Trail of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz

Trail of the Spellmans (Izzy Spellman Mysteries, #5)

by Lisa Lutz

The fifth in the critically acclaimed, New York Times bestselling, Edgar Award-nominated series about a fearless private investigator Izzy Spellman and her quirky, yet endearing, family of sleuths: "Lie back and enjoy this tale of intergenerational gumshoe mayhem" (Kirkus Reviews).

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SPELLMAN HISTORY, Isabel Spellman, PI, might be the most normal member of her family. Mom has taken on an outrageous assortment of extracurricular activities-with no apparent motive. Dad has a secret. Izzy's brother and sister are at war-for no apparent reason. And her niece keeps saying "banana" even though she hates bananas. That's not to say that Izzy isn't without her own troubles. Her boyfriend, Henry Stone, keeps wanting "to talk," a prospect Isabel evades by going out with her new drinking buddy, none other than Gertrude Stone, Henry's mother. Things aren't any simpler on the business side of Spellman Investigations. First, Rae is hired to follow a girl, but then fakes the surveillance reports. Then a math professor hires Izzy to watch his immaculate apartment while he unravels like a bad formula. And as the questions pile up, Izzy won't stop hunting for the answers-even when they threaten to shatter both the business and the family.

Reviewed by ibeforem on

4 of 5 stars

Share
This book made me a little frustrated with Izzy. The more she avoids things she’s not comfortable dealing with, the more immature it seems. Though based on some of the family secrets revealed in this book, there’s no surprise that she’s more than a little damaged. The way she handled her relationship with Henry made me wonder how they managed to stay together for 2 years. Apparently, he’s a masochist.

But regardless, I still enjoy this series. Is this the last? Who knows… I think it was supposed to end two books ago.

Last modified on

Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 18 January, 2013: Finished reading
  • 18 January, 2013: Reviewed