. Indeed Lisa Lutz is a wonderful Mystery Thriller / Comedy writer. In this type of books I have two authors that I love, and Lisa Lutz is definitely one of them. Izzy and his crazy family are always a delight to follow and I love each second!
I admit that the first thing that came to my mind when starting this book is my great hope to go back to a relationship between Henry and Izzy. Well I must say that after a few pages it is clear that our hope is doomed to failure. Completely and permanently. I was really sad by this, for me these two characters were really meant to be together and I think it will take me some time for me to accept the fact that someone else is here for our heroine. But let’s leave that aside for a moment.
Our heroine took over the family business and intends to operate as she wishes. Yes, isn’t she the owner? Doesn’t she have the right to demand what she wants? The power quickly goes to her head and as her parents were not very happy with this change, they will go on strike altogether. Coming to work at odd hours? Done. Coming dressed in pajamas? Done! Doing everything to make Izzy’s life and work difficult? Done and redone! It was really fun to see how they could make her suffer so she capitulates and understands that what she did was not a good thing. But again, she must really understand it. In addition to that, I was pleasantly surprised to see Slayter throughout the novel, the new Izzy’s boss. He will manage to do what most people were never able to do, like make her jog. Yes and I can say that she doesn’t like that, but not at all. She became very close to this man who sees her as his confidante, but with his onset condition, it is increasingly difficult to keep the secret. Especially when someone is trying to sabotage everything they have done so far, discrediting this great leader while accusing Izzy to steal funds. Yes of course, she has already committed minor offenses but this time it is much bigger and she could lose everything, especially with her employees who do their best to ignore her. Our young detective must find the culprit before getting charged for something she did not do. And without the need to think more, Rae is back, wanting to rework in business with a very special position. David and Maggie try their best to deprogram Sidney, after a big brainwashing done by her grandmother. Finally you can see, not a dull moment and a lot of things in perspective that keep us interested throughout the novel.
I was really curious to see where Lisa Lutz wanted to take us this time and I must say I am not disappointed with the trip. This is again a very good novel and I hope there will be many more. If you do not know the series, I can only recommend it to you, you will surely not be disappointed. Crazy family, explosive business and many disasters await you. Of course, all this is not rosy and there will be pretty emotional moments that are very well written and that surprised me. Finally you can see, a nice sixth great volume even if I did not have exactly what I wanted, but is not this always in real life? A series to discover!
July 11, 2013
ok - there are going to be spoilers here so stop reading if you don't want to read...I gave it 3 stars but...I did not enjoy this as much as the others. The Spellman books, at one time, were funny - they had a bit of madcap activity particularly between family members. The Spellman's, at one time, were this crazy family that I would love to meet..not so much now. It was like Lutz was in a really bad mood when she wrote this and she sucked all the fun out and instead we are stuck with a family that is a bit mean and petty.
This one was not funny or amusing on any level. It was a good mystery and I still really like Izzy but so much about the story was a bit unpleasant.
I found the reaction of her parents to Izzy's 'takeover' to be mean - and I was not happy that that Izzy was unable to make a success of the business. In the past I liked Rae - but her actions (and Izzy's) against the moving company were not funny -how are they any different when they resort to destruction of property? Why should the Spellman's be able to do that? I was bothered that the 'system' wasn't used more efficiently to take down the moving company. Rae's way was lazy and childish - and speaking Rae - wow - I really don't like her anymore - she's so self-righteous and full of herself.
I liked that Izzy's relationship with Henry has moved on in a mature way - I get why Edward did what he did - but not the way he did it and OMG Izzy's neice (David's daughter) is just so obnoxious - enough of her!
When I read the last book (that ended with Izzy making control of the company- a part of me felt that the adventures of the Spellmans had run their course - the book felt like an 'end.' - I hope in the next one - the Spellmans get their fun back and I would like to see Izzy move a bit forward in her life - maybe some baby steps - like maybe she could freelance for another agency and move away from the family business?
