Trail of the Spellmans

Document #5

By: Lisa Lutz

Narrated by: Christina Moore

The fifth in the acclaimed New York Times bestselling, Edgar Award–nominated series about a fearless private investigator Izzy Spellman and her quirky, yet endearing, family of sleuths: “A wise (and wise-cracking) choice for mystery readers” (Booklist).

For the first time in Spellman history, Isabel Spellman, PI, might be the most normal member of her family. Mom has taken on an outrageous assortment of extracurricular activities—with no apparent motive. Dad has a secret. Izzy’s brother and sister are at war—for no apparent reason. And her niece keeps saying “banana” even though she hates bananas.

That’s not to say that Izzy isn’t without her own troubles. Her boyfriend, Henry Stone, keeps wanting “to talk,” a prospect Isabel evades by going out with her new drinking buddy, none other than Gertrude Stone, Henry’s mother.

Things aren’t any simpler on the business side of Spellman Investigations. First, Rae is hired to follow a girl, but then fakes the surveillance reports. Then a math professor hires Izzy to watch his immaculate apartment while he unravels like a bad formula. And as the questions pile up, Izzy won’t stop hunting for the answers—even when they threaten to shatter both the business and the family.

Back to form

I was a fan of this series from the first book. The witty comments which overlaid the sometimes dark corners of the characters' lives offered just my sort of entertainment. But I became a bit disillusioned around the third book; it seemed to be rote and mechanical and the jokes seemed too familiar. I almost didn't buy this one but I would have missed out because this one is as good as the first. I also love the way that the characters grow (or not) and make life-changing decisions in each of the books. If you have fallen off the Lutz train, make it to the next station in order to climb aboard.

Good story on breaking away of family

Its an example of a good growing up story of breaking out on your own as an older adult

Back on Course

Any additional comments?

Enjoyed this book the most of all the Spellman spoofs. Am glad to see that she isn't constantly referring to her past books- that got really annoying. Love Isabel- she still has a lot of funny stories ahead of her. Will be looking forward to sharing them.

wishing for more

Where does Trail of the Spellmans rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I listened to the whole series and enjoyed reading about the quirky Spellmans.
The first book in the series was slow going, but glad I read them all to get insight to all the characters. Worth the read.

What did you like best about this story?

Narrator was good.

What does Christina Moore bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

yes, she gives the character 'attitude'

There's a payoff, albeit a weak one

If I hadn't paid for the book, I might well have given up before the halfway point - the first half seemed one long slog of set up and recap. There still wasn't a lot of tension as far as plot goes later on, but I will give Lutz credit for showing a more mature Izzy by the end of the story. Also, it's confirmed that while she and Henry don't have that much in common, there's ... shall we say, a powerful sexual attraction going on. I must've blinked and missed one detail though - why was Rae doing community service (again)? She had done some previously, for holding her sister captive, but that seemed to be over. Yet here, near the end of the book, she's out on trash detail several hours per week.

Usual disclaimer that this series MUST be read in order, starting with "The Spellman Files".