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The Spellmans #3
Revenge of the Spellmans
YOU THOUGHT YOUR LIFE WAS COMPLICATED
Private investigator Isabel Spellman is back on the case and back on the couch -- in court-ordered therapy after getting a little too close to her previous subject.
Private investigator Isabel Spellman is back on the case and back on the couch -- in court-ordered therapy after getting a little too close to her previous subject.
As the book opens, Izzy is on hiatus from Spellman Inc. But when her boss, Milo, simultaneously cuts her bartending hours and introduces her to a "friend" looking for a private eye, Izzy reluctantly finds herself with a new client. She assures herself that the case -- a suspicious husband who wants his wife tailed -- will be short and sweet, and will involve nothing more than the most boring of PI rituals: surveillance. But with each passing hour, Izzy finds herself with more questions than hard evidence.
Meanwhile, Spellmania continues. Izzy's brother, David, the family's most upright member, has adopted an uncharacteristically unkempt appearance and attitude toward work, life, and Izzy. And their wayward youngest sister, Rae, a historic academic underachiever, aces the PSATs and subsequently offends her study partner and object of obsession, Detective Henry Stone, to the point of excommunication. The only unsurprising behavior comes from her parents, whose visits to Milo's bar amount to thinly veiled surveillance and artful attempts (read: blackmail) at getting Izzy to return to the Spellman Inc. fold.
As the case of the wayward wife continues to vex her, Izzy's personal life -- and mental health -- seem to be disintegrating. Facing a housing crisis, she can't sleep, she can't remember where she parked her car, and, despite her shrinks' persistence, she can't seem to break through in her appointments. She certainly can't explain why she forgets dates with her lawyer's grandson, or fails to interpret the come-ons issued in an Irish brogue by Milo's new bartender. Nor can she explain exactly how she feels about Detective Henry Stone and his plans to move in with his new Assistant DA girlfriend...
Filled with the signature side-splitting Spellman antics, Revenge of the Spellmans is an ingenious, hilarious, and disarmingly tender installment in the Spellman series.
375 pages, Hardcover
First published March 10, 2009
212 people are currently reading
4734 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 1,151 reviews
October 26, 2014
Izzy Spellman is looking to get back into the detective game when a man hires her to see what his wife is up to. Meanwhile, what is with her brother David? Who is blackmailing Izzy? Why is her car never where she left it? And did Rae really cheat on the PSATs? All these questions and more will be answered in Revenge of the Spellmans!
Revenge of the Spellmans is the third book in the Spellman series and Lisa Lutz shows no signs of slowing down. Not only that, she's not afraid to shake things up. At the beginning of the book, Izzy is working for Milo as a bartender when she gets a chance to get back into the game. As with the previous two outings, Izzy's case is secondary to the infernal machinations of her family.
The overall plot moves forward quite a bit in this book. Izzy's dad wants her to take over the business when the Unit retire. David's up to something again. Rae's trying to drive a wedge between Henry and his new girlfriend. Morty and Milo are also facing tribulations of their own. Oh, and Izzy has to go to therapy, which is good for some laughs.
As with the previous two books, Revenge of the Spellmans is fun without overstaying its welcome. There were a few tender moments in between all the one-liners and casual familial surveillance. I'm glad Izzy got arrested a few less times in this book, though I was a little disappointed the way things (didn't) develop between her and Henry. I just want them to get together and make detective babies. Is that too much to ask?
I like that Lisa Lutz isn't keeping the Spellmans at static ages. Rae's sixteen and a half at the end of this book, for instance. I'm not looking forward to her going away to college in a book or two.
Once again, Lisa Lutz has navigated her quirky detective family through a minefield of deceit and distrust in the most hilarious way possible. Four out of five stars.
Revenge of the Spellmans is the third book in the Spellman series and Lisa Lutz shows no signs of slowing down. Not only that, she's not afraid to shake things up. At the beginning of the book, Izzy is working for Milo as a bartender when she gets a chance to get back into the game. As with the previous two outings, Izzy's case is secondary to the infernal machinations of her family.
The overall plot moves forward quite a bit in this book. Izzy's dad wants her to take over the business when the Unit retire. David's up to something again. Rae's trying to drive a wedge between Henry and his new girlfriend. Morty and Milo are also facing tribulations of their own. Oh, and Izzy has to go to therapy, which is good for some laughs.
