The following version of this book was used to create this study guide: Gregory, Daryl. Spoonbenders. New York: Borzoi Books, 2017.

The novel begins with Matty Telemachus and his inappropriate thoughts about his cousin Mary Alice. When he discovers that he is able to travel outside of his body, he begins searching for more answers about the Amazing Telemachus Family, their history in show business, and the shady business dealings of his uncle and grandfather. Matty begins going through old family tapes to learn more about his grandmother, Maureen. Although other family members rebuff him, Matty continues.

The family patriarch, Teddy Telemachus, becomes involved with Graciella Pusateri, the wife of a notorious local mobster on trial for murder. Teddy's son, Frankie, is deeply in debt to the mob, and the two grow more entangled as the novel progresses. Teddy also becomes dangerously enamored with Graciella despite her much younger age.

The novel alternates between the past and present of the various characters, including the meeting and early relationship between Teddy and Maureen before her eventual death. Each character's extensive background provides motivations for their present actions.

Buddy Telemachus, a slightly unhinged psychic spends the entire novel preparing for the mysterious Zap, the day he will lose his psychic powers, although he does not know this until the very end of the novel. He sacrifices his abilities and his health for his family, an ultimate act of selflessness.

Irene Telemachus, Matty's mother, navigates the complicated field of dating when she meets a man, Josh, online. She flies out to meet him several times in Arizona, before ending their relationship over fears that he will want her to move to be with him. Eventually, she rekindles their relationship.

Frankie Telemachus recruits Matty to train him in astral traveling to help him escape his debt. He plans for Matty to find the combination to the mob safe where he can steal a large sum of cash and pay off his debts to save his life. However, his plan encounters a number of roadblocks and he is unable to pay off the mob, leading to a violent confrontation at the house on the day of the Zap.

When the smoke clears from he explosive confrontation, Buddy has surrendered his psychic powers and begins discovering how to live in the world without a sense of what is coming next for him. Matty also continues his astral traveling, and the family begins anew.