The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax

Dorothy Gilman

9/22/2001

Mrs. Virgil Pollifax is older, a widow and grandmother, active in her garden club, volunteers in different groups and hospitals, and is depressed. She realizes that she is close to suicide. She visits her doctor. His suggestion was for her to try something she has always wanted to do. She thinks about it and decides he is right. She follows a dream from when she was young. She goes to CIA headquarters and volunteers to be a spy.

Carstairs is the head of one of the CIA's covert operations departments. While waiting for another person, he meets Mrs. Pollifax in the briefing room. She is exactly what he needs for a courier position in Mexico City. Mrs. Pollifax has done the impossible - she has walked in off the street and become a spy for the United States.

Fortunately Mrs. Pollifax is a resourceful person. Her courier position becomes dangerous. Her contact disappears and another man has replaced him. She doesn't realize until too late that she has walked into a Communist trap. When she disappears, the CIA is in trouble. Besides, Carstairs has an unusual bit of guilt. How could he have used her like that?

This novel is the first in the Mrs. Pollifax mystery series. Emily Pollifax is a senior wonder. This book dates itself because of the CIA timeline references. This is dropped later so she does not age. This is a fun mystery. Mrs. Pollifax surprises everyone, including herself, as she tries to be rescued. The characters are well introduced. The events are believable, although incredible. But I have read too many mystery novels - I was able to spot the "surprise" end early on. That didn't detract from the book.

You can find more about this book at .

The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax
The Amazing Mrs. Pollifax
The Elusive Mrs. Pollifax
A Palm for Mrs. Pollifax
Mrs. Pollifax on Safari
Mrs. Pollifax on the China Station
Mrs. Pollifax and the Hong Kong Buddha
Mrs. Pollifax and the Golden Triangle
Mrs. Pollifax and the Whirling Dervish
Mrs. Pollifax and the Second Thief
Mrs. Pollifax Pursued
Mrs. Pollifax and the Lion Killer
Mrs. Pollifax, Innocent Tourist
Mrs. Pollifax Unveiled