As with the previous two books, Revenge of the Spellmans is fun without overstaying its welcome. There were a few tender moments in between all the one-liners and casual familial surveillance. I'm glad Izzy got arrested a few less times in this book, though I was a little disappointed the way things (didn't) develop between her and Henry. I just want them to get together and make detective babies. Is that too much to ask?
I like that Lisa Lutz isn't keeping the Spellmans at static ages. Rae's sixteen and a half at the end of this book, for instance. I'm not looking forward to her going away to college in a book or two.
Once again, Lisa Lutz has navigated her quirky detective family through a minefield of deceit and distrust in the most hilarious way possible. Four out of five stars.
April 11, 2009
Somewhere, Janet Evanovich is planning a hit on Lisa Lutz. The Spellman series just gets better, with some expected and unexpected character developments. Funny enough to make you snort your bourbon and Diet Coke out your nose, the Spellman books keep you intrigued equally with the "mysteries" and her characters. Can't wait for a fourth - here's hoping the movie in development doesn't spoil the books for new fans.
Read-alikes would be the aforementioned Evanovich, perhaps Diane Mott Davidson (at a looong stretch) and other such humorous mystery authors. But really, I think Douglas Adams fans would love Lutz.
Read-alikes would be the aforementioned Evanovich, perhaps Diane Mott Davidson (at a looong stretch) and other such humorous mystery authors. But really, I think Douglas Adams fans would love Lutz.
March 30, 2009
Lisa Lutz makes me laugh. Out loud. She is one of the most clever writers I know of, and her characters, who are part of a crazy family who are all part of their own private investigator business, are so much fun! But it's her copious footnotes that are truly hysterical! I'd recommend this series of books (the first two are now out in paperback) to anyone who could use a good laugh!
November 17, 2013
I suspect my commitment-phobia has branched into new areas of my life. I’ve grown hesitant to start new series, especially mysteries. I suppose it is a little unfair to expect the qualities I fall in love with in the first couple of books continue, but there it is: I do. I stuck with Lawrence Block’s Matt Scudder through many ups and downs, but Marcia Muller’s fallen apart on her latest, Janet Evanovich started recycling Stephanie Plum plots by book 8 (if not sooner), Sue Grafton had a long stretch of ‘meh’ in the middle of her alphabet series, Parker’s Spenser really never regained steam after book eight or so… I could go on. But won’t.
However, Lisa Lutz is showing serious series promise that might have me looking at a longer relationship. She is maintaining the laughs, clever structure, plotting and character development from the first couple of books with book three, Revenge of the Spellmans. (Check with me after book six, which came out this year
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Given Goodreads has yet to 1) announce the formal change of review Terms of Service, 2) clarify any questions about the Terms of Service, or 3) actually delete my Hydra reviews as they threatened or email me back explaining that they've changed their mind/policy, I'm only publishing full reviews at Booklikes and Wordpress, where I can guarantee they won't be deleted.
http://clsiewert.wordpress.com/2013/1... OR
http://carols.booklikes.com/post/7011...
However, Lisa Lutz is showing serious series promise that might have me looking at a longer relationship. She is maintaining the laughs, clever structure, plotting and character development from the first couple of books with book three, Revenge of the Spellmans. (Check with me after book six, which came out this year
***********************************************
Given Goodreads has yet to 1) announce the formal change of review Terms of Service, 2) clarify any questions about the Terms of Service, or 3) actually delete my Hydra reviews as they threatened or email me back explaining that they've changed their mind/policy, I'm only publishing full reviews at Booklikes and Wordpress, where I can guarantee they won't be deleted.
http://clsiewert.wordpress.com/2013/1... OR
http://carols.booklikes.com/post/7011...
April 8, 2009
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. What a wonderful romp it is. I found it to be a great mood elevator. I’ve never read any books quite like Lisa Lutz’s; they’re unique.
Oh, how I adore this family. Oh, how Lisa Lutz makes me laugh. I’ve laughed out loud too many times to count while reading this book and also while reading the previous two in the series: The Spellman Files (book 1) and Curse of the Spellmans (book 2) and this third book really deepened the series and was just as hilarious.
I love Izzy/Isabel Spellman (who tells the story) and Rae (her teenage sister) and David (her brother) and Albert and Olivia (her father and mother.) Other wonderful characters also returning in this book are Henry, Morty, Milo, and Petra. Some new interesting characters were also introduced including Maggie and Connor, although I hope Henry has much more of a role in future books in this series, and I hope that Lisa Lutz writes many more Spellman books.
