Community Reviews
I started reading this book without having read the previous books in the series and had no problem understanding the family dynamics of the Spellman. The author, Lisa Lutz, also provides an appendix at the end with notes on the main characters and numerous footnotes to explain things that may have been referenced in a previous book. She does all this with charming humor.
Izzy has been a P.I. for her parents detective agency since she was twelve, but now she's had it. For the past year she's been working as a bartender. Suddenly, she finds she is out of a job and living in a tiny apartment with no income. She is relieved when her brother, David, asks her to house sit for him while he goes on vacation. Mom and Dad come over frequently and love to use the hot tub and make a mess. She is also enduring court ordered therapy but is less than co-operative. She finds she is being blackmailed and bribed by a political consultant. What is going on here? Baby sister, Rae, is still getting into loads of trouble and may be expelled for cheating on the PSATs. She is also making life miserable for Izzy's friends Henry and Maggie who would like to be a couple, but without the constant presence of an interfering teen (Rae).
Mysterious things happen that need some investigation but Izzy is not officially working for the Spellmans, although they are begging her to return to work. David returns from vacation but doesn't seem to be going back to work. There's a lot going on here and some well developed characters. The story is told in a humorous fashion, making it a fun and light read.
Izzy has been a P.I. for her parents detective agency since she was twelve, but now she's had it. For the past year she's been working as a bartender. Suddenly, she finds she is out of a job and living in a tiny apartment with no income. She is relieved when her brother, David, asks her to house sit for him while he goes on vacation. Mom and Dad come over frequently and love to use the hot tub and make a mess. She is also enduring court ordered therapy but is less than co-operative. She finds she is being blackmailed and bribed by a political consultant. What is going on here? Baby sister, Rae, is still getting into loads of trouble and may be expelled for cheating on the PSATs. She is also making life miserable for Izzy's friends Henry and Maggie who would like to be a couple, but without the constant presence of an interfering teen (Rae).
Mysterious things happen that need some investigation but Izzy is not officially working for the Spellmans, although they are begging her to return to work. David returns from vacation but doesn't seem to be going back to work. There's a lot going on here and some well developed characters. The story is told in a humorous fashion, making it a fun and light read.
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