Poppy Montgomery Gets Even

Poppy Montgomery Gets Even #1

by Gordon Jack

An elderly woman targets online scammers in this charmingly cozy caper from a “riotously funny” author (Publishers Weekly).

Eighty-year-old Poppy Montgomery has always taken a negative view of her life. Her father? A bully. Her husbands? Losers. Her daughter and grandson? Well, they’re probably her fault. And now the police have taken away her license, her daughter wants to put her in a retirement home, and the bossy new fitter-than-thou attendee at water aerobics is taking over her favorite class.

But enough is enough, and when her new friend, Ginny, is scammed on a dating site for seniors, Poppy decides it’s time to finally get even. With the help of Jeremy, her tech-savvy grandson, Poppy launches a vindictive little caper, scamming the scammers that prey on the elderly online. But when two women at Ginny’s retirement home seemingly meet unnatural ends and her newest target is implicated in the murder, suddenly Poppy’s fun online con job becomes a matter of life or death. It’s going to take the whole gang—Poppy’s two new best friends, her in-recovery daughter, and her basement-dwelling grandson—to pull off one last job, before one of them becomes the next victim.

A charmingly cozy crime story brimming with laughs and heart, Poppy Montgomery Gets Even shows that it’s never too late to turn over a new leaf, make new friends, and scam an international crime ring while solving some murders along the way.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy, Humor, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Cozy Mystery, Audiobook

352 pages, Hardcover

First published June 9, 2026

About the author

Gordon Jack has been a high school librarian for thirty years. In that time, he did his best to keep kids reading, including writing two young adult novels, The Boomerang Effect and Your Own Worst Enemy. Now that he’s about to retire, he figured he should write for people closer to his own age, which is why he’s suddenly interested in the lives of octogenarian crime fighters.

Reviews

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe it's because I'm now definitely middle-aged, but I am loving books with elderly protagonists more and more. This had it all. A few genuinely laugh out loud moments, feistiness, maturity, immaturity, real life scenarios, cuteness, friendships that matter, and sharp elderly women who tackle life together. Loved it and want friends like that when I'm their age (soon enough!).

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This advanced audiobook was such a fun surprise for me. Narrated by the always fantastic Elizabeth Wiley (if you listened to Too Old For This, you already know), this had the perfect mix of humor, heart, and chaos. Poppy is absolutely my kind of main character. She’s blunt, rough around the edges, has a potty mouth, and fully knows she’s flawed while still expecting the best from everyone around her.

I was honestly worried the retirement village cozy mystery angle would feel overdone because it seems like everyone is doing it lately, but this felt fresh. The storyline involving scammers targeting elderly women through a senior dating app added something different, especially with Poppy and her tech savvy grandson turning the tables on them.

Under all the sass and murder mystery elements though, there’s also a surprisingly real story about aging, loneliness, divorce, family tension, and starting over later in life. It made the whole thing feel warm, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt all at once.

[Braden Efird · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
An easy & fun read about a grandma who is tired of scammers, so she starts scamming herself.

[Cozybooklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

#PoppyMontgomeryGetsEven #NetGalley is an interesting story, a mystery based on a real life situation, scamming people for money. Poppy suspects her friend Ginny is being scammed through an online dating site for seniors, but Ginny refuses to see it. Afraid for her friend, Poppy asks her grandson for help, Jeremy is quite savvy in the tech world and he readily agrees to help.
While it might seem as payback in Poppy's mind, things take an ugly turn, and everyone is in danger.

[Grandma Susan]

Profanity.

[Dana Vit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Highbridge Audio and NetGalley for providing this ALC!

This was a fun ride! Elizabeth Wiley does an amazing job narrating. 👏🏻👏🏻
It was sweet, suspenseful, and so funny. I lol’d many times! I loved Poppy’s internal monologue and how she would think very true things, but that would sound mean said aloud, so she would think through how to say it nicer. It didn’t always work, but she kept trying! 😂 I actually related to her in a lot of ways, despite the age difference and that I’m not a parent. I also loved how Poppy got to really get to know and bond with her grandson. It was adorable to see where they found common ground and began to respect and appreciate each other. Then, of course, there’s the friendship between Poppy, Ginny, and Max. All three so different, but able to see and appreciate the good that each one brought to the friendship. Loved it.
I did not guess whodunit! It kept me guessing the whole way through. It even steered me one way as a fake out and I totally fell for it! Well done.

