Author: Lisa LutzGenre: Chick LitPublished: 2007Personal Rating: 3/5Yearly Count: 101
The Spellman's are a family of private investigators that even tend to spy on one another. The main character is Isabel Spellman. She is a 28-year-old middle child that has had a rebellious childhood, which somewhat continues into her adult life. Isabel shares past relationships, family stories and we go along with her as she tries to solve a 10 year old case.
This relatively new series (this being the first) is not what I expected. I thought it would be based on cases that the family acquired, but it focused more on the Spellman family dynamics (dysfunction may be a better word choice here). More than half the book was a "let's get acquainted fest" which was fine, but I was expecting more - like a case. When I was finally reconciled to the fact that there was no case, a case appeared. Don't choose this book if you are looking for a mystery, but if you enjoy character driven books (in this case - quirky family members) and light reads to pass the time, then this one may be for you.
Thanks Joy! I think I had the same misconceptions about this book as you did. And I suspect I would have been a bit disappointed when I finally got around to picking this one up. A heads-up is always nice!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the heads up on this one Joy. When I crave a mystery, that's what I want-not a whole bunch of everything else.
ReplyDeleteDebi ~ Definitely beginning with expectations in alignment with reality is a good thing. :)
ReplyDeleteDar ~ I finally decided the first book was going to be an introduction to the family, but then the case appeared. I may give the second book in the series a try, but not in the near future.
I read this one and rather enjoyed it! I just thought it was a fun read it. But yeah, if looking for a really good mystery, this isn't for you. If looking for a fun, quirky read, pick it up.
ReplyDeleteI linked your review to mine so readers can get another view point. Here's the link to mine if interested:
http://notenoughbooks.blogspot.com/2008/03/spellman-files-by-lisa-lutz.html
Kris ~ I really think this was more of a case (no pun intended) of misguided expectations. I just thought it was going to be a different kind of book. Now I know.
ReplyDelete