Curse of the Spellmans

Yes, I read book 1, 3, and 4. But I had to go back and pick up number 2. Look it's like having a special friend , a sure thing. You know without a doubt all you have to do is pick up the phone, see if you're special friend is available and you are guaranteed a good time. Well Lisa Lutz's fantastic creations are just like that. You know the characters are going to rock! She's fun and entertaining-you're guaranteed a least one snort-ful of Pepsi up your nose and you'll close the book with a sudden desire for Ghirardelli chocolate and clam chowder served in a bread bowl. Although hopefully not in the same sitting because that would be somewhat unappetizing.

Back of the Book
When Izzy Spellman, PI, is arrested for the fourth time in three months, she writes it off as a job hazard. She's been (obsessively) keeping surveillance on a suspicious next door neighbor, convinced he's up to no good -- even if her parents (the management at Spellman Investigations) are not. When not compiling Suspicious Behavior Reports on all her family members, Izzy has been busy attempting to apprehend the copycat vandal whose attacks on neighborhood holiday lawn tableaus perfectly and eerily matches a series of crimes from 1991-92, when Izzy was at her most rebellious and delinquent. As Curse of the Spellmans unfolds, it's clear that Izzy is still very much on the case...er, cases -- her own and that of every other Spellman family member.


My Thoughts

Look obviously I've made it pretty clear by now, Lisa Lutz could write on the back of toilet paper and I'd pick up three copies. Lisa has what Janet Evanovich has lost- intriguing cast of character you love and a series that hasn't managed to go stale. (For Christ Sake  JE- I know what Lulu looks like) (Can you tell I just read sizzling 16 and I'm irritated?) Anywho the Spellman's are adult enough that I want to keep flipping the pages but clean enough that I don't feel weird having my 16 year old daughter wrestle the book from my hands as I'm 6 pages from the end. Don't worry I stole it back while she was in the bathroom.

The book opens with it's usual bang.  Trouble is following Izzy like a homeless man demanding money. Bernie, the owner of the apartment she's renting has returned and he wants to share her very small diggs. After a short few dates with the neighbor next door- John Smith (a more suspicious name if there was one) Izzy is convinced he isn't who he says he is and is determined to ferret out just what he's up to, landing her in jail not once but four times. Rae manages to run over her best friend cop Henry Stone- causing a crimp in their relationship and the Spellman elders are acting funnier than usual. I hesitate to use the word hijinks, because let's face it that's a stupid word but if ever there was an appropriate time, this one would be it. 

Why haven't you picked up the Spellmans yet? Don't you want to have fun? It's OK be a dirty rotten fun haver, I give you permission.