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Pamela K. (Churchville, NY)
Mrs. Plansky's Revenge
Spencer Quinn's novel is a true page turner. The main character is an inspiring heroine who is a vibrant and commanding spirit. Though, initially in the novel, Mrs. Plansky appears to be a vulnerable and scatter brained older woman, over time her strength and self determination emerge with a gusto. She ultimately serves as an antidote to stereotypes ascribed to female septuagenarians. Rather than passively awaiting life's end, Mrs. Plansky charges forward with heartwarming strength, both mentally and physically. A wonderful role model for people of all ages. This book would be a fun read for those who enjoy
…more adventure stories and appreciate plot twists and turns. There is a flavor of a classier Columbo at work in solving challenges that makes this novel a treat to read. A good book to take on vacation. Her last name is an appropriate play on words. (less)Mrs. Plansky is a 70-year-old widow living in Florida. When she receives a late-night emergency call from her grandson, of course she wires him the $10,000 he says he needs. Problem is, when she gets up the next morning every penny in all of her accounts is gone. She's been scammed. Loretta's a charming character and her despair at losing her money is palpable. My stomach sank as I read this part. I think this premise will resonate with a lot of readers and spark many discussions in book clubs about scammers and financial security. Overall, I found the characters likable, but one-dimensional. And Loretta
…more traipsing through Alba Gemina on her own and meeting characters involved in the scam is pretty unbelievable. I'm a big fan of Spencer Quinn's work, but this didn't live up to the fun of the Chet and Bernie series. (less)A quick and entertaining read that I enjoyed more than I anticipated. Senior citizens constantly are warned about telephone scams, but business-savvy widow Mrs. Plansky inexplicably falls for one, Her $4 million plus nest egg disappears in an instant, and the feisty retiree heads for Romania to get it back.
The story is well written and enjoyable. Reading about Romania was interesting and made a refreshing change. The plot requires readers to accept that a 71-year-old woman with a recent hip replacement could crawl through attics and hidden passages, drive a motorbike through a snowstorm, face down a thug who
…more terrifies everyone else, rappel down the side of a building, etc. I don't know whether to be intimidated, envious or encouraged for the future.
Feisty retirees seem to be in vogue now, maybe because older readers enjoy them and buy books (less)"…Loretta Plansky, is a seventy-one-year-old widow of solid build and the only member of the whole club with a one-handed backhand." The club being the New Sunshine Golf and Tennis Club close to her new, rather posh apartment in the Sunshine State. Mrs. Plansky is a widow, mother and grandmother whose lot in life is more than comfortable. This due to a successful entrepreneurial partnership with her husband creating and selling an innovative kitchen knife. And fortunately, her marriage to Norm was equally successful, until he passed.
Then, one night she answers a phone call from her grandson who is in desperate
…more need of funds. Thus begins a journey for Mrs. Plansky that tests her stamina more than her husband's death or any tennis game she has ever played.
From Florida to Europe, from tennis games to clandestine meetings in dark dungeons, Loretta is determined to recover her financial security. Quinn uses witty prose and unconventional situations that will amuse everyone, especially the seventy-one-year-old crowd. He also gives a face to the victims and perpetrators of these contemporary heists that may be surprising. Recommended as a light read with more than a few hilarious yet discerning moments. (less)From the moment I started reading this, I loved the characters, (especially Mrs Plansky) and the fast plot development. However, I was disappointed when a fateful evening depicted Mrs. Plansky, as an unwitting old lady, who could be taken advantage of, by her family, as well as a stranger on the phone. However, the book quickly redeemed itself as Mrs. Polansky began to deal with the problems of her own making. The book had twists and turns to keep you engaged. I really enjoyed it!
Mary D. (Richmond Hill, NY)
A Very Pleasant Read
I thoroughly enjoyed this selection. Mrs. Plansky is quite a character! The story also served as a cautionary tale. So easy for grandparents to get sucked into such a scheme. I thought it was just a bit much with her coming across he two men and then really trying to save them from themselves.
So, if I had to give it a rating, it would be more a 3 1/2 than an 4. But I read it in one day. So that certainly tells you something.
Connie K. (Oldsmar, FL)
Light as a Feather
This is my first time to read this author. Being about the same age as the protagonist the predicament was of interest. That is, having your bank accounts cleaned out by heartless scammers. The set-up of her character, as being a somewhat savvy businesswoman/partner with her late husband, was both supported and betrayed throughout the story. There were endearing moments and cute "tags" to hang onto like her preoccupation with footwear, but overall, I think she was dumbed down a bit too much for my taste. I imagined the plot going in a different direction at about page 190, which would have introduced a more
…more business-minded approach to her dilemma. But that, literally, is another story.
The book is a fast read and just for fun. I think some book clubs might enjoy discussion about handling a similar situation or commiserating about the dependent children aspect, for example. I rated it "good," because it's not at all bad. (less)Almost everything in this book was too far-fetched for me . Hard for me to believe a woman as intelligent and resourceful as she was would not question the scam in the first place. Then there was the trip to Romania (by herself) and all of her adventures there involving a crime family and a new love interest. That's not to say that I didn't enjoy it. It was a fast read. Don't think I'd recommend it though.
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