This one was not funny or amusing on any level. It was a good mystery and I still really like Izzy but so much about the story was a bit unpleasant.
I found the reaction of her parents to Izzy's 'takeover' to be mean - and I was not happy that that Izzy was unable to make a success of the business. In the past I liked Rae - but her actions (and Izzy's) against the moving company were not funny -how are they any different when they resort to destruction of property? Why should the Spellman's be able to do that? I was bothered that the 'system' wasn't used more efficiently to take down the moving company. Rae's way was lazy and childish - and speaking Rae - wow - I really don't like her anymore - she's so self-righteous and full of herself.
I liked that Izzy's relationship with Henry has moved on in a mature way - I get why Edward did what he did - but not the way he did it and OMG Izzy's neice (David's daughter) is just so obnoxious - enough of her!
When I read the last book (that ended with Izzy making control of the company- a part of me felt that the adventures of the Spellmans had run their course - the book felt like an 'end.' - I hope in the next one - the Spellmans get their fun back and I would like to see Izzy move a bit forward in her life - maybe some baby steps - like maybe she could freelance for another agency and move away from the family business?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 14, 2013
Read this in prepub. I love me some Spellmans. This Spellman installment is very much like the others, which is NOT a bad thing. It has everything you expect from a Spellman adventure: snappy dialogue, characters who are clearly characters yet somehow manage to be simultaneously believably likable and unlikable, no one is communicating directly with anyone else, misadventure ensues. It's a good formula. These characters feel like wacky friends: you like to visit with them but take a deep breath of relief when you close the door after they leave. I love that the latest addition to the Spellman clan, little Sydney, is as neurotic and wacky as everyone else in the family, as wacky as anyone who comes into prolonged contact with a Spellman. . I don't read the Spellman stories for plot, I don't read them for intellectual stimulation. I read them for pure fun, for entertainment, for the love of the Spellmans. What better reason could there be?
March 2, 2015
I love the Spellmans! I've been reading their adventures since Lisa Lutz wrote the first one. I hope she continues to chronicle this family of detectives.....Mom, Dad, the snarky Isabel (who narrates the stories), her older brother, David and her younger sister, Rae. They are all quite eccentric but entertaining. I see myself as a little bit of a Rae and a little bit of an Isabel. I enjoy the relationship between them and the rest of the family, not to mention Izzy's relationship with her niece, Princess Banana! This is one of my all time favorite series and I have enjoyed every one of the six books. Can't wait for a seventh!!
August 6, 2016
I so rarely only give one star, and I am beyond disappointed that this is what I am giving this book.
I love, love, love the Spellman series as a whole, but this book makes no sense. It is no longer funny and clever. Isabel is not evolving at all. Why she and Henry were broken up in the first place is STILL a mystery to me, but then what Lutz threw in with this one....what?
The book is extremely depressing and pointless. I am going to have to put Lutz under the category of "gone on too, long, please end the series already" alongside Laurell K. Hamilton and Janet Evanovich.
What I WILL do, however, is go back and re-read the first four, as they are all awesome and hilarious!
I love, love, love the Spellman series as a whole, but this book makes no sense. It is no longer funny and clever. Isabel is not evolving at all. Why she and Henry were broken up in the first place is STILL a mystery to me, but then what Lutz threw in with this one....what?
The book is extremely depressing and pointless. I am going to have to put Lutz under the category of "gone on too, long, please end the series already" alongside Laurell K. Hamilton and Janet Evanovich.
What I WILL do, however, is go back and re-read the first four, as they are all awesome and hilarious!
August 13, 2016
I thought it fitting to read this book whilst enjoying a last hurrah of summer 2013. The Spellmans kept me entertained through parts of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana. And as our vacation has now come to an end so has the Spellman adventures. Bittersweet.
Thanks you, Lisa Lutz. Your farcical and sly books are dear to my heart. I adore their pacing, their nuance, and most importantly their footnotes.
