Mrs. Plansky Goes Rogue by Spencer Quinn
Spencer Quinn, pseudonym for the always entertaining and clever author Peter Abrahams, has kept readers anxiously waiting for two years for Mrs. Plansky Goes Rogue.
Fans will not be disappointed with the return of the delightful amateur sleuth Loretta Plansky, who debuted in 2023 with the memorable Mrs. Plansky’s Revenge. It was quite a divergence from his popular Chet and Bernie series, a perennial favorite, but they too will soon return with fresh crimes to solve.
In case you missed her introduction, the proactive, problem-solving co-inventor of the revolutionary kitchen gadget breakthrough, the Plansky Toaster Knife that slices and toasts bread simultaneously, was nearly stunned into disbelief when scammers cleaned out her entire bank and investment accounts.
After realizing the trusted financial institution, police and FBI Fraud Unit were unable to assist her, she took matters into her own hands. Mrs. Plansky hocked her diamond ring and made her way to a remote village in rural Romania in an action-packed, perilous and ultimately successful journey.
Trouble Brewing at Home
Back in Florida, this youthful septuagenarian keeps fit playing tennis with a killer one-handed backhand despite a hip replacement and is ready for a new adventure.
Mrs. P is a comfortably situated widow with two adult children and the primary caregiver for her outspoken, gregarious and grumbling 98-year-old father, Chandler Wills Banning. He recently moved from an upscale retirement home to her end unit Florida condo with a view of Little Pine Lake.
Dear old impoverished dad is completely dependent on her generosity, yet convinced he is entitled to a lavish lifestyle. This includes planning an elaborate wedding to the similarly aged mother of Lucretia, Mrs. Plansky’s housekeeper.
His Spanish-speaking bride-to-be, Clara Dominguez de Soto y Camondo, shares his champagne tastes with a desire for a large diamond engagement ring, a custom-made wedding dress from Miami’s finest designer in Little Havana and a lively salsa band with invoices to be paid by you guessed it, her soon-to-be daughter-in-law.
A New Case to Solve
Mrs. Plansky Goes Rogue begins with an exciting win of the New Sunshine Golf and Tennis Club’s Senior Doubles Championship with attractive partner Kev Dinardo, whom she had recently met.
Tennis had always been her game and favorite sport. Her son Jack had been an aspiring professional player but only ranked high enough to be a club pro in Arizona.
Following the tournament, there was a sudden rain squall, so she volunteered to drive Kev home as he had cycled to the club. They intend to share a congratulatory glass of champagne at his beautiful home, which has a yacht moored at its dock, which suddenly bursts into flames before sinking.
Although Kev claims a lightning strike, unseen by Mrs. Plansky, was the cause, she suspects it was deliberately blown up for reasons as yet unknown.
When she returned the following day, Kev was missing, his home ransacked and an odd conversation with her father revealed he had introduced her son Jack to Kev, who was promoting some questionable speculative investments.
Chandler Banning doesn’t have dementia but does occasionally get muddled. Even more alarmingly, Jack is no longer employed by the Arizona Tennis Club and is also missing.
Humorous and Action-Packed
Loretta begins investigating with a road trip in the wilds of Florida, where she encounters dubious and potentially dangerous characters. Her instincts tell her she may be safer with the regal, imposingly large alligator she dubbed “Fairbanks” that routinely suns himself on the banks next to the gazebo near her condo.
A quick flight to Phoenix yields more disturbing information about her missing tennis partner. When she joins forces with an investigative journalist following the trail of modern-day pirates scouting for a shipwreck from an ancient Spanish vessel purportedly filled with gold and silver treasure in the Caribbean, life becomes perilous indeed.
What could go wrong when flying over a tiny island in the sparkling turquoise blue ocean in a two-seater plane piloted by her new friend, newshound Val?
Loretta Plansky is highly intelligent, quick-thinking, as resourceful as MacGyver and a good judge of people’s character. Kev Dinardo may have been an excellent tennis player, but he had an assortment of nefarious colleagues.
Mrs. Plansky Goes Rogue is as humorous as it is action adventure. This senior sleuth demonstrated age is a mindset, not a drawback, and she is unstoppable when determined. It would be a joy to witness a Mahjong game played by Mrs. Plansky, Mrs. Pollifax, Gladdy Gold and Eugenia Potter, with the latter preparing their snacks.
Let us hope New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Spencer Quinn won’t wait until Chandler celebrates his 100th birthday before the next installment of Mrs. Plansky is published!
About Spencer Quinn:
Spencer Quinn is the pen name of Peter Abrahams, the Edgar-award winning author of many novels, including the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Chet and Bernie mystery series, Mrs. Plansky’s Revenge, The Right Side, and Oblivion, as well as the New York Times bestselling Bowser and Birdie series for younger readers. He lives on Cape Cod with his wife Diana―and Dottie, a loyal and energetic member of the four-pawed nation within.
