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Curse of the Spellmans (Izzy Spellman, Bk 2)
Curse of the Spellmans - Izzy Spellman, Bk 2 Author:Lisa Lutz The "parental unit" started a private investigation business when Dad retired from police work. His wife assists him and their two daughters, Isabel, (Izzy) a 30-year-old with a habit of being arrested, and Rae, a 15-year-old Cheetos-loving teen, would like to think that they help out in the family business. Especially where Izzy is co... more »ncerned, this is a stretch. Brother David is a successful attorney who has nothing to do with the family enterprise. He has troubles of his own. Izzy has been living in the apartment of a friend while he is away. When he returns unexpectedly, it quickly becomes clear that being roommates with an old, cigar-smoking, poker-playing, big drinker isn't going to work.
Izzy moves home temporarily and then the fun begins. She decides that their new next door neighbor, John Brown, whose landscape gardening business she judges to be a cover, is somehow making women disappear. She gets herself invited to dinner, discovers a locked room, believes his name is phony, follows him everywhere, has a restraining order against her, and still she can't let it go.
Meanwhile, Rae has befriended a great guy, a cop named Henry Stone, who is almost too good to be true. The ball keeps rolling faster and faster with David's problems, her parents' frequent vacations, which they refer to as "disappearances," and the fact that everyone in the family has secrets from one another. If there is any curse at work here, it is that all the family members are terminally nosy.« less
I loved Lisa Lutz's debut, "The Spellman Files," so much that I made a special effort to read this sophomore release ASAP. The fear is always that the next book will be a disappointment, and this one, disappointingly, was not as entertaining as the first one. The most aggravating issue was her constant use of footnotes. It was meant to enhance the humor, but was simply a significant distraction to the flow and readability. The humor was not as sharp, nor did I not want to put the book down until it was finished. Overall, it was a B to B- at best.
The second book in the Spellman series. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The mystery elements of the story are secondary to the story of Izzy's relationships with each of her family members. Each character is well drawn and individual. They are funny and touching (in an odd kind of way) and a joy to read about. Kind of like a cross between Stephanie Plum and Seinfeld. I anxiously await book three, Revenge of the Spellmans.
I finished this and the first book in less than a week. I am making my husband read it so I can talk about it with him. I just can't get enough of the Spellman family.
I accidently read #2 before I read the first book. Once i figured out how to read this book of "conversations" I really liked it. The main chacter, Izzy, is great and funny, veryworth reading. I've laughed a lot and this was book#2, can't wait to read #1!
The sequel was just as good!! In fact, I'm pretty upset that I have to wait until March to read the next one!! These are such great books. I do hope that she ends up with Harry....
Really enjoyed this one. Wonderful characters. (Read the second one - this - first, but now have the first one.
Izzy Spellman just cannot let go once she gets an idea into her head. She goes out with a new neighbor and starts to feel that something is not right. Of course, she is correct, BUT it doesn't end up being what she thinks. Her entire family is - well - dysfunctional - to be polite. And what is going on with her and Henry??? This one is hard to explain. Sort of Janet Evanovich.............but I thoroughly enjoyed it. More, more, more!!
2.0 out of 5 stars - Annoying character with author trying too hard to be funny.
I had to force myself to keep reading this when I wanted to toss it aside after the first couple of pages. I had read the first book in the series a long while ago and apparently forgot how ridiculous the family members and their business operations were. When a book is praised by authors, I'm suspicious because I am fairly sure they're just trading bon mots on an exchange program, so when these raves were from the likes of Entertainment Weekly and People magazine, I should have known to skip the book just as I avoid all tabloids. Pass unless you like juvenile humor, annoying characters and a very lame plot.
This second installment in the Spellman series does not disappoint. How many times can Izzy get arrested in a three month period? Does the "Subject" have something to hide? What's the deal with Mr. and Mrs. Spellman's disappearances? If Rae growing up? All these questions are answered in this book.
This is a fast read series that will keep you guessing and laughing out loud. If you thought your family was dysfunctional, read on and feel normal!
Recommended for anyone who wants a just for fun read.
Not your typical mystery story, as there is no dead body and no real crimes committed. Izzy plunges headlong into her investigation of the suspect neighbor with the occasional help and hindrance of her little sister. Other mysteries in Izzy's life require some looking into also: Why is Dad going to the gym and dieting? Why is Mom leaving the house in the wee small hours and vandalizing a motor bike? Why is Brother at home, drunk, not working and where has his wife gone? Why has her loner sister apparently gained friends and even, possibly, a boyfriend? Lots going on in the family and no one is talking. It is up to Izzy (or so she thinks) to figure it all out.
Little sister is not as bratty in this book as she was in the first, which was a relief. She was so bratty in the first book that I didn't like her at all. Also, Izzy's parents seem less intrusive than they did in the first book, which made them more likable too. I enjoyed this book a lot more than I did the first in the series as the characters are less extreme and more human than before. All in all, even with Izzy's obsessive behavior, I liked this story a lot.
This was just hilarity itself. Its the third book in the Series, and it ties up any and all loose ends while carrying through with its own plot. There were scenes in here that made me lol so hard I was getting weird looks from people around me, and at least one scene that made me cry. Definitely recommend this book -- but not if you havent read the other books in the series. If you have, I recommend you read the whole series...
Loved this book! Lutz really knows how to flesh out her characters and make them unique...no cookie-cutters here. I was stoked to read all the Doctor Who references as well. They were great for a laugh.
Suzanne M. (suzykat) - 
Diana B. (AuntDi) - 
