The Spellman Files, the first in the six-book series by Lisa Lutz, was published in 2007.
Our Sleuth: Isabel “Izzy” Spellman, 28 in our first outing, has worked since age 12 for her highly dysfunctional family’s PI firm, Spellman Investigations. She is sneaky, snarky and self-destructive — exactly what you’d expect from someone described by reviewers as “the love child of Dirty Harry and Harriet the Spy” and “part Bridget Jones, part Columbo.”
The Setting: Present-day San Francisco, mostly the nicer areas.
The Premise: Izzy has skipped college and gone straight into the family business, which seems to involve as much spying on one another as it does spying for their clients. In the first book, we’re introduced to Izzy’s parents and family members as the groundwork for some minor investigations and the big mystery — the disappearance of Izzy’s younger sister.
My Take: Events move with dizzying speed in these books, as does the snappy dialogue, complete with footnotes. It’s a bit like the banter in the Gilmore Girls TV series or the repartee in the 1940 film His Girl Friday; this isn’t surprising given the author started out writing screenplays. Family dynamics and humor are really the stars of the series as the cases the family investigates seldom involve violence. If you prefer mysteries without murder, this is definitely a series for you to consider.
What’s particularly masterful about these books, though, is the growth the characters experience. Izzy may be hilarious but she’s also immature and self-absorbed in book one, and it’s fun to watch her develop over time into something approaching maturity. It’s also refreshing that the author incorporates some serious issues, such as the wrongful incarceration of a Black character who joins the family firm, into the series.
Opening Lines:
San Francisco, Night
I duck into the parking lot, hoping to escape. But my boots echo on the slick cement, broadcasting my location to anyone listening. And I know they are listening. I make a mental note to myself not to wear these shoes again if there is a chance I’ll get involved in a pursuit.
I start to run up the spiral driveway of the garage, knowing they’ll never match my pace. The sound of my strained breath now masks the echo of my footsteps. Behind me, I hear nothing.
Heads Up: Some drug use is discussed but no real trigger warnings.
Etc.: The last book in the series, titled The Last Word in hardcover and Spellman Six: The Next Generation in paperback, was published in 2013. Lutz has since written successful stand-alone novels, including The Passenger, which I also recommend.
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