AUG 18/NETGALLEY ARC/ Imogene's Grand Fiasco The Misadventures of Imogene Taylor by David Putnam

 

Pub Date Jun 24 2025 | Archive Date Aug 18 2025

Level Best Books | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles

General Fiction (Adult) | Mystery & Thrillers | Women's Fiction  

Talking about this book? Use #ImogenesGrandFiasco #NetGalley.

---

Description

Seventy-five-year-old Imogene Taylor just wants to smoke her Marlboros and watch the world go by from her divan. But fate has other plans.

When Imogene's new job at a pawn shop turns out to be part of an elaborate criminal scheme, she finds herself trapped between warring mobsters, dirty cops, and a mysterious puppet master plotting to rob the Bank of the West during the town's Fourth of July parade. With her parole on the line and innocent lives at stake, Imogene must use her prison-honed instincts to untangle a web of blackmail, corruption, and murder before the whole town erupts in violence.

Standing between chaos and salvation is one tough-as-nails grandmother with a .380 in her purse and a voice in her head named Ange offering questionable advice. But even Imogene's quick wit and steady trigger finger may not be enough when the fireworks start flying and blood begins spilling on the streets of West Valley.

From the author of PEEKABOO POTUS comes another darkly comic crime caper featuring the unforgettable Imogene Taylor, former convict, reluctant hero, and the most dangerous senior citizen in San Bernardino County. 

---

A Note From the Publisher

eBook: 9781685128616

---

Available Editions

EDITION	Paperback
ISBN	9781685128609
PRICE	$16.95 (USD)
PAGES	236

Links

• Publisher Website

Available on NetGalley

NetGalley Reader (EPUB)

NetGalley Shelf App (EPUB)

Send to Kindle (EPUB)

Send to Kobo (EPUB)

Download (EPUB)

 --------------5 STARS TITLED:" WILD WEST KINDA WOMAN and Her Gang"

I really liked strange, weird Imogene and her gallows humor. Which at least one time sent her and her only friend, Suz into gales of laughter. Life had been SO unjust to Imogene !!! I so wanted Imogene to win, not sure how that was going to happen. I hated her new parole officer. He was a bully, a woman hater and he especially hated her ! He is just ONE of many people who are after her. Quite a few trying to draw her back into a life of crime and she definitely DIDN'T want to go !

Luke  was an interesting person, criminal who showed up in her life. Making me wonder how that was going to work. Although attracted to this younger criminal, she saw right through him, right away ! At first he seemed attracted to her but she also scared the heck out of him !  She sure could put on the gun moll act without hardly blinking ! He also was pretty attracted to her friend Suz which alarmed Imogene. Suz often called Imogene, "E" which was pretty funny. Imogene kept wondering how sometimes, he sounded like a dumb cowboy bumpkin with an accent and at others times, no accent and sounding kinda smart. Had me wondering too.  A lot of times I was scratching my head, thinking what is going on? But I loved that, it did flow great as time continued on. Don't get me wrong, there are times of sadness in this story too.  Almost made me cry. 

There were plenty of Misogamists, in the story too.  I laughed at Imogene's inner talk with her "invisible" friend from prison, who often gave her a lot of laughs but also some pretty dangerous ideas. Ideas that could re- land her in the clink ! Imogene is quite knowledgeable about crimes and procedures because she read a lot in prison and gains some great info and pull from people in high places that she shouldn't know. 

 PEEKABOO POTUS, BESSIE GOTTSCHALK the main character,was mentioned in this book and now I wish I had been able to read this prior book !  Sounds outrageously good too !

I loved not only the humor, the fear of being caught done so dramatically but also the unexpected person of Thelma. Scary funny person.  And to top it off, a great, humorous ending.

I so appreciate Netgalley and David Putnam for the opportunity to read this book. Now I want more of a series about Imogene !