Izzy Spellman.
Best anti-heroine, EVER.
Thanks you, Lisa Lutz. Your farcical and sly books are dear to my heart. I adore their pacing, their nuance, and most importantly their footnotes.
Izzy Spellman.
Best anti-heroine, EVER.
December 22, 2014
I both loved this book and was gutted by how many things ended. But as usual I loved the humour and I lived for the footnotes. How many books can you say that about?
Full review: http://jenn.booklikes.com/post/106831...
Full review: http://jenn.booklikes.com/post/106831...
May 25, 2014
double.ewe.tee.eff.
how am i the only person to really, really dislike this book?
the last two spellman "documents" have been incredibly grating. the tone from the originals is entirely gone and the attributes i disliked so heartily from the first books seem magnified here.
let's get down to brass tacks, shall we? here, there be spoilers. consider yourselves warned.
last words:
1. henry: WHAT DID HENRY EVER DO TO YOU, LUTZ??? it's like she had to try to come up with a way to make henry so unlikable that no one could ever possibly want him to end up with izzy ever, ever again. so she gives henry a baby mama (because someone who is impossibly fastidious about cleaning his apartment sure as hell is going to get all looseygoosey with the contraception for a woman he's been dating for a couple of months) and THEN has him drunkkiss izzy AND tell her that awful thing about being "more normal." but then, because she'll probably need henry for later installments, she tries to redeem him a little at the end by having rae point out how much happier henry is not dating izzy. right. because that feels good to the people who invested so much interest in the development of their relationship for the first four books.
2. morgan freeman and the footnotes: is it just me or did the tone of the footnotes gradually get meaner and meaner? i mean the plugs for the other books has always grated (BUY MY BOOK! NOW IN PAPERBACK!). here, izzy is just a bitch (IF SOMEONE WANTS TO GIVE ME A NEW CAR TO ADVERTISE, SURE, THEN I WILL TELL YOU THE BRAND). and more obnoxious than normal. and i'm so done with the morgan freeman thing. wasn't funny in the fifth, isn't funny here.
3. Al Spellman - this plotline felt similarly to the henry. izzy's corporate takeover and subsequent dictatorship made her so unpleasant and unsympathetic that even her own parents hate her. which, considering how little respect they seem to have for her in the earlier books, isn't that much of a change. but in order to basically right all the emotional wrongs established in book 5, lutz gives al spellman leukemia. i don't think it takes a rocket scientist for anyone to figure out who the bone marrow donor has to be in order to make sure the balance is restored in this greek tragedy of a family.
4. the set up: here, we get more voice memos from rae. she is even given the titular "last words" here, which sets up her voice to help take over the writing of the family "documents" from here on out. since rae has been far more sociopathic than izzy, i can only imagine the misery we are setting ourselves up for.
5. the mystery: not hard to solve, not even close to unpredictable. i don't even get why the mysteries exist if not to point out how shitty izzy is at doing her job. and she is. really shitty. she can't even run the business she purportedly is so good at doing. I DON'T GET IT. WHY MAKE HER SO USELESS IN ALL CAPACITIES OF HER LIFE???
6. Max, babies, whatever: So, Henry isn't the right guy for izzy but single dad max is??? because izzy very loves children!?! or just not children related to her? WHAT?!
i don't know.
i might be done with the series. i actually cannot believe how many good reviews this last book has; it's like we're all hoping lutz will take a break from the series and come back to it when she wants to, not when publishers push her into it just to make more money. i think this is sort of what happened with charlaine harris after she had to write about the love affair between sookie and eric when she was so staunchly team bill/sam/anyonebuteric; she ended up resenting the characters and her writing. i don't know. i just don't feel the love here, not from lutz, not from me. i devoured the first four of these and could barely make myself read the final installment. the two stars is more for nostalgia and hope than merit.
and that's just sad.
how am i the only person to really, really dislike this book?
