I recommend The Spellman Files books all the time. To fans of Janet Evanovich, to fans of funny books, to people who just want something good to read. Somewhere in my pitch I usually say something like, "They're mysteries, but not really traditional mystery-genre mysteries." In this the sixth (and final?!) Spellman book that last part is more true than ever. Sure, there are mysteries in this book. And, of course, they get solved. But more and more these books are all about the characters and the relationships between the characters. I think that's why I love them so much. I actually teared up at the end of this one, and not just because it may be the last. Though the epilogue made me hope there will be a spin-off featuring Rae!

To people who ask, "Can I read this book without having read the others?" I say, "What's wrong with you? If you want to read this one, just read the others first!" (Now available in paperback!)

To people who ask, "Is this the best Spellman book?" I say, "I'd have to re-read them all to decide. Excuse me, I'm going to go do that now."

Incidentally, [b:How to Negotiate Everything|13260744|How to Negotiate Everything|Lisa Lutz|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1365969530s/13260744.jpg|18462253] showed up in my library recently cataloged as easy non-fiction. Non-fiction! Way to go, Lisa. You are shaping young minds.

P.S. Thank you, Jeff, for getting me this book for my birthday! You are cooler than Henry Stone. ( )

Up 'til 2:30am finishing this book because I just had to know how it ended, it couldn't possibly wait for tomorrow. Too bad the neighbors' construction started at 8am... ( )

I didn't care for this one as much as the others in the series (& this is the last in the series) ( )

I didn't find this book as funny as the other books in the series. While it does have a serious ending, I still enjoyed the book. ( )

I dearly love the Spellmans, so I really hope this isn't the last we hear from them. Although if it is indeed The Last Word, it was a good way to finish. ( )