Spellman binge

 

I blame it all on my mother. Sounds like a line from the main heroine, Isabel Spellman, but it's just as apt in my life. She recommended I read the first novel, The Spellman Files, to take a break from my chaos, and I haven't stopped since. I've read this series at a rapid rate because I can't seem to get enough of the wit and sarcasm.

I read them so quickly in fact, that it seems more logical to review them all together since the story lines have kind of blurred together into one big picture in my mind.

Curse of the Spellmans

A great follow up to The Spellman Files.  Isabel has become a hot mess Generation X young adult. Right there on the cusp of growing up but holding a Peter Pan attitude towards the process, she makes some bizarre decisions with her life and her job. No time like turning 30 to make one decide what they want to be when they grow up. Have to say, I felt this, deep. 

Revenge of the Spellmans

Bring the fallout. Another witty look at the woman who is trying to become an independent, functioning part of society while being surrounded by a family of dysfunctional private investigators. With Izzy's upbringing, it's no wonder she has distinct issues making life decisions. While Izzy and Rae make fun of their dad's mid-life crises, she really needs to see that it isn't just for the middle-aged.

The Spellmans Strike Again

Izzy often reminds the reader that the mystery is so not the point of the story. It's the Spellmans, and their myriad of dysfunctional secrets (because in a family of PIs it seems to be absolutely impossible to share).  Full disclosure--this book lost some of the luster when it was all about the secrets. But lots of growing up occurred, and the heartstrings were heavily tugged upon.