the last two spellman "documents" have been incredibly grating. the tone from the originals is entirely gone and the attributes i disliked so heartily from the first books seem magnified here.
let's get down to brass tacks, shall we? here, there be spoilers. consider yourselves warned.
last words:
1. henry: WHAT DID HENRY EVER DO TO YOU, LUTZ??? it's like she had to try to come up with a way to make henry so unlikable that no one could ever possibly want him to end up with izzy ever, ever again. so she gives henry a baby mama (because someone who is impossibly fastidious about cleaning his apartment sure as hell is going to get all looseygoosey with the contraception for a woman he's been dating for a couple of months) and THEN has him drunkkiss izzy AND tell her that awful thing about being "more normal." but then, because she'll probably need henry for later installments, she tries to redeem him a little at the end by having rae point out how much happier henry is not dating izzy. right. because that feels good to the people who invested so much interest in the development of their relationship for the first four books.
2. morgan freeman and the footnotes: is it just me or did the tone of the footnotes gradually get meaner and meaner? i mean the plugs for the other books has always grated (BUY MY BOOK! NOW IN PAPERBACK!). here, izzy is just a bitch (IF SOMEONE WANTS TO GIVE ME A NEW CAR TO ADVERTISE, SURE, THEN I WILL TELL YOU THE BRAND). and more obnoxious than normal. and i'm so done with the morgan freeman thing. wasn't funny in the fifth, isn't funny here.
3. Al Spellman - this plotline felt similarly to the henry. izzy's corporate takeover and subsequent dictatorship made her so unpleasant and unsympathetic that even her own parents hate her. which, considering how little respect they seem to have for her in the earlier books, isn't that much of a change. but in order to basically right all the emotional wrongs established in book 5, lutz gives al spellman leukemia. i don't think it takes a rocket scientist for anyone to figure out who the bone marrow donor has to be in order to make sure the balance is restored in this greek tragedy of a family.
4. the set up: here, we get more voice memos from rae. she is even given the titular "last words" here, which sets up her voice to help take over the writing of the family "documents" from here on out. since rae has been far more sociopathic than izzy, i can only imagine the misery we are setting ourselves up for.
5. the mystery: not hard to solve, not even close to unpredictable. i don't even get why the mysteries exist if not to point out how shitty izzy is at doing her job. and she is. really shitty. she can't even run the business she purportedly is so good at doing. I DON'T GET IT. WHY MAKE HER SO USELESS IN ALL CAPACITIES OF HER LIFE???
6. Max, babies, whatever: So, Henry isn't the right guy for izzy but single dad max is??? because izzy very loves children!?! or just not children related to her? WHAT?!
i don't know.
i might be done with the series. i actually cannot believe how many good reviews this last book has; it's like we're all hoping lutz will take a break from the series and come back to it when she wants to, not when publishers push her into it just to make more money. i think this is sort of what happened with charlaine harris after she had to write about the love affair between sookie and eric when she was so staunchly team bill/sam/anyonebuteric; she ended up resenting the characters and her writing. i don't know. i just don't feel the love here, not from lutz, not from me. i devoured the first four of these and could barely make myself read the final installment. the two stars is more for nostalgia and hope than merit.
and that's just sad.
October 31, 2013
http://noranydroptoread.com/2013/10/2...
This is really a love letter to the entire Izzy Spellman series, which began with THE SPELLMAN FILES. Start there. Don’t start here. THE LAST WORD may actually be the last word Lutz gives us about Izzy and her dysfunctional family of private investigators, and it’s been a long, crazy ride. Izzy’s growth and development are not to be missed. So if your interest is piqued by the following snippets, go read THE SPELLMAN FILES. I tend to recommend this series to friends who have enjoyed the early Stephanie Plum books by Janet Evanovich but have grown bored with the love triangle business and Stephanie’s failure to evolve as a person or as a bounty hunter. Isabel Spellman is a smart, funny, deeply flawed person who grows as both an investigator and as a human being through the course of the six books in the series. While dating is a part of her life, this is in no ways a romance series, nor is romance particularly central. When I compare her to Stephanie Plum, I mean only that she’s a smart, funny investigator and the books have both satisfying mysteries and laugh-out-loud humor.
