The Last Word by Lisa Lutz

Guys! Lisa Lutz says this is the last book from Izzy's perspective. *sniff*

Warning, fangirl review coming.

Izzy is in a bit of a bind. After performing a hostile takeover of the family business, she's now the boss but that doesn't mean that anyone listens to her. In fact, both of her parents are doing everything they can to undermine her authority - somewhat understandable considering Izzy became a bit of a dictator there for a while. But now the bank records are kind of wonky and Izzy is being accused of embezzling from one of her clients. She knows it's a set up but the feds aren't going to just take her word for it. 

Each and every new Spellman book (or book from Lisa Lutz for that matter) is a guaranteed hilarious read! The Last Word was certainly no exception in that regard. If you've not had the pleasure, you're really missing out. Never fear, all previous five books are now out in paperback and if you're really anxious, you can kind of dive in with this sixth installment without issue (but you'll have to go back to the beginning to get all the references.)

I'm kind of in awe of how Lisa Lutz's brain works. I mean she includes footnotes for goodness sake! If you've read any of her books, you know her characters are pretty carefully drawn, too: she's got individual profiles of each one, even going so far as to outline their childhood antics as well (some of which play into individual stories).

Plus, she's done this: http://howtonegotiateeverything.com/ Oh, yes, it's for real. Lisa Lutz is a bit of a genius in my opinion!

(Is it wrong for me to say that Izzy Spellman is kind of my hero? I mean, I know she's a thirty-something who isn't really all that grown up, but I'm a thirty-something who doesn't really FEEL all that grown up! And while I'd never do half the things Izzy does, it's mostly because I'd never have the nerve.)

Besides being fall on the floor and laugh out loud funny, with a set of the most fabulous characters in fiction (as if that weren't enough), The Last Word is a darn good story. Lisa Lutz knows how to plot an interesting mystery. The addition of Rae's new conflict resolution services here is a bonus, too, adding an interesting new aspect to the stories (and possibly some fresh new fodder for additional Spellman books).

We'll just have to wait and see what Lutz has up her sleeve next. I'm hoping this is not the last we'll see of the Spellmans.

The Last Word is due out from Simon & Schuster on Tuesday, July 9.