This book starts with Izzy in court ordered psychotherapy and that therapy was a really fun part of the plot. I loved how in this book the three Spellman “children” grow and change. They’re all very endearing; all the characters are. Lisa Lutz has a knack for creating characters that are both lovable and over the top outrageous, and they’re certainly very memorable.
Maybe you have to have a warped sense of humor to enjoy the Spellmans, and I do, but I wholeheartedly recommend these incredibly creative books. I’m a stickler for reading series books in order and this series is no exception. There had better be a book #4; I will be desperately looking for the next installment. I must say that I feel jealous of those readers who have yet to read these books and will be reading them for their first time.
Oh, how I adore this family. Oh, how Lisa Lutz makes me laugh. I’ve laughed out loud too many times to count while reading this book and also while reading the previous two in the series: The Spellman Files (book 1) and Curse of the Spellmans (book 2) and this third book really deepened the series and was just as hilarious.
I love Izzy/Isabel Spellman (who tells the story) and Rae (her teenage sister) and David (her brother) and Albert and Olivia (her father and mother.) Other wonderful characters also returning in this book are Henry, Morty, Milo, and Petra. Some new interesting characters were also introduced including Maggie and Connor, although I hope Henry has much more of a role in future books in this series, and I hope that Lisa Lutz writes many more Spellman books.
This book starts with Izzy in court ordered psychotherapy and that therapy was a really fun part of the plot. I loved how in this book the three Spellman “children” grow and change. They’re all very endearing; all the characters are. Lisa Lutz has a knack for creating characters that are both lovable and over the top outrageous, and they’re certainly very memorable.
Maybe you have to have a warped sense of humor to enjoy the Spellmans, and I do, but I wholeheartedly recommend these incredibly creative books. I’m a stickler for reading series books in order and this series is no exception. There had better be a book #4; I will be desperately looking for the next installment. I must say that I feel jealous of those readers who have yet to read these books and will be reading them for their first time.
November 13, 2009
Court ordered therapy is the least of Isabel's worries in this third installment in the Spellman saga. Having a car that keeps going MIA, a secret home as well as the looming decision of what to do with her life all compound to make Izzy's life very busy. Isabel has left her job at Spellman Investigations only to have Milo, her current employer and owner of The Philosopher's Club, attempt to force her back into what she's good at by offering her a case and then promptly firing her so that she'll make the right choice and go back to her parents. But Izzy isn't ready to make up her mind as to the future of Spellman Investigations until after she's spent some time rearanging David's liquor cabinet and searching his house while he's supposedly in Italy, giving her free reign... well there was a list of rules, but Izzy's working on breaking every one of them. Also Henry and Rae are not talking. Henry has gotten himself a sweetly neurotic girlfriend, Maggie, who Rae has made it known she will not like... she changed Henry's locks on her. Of course Maggie and Rae becoming best friends might even be worse then them at loggerheads. But that is nothing compared to Rae being accused of cheating on the PSATs.
Meanwhile, Izzy, sick of living in a shit hole in the Tenderloin, upon finding that David has a fully furnished apartment in his basement, promptly moves in, without David's knowledge. This ill advised, yet economically viable due to her lack of employment, scheme brings on a whole new plethora of problems. Mainly she's blackmailed. But not in the way you would think. It's more of a cultural blackmailing involving trips to the zoo, which apparently is not a legitimate replacement for SFMOMA according to the blackmailer, whomever he or she is. Also David is acting strange on his return and is also surprisingly not at work, a strange thing for a workaholic to do... and inconvenient for the person secretly squatting in his basement. But while all these people are moving on and making something of their futures, Milo selling the bar, Morty moving to Florida, Henry getting a girl, Isabel is not growing up. She's reverting to her old habits of evasion and subterfuge, which she won't even discuss with her therapist. Lacking sleep and clear conclusions she decides that her one case will decide her fate. If she can do this the right way, the way a professional would, and not resort to her baser tactics... then maybe this is the career for her... but what happens when there's old family feuds with dubious PIs, bribery by political consulates and the ever looming deadline as to what will become of the family business? And where did she leave her car!?!
