Trail of the Spellmans

June 15, 2012
Izzy Spellman faces obstacles on all sides when a series of cases overlap and her father forbids discussion or cross-pollination of information among family members. This wouldn't be quite so bad if the family weren't behaving more strangely than usual--even for them! Izzy is aware that if she's the normal one, things can't be good. Christina Moore, who narrated the previous four books in the series, has Izzy's deadpan tone down to a science. She also sneaks an added smidgen of oddity into every character's voice, making them not merely memorable but rather unique unto the story itself. The convoluted plot and its red herrings are untangled in a way only a Spellman could manage, but every dry laugh is worth it. VERDICT Mystery collections could use an infusion of Spellmans. They go down well with bananas.--Jodi L. Israel, Birmingham, AL

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