Trail of the Spellmans: Document #5

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".

Near the top! Christina Moore's performance paired with Lisa Lutz's writing kept me laughing the whole way through.

I've seen several reviews that mention a dislike for Christina Moore's performance. When I first began listening to this series, I was in the same boat. I initially thought her voice sounded well... frumpy, is the only way I can describe it. That is, until she began narrating the dialogue. She definitely gives voice to Izzy's dry sense of humor, and her performance of other characters in the series, like Izzy's mother, Olivia, and her previous love interest, Daniel Castillo. Anyways, after listening to Moore read The Spellman Files, she completely won me over. I unknowingly purchased the abridged version of Curse of the Spellmans (book two in the series) which happened to be performed by someone else, and I couldn't even get through ten minutes of the book. For me, Isabel Spellman = Christina Moore. Though I have to say, I'm curious to know if Lisa Lutz agrees with me.

Lutz never disappoints and she's done it again. Get ready for a Rae that can drive, a David that doesn't patronize or judge, and parents who still have a few secrets. Lutz is often described as a West-coast Janet Evanovich, but these characters are fleshier and more unpredictable.

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.

Characters you Love to hate. (Oops! That's five words.)

The plot didn't exactly keep me on the edge of my seat. These books aren't like that, but if you've read the first four books, you already know that. This book does offer the reader more of what you would expect from Lisa Lutz and her family of Spellman Characters.

This is the first of the five books I listened to as an audio book. Christina Moore did an excellent job bringing life to these characters without taking anything from the story. Indeed, she only added to my enjoyment. I gave her all five stars.

I laughed a few times, as expected.

Lisa Lutz has done something wonderfully different from the standard narrative with these stories. They are completely character driven and oddly enough (pleasantly enough? Differently enough?) they have very little external conflict. She has done a great job of creating a set of characters interesting enough to perform such a feat.

I gave this particular story 4 stars (5 overall, counting Christina Moore's reading) only because I felt it on par with the rest of the books in the series, which I would definitely rate as 5 stars. When this series first came out, I felt it was quite different and intriguing in its presentation. Seeing as this was the 5th book, I felt it was time the author start pushing the envelope of this series a bit. Whether Ms. Lutz does this or not in the 6th book, I'm sure I'll be there to buy it if, and when, it comes out.

Absolutely. The plot is interesting and surprising. I laughed out loud many times, and find myself musing about the delightful mind that constructed these unusual and peculiar characters. As usual, the narrator is superb---I love anything she reads.

I enjoyed the combination of interest in the machinations of the Spellman family and the sub-plots of their "investigations." I felt impatient to know how the plot lines would unravel, but found myself disappointed when the book came to an end.

Every one of Christina Moore's audio books are terrific---This one was no exception. I could listen to her for days.

This book is hysterically funny, subtly chuckle-worthy---a great treat.

Christina Moore does a great job with the narration.

You become part of the family in this series. The characters really draw you in. Isabel gets to be the sane member of the family in this one which is saying a lot.

Trail of the Spellmans is one of the best books in the series. I love the progression of the Spellmans as they face new milestones in their lives. Christina Moore gives a top notch performance as Izzie. If you like a little comedy with your mystery, I would strongly recommend this series!

This book was very boring and not funny at all. I was looking forward to the laughs I got from Document #4 it just wasn't there.
I wanted to stop but, but I paid for it so I just kept plugging along

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.

Narrator was good.

yes, she gives the character 'attitude'