If I liked them less, perhaps I could talk about them more. But the Spellmans are just my favorite fictional family. All the snooping, spying and double dealing... plus don't forget the negotiations! I know that they're a complete train wreck but can I help it that I wish I knew them... it's not like I have anything to hide, so I think we could get along, once they finished fishing and I provided them with my social security number. Again I feel that I relate a bit to closely to Isabel's tendency to do whatever it takes, sleep be damned, to get what she's after. If only she'd apply these techniques to Henry Stone... or at least listen to Morty. I believe this book also perfectly caputres the feeling of those in their early 30s, the ones who aren't sure where they're life is going or what they're doing... not that this is similar to me... But Isabel is doing what she's always done and everyone else is changing. By the end, the fact that she's actually able to come to a clear decision of what her near future holds shows that Isabel is capable of change as well, even if it isn't so radical as those around her... Also I really hope we get more books, I know there's the forth, but I was hoping for a fifth, she did mention a fifth in the distant future no matter what The Spellmans Strike Again says in it's blurb... personally I think, seeing as she's using the Pink Panther films as a naming convention, we should have at least two more, there's still The Return of the Pink Panther and Trail of the Pink Panther. And while these are my two least favorite Panther films, mainly because unused clips formed into a film and recasting David Niven was stupid, I still think they'd make great Spellman book titles!
First Read: December 26th, 2008
In this third installment of the Spellman clan, Izzy has to decided if she's going to go back to being a PI all while secretly living in her brother's basement. Its time for Izzy to grow up because everyone around her is, no matter how much she disapproves. This is another fun romp, with Izzy being just as neurotic as I love her to be, even if she's in therapy this time around. I'm glad there was development in the Henry Stone department, even if it's not fully where I think it should be...yet. The investigation of Ernie's wife was a little easy to solve, there was a small twist I didn't get, but I had it solved almost immediately (which I won't spoil for people even if they beg me!) Also while Rae is still as important as ever, I somehow felt she was underused...The only sadness I have is that now the book is over I have to wait a long time for another one...if only Lisa Lutz could write faster!
Meanwhile, Izzy, sick of living in a shit hole in the Tenderloin, upon finding that David has a fully furnished apartment in his basement, promptly moves in, without David's knowledge. This ill advised, yet economically viable due to her lack of employment, scheme brings on a whole new plethora of problems. Mainly she's blackmailed. But not in the way you would think. It's more of a cultural blackmailing involving trips to the zoo, which apparently is not a legitimate replacement for SFMOMA according to the blackmailer, whomever he or she is. Also David is acting strange on his return and is also surprisingly not at work, a strange thing for a workaholic to do... and inconvenient for the person secretly squatting in his basement. But while all these people are moving on and making something of their futures, Milo selling the bar, Morty moving to Florida, Henry getting a girl, Isabel is not growing up. She's reverting to her old habits of evasion and subterfuge, which she won't even discuss with her therapist. Lacking sleep and clear conclusions she decides that her one case will decide her fate. If she can do this the right way, the way a professional would, and not resort to her baser tactics... then maybe this is the career for her... but what happens when there's old family feuds with dubious PIs, bribery by political consulates and the ever looming deadline as to what will become of the family business? And where did she leave her car!?!
If I liked them less, perhaps I could talk about them more. But the Spellmans are just my favorite fictional family. All the snooping, spying and double dealing... plus don't forget the negotiations! I know that they're a complete train wreck but can I help it that I wish I knew them... it's not like I have anything to hide, so I think we could get along, once they finished fishing and I provided them with my social security number. Again I feel that I relate a bit to closely to Isabel's tendency to do whatever it takes, sleep be damned, to get what she's after. If only she'd apply these techniques to Henry Stone... or at least listen to Morty. I believe this book also perfectly caputres the feeling of those in their early 30s, the ones who aren't sure where they're life is going or what they're doing... not that this is similar to me... But Isabel is doing what she's always done and everyone else is changing. By the end, the fact that she's actually able to come to a clear decision of what her near future holds shows that Isabel is capable of change as well, even if it isn't so radical as those around her... Also I really hope we get more books, I know there's the forth, but I was hoping for a fifth, she did mention a fifth in the distant future no matter what The Spellmans Strike Again says in it's blurb... personally I think, seeing as she's using the Pink Panther films as a naming convention, we should have at least two more, there's still The Return of the Pink Panther and Trail of the Pink Panther. And while these are my two least favorite Panther films, mainly because unused clips formed into a film and recasting David Niven was stupid, I still think they'd make great Spellman book titles!
