Book Club Discussion Questions and Guide for Mrs. Plansky's Revenge by Spencer Quinn

1. What made Mrs. Plansky vulnerable to cybercrime? On the flip side, what gives her the strength to take on her thieves—with far more success than the authorities achieved? What traits make her the ideal sleuth?
2. What were your first impressions of Dinu? How did your opinion of him shift throughout the novel, including the revelation about why he made the second call?
3. As Mrs. Plansky cares for her cantankerous dad (Chandler Banning) and recalls her mom's final moments, what do we discover about her relationship with her parents? How did they shape her expectations for herself as a mother and wife?
4. Dinu was born into the tragic legacies of his parents and the cruelty of Uncle Dragomir. Nina and Jack were born into a stable, loving family. What does this tale of two families say about nature versus nurture in determining a person's outcomes in life? Are Mrs. Plansky's grandchildren more like their parents or their grandparents?
5. What do Annika and Tassa mean to Dinu at various points in his life? How do both women attempt to ensure their own survival?
6. We meet Norm through Mrs. Plansky's memories of him. What does she miss about him the most? What aspects of her life before marriage is she able to reclaim when she goes to battle against the scammers?
7. Dinu is successful because he pays attention to details in his research of American culture. What does he understand about his targets that no amount of coaching from Professor Bogdan can fulfill? What are the most significant distinctions he discovers between American and Romanian culture?
8. Max's card identifies him as a "journalist, author, seeker of the truth." Why is he the perfect ally for Mrs. Plansky? And why are journalists vital in a quest for the truth?
9. Discuss the moment when Mrs. Plansky realizes her financial security has been shattered. As she makes a personal inventory, what does she realize about the truly valuable parts of her life? If you were to experience a similar situation at that stage of life, what would be the most difficult possession to part with, and what would be the most challenging lifestyle change to make?
10. If you were Mrs. Plansky, would you agree to fund your children's risky startups (such as Nina and Matt/Matty/Matthew's Love and the Caribbean, or the cold-chain partnership touted by Jack and his buddies)? How do requests for money usually play out in your family?
11. What do you predict for Mrs. Plansky's tennis date with Kev? What makes them a good match (on and off the court)?
12. Spencer Quinn is a prolific author of multiple series, including the beloved Chet and Bernie series featuring a special bond between a detective and his dog. What is distinctive about Quinn's approach to crime stoppers and storytelling? In what ways does Mrs. Plansky's journey beautifully balance a serious topic with laugh-out-loud humor?

Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of Forge Books. Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions.