This book has been on my shelves for 13 years. Initially I avoided it because I thought it might be too humorous, but my tastes must have changed over time, because I was very happy with it.
It did not really feel like crime fiction though. It seemed like the first 2/3 of the book was about the background of the family. Isabel (also known as Izzy) Spellman tells the story, and she starts at the point when she was 12 years old. Her parents run a private investigation company out of their home, and the two kids began helping out with surveillance when David was 14 and Isabel was 12. Then when Isabel was 14, her mother has another child, a daughter named Rae, who also ends up working for the family business. Eventually the story catches up to the cases that they are working on currently, although there is a good bit of jumping back and forth in the timeline. It was a very strange mystery novel, but I enjoyed it very much.
Comparisons have been made to other series: the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich and the Claire DeWitt series by Sarah Gran. I read 9 or 10 of the Stephanie Plum series before I gave up on it. My husband has read 3 books in the Claire DeWitt series and I want to read those books too.
My thoughts:
- I like books about families, and the Spellman family is the ultimate dysfunctional family. As far as the crime goes, this book is lighter than most mysteries, but there is plenty of depth in the family relationships and issues.
- The characters were the best part of this book. But they also were infuriating, particularly Isobel.
- I liked the writing style and I found the book hard to put down. Later in the book, things get very suspenseful. Throughout, a lot of information is held back from the reader.
- I am committed to reading more in this series.
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Publisher: Simon & Schuster, 2007
Length: 353 pages
Format: Hardcover
Series: Spellman Files, #1
Setting: San Francisco, California
Genre: Mystery
Source: I purchased this book in 2012.
16 comments:
This does sound like an engaging story, Tracy. I like family stories, and it sounds s though this is lighter without being too 'frothy.' The characters sound interesting, too.
I read this book a number of years ago and liked it. I agree with all the things you say about it. I don't think I continued reading the series, but I can't really remember why - probably just lost track. So many series! I also attended an author event by Lisa Lutz and liked that as well. Yes, a little different mystery, but a fun one.
I have not heard of her books ... but glad you alerted me to it. It is strange how the whole family gets involved in investigating the cases. Does she have some humor to it? Are they a nerdy family or just dysfunctional?
I'm glad you enjoyed this one so much. It does sound like fun. :D
I feel like I've heard of this but am not sure. I know of the Stephanie Plum books of course, I read one or two but Peter read them all and loved them. I'll keep an eye out for The Spellman Files as I don't mind a bit of humour in my crime books.
I've stuck with the Stephanie Plum books, but I'm behind by at least three or four. Humor is one of those things that can be iffy. I'm currently reading one that has great reviews, but I'm not finding it to be that good. I guess it's not my kind of humor.
Kelly, I always enjoyed Janet Evanovich's writing but eventually got frustrated with the lack of resolution with the Morelli / Ranger relationships. Humor in crime fiction used to bother me but I guess it really depends on the context and the writing.
Margot, I was engaged in the story from beginning to end, no matter how outrageous it seemed at times. And it is definitely not frothy.
Kay, I know what you mean about too many series. I often want to continue a series, but realistically I can only read so many books. I am intrigued by the Spellman series and also Lutz's standalone books. I will see what I can find at the book sale.
Susan, "nerdy family" is also a good description. The son is perfect (sort of), which motivates Isobel to get attention by being the opposite. The parents seem overwhelmed by Isobel's behavior. There is a weird uncle. Lots of humor, but I was shocked by a lot of went on. Totally entertaining.
Lark, I thought I might give up on this one by 50 pages but I was hooked by then. I have the 2nd book in the series on Kindle, if I can ever get in the habit of reading books in that format.
Cath, how interesting that Peter read all the Stephanie Plum books. I had a male coworker that was devoted to that series, but he could read three times as much as I could. (He also loved Agatha Christie. He and his wife had archaeology backgrounds, and he was very impressed with Max Mallowan.)
If you do run into the Spellman Files series, they are definitely worth a try.
Yes, Peter was like that, a very fast reader and probably read three times as many books as me. I don't know for sure as he wasn't the sort to keep track like nerdy me. LOL A book rec for you, I'm about a thrid through Some Desperate Glory, a sci-fi yarn by Emily Tesh, and really enjoying it. I wondered if your son has heard of her? I read her Silver in the Wood a couple of years ago, it wasn't bad, but this is even better.
Cath, I checked out Emily Tesh's books and they all sound good but I agree that Desperate Glory would be my type of science fiction. It is still fairly expensive over here but it is more reasonable from Blackwell's so maybe later in the year I can order it from there. I asked my son but he had not heard of Tesh.
First time hearing of this author and I would like to giver her first novel a try. Never read The Plum books possibly because I have this idea that Stephanie Plum would be a bit too humorous for a detective. But I could be wrong.
Kathy, I think you would like the first novel in The Spellman Files series. If you still have Kindle Unlimited, all the books are available are free.
I started reading the Stephanie Plum series shortly after the first one was published, so sometime in 1994 or 1995. At the time I though it was a hoot, although it wasn't at all like other mysteries I read. I always thought the first book was the best one in the series. It also is available for free on Kindle Unlimited. Now there are 31 in the series but I only read maybe the first 10.
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