Search -
Curse of the Spellmans (Izzy Spellman, Bk 2)
Curse of the Spellmans - Izzy Spellman, Bk 2 Author:Lisa Lutz THEY'RE BAAAAACK. — Their first caper, The Spellman Files, was a New York Times bestseller and earned comparisons to the books of Carl Hiaasen and Janet Evanovich. Now the Spellmans, a highly functioning yet supremely dysfunctional family of private investigators, return in a sidesplittingly funny story of suspicion, surveillance, and surprise. — ... more »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 (suspect's name: John Brown), convinced he's up to no good -- even if her parents (the management at Spellman Investigations) are not. When the (displeased) management refuses to bail Izzy out, it is Morty, Izzy's octogenarian lawyer, who comes to her rescue. But before he can build a defense, he has to know the facts.
Over weak coffee and diner sandwiches, Izzy unveils the whole truth and nothing but the truth -- as only she, a thirty-year-old licensed professional, can. When not compiling Suspicious Behavior Reports on all her family members, staking out her neighbor, or trying to keep her sister, Rae, from stalking her "best friend," Inspector Henry Stone, Izzy has been busy attempting to apprehend the copycat vandal whose attacks on Mrs. Chandler's holiday lawn tableaux perfectly and eerily match a series of crimes from 1991?-92, when Izzy and her best friend, Petra, happened to be at their most rebellious and delinquent. As Curse of the Spellmans unfolds, it's clear that Morty may be on retainer, but Izzy is still very much on the case... er, cases -- her own and that of every other Spellman family member. (Re)meet the Spellmans, a family in which eavesdropping is a mandatory skill, locks are meant to be picked, past missteps are never forgotten, and blackmail is the preferred form of negotiation -- all in the name of unconditional love.« less
The Market's bargain prices are even better for Paperbackswap club members!
Retail Price:$15.99 Buy New (Paperback): $12.79 (save 20%) or Become a PBS member and pay $8.89+1 PBS book credit (save 44%)
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) - 