Isabel Spellman has worked for Spellman Investigations since the age of twelve. In her family, surveillance is the norm and privacy is nonexistent. Wonder where your mother has been heading every Wednesday afternoon? Put a tracking device on her car. Your daughter is acting strangely? Put a tail on her. It’s no wonder Izzy has trust issues. In this installment of the series, Izzy has executed a hostile takeover of the family business. This novel is the fallout.
Snippets from THE LAST WORD:
“I really must compliment you on your ability to lie to yourself,” said David.
“Thank you,” I said.
***
My point is, entering the house through the front door would have caused more hassle than necessary. I used the slim jim I keep in my purse to pry open the window, hoisted myself inside, extracted the money from the safe, and was back in Henry’s car in five minutes. “Still door-averse, I see,” he said.
“More parent-averse, these days.”
***
How well would I survive in a federal prison? Martha Stewart set the standard pretty high, and you know you can’t live up to that. And you wonder what kind of ridiculous hobbies you might take up. Ceramics? Gardening? Creative writing? That shit is not for me.
***
Rae gathered her belongings and reminded me to call Robbie. “Robbie and you are in a cyber-war right now and he’s winning. You need to throw in the towel. Do you know how to do that?”
“Apologize?”
“With a porn gift basket,” Rae plainly explained.
***
“This needs to be a professional conversation,” Rae said.
“Then maybe you shouldn’t have worn pants with anthropomorphized peanut butter sandwiches on them.”
***
Someone on GoodReads characterized Lisa Lutz’s books in the genre “hijinks,” and that’s very true. But I’m also always surprised that in the midst of the ridiculous revelations and snarky wit, she always makes me cry at least once per book. And if I’m honest, it’s probably more like three times. If you like your female characters complex and enjoy madcap hilarity along with your poignant doses of reality, this series is probably for you.
Note: I did a brief review of this book over the summer: http://hollybooknotes.blogspot.com/20...
Source disclosure: I received an e-galley of this title courtesy of the publisher, and I have also purchased copies of every book in the series.
This is really a love letter to the entire Izzy Spellman series, which began with THE SPELLMAN FILES. Start there. Don’t start here. THE LAST WORD may actually be the last word Lutz gives us about Izzy and her dysfunctional family of private investigators, and it’s been a long, crazy ride. Izzy’s growth and development are not to be missed. So if your interest is piqued by the following snippets, go read THE SPELLMAN FILES. I tend to recommend this series to friends who have enjoyed the early Stephanie Plum books by Janet Evanovich but have grown bored with the love triangle business and Stephanie’s failure to evolve as a person or as a bounty hunter. Isabel Spellman is a smart, funny, deeply flawed person who grows as both an investigator and as a human being through the course of the six books in the series. While dating is a part of her life, this is in no ways a romance series, nor is romance particularly central. When I compare her to Stephanie Plum, I mean only that she’s a smart, funny investigator and the books have both satisfying mysteries and laugh-out-loud humor.
Isabel Spellman has worked for Spellman Investigations since the age of twelve. In her family, surveillance is the norm and privacy is nonexistent. Wonder where your mother has been heading every Wednesday afternoon? Put a tracking device on her car. Your daughter is acting strangely? Put a tail on her. It’s no wonder Izzy has trust issues. In this installment of the series, Izzy has executed a hostile takeover of the family business. This novel is the fallout.
Snippets from THE LAST WORD:
“I really must compliment you on your ability to lie to yourself,” said David.
“Thank you,” I said.
***
My point is, entering the house through the front door would have caused more hassle than necessary. I used the slim jim I keep in my purse to pry open the window, hoisted myself inside, extracted the money from the safe, and was back in Henry’s car in five minutes. “Still door-averse, I see,” he said.
