Wednesday, April 08, 2009

Mini Review: Revenge of the Spellmans

Today's mini review is of Revenge of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz. This is her third book about the wild and wacky Spellman family. They run a PI firm in San Francisco, but put their know how to work spying on each other as well.

This book finds Isabel "Izzy" Spellman, our 31 year old main character, taking a break from the family business tending bar. But she agrees to take on one case for a friend of her boss. The man thinks his wife is having an affair. That's not true, and just as Izzy is about to wrap up the case, she discovers the woman has a second tail. Suspicious aroused, Izzy keeps digging.

But the family is providing plenty of mysteries of its own. Oldest brother David is home at odd hours. High schooler Rae is caught in a scandle involving her PSAT score and potential cheating. And Izzy is squatting in her brother's furnished basement apartment.

All this leads to her being blackmailed and bribed. Now, if she only knew for what, she might be in business.

For those unfamiliar with the series, yes they are comedies. Having said that, I think I found this book the least funny of the series. Yes, I laughed. But many of the jokes felt too familiar.

Also too familiar were some of the characters. While some are growing, others aren't. And their behavior is begining to wear thin.

And yet, I really did enjoy the book. It's hard not to when things are this wild and crazy.

If you haven't read the books, starting with the first, The Spellman Files, is an absolute must. They are well worth your time.

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