First Read: December 26th, 2008
In this third installment of the Spellman clan, Izzy has to decided if she's going to go back to being a PI all while secretly living in her brother's basement. Its time for Izzy to grow up because everyone around her is, no matter how much she disapproves. This is another fun romp, with Izzy being just as neurotic as I love her to be, even if she's in therapy this time around. I'm glad there was development in the Henry Stone department, even if it's not fully where I think it should be...yet. The investigation of Ernie's wife was a little easy to solve, there was a small twist I didn't get, but I had it solved almost immediately (which I won't spoil for people even if they beg me!) Also while Rae is still as important as ever, I somehow felt she was underused...The only sadness I have is that now the book is over I have to wait a long time for another one...if only Lisa Lutz could write faster!
August 7, 2020
While on a self-imposed sabbatical from detective work, Izzy Spellman is approached by a man with a simple job offer – he wants to know if his wife is having an affair. Although Izzy agrees to take the job, it becomes the least of her worries. As always, there is something fishy going on with the Spellman family and Izzy is determined to unearth everyone’s secrets yet again.
I cannot stress enough how enjoyable Lisa Lutz’ Spellman novels have been so far. They’re light and breezy but surprisingly complex when it comes to their central mysteries. It takes a hell of an author to be able to do that especially while doing such great character work. It’s only the third book in the series and I feel like I know this family (although, I’m glad I’m not a member as I’d never have an inch of privacy).
I’ve grown to really enjoy the supporting cast that dip in and out of Izzy’s life and all of her interactions with each person feel real and authentic. Lutz took great care to build a plethora of plausible players for the Spellmans to interact with over the course of each book so it’s nice to see one or two from prior novels pop in every now and then. I can’t get enough of Lizzy’s best friend and octogenarian lawyer Morty.
I’m not going to lie, the will-they-or-won’t-they romance between Izzy and Henry has me rooting for the two to finally get together. It’s similar to how I felt with Niles and Daphne in my recent Frasier binge. Given that I still have three books to go, I wonder if Lutz will eventually put them together or if it’s wise to keep them separate given their clashing personalities.
I’ve said it before, this series is destined for a great television show. FOX nabbed the rights last August but with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it’s unlikely to move forward anytime soon. Revenge of The Spellmans continues in the right direction of great reads that the series has been producing up to this point.
I cannot stress enough how enjoyable Lisa Lutz’ Spellman novels have been so far. They’re light and breezy but surprisingly complex when it comes to their central mysteries. It takes a hell of an author to be able to do that especially while doing such great character work. It’s only the third book in the series and I feel like I know this family (although, I’m glad I’m not a member as I’d never have an inch of privacy).
I’ve grown to really enjoy the supporting cast that dip in and out of Izzy’s life and all of her interactions with each person feel real and authentic. Lutz took great care to build a plethora of plausible players for the Spellmans to interact with over the course of each book so it’s nice to see one or two from prior novels pop in every now and then. I can’t get enough of Lizzy’s best friend and octogenarian lawyer Morty.
I’m not going to lie, the will-they-or-won’t-they romance between Izzy and Henry has me rooting for the two to finally get together. It’s similar to how I felt with Niles and Daphne in my recent Frasier binge. Given that I still have three books to go, I wonder if Lutz will eventually put them together or if it’s wise to keep them separate given their clashing personalities.
I’ve said it before, this series is destined for a great television show. FOX nabbed the rights last August but with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it’s unlikely to move forward anytime soon. Revenge of The Spellmans continues in the right direction of great reads that the series has been producing up to this point.
April 24, 2024
Don’t cross us is all I’m saying.
October 30, 2016
This is the best book in the series out of the three I've read so far. Hilarious, witty, full of healthy sarcasm and no one can beat these quirky (in a good way) characters, that Lutz has been developing so well for so long now. She keeps suspense up through the whole book with a few simultaneous story lines about the Spellman family's investigations, but as always, the best story lines are those of the family members spying on each other and on their friends. Also laugh-out-loud funny are the accounts of Isabel's therapy sessions. Lutz is just so clever, I really wish I could have her as a friend. Moving on to the next one in the series.
