Reviews

The Amazing Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman

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whimsicalmeerkat's review against another edition

4.0

I enjoyed this book even more than the first both when I read them as a teen and now. Emily Pollifax is a delightful character, and while the adventures in which she lands are wildly improbably, they are also wildly fun to read. Delightful books which I highly recommend.

caz82_bennett's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

lfsalden's review against another edition

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5.0

Best of the whole delightful series!

book_concierge's review against another edition

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3.0

Mrs Pollifax (Emily), a widow with grandchildren, was living a safe but boring life in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Until the CIA asked her to become a courier, that is. Well, she had a wonderful adventure and is now back in New Brunswick, attending Garden Club meetings and taking karate lessons. But a phone call from her CIA contact, Mr Carstairs, quickly changes her plans. He has another assignment for her; she is to go to Istanbul, Turkey – now.

This is a delightfully imaginative (and highly improbable) cozy series. Mrs Pollifax is a marvelous main character – steadfast, quick thinking, polite (unless someone needs a karate chop to the throat), and courageous. I love how “proper” she is, making her forays into dangerous situations both humorous and fraught with peril. Her ability to make friends of total strangers and gather about her a variety of allies makes for a colorful cast of characters and some unexpected turns in the plot. A fast-paced, easy read. I’ll definitely keep on with the series.