“More parent-averse, these days.”
***
How well would I survive in a federal prison? Martha Stewart set the standard pretty high, and you know you can’t live up to that. And you wonder what kind of ridiculous hobbies you might take up. Ceramics? Gardening? Creative writing? That shit is not for me.
***
Rae gathered her belongings and reminded me to call Robbie. “Robbie and you are in a cyber-war right now and he’s winning. You need to throw in the towel. Do you know how to do that?”
“Apologize?”
“With a porn gift basket,” Rae plainly explained.
***
“This needs to be a professional conversation,” Rae said.
“Then maybe you shouldn’t have worn pants with anthropomorphized peanut butter sandwiches on them.”
***
Someone on GoodReads characterized Lisa Lutz’s books in the genre “hijinks,” and that’s very true. But I’m also always surprised that in the midst of the ridiculous revelations and snarky wit, she always makes me cry at least once per book. And if I’m honest, it’s probably more like three times. If you like your female characters complex and enjoy madcap hilarity along with your poignant doses of reality, this series is probably for you.
Note: I did a brief review of this book over the summer: http://hollybooknotes.blogspot.com/20...
Source disclosure: I received an e-galley of this title courtesy of the publisher, and I have also purchased copies of every book in the series.
July 11, 2013
http://dakimel.blogspot.com/2013/07/i...
I've mentioned Lutz's Spellman series before, because: sharp, fun, kooky but not too kooky, and Izzy is great. So I'm sure you all have been avidly following the series, and are ready to bemoan along with me that this looks like the end of Izzy Spellman. Which certainly wouldn't bother her parents, who are engaged in a most hilarious passive resistance campaign against her takeover of the family PI firm. (I shudder to think how I'd have managed moving up in my own family business if my mom had, like Izzy's, refused to explain the ins and outs of the accounting software. So: thanks, Mom!) Fortunately, Izzy has Edward Slayter in her corner, and even though he has Alzheimer's, he's sure he can protect her even as she tries to figure out who is embezzling from his company and framing Izzy.
Lutz is a playful author. I wonder if she just pulls random items out of the ether and challenges herself to incorporate them plausibly in her book. Izzy's challenges include twelve cans of tear gas, hideous Christmas sweaters, her ex-boyfriend's mother, the FBI, and a windowless file room inconveniently positioned for her attempts to eavesdrop on Bible Study. And somehow it all makes sense. As with the other books in the series, the investigative work takes a back seat to the delights of the Spellman family and their associates. And because the characters are all so real, well - I won't spoil it, but I will say that I cried.
I've mentioned Lutz's Spellman series before, because: sharp, fun, kooky but not too kooky, and Izzy is great. So I'm sure you all have been avidly following the series, and are ready to bemoan along with me that this looks like the end of Izzy Spellman. Which certainly wouldn't bother her parents, who are engaged in a most hilarious passive resistance campaign against her takeover of the family PI firm. (I shudder to think how I'd have managed moving up in my own family business if my mom had, like Izzy's, refused to explain the ins and outs of the accounting software. So: thanks, Mom!) Fortunately, Izzy has Edward Slayter in her corner, and even though he has Alzheimer's, he's sure he can protect her even as she tries to figure out who is embezzling from his company and framing Izzy.
Lutz is a playful author. I wonder if she just pulls random items out of the ether and challenges herself to incorporate them plausibly in her book. Izzy's challenges include twelve cans of tear gas, hideous Christmas sweaters, her ex-boyfriend's mother, the FBI, and a windowless file room inconveniently positioned for her attempts to eavesdrop on Bible Study. And somehow it all makes sense. As with the other books in the series, the investigative work takes a back seat to the delights of the Spellman family and their associates. And because the characters are all so real, well - I won't spoil it, but I will say that I cried.