February 24, 2009
I think it's safe to say I completely utterly adored it. All I can say is it's awesome. Terrific writing, intriguing plots, lovable characters. There is one small completely unsatisfying kiss in this book (if you follow the series, you will know who I'm talking about) that actually brought tears to my eyes and that's all I will say about that. Loved it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2009
These books are a hoot. This is the third book in the Spellman Files and continues the saga of a dysfunctional family of private investigators. I enjoyed every page and didn't want to put it down. I like how Lutz tells her stories, the books are in an interesting format... I love how its like we're reading a case file.
March 31, 2009
Okay, the plot is thin, but the smart-talking Izzy and her eccentric family of private eyes continue to appeal to me. A light, fun read. The footnotes (particularly the ones hyping her earlier books) started to wear a little thin. I suggest reading them in order starting with
The Spellman Files
and
Curse of the Spellmans
.
February 4, 2015
Think my love affair with the Spellmans may be over. I loved the first two books, whizzed through them chuckling away! This one though I was just kind of 'meh' about reading it and put it down several times.
April 3, 2009
If you are in the mood for light reading, pick this one up. In the vein of Janet Evanovich. The Spellman series is good for a quiet afternoon where you just want to escape.
March 21, 2023
I love how the author brings up what is supposed to be the core mystery of the book every now and then, but it honestly usually has nothing to do with the main cast 😂
April 11, 2022
80% laughing 10% trying to solve the mystery 10% wondering about the romance
January 3, 2023
Man, this family is dysfunctional! But also hilarious. I‘m really enjoying the antics and the way Lutz tells her stories are so clever now. This one was a nice change up with Isabel working at the bar and the therapy passages were great. Looking forward to the next one!
July 30, 2017
This series is really hard to put down. I can't wait to read #4.
February 13, 2011
Isabel Spellman is back and better than ever. For those of you who have not heard of the Spellmans, they are a family of private investigators. They are not your normal PI's in that they spend more time spying on each other than they do other people.
This is the third in a series, the first book, or document as Lisa Lutz perfers, was "The Spellman Files", and the second was "The Curse of the Spellmans". The books do not have to be read in order, but would certainly would be more enjoyable if read in sequence.
In the "Revenge of the Spellmans", Isabel is trying to decide if private investigations is what she really wants for a career. She is presently tending bar and down on her luck. She takes on what seems to be a minor infidelity case that proves to be more of a challenge than what she bargained for.
Rae, her teenage sister, is again giving the family fits. She becomes involved in Lisa"s love life, may be cheating on her PSAT's, and could be a car thief - among other things.
Mort, her eighty year old friend, is having a crisis. His wife has moved to Florida, because he has agreed to move when he retired, but has not reneged on his promise, and she is going to divorce him.
Mom and Dad Spellman are trying to turn over the business to Isabel and have given her one month to make her decision, and it looks like it will hinge on the successful outcome of the infidelity case.
If you like authors, Tim Dorsey, Janet Evanovich, and Carl Hiaasen, you wil thoroughly enjoy Lisa Lutz.
These books are easy reads that are enjoyable and funny, with a touch of mystery and romance.
This is the third in a series, the first book, or document as Lisa Lutz perfers, was "The Spellman Files", and the second was "The Curse of the Spellmans". The books do not have to be read in order, but would certainly would be more enjoyable if read in sequence.
In the "Revenge of the Spellmans", Isabel is trying to decide if private investigations is what she really wants for a career. She is presently tending bar and down on her luck. She takes on what seems to be a minor infidelity case that proves to be more of a challenge than what she bargained for.
Rae, her teenage sister, is again giving the family fits. She becomes involved in Lisa"s love life, may be cheating on her PSAT's, and could be a car thief - among other things.
Mort, her eighty year old friend, is having a crisis. His wife has moved to Florida, because he has agreed to move when he retired, but has not reneged on his promise, and she is going to divorce him.
Mom and Dad Spellman are trying to turn over the business to Isabel and have given her one month to make her decision, and it looks like it will hinge on the successful outcome of the infidelity case.
If you like authors, Tim Dorsey, Janet Evanovich, and Carl Hiaasen, you wil thoroughly enjoy Lisa Lutz.
These books are easy reads that are enjoyable and funny, with a touch of mystery and romance.