#HighbridgeAudio #NetGalley #PoppyMontgomeryGetsEven

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gordon Jack's Poppy Montgomery Gets Even hits readers with the current reality of cyber crime targeted at seniors. The female victims here are from an age group likely to fight back with tears and name calling; instead they resort to implementing their own scam. Poppy is a senior whose daughter Meg and adult grandson Jeremy live with her. She and her close friends Max and Ginny stay active and do water aerobics together. Ginny is the first to become a cyber scam victim. Her online boyfriend wants to meet her IRL, but he is too busy setting up a new restaurant. He asks for her help; he wants to put money in her bank account and then have her write checks to pay his suppliers. Poppy and Max have a hard time convincing her that this is money laundering. After two women who lived in her luxury seniors housing die under mysterious circumstances, she starts believing her friends. Were the dead women murder and scam victims? Poppy and Max are concerned for Ginny's safety. They convince her to break up with her boyfriend and then set up an elaborate and creative scam to make sure he stays gone. This is an intelligent plot with relatable characters. Poppy's friends and family members add color and plot complexity; they could be people you know or even you. It is scary and even more so because it is realistic; these women have lives.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had a charming modern cozy mystery feel with a senior sleuth at the center, and Poppy is quite the character. She’s witty, sarcastic, and completely unapologetic, which made her incredibly entertaining to follow. The story had a steady pace that kept things moving without feeling rushed, balancing the mystery, humor, and heart really well. I absolutely loved the idea of Poppy taking on online scammers who target senior citizens because, sadly, it’s something that happens far too often. Watching her turn that anger into a hilarious revenge mission was such a fun ride.

The audiobook was a huge highlight for me. Elizabeth Wiley was fantastic and brought so much personality to Poppy’s voice with the perfect amount of sarcasm and bite. I also loved her narration in Too Old for This by Samantha Downing, and she once again proves she knows exactly how to bring a sharp, funny heroine to life.
I would be absolutely delighted if this became a series because Poppy and her crew have so much potential for more adventures.

Perfect for Readers Who Love

* Senior sleuths with big personalities
* Cozy mysteries with humor and heart
* Revenge stories where the bad guys get what they deserve
* Audiobooks with standout narration

[Kendall Hammonds · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a cranky retiree getting s*** done.

[Kendra Mae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Releases June 9th!

•Murder mystery set in a Retirement home ✅
•80 year old quick witted amateur sleuth ✅
•Slew of fun sidekicks+family ✅
•Humor, heart, chaos, friendship, drama ✅
•Fantastic narrator, Elizabeth Wiley ✅
•Scamming an international crime ring with your tech savvy grandson while solving murders with your best friends ✅

What more could I ask for? (maybe a dog lol)
I loved this so much and cannot wait for another installment!!

Thank you to RB Media for an ALC!

[Davida Chazan · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 Stars.
I'm sorry, I forgot to post my review of this book. Now, I don't usually read books with female protagonists written by men, but in this instance, Mr. Jack didn't enter any of the obvious pitfalls, and that's a rare thing! Furthermore, this is a cracking good story about a Golden Years woman who ends up solving a few crimes. And yes, I'll be happy to read another book with Poppy!

You can read my full review here. https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2026/06/1...

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story with a few real life lessons included!

[Cleo Howe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me laugh out loud.

[Margaret Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book! When I reached the middle of the book, I found myself wanting to rush through to find out what happened next with this mystery but at the same time wanting to savor every page as I was enjoying each moment with these fictional women that I felt where my neighbors at this point. I loved their banter - it felt so authentic and relatable. There were so many unexpected joys, like learning things I didn't know about the wicked witch in the Wizard of Oz, reading references to To Kill a Mockingbird and golden lines like when Poppy describes her small home: "But the place closed in on us as our family grew and intimacy turned into intrusion" (33). There were also poignant moments of social commentary such as when Poppy wonders about aging and independence: "Where will all the caretakers come from? As an old person, I'm not sure I want to be revered the way the elderly are in Japan, but I'd also like not to be warehoused and forgotten either" (127). I highly recommend this book - and I'm sorry it's over... The great news is that I recently learned that a sequel is coming! I can't wait to spend more time with these ladies!

[Christine Fitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poppy was delightfully crochety; I loved her friendships with Ginny and Max. I loved Jeremy's character development and was really surprised by Poppy's daughter, Meg. I read a lot of cozy mysteries, and books with older main characters, and cozy mysteries with older main characters, and this one still stood out as really enjoyable. The idea was pretty fresh, the stakes were just right, and there was a perfect mix of likeability and flaws within each character.

NetGalley gift = honest review.

CWs - Addiction, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Terminal illness, Medical content, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Classism, Domestic abuse, Suicide

[TDE | ReadwithTDE · Rating 4 out of 5]

Effective today, Poppy Montgomery is one of my top protagonists of a certain age! This book is a mystery with a side of comedy and crime, and I could not put it down! It perfectly tests the question of what is good/decent versus what is right. And as the title notes, revenge is the motive but the who/what/when/where/why and how are the journey. While the plot and character development are what draw you into the book, it is simultaneously the story of aging, societal treatment of older persons, friendship, inter-generational families, and women owning their power. Let me just say, this book has me wishing for the day when I have the time Poppy (and crew) have but hoping I use that time for good (or maybe instead for what is right).

