The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax (Mrs. Pollifax 1), by Dorothy Gilman

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I have had The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax, by Dorothy Gilman, on my TBR list for a while. I was finally inspired to read it this month in preparation for the upcoming book discussion at the annual Malice Domestic convention. It is out of my comfort zone of reading because it isn't the traditional cozy mystery I tend to gravitate towards. However, I was excited to read it because I've been hearing nothing but great things about it from people who typically like the same kinds of books I do.

Mrs. Emily Pollifax is a 60 something retired widow with grown children. She is bored with her mundane life and wants to fulfill a greater purpose. After receiving a clean bill of physical health, but feeling like she wants more out of life, she decides to pursue her childhood dream of becoming a spy for the CIA. 

As a result of a mix-up at the agency, Mrs. Pollifax is hired by Mr. Carstairs to complete a simple and seemingly safe task. She is to go to Mexico, pretend to be a tourist for a while, then walk into a store on a specific day and ask for a book. She is given specific words to say. Upon receiving the book, she is to bring it back to the States. What could possibly go wrong?

It turns out, a lot. 

Mrs. Pollifax is kidnapped to an unfamiliar land and placed in a prison with another agent, Farrell. While there, they meet another mysterious prisoner, whom they refer to as the "genie". Together they must work together to plan and carry out an escape. And let me tell you, they make quite the trio!

This book was written in the 1960s during the Cold War era. I'm not usually interested in books written during this time period, so that's one reason why it was out of my comfort zone. History was my weakest link in school and I'm not familiar with the Cold War. I'm sure it was taught, but it just didn't stick for me. I'm happy to say that while it's certainly obvious that this is when the story is set, there is not a lot of focus on the Cold War itself. It's present just enough to set the scene and let the reader know the conditions under which the story takes place.

It sounds like a serious plot, and it is. Really bad things happen. However, it is well-balanced with light-heartedness and humor. Some of what happens in this book is unlikely to happen in real life. But that's why I read fiction. It's an escape. I found myself smiling a lot and laughing out loud several times. For me, the single most important element of a book is the cast of characters. Of course, other elements, like the plot, need to be strong as well, but it's really the characters that make me want to keep reading. Not all of the characters in this book are meant to be likeable, but the ones who are, are so likeable you will want to sit down and have a cup of tea with them. 

Mrs. Pollifax herself makes for an incredibly strong (in every sense of the word) protagonist. She's loyal, witty, and fun, and she sees the best in everyone. She's also very intelligent, perceptive, and resourceful. As much as she sees the best in everyone, she knows what she needs to do. If I'm ever in a pickle, I would want Mrs. Pollifax by my side. Don't get me wrong, though. She's also realistic and isn't always optimistic about the way things are going, understandably so. Basically, she's human and I adore this side of her as well.

The plot in this first in series moves at a swift pace. Before we get into the real action, the author took the time to introduce us to Mrs. Pollifax. But after that, the plot really gets going. It does settle down a bit in the middle, which I think was necessary for plot development, but not for long. It soon speeds up and becomes so engaging you will not want to put it down.

If you're an audiobook fan, you're in luck. Not only did I read this book, I also listened to it. It is narrated beautifully by Barbara Rosenblat. She really brings Mrs. Pollifax and the other characters to life with her flawless narration. Audiobooks can be hit or miss for me. This one was definitely a hit.

If you're in the mood for a cozy suspense (I'm not sure if this is the official genre for this book, but that's how I think of it), then I highly recommend The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax, by Dorothy Gilman. It was an unexpected delight for me and I will definitely be reading more in the Mrs. Pollifax series.