The Spellmans Strike Again

A Novel

De: Lisa Lutz

Narrado por: Christina Moore

In Document #4 of the Edgar-nominated series detailing an outrageously funny family of detectives, former wild child and private investigator Izzy Spellman finally agrees to take over the family business. But 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 too 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 number twelve.

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.

Izzy rocks

I love the audio versions. Christina Moore does a wonderful job with the different voices. I think her inflections are often pitch perfect. She adds a lot to the humor of the books. In fact, I prefer the audio versions to the Spellmans books because the narrator adds an hilarious dimension. Having lived in San Francisco, I also enjoy the descriptions of the city.

Narrator nails it!

I enjoy the wit and sarcasm in this book and love all of the Henry parts and the way the Izzy/Henry story resolves in this book. I can't imagine a better reader than Christina Moore. She is perfect on all of the voices. I especially love the way she does the mother. She absolutely brings all of the characters to life for me!

Tough one to review

especially with spoilers, so understanding in that regard is greatly appreciated!

As the story opens, Izzy is seeing (living with) bartender Connor, prompting her meddling mother to insist on Izzy's dating a certain number of lawyers, or at least professionals, per month, blackmailing her over a long-past incident. There is another plotline featuring her crusade against a rival P. I., who may have had someone wrongfully convicted of murder. Meanwhile, Rae is freeing a prisoner of her own. Morty, her 85 year old attorney (and one of her few friends besides Petra) is in the picture here as well; I liked him better than I had in the last book, but that's largely as I loathed the overdone way he was voiced by Ari Graynor before. There's also a minor plotline about the Spellman house coming apart (physically), and another having to do with Rae having gone too far at last, and the aftermath. Finally, there's one involving her friends Len and Christopher, which has almost nothing to do with the rest of the story at all.

I found suspending disbelief here exhausting. The lack of boundaries by her mother bordered on the psychotic to me. No wonder Izzy needs a shrink! The plotline involving Morty was handled well, although another that I'm doing my best not to mention had me groaning, "Oh, no! Talk about the easy way out!" Those who've read "the previous documents" will see this one coming. At one point, Izzy notes rather offhandedly that a felony conviction is "expunge-able" (not the wrongful one mentioned earlier). I don't think so.

If you'd asked me partway through if I'd consider reading the next book, I'd have likely replied "I honestly don't know. The farce has turned to tedium I'm afraid." However ... now I am interested in seeing where the author's gone with the family after pretty much tying up most of the series' previous threads. So, I probably would. Would I recommend this one? Yes, if you've read the previous ones. Everyone in the series has evolved since the beginning of the first book (although David is kinda boring), but it's been a long ride getting there.

You need to CHILLAX about the narrator!

The only thing Christina Moore is guilty of is not being Ari Graynor. I just binge listened to books 1-4. Moore read book 1, Graynor read books 2 and 3, and Moore read book 4. The only reason I noticed that there was a different narrator at all was because I had seen a review of this book which ripped Moore apart for reading it.

I have 2 rules for book narrators:
1) They must read the words the author wrote.
2) They must speak clearly enough so I can understand what those words are.

I think some people want the books acted out, not read to them. In that case go see a movie. I get so sick of the petty nitpicking! No books would ever get recorded if they had to meet all these demands.

Try this: Pick your favorite public domain book, go to LibriVox.org, and record one yourself, or even a single chapter or a short story. See if you can live up to your own requirements. Or just read a couple books with your own eyes, so you remember that you need to use your imagination in conjunction with the author's commentary. The narrator should not have to do everything for you.,

This is a book. It is a good book. You are fortunate enough to have someone to read it to you so that you can "read" while you drive or do other things. "Chillax" and enjoy the privilege.

Great Book - Poor Narration!

I too agree the books are great and Ari Graynor was awesome in the first three books, but suddenly a way to old voice appears in this book! YUCK! I want Izzy back!