After reading this book, I am left thinking: We need to do a better job of respecting the aging process, especially since, if we are doing this life right, we are all aging!

Mood: If you want a cozy mystery, dripping is witty sarcasm that will have you literally laughing out loud, this is your book.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three Golden-Age Musketeers Fighting Senior Moments!

Charming, clever whodunit - a bit slow out of the gate but the pace picks up quickly when feisty octogenarian Poppy Montgomery and her two sidekicks spring into action to solve a mysterious death in the local retirement home. This involves unmasking the unscrupulous crooks who stalk their prey on “Senior Moments”, a dating site for elderly singles (love the name!). The threesome’s quirky quest becomes a heartwarming story about aging, loneliness, family, friendship, and more.

Thank you, Gordon Jack, for this engaging tale. Should be required reading for low-tech lonesome seniors!
I look forward to Poppy's future adventures!

[Tiffany Karow · Rating 5 out of 5]

F&$:king Brilliant

Gordon is an amazing writer. I had so much fun reading this book. I don’t usually read mysteries, but I’m glad I did. The characters are so well developed. I want to know more. I can’t wait to read the sequels.

Poppy is so relatable and I found myself loving her transformation throughout the book. Her relationship with her grandson, and Max and Ginny were heartwarming . I found Poppy to be a great reminder that we can’t live our lives alone and that even if we are coldhearted and annoyed with the world, there are always a few good friends who make us laugh and have our backs.

I can’t wait to share this book with friends!

[Nissan Ching · Rating 4 out of 5]

Out of the many books I’ve read about retirees solving and/or doing crimes, Poppy is probably the main character I liked most. She is relatable in that she’s just a normal, flawed person with a mischievous streak. I especially loved her relationship with her grandson. I feel like the resolution was not satisfying, but I enjoyed the story nonetheless.

[Mia Glasman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved reading Poppy's journey. I smiled and laughed the whole way through, seeing the world from the perspective of a sharp and cynical elderly woman. The plot took so many twists and turns and kept me guessing until the end. My 85-year old mother will get a kick out of this...as will friends and colleagues my age. Highly recommend this fun read!

[Tiffany E-P · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I get older, I’m more and more interested in books about senior life. I liked that Poppy didn’t let scammers take advantage of her and her friends. And the scene where she and Max take care of a burglar-amazing!

[Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s nothing like seeing scammers get theirs. Especially when it’s 3 women over 70 running the revenge operation. Poppy, Ginny, and Max are a delightful trio. Poppy’s many flaws and deep regrets, never mind snarky and salty take on things, make her an especially compelling MC. Her slacker daughter with bad taste in men and her basement-dwelling grandson have you thinking in the beginning that she’s also getting scammed on a daily basis. But both Meg and Jeremy have their own journeys of growth while Poppy herself grows by leaps and bounds. The mystery is great and the characters even greater, which is why I looked forward to reading this every night.

[Cutty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that this was a fun book I appreciated old people depicted as having spunk and intelligence. Especially liked how much Poppy swore! Women in a senior home are getting scammed online inside a dating app called Senior Moments. Poppy’s BF Ginny is one if these women. She has allowed a man access to her banking account to launder money. Poppy, with the help of her basement living grandson, scam the scammers. There are wonderful moments of friendship, building self awareness, and family dynamics that end well.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

So entertaining from beginning to end! Loved the snarky Poppy, her friends and their adventures. Can't wait to share this book with my mom!

[DaniPhantom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m loving all these murder mysteries with elderly main characters. Really shows how fun they can be!! Poppy is such a fun & sassy character and I am all for scamming scammers. Bonus points for her getting a cat.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

80 year old Poppy Montgomery has a negative view of life.
She meets a new friend at water aerobics and slowly changes her view on life. Soon another friend from the aerobics class joins the circle.
When one of them is scammed on a dating site for seniors,Poppy enlists her grandson to help get even....
But murders soon happen and the game gets serious...
Poppy is a character that some may find hard to like at first. But the writer does a good job in getting us to eventually like her.
Good characters all around.
I hope we get another book with them!

[Elizabeth Bevins]

DNF I needed Poppy to be more feisty and do more getting even!

[Joshua Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is hilarious! The character development in 342 pages is a spectacle to behold. Couple that with dry humor and an intriguing plot, this was a fun read.

[Holly Hawkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Mira · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️🎧

So much fun!