The Spellmans Strike Again

A Novel

By: Lisa Lutz

Narrated by: Christina Moore

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)

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.

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.

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!

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!

Narrator needs to go!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend people to read the book. Don't listen to this book the narrator is boring and all voices sound the same.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

I like the plot. I think it's still in keeping with the other books.

Would you be willing to try another one of Christina Moore’s performances?

No never! I can't stand this narrator.

Any additional comments?

Read it, don't get the audiobook.

Hilarious

Hilarious and heartwarming. The narrator Christina Moore is an awesome narrator. It was such a waste to have #2 & #3 of Spellman Files narrated by Ari Graynor....she was awful absolutely no accents or change of voices. The worst narrator I have ever listened too. Loved this book though!

Funny, exciting.

I love the narrator, this is a book that would be enjoyed by many, listen!!!

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!

Funny, interesting story--Super narrator

If you could sum up The Spellmans Strike Again in three words, what would they be?

Hilarious, interesting family

What did you like best about this story?

Lisa Lutz has a insanely funny sense of character development. She seldom tells you about a character, but lets the person's words and actions delineate personality.

Have you listened to any of Christina Moore’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Christina Moore is one of my favorite narrators. She makes each character's voice slightly different so it isn't difficult to keep track of who is speaking and her sense of sentence structure and emphasis/volume is impeccable. I will listen to anything she performs.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed out loud---in the middle of the night.