July 8, 2013
I absolutely love the Spellman series by Lisa Lutz and this one, while a little slow to start with the humor, did not disappoint.
I am seriously hoping that "The Last Word" is not the end of the series, but I have a sneaky suspicion that the next few books in the series will be told by Rae instead of Izzy (the younger sister rather than the older sister). Just a hunch, no proof.
I would recommend this whole series of books. This is one seriously dysfunctional family of private investigators. When the case load is low at the office, they have to have something to do. So, what do investigators do? They investigate the other family members, of course!! The antics and stunts they pull on each other are hilarious. They are constantly trying to hide from each other what they are doing, which, if your a Spellman, only makes the others suspicious. Blackmail, surveillance and even bribery are a daily thing with this family. The footnotes at the bottom add another element of humor, as well.
I am seriously hoping that "The Last Word" is not the end of the series, but I have a sneaky suspicion that the next few books in the series will be told by Rae instead of Izzy (the younger sister rather than the older sister). Just a hunch, no proof.
I would recommend this whole series of books. This is one seriously dysfunctional family of private investigators. When the case load is low at the office, they have to have something to do. So, what do investigators do? They investigate the other family members, of course!! The antics and stunts they pull on each other are hilarious. They are constantly trying to hide from each other what they are doing, which, if your a Spellman, only makes the others suspicious. Blackmail, surveillance and even bribery are a daily thing with this family. The footnotes at the bottom add another element of humor, as well.
October 25, 2014
Apparently Lisa Lutz was forced by her publishers to write another Spellman novel and Lisa, in true Izzy fashion decided to retaliate. I know other people were unhappy with book 5, but I was fine with it. However, Lisa managed to alienate me with the ending if this book. I wish Lisa luck as she tries to go in a new direction, but I will no longer be reading her books. Izzy and her readers deserved a better resolution.
June 12, 2019
Satisfyingly unsatisfying end to the series. I really was rooting for Henry and Izzy but the author has other plans. Somehow amid all the chaos, Rae turns out to be the most sensible and the most grounded of all the Spellmans. I have so thoroughly enjoyed this series that I will be more thrilled than an extraordinarily thrilled thing whenever the author decides to write another.
January 26, 2014
Ms. Lutz should've quit while she was ahead.
July 9, 2019
This has been such a fun series to read - I hope she’ll write more, even if this is supposedly the last in the Spellman Files. Isabel has control of the detective agency, but things are spiraling out of control. She continues to be dysfunctional but lovable. (Own)
April 26, 2022
Didn't love the ending. Should have left the narration to Izzy and had her explain her feelings for Max in more detail.
May 26, 2023
Still enjoying these books even though the narrator is all wrong.
April 27, 2020
After Harry Potter, this is my favorite series. I held off on reading this final book because I didn't want it to end!
But if it has to end, this is a great way. Izzy wins some and loses some. Her family drives her crazy and she drives her family crazy. It's bittersweet and perfect.
But if it has to end, this is a great way. Izzy wins some and loses some. Her family drives her crazy and she drives her family crazy. It's bittersweet and perfect.
December 27, 2020
This book has been languishing on my TBR for way too long, and it took me way too long to get through as well. I'm kind of glad this is the last book in this series, because I really feel like the series is played out. I loved it at first, but this book was honestly a chore to get through.
I have enjoyed reading about the Spellman family and their exploits over the years, and Lutz has a way with humor that has kept me entertained. This book had an overall melancholy feel to it--with Izzy portrayed as basically a loser who can't figure things out, everyone is alienated from her, etc. through most of the book. When it all came together it was sweet, but it took too long to get to that point.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
I have enjoyed reading about the Spellman family and their exploits over the years, and Lutz has a way with humor that has kept me entertained. This book had an overall melancholy feel to it--with Izzy portrayed as basically a loser who can't figure things out, everyone is alienated from her, etc. through most of the book. When it all came together it was sweet, but it took too long to get to that point.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
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