September 7, 2009
Private investigator Isabel Spellman quit her job with her family’s detective business and is working part-time as a bartender at her friend Milo’s bar while trying to decide what to do next. She’s also been through one block of court-ordered therapy and has been passed by that therapist on to another. Milo persuades Isabel to take on a relatively simple case for one of his friends, whose wife is acting mysterious and bringing home expensive items. Meanwhile, Isabel’s brother David returns from a secret trip and stops going to work. Isabel finds out David has a secret apartment in his basement so moves in without his permission. Isabel’s sister Rae’s been accused of cheating on the PSATs and has finally made Detective Henry Stone angry enough he is no longer speaking to her. Isabel can’t sleep in her new home due to her fear of being found by David, so takes naps on buses. She tails the wife, only to be tailed herself. If that isn’t bad enough, her car keeps disappearing. And her feelings for Henry Stone just can’t stay put.
Once more Lisa Lutz provides readers with a fun-filled whodunit which is more about the wacky Spellman family than the actual mystery, but readers won’t mind one bit. The Spellmans are a fascinating, dysfunctional family with individual quirks and laugh-out-loud personas. A definite must-read for those who enjoy a good dose of humor along with a good book.
Once more Lisa Lutz provides readers with a fun-filled whodunit which is more about the wacky Spellman family than the actual mystery, but readers won’t mind one bit. The Spellmans are a fascinating, dysfunctional family with individual quirks and laugh-out-loud personas. A definite must-read for those who enjoy a good dose of humor along with a good book.
March 21, 2016
Well at least she managed to solve an actual case here. And I was happy to see that her brother David treated her well and seemed to care for her. Some of my favorite characters left the series and I hope I like whoever comes along next. I was pissed at Henry Stone this time around. I'm going to keep going with the series and hope I don't get disappointed.
May 21, 2023
I am so enjoying this series. Even though the Spellman’s are private investigators, their investigations are really a side story. What’s so enjoyable are the Spellman’s themselves. Totally dysfunctional yet totally likable. And so very funny!
Wonderfully narrated by Ari Graynor.
Unfortunately (for me at least) she is not the narrator of the next book, so I probably won’t be listening to it.
Wonderfully narrated by Ari Graynor.
Unfortunately (for me at least) she is not the narrator of the next book, so I probably won’t be listening to it.
March 12, 2009
This is a very quirky series and I really like it. Lisa Lutz is very inventive in her style of writing. Her stories never take the usual course and are usually told out of sequence. If done wrong, it can ruin a book, but she does it right every time.
March 26, 2009
I love these Spellman books...they're quickly paced, they're witty, they have creative plot structures and they are fiction that employ footnotes. What's not to love? They're also a series of books that keeps improving with each new entry. I always look forward to the next installment.
December 12, 2016
I have always enjoyed when the characters grows during a series. In this one, you can see how Izzy is "growing up" in his own terms. How cute Rae is turning into an awfull adult. And how in generall, everything is evolving. I liked this one a lot.
June 24, 2017
these books are so fun. I always have to readjust - the Spellman family can be kind of annoying (especially Rae, as she's getting older), but once I get reacquainted with their ways, I love Lutz's writing. I was actually laughing out loud at some of the ridiculous dialogue. I also really appreciate that Izzy is thinking more about her actions, the consequences, being more considerate of the people around her... but the absurdity of her living situation and the complexity of the cases in which she's embroiled somehow just continue to escalate.
December 4, 2022
Love this series. The crazy dynamics of a family of private investigators is just half the story. The other half is the main character, Isabel, getting in over her head while solving a mystery. The two parts together make for laugh-out-loud moments allowing you to immerse yourself in another world. I'm so glad there are a few more in the series. Highly recommend it if you are looking for a mystery that is not so serious.
March 17, 2020
Just what the doctor ordered. This is a detective series, but a light, sort of goofy series. Nothing dark or too deep. Lead character is Isabel Spellman, who works for family owned Detective agency. These books are as much about her relationship with her family as solving cases. Nothing deep or mind bending. Just easy fun.
May 28, 2017
I rarely let out a laugh while reading, but Lutz has such a witty voice through her protagonist Isabel, I find myself laughing throughout the series. Although the 3rd book in this series is more of the same, I keep coming back for more! Perfect read for a vacation.
August 16, 2017
Izzy Spellman is my new literary hero ❤️ while she's not particularly bad ass, she is hilariously relatable. I wish I could be her partner in crime. On second thought, I feel like I already am.. the inside jokes thrown in make me literally laugh-out-loud!
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