the spellman files

All in the Family

The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz

September 16, 2019 by Jake Leave a Comment

There are books that try way too hard to charm me and often miss the mark. A Gentleman in Moscow comes to mind. I like to laugh and I like to be charmed but at a certain point, I need to feel like I’m interacting with real characters and not charm avatars. The Spellman Files walks a very fine line. It has no discernible plot and that usually leaves me frustrated. I read to read stories; stories hook me and keep me engaged. If the quality of writing can […]

I wasn’t ready to know the truth and I was equally unsure how to proceed.

The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz

August 1, 2019 by vel veeter Leave a Comment

A funny, wry, sarcastic mystery novel (series, I guess, but I don’t think I will continue) about a 28 year detective trying to leave her family business (detectiving) only to be reminded that she’s never had any other job and has a recommendation letter held over her head by her mother. In the midst of all this she has a younger sister going through a personal crisis, an uncle who is going through a dying crisis, and a new boyfriend (soon to be ex boyfriend […]

I have no idea what I was expecting from this book, but it for sure wasn’t this wackiness.

The Spellman Files (The Spellmans, #1) by Lisa Lutz

April 10, 2019 by narfna Leave a Comment

This was wacky and fun, but also mildly emotionally exhausting. Constant wackiness takes it out of you. For the second time in one day, I find myself wishing for half stars. I’m not even going to try and sum up the plot/premise of this book, because it is a futile endeavor. But also, half the fun is not knowing what’s about to happen. Actually, that’s a lie. I did try and sum it up, and everything I typed sounded vile, and also spoiled things. So […]

June 17, 2014 by Caitlin_D Leave a Comment

I can’t decide what I thought about The Spellman Files. Isabel definitely reminded me of Veronica Mars, which I loved, but there was just one too many story lines going on that the whole novel felt a bit ADD. “I liked finding dirt on people. It made all my trespasses seem trivial.” There is boy drama, family drama and one last case. Like Veronica, Isabel is a private investigator who works for her family and has a natural knack for the profession. Her family is […]

Zirza on A Gothic Classic for a ReasonIt's one of those wish-you-could-read-it-again-for-the-first-time books. I loved it.
Emmalita on “It came to something when you found yourself hoping that the footsteps you heard were ghosts.”I loved the ending! I don’t think it’s been out long enough to talk about why though.
Dixie on Track Her Down by Melinda LeighI am just starting Track Her Down and I have read them all in order till now and thought I...
Roland of Gilead on How can you give us the gift of a crazy character named Rando Thoughtful and then just as suddenly take that gift away? We need to talk, Uncle Stevie.I came across this randomly years after it was written because I was searching "Random Thoughtful. But I have the...
Emmalita on “Only you, Em, would refer to heartbreak as a distraction. I think I would have a more sympathetic response if I asked to marry a bookcase.”Oh my goodness, Gallifrey was beautiful. I’m sure her mittens were gloriously murdery.

Help Our Mission