The Spellmans Strike Again

A Novel

By: Lisa Lutz

Narrated by: Christina Moore

Length: 10 hrs

Publisher's summary

At the ripe old age of 32, former wild child Isabel "Izzy" Spellman has finally agreed to take over the family business. And the transition won't be a smooth one.

First among her priorities as head of Spellman Investigations is to dig up some dirt on the competition, slippery ex-cop Rick Harkey - a task she may enjoy a little too much. Next, faced with a baffling missing-persons case at the home of an aging millionaire, Izzy hires an actor friend, Len, to infiltrate the mansion as an undercover butler - a role he may enjoy a little much.

Meanwhile, Izzy is being blackmailed by her mother (photographic evidence of Prom Night 1994) to commit to regular blind dates with promising professionals - an arrangement that doesn't thrill Connor, an Irish bartender on the brink of becoming Ex-boyfriend #12.

At Spellman headquarters, it's business as unusual. Doorknobs and light fixtures are disappearing every day, Mom's been spotted crying in the pantry, and a series of increasingly demanding Spellman Rules (Rule #27: No Speaking Today) can't quite hold the family together. Izzy also has to decipher weekly "phone calls from the edge" from her octogenarian lawyer, Morty, as well as Detective Henry Stone's mysterious interest in rekindling their relationsh...well, whatever it was.

Just when it looks like things can't go more haywire, little sister Rae's internship researching pro bono legal cases leads the youngest Spellman to launch a grassroots campaign that could spring an innocent man from jail - or land Rae in it.

The Spellmans Strike Again is hands down the most hilarious, thrilling, and moving book in this bestselling, award-nominated series. And it proves beyond a reasonable doubt that Isabel Spellman, no matter how much she matures, will never be able to follow Rule #1: Act Normal.

More mirth and mayhem? Listen to more in the Spellmans series.

©2010 Lisa Lutz (P)2010 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

“The wisecracks crackle....Those in the market for mayhem and mirth will revel in Lutz's irresistible blend of suspense, irony, and wit.” ( Booklist)

Funny and clever

One certainly grows closer to characters as they get to know them better throughout a series. I love Izzy and connect with the character very well. This story was very well written, and I was excited to see the growth in Izzy's character. Knowing there are only two more books in the series for me to read is really getting me down - not the biggest fan of saying goodbye to characters I really like.

I didn't really like Christina Moore's narration this time around. Based on my review for book 1, I loved her as a narrator then, so I'm not sure if there is a big difference between the two books or if the different narrator for books 2 & 3, Ari Graynor, was just a better fit for the characters than Christina is. Either way, Izzy's character sounded a lot older than she should and some of the voices started to blend together..

Love these books

All of these are smart, funny and entertaining. It was a great change of pace from what I usually read and helped keep me in a good mood!

Christina Moore IS Izzy Spellman

This forth look into the lives of the Spellman's is just as compelling and fun as the first three. Christina Moore has just the right amount of synicism and sarcasm in her voice to truly represent Izzy and her family. Three cheers for Lisa Lutz, Izzy Spellman and Christina Moore!

narrator best

the 1st and 4th books are narrated by Christina Moore. she is perfect for these stories and I enjoy her narration best.
I guess I am a fan of these books because the family has the freedom to say all those things I wish I could have expressed growing up and later.
very enjoyable.

The wisdom of Morty

Another Spellman hit. Reading these books out of sequence may not be the best approach but probably not impossible. To get the full impact start with book 1. In this book, emotions, or at least as much as the Spellmans & Co. show, really hit home. You get to see the softer side of most of the characters, which only enriches the experience. Plus, there is finally actual cases! Previously, the cases were secondary to character development. This book does have cases, granted they aren't "edge of your seat" variety but, given all the other crazy stuff, the mundane cases are nice to figure out. The one major drawback is the return of the narrator from book 1. She just doesn't fit the main character for me.

Love the Spellmans!

The Spellman Series is one of my very favorites. The stories are entertaining and the narators are excellent. Puts the fun in dysfunctional Please Lisa Lutz, give us more Spellmans, I miss them!

So Good

The Best Way to Spend Evenings in the Summer. We listen while we're cooking dinner. Don't miss, so good.

I love the Spellmans!

I love the Spellman series and the audio books are wonderful too. Christina Moore does a great job bringing Lisa Lutz's witty banter to life.

Great Series

Great series. I laughed till I cried and did some crying too. Hope the series will continue on with Rae,

This reader and this book: brilliant

i adore the way this reader handles this story, the quirky characters and their relationships. The book is great. I just loved the whole thing.