The Spellmans Strike Again

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)

If you liked the previous books... STAY AWAY!

I really hated giving this book a 1 star rating, but the reader completely ruins this book. I love the Spellman series! I read two of the books before I found them on audio. Usually I don't double-purchase a book, but the sample of Ari Graynor's narration convinced me to give them a listen as well as a read. She was spot-on in her voicing of all the characters.

For this final book in the Spellman series, however, for some poorly conceived reason, a new narrator was selected. Nothing is good about this choice of narrator. This 0-star performance from the reader is tortuous to listen to. I would like to note that the reader seems fairly competent; pacing and pronounciation were acceptable. Unfortunately, she is just about the most inappropriate reader possible for this series.

First, Isabel is 30 years old; this reader makes her sound in her 50's. Basically, everyone sounds in his or her 50's at least-- even Rae. In several spots where the conversation moves quickly without tags, it was impossible to know who was speaking because everyone sounds exactly alike.

If you have listened to and enjoyed the previous novels, steer very clear of this horribly concieved narration! I have bought the hardback version of the novel and will read it to myself, and that is what I recommend you to do as well.

15 of 16 people found this review helpful

Why mess with a good thing??

I have to agree with the other reviewers. Why oh why did they change narrators?? The series is such fun, and the edge of the narrator's voice was grating to say the least... wish I'd just bought the book! Next thing you know someone other than Dick Hill will be narrating the Jack Reacher stories!

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

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!

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Bad Narration

Man do I wish I had thought to check the reviews. I can't believe they switched narrator. It's really bad.
Every character sounds the same and they all sound like a grandmother. Wish I could get my money back

I listen to all the previous Spellmans and enjoyed them.
This is only the third book ever I just deleted without listening to.

9 of 10 people found this review helpful

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.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Great Series

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

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

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.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Narration is AWFUL

I wish I had read the reviews before I purchased. I agree with a previous reviewer...the narrator sounds like a grandmother. And she makes many of the characters sound like they have downs syndrome. Serious bummer because I absolutely adored the first 3 Spellman novels. I think the writing was still good but the narration ruined it for me. Bring back Ari Graynor and re-record this mess so we can enjoy!!!

5 of 6 people found this review helpful

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.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

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!

2 of 3 people found this review helpful