19
Feb052010
BOOK REVIEW: The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz
by Carolyn • Posted in 4.5 Star Reviews, Authors I-L, Book Reviews, Lisa Lutz, Mystery|Thriller|Crime
Title: The Spellman Files
Author: Lisa Lutz
Publisher: Pocket Books (S&S)
Publication Date: 2008
Paperback: 355 pages
Genre: Mystery
Source: Own Copy
RATING: 9/10
BOOK COVER SUMMARY:
Izzy Spellman is 28, single and works for Spellman Investigations, a family-run private detective agency. She might have a chequered past littered with romantic mistakes – but at least she’s good at her job. Invading people’s privacy comes naturally. To the whole family. To be a Spellman is to snoop on a Spellman; tail a Spellman; dig up dirt on, blackmail and wiretap a Spellman.
But when Izzy’s parents hire her 14-year-old sister to discover the identity of her new boyfriend, Izzy snaps. She wants out. Her parents make her a deal: solve one last case and her employment contract with Spellman Inc. will be terminated. Trouble is, the Snow case is decades old, ice-cold, and more twisted than a pretzel…
REVIEW:
This is the first book in the Spellman Series and I absolutely loved it. I found it refreshing and funny and although the Spellman family is bizarre, weird and bordering on completely insane, I simply adored this dysfunctional family.
Isabel, who is the main protagonist and tells the story from a first person narrative, is such a great character. She’s strong, feisty and a teeny bit nuts. Brought into the family business, a private detective agency, and the life of a PI at the age of twelve meant that Isabel’s teenage years were far from normal. She didn’t help the matter by becoming a delinquent, and, with the help of her best friend Petra, causing complete havoc. From knocking over garbage bins on bin night and being hauled down to the police station, at the embarrassment of her father, who used to be a police inspector, to re-landscaping a neighbours back garden with a pair of garden scissors.
Isabel rebels against her family, and this is in part a coming of age story, and although most of it is told in a series of flashbacks by Izzy, aged twenty eight, it really gives you an insight into her past and that which molded her into the person she is today. Izzy is also the complete opposite to her perfect, grade-A student brother, David, and so thinks that to keep the equilibrium, she has to be at the other end of the spectrum: not so perfect and a complete pain in the arse. Isabel’s sister, Rae, is also a fantastic character. With witty retorts and an edge to her personality beyond her twelve years, Rae is funny and endearing.
Isabel is a very smart cookie, although sometimes she has a skewed outlook on life, like lying to the new man in her life, Daniel, by pretending to be a teacher. From changing the way she dresses to more ‘teacher-like’ and rushing to a school to intercept him, when he is popping by to take her to lunch. Izzy knows this is not the best way to impress her new man, but thinks it’s better than the alternative… knowing that she is a PI and worse, meeting her family.
The writing is very clever and flows well. At times it is so fast-paced I could barely keep up. The story is great and gets even better with the introduction of the Snow Case and the mysterious disappearance of a boy called Andrew Snow. We then got to see Isabel doing her job: sleuthing. But when she decides that her family and her job are interfering with her having a ‘normal’ life, madness ensues. The Spellman’s follow each other, bug one another’s rooms, listens in on each other’s phone calls and interrogates each other, which ends the story on a climax that’s satisfying and part of which is also rather sad.
Isabel is a quirky character but immensely likable, as were the other characters in the book, even David, who could be a pompous arse at times. To have Isabel as a friend would be a riot and life would definitely not be boring.
VERDICT:
The Spellman Files is a fantastically fun and light-hearted read, but by no means fluffy. There is substance here and I thought it was absolutely brilliant. I am really looking forward to reading the next book in the series, The Spellman’s Curse, and finding out what other mischief Isabel and her family can get themselves into.
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19 Comments
You are well on your way to FUN, FUN, FUN. I absolutely adore this series and have read all four!
Apparently, a movie is in the works…!!! I'm kind of dreading that because I loved the characters so much!
I'm glad you enjoyed it too.
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Michelle – I really loved it, can't wait to start the next one which I have on my shelf waiting! A movie would be brilliant, but I know what you mean, they can be a disappointment, but can't wait to see. Thanks for stopping by
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This book seems fun
I think i'm goint to read it 
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Gaby – I would definitely recommend it!
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O I love the sound of this one. I'm off to add this to my TBR list.
Thanks for the fab review!
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PS the US covers are SO boring! I like this cover better.
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Great review. I've had this on my 'to read' pile for a while – will move it to the top and read it next having read your review
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Juju – I think the UK cover is *much* better than the US one – what were they thinking, it's pretty awful. Whereas the UK version is lovely
Amanda – yes, move it on up! You will love it
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Such a great review! I just got this book a couple of weeks ago and it's sitting on my TBR pile! Can't wait to read it!
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Katy – Oh I'm sure you'll enjoy it, it's really a lot of fun
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Sounds fun! Have you read the Stephanie Plum series? Is this similar to that? better/worse? I've only read 2 in that series so I don't have a strong opinion either way, but just wondering. I've heard a lot about this lately!
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Jenny – I've only read the first book in the Plum series and that was a while ago, so like you I don't have a definite opinion on Stephanie Plum. However, I think The Spellman Files is a bit more on the whacky side, but sort of similar with the investigation side of things. Either way you must read it as it's a great book. Hope to read the second books soon!
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They're nothing like Stephanie Plum, also never mention that in Lisa's hearing. I'm excited for the movie, but seeing as she has no control, I have a feeling it won't be much like the books, which as literally my favorite series. So much fun, and the 4th book coming out soon is just as good, if not the best! I'm devoting all of March to Lisa and her books on my blog, they are too fun and I really think for everyone!
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Lots of people think these books are like the Stephanie Plum books, but I don't really see it. I think these are much better — and you put your finger on it, when you said these were books actually about something beyond the fun. Its true of the rest of the series (though I haven't read the fourth one, which I am awiting eagerly.)
On the other hand, I like the US covers better. For one thing, why is there a dog on the cover of the UK books?
Susan
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Oh yes, I totally agree on the covers. I don't think there's ever been a dog in the stories. The Australian covers are pretty cool though…
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Mizz Eliza & Susan – I agree that the dog shouldn't be there! I remember thinking that when I finished the book then looked at the cover and thought 'there wasn't a dog in the story', but I still think the UK covers are the best ones
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I like quirky characters. I might give this one a go.
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Great review! I've got this on my to be read shelf.
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I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH!
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