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The Unexpected Mrs Pollifax Paperback – July 23, 2020

by Dorothy Gilman (Author)

4.6 250 ratings

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Mrs Emily Pollifax is a 60-ish widow wanting more from life than teas and garden club meetings. In search of adventure, she decides to offer her services to the CIA - who, after all, would spot a suburban grandmother as a cold war secret agent? - and adventure she finds.

Her first assignment, in Mexico City, doesn't sound dangerous - until something goes wrong. She suddenly finds herself abducted across the world, embroiled in quite a hot Cold War... and her abductors find themselves entangled with one unbelievably feisty lady.

Armed with only an open mind and a little karate, Mrs Pollifax is the most lovable and unlikely of international spies.

What readers are saying:

"Love, love, love Mrs Pollifax. Ms Gilman has an extraordinary way of keeping you on the edge of your seat and turning the pages of her books."

"How can a sweet little old lady get into so much trouble? Mrs Pollifax is a gem and a hoot!"

"A book that gives you a big smile on every page. I'm looking forward to my next Mrs Pollifax adventure."

"Who wouldn't fall in love with a senior citizen who wears absurd hats, pushes the book cart at the hospital, and knows karate?"

"I first read the Mrs Pollifax books when I was a little girl and I keep coming back to read the books again and again."

"Read it, it's the best thing you can do for yourself. It's like a reminder of the zest for life."

Editorial reviews:

"Mrs Pollifax is an enchantress." New York Times

"Mrs Pollifax gives Agatha Christie's Miss Marple a rival to reckon with." Toronto Star

"Filled with adventures-and misadventures-but through it all Mrs Pollifax is triumphant." Booklist

"Absorbing and worthwhile ... You won't want to put the book down." Portland Telegram

"The pace never flags, bolstered by the shrewd Mrs P. and a host of well-defined characters who all work their surprising wiles." Publishers Weekly

"Should delight you whether you're looking for smiles or thrills." New York Times Book Review

"All's right with the world as long as Mrs Pollifax is part of it." Mobile Register

Print length

242 pages
Language

English
Publication date

July 23, 2020
Dimensions

5.06 x 0.55 x 7.81 inches
ISBN-10

1788422880
ISBN-13

978-1788422888
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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Farrago (July 23, 2020)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 242 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1788422880
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1788422888
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.9 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.06 x 0.55 x 7.81 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #375,670 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #2,227 in Espionage Thrillers (Books)
- #8,162 in Amateur Sleuths
- #13,089 in Women Sleuths (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.6 250 ratings

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Dorothy Gilman

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Dorothy Gilman is the author of thirteen Mrs. Pollifax novels, beginning with The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax and continuing through Mrs. Pollifax, Innocent Tourist. She lives in Westport, Connecticut.

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4.6 out of 5

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Jane Webster

Better than I remembered

Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2022

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This story still holds up decades after first reading - and that’s not always the case. Completely recommended for those reading again as well as those discovering Mrs Pollifax for the first time.

3 people found this helpful

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Fritzie White

Dated, but delicious

Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2022

I recently picked up the first five books in this series, as a matching set from Farrago. I have to admit that all books subsequent to these five just don't "do it" for me - the author goes through a Middle East phase that I don't care for, and the writing doesn't seem to be as up to par as in the earlier books.

I discovered these books probably in the 70s, when I was very young, and loved them, but they resonate even more now that I'm forty years older and about the age of Mrs. Pollifax!

This first book starts out with Mrs. Pollifax tired of life. Her husband has died, her two children live in other states, and she's contemplating suicide. As I read it this time, I found myself wondering if this first chapter had been based on Dorothy Gilman's own life. She wrote this book in 1966, only in her 40s, I think, but she'd been recently divorced and her children had moved away...

Having been written in 1966, of course it's dated - no cellphones, no passport needed to get into Mexico, apparently!, and the political stage with Red China and Russia vastly different now than it was then.

But I read these types of books for what they are - insights into the world of the 1960s.

Mrs. Pollifax is a fun character and a wonderful role model. As she is thrust into danger and risks losing her life on several occasions, she realizes how precious it is but also how you must still take risks and let the chips fall where they may.

Some of it does take a suspension of disbelief - I don't want to say more without spoiling things - but again, I just enjoy it for what it is. It, and its characters, are of their time.

Mrs. Pollifax's reactions to what she goes through is totally believable. She begins as a somewhat naive "elderly" woman, but with inner strength and common sense, and her character learns and grows.

GIlman's writing is at its best in this book (and the four subsequent books that I'll be reviewing). She describes her settings in great detail, including the beauty and sorrow that is Albania. Her characters are believable and come to life - she and her cohort in this adventure, John Sebastian Farrell, are wonderful together.

Highly recommended!

Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2021

Mrs. Pollifax is an utterly amazing woman! A retired woman, who has nothing but her little hobbies and various club meetings to attend to, what else is there to do it in life, but to pursue becoming a CIA agent? Why don't we all do that sort of thing?! At the very least, it is bunches of fun to ride along with Mrs. Pollifax in this introductory story as she goes on her undercover mission in Mexico, and somehow ends up kidnapped in Albania. What a zany plot! But super fun.

Recommended for: Adults
Suitable for: Ages 15 & up
(Contains some mild/coarse language.)

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

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Top reviews from other countries

sandra brooks

Intriguing read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 10, 2024

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Loving these books. Enough intrigue to keep you on your toes. Easy to read . Very enjoyable. A good one for us older ladies.

Veedub

Just as good as I remembered

Reviewed in Australia on June 30, 2021

Verified Purchase

I first read this book in the early seventies and enjoyed it then. Reading it again in my seventies as opposed to my twenties I related to Mrs Pollifax in an entirely different way. It was interesting going back and remembering a time before technology - no mobile phones, no computers, no email, no phone cameras - it would have been a very different story in today’s times. I enjoyed the book just as much the second time around.

san roberts

Very enjoyable read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 27, 2023

Verified Purchase

Lives up to its title very unexpected Mrs Pollifax. Most enjoyable read, great for taking ypur mind off the daily chores and escaping.

Kate Parrick

Unexpectedly brilliant

Reviewed in Australia on December 14, 2021

Verified Purchase

You cannot go wrong with Mrs Pollifax. She is a superb character and her adventures, while terribly cliched US imperial, are great fun.

doggo

Quite fun

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 24, 2021

Verified Purchase

After a few pages I decided this book wasn't for me.Then I decided to carry on and I'm really glad I did.

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