I read The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman in the 1970 Reader’s Digest Condensed version. I eventually read the full version, and every other book by Ms. Gilman except her young adult title. (I’ve heard it is exceptional.) I’ve read her two clairvoyant countess books and her stand-alones. When I started reading about Mrs. Pollifax, she was quite a bit older than I was. Now, I’m older than she ever thought to be. How did that happen?
Did Dorothy Gilman come along when male authors controlled detectives and spies? I think so, for I can’t remember other mysteries of the time with an older woman as the heroine. Her Mrs. Pollifax talked her way into being a spy, going to far-away and exotic lands, and rescuing herself and others through her wits and karate skill.
This blog entry answers the Sisters in Crime challenge honoring their (our, I’m one too) 25 years as advocates for women authors. I’m trying for the moderate challenge - four blogs, each about two female authors who write in a similar vein. Actually, I have two additional authors to list.
First is M. C. Beaton (Marion Chesney Beaton), author of the Agatha Raisin series. Her sleuth is a feisty older woman (check) who travels to exotic areas (check) and runs into murderous problems (check). Second is Carolyn G. Hart, author of the Henri O series. Her sleuth is a thoughtful older woman (check) who travels to exotic areas (check) and happens upon deathly events. All of these authors have taken the “older woman” and run with it. As an older woman myself, I enjoy them all.
I shouldn’t toot my own horn and mention my own older woman sleuth, but I was inspired by Dorothy Gilman. My Jo Durbin is a nosy older woman (check) who travels to exotic places (well, not really) and runs into baaad deadly situations (check). Added bonus, like Mrs. Pollifax, she gets herself out jams with her karate skills. (She keeps in practice to stay in shape. Naturally. We older women must tend to our well-being.)
Did Dorothy Gilman come along when male authors controlled detectives and spies? I think so, for I can’t remember other mysteries of the time with an older woman as the heroine. Her Mrs. Pollifax talked her way into being a spy, going to far-away and exotic lands, and rescuing herself and others through her wits and karate skill.
This blog entry answers the Sisters in Crime challenge honoring their (our, I’m one too) 25 years as advocates for women authors. I’m trying for the moderate challenge - four blogs, each about two female authors who write in a similar vein. Actually, I have two additional authors to list.
First is M. C. Beaton (Marion Chesney Beaton), author of the Agatha Raisin series. Her sleuth is a feisty older woman (check) who travels to exotic areas (check) and runs into murderous problems (check). Second is Carolyn G. Hart, author of the Henri O series. Her sleuth is a thoughtful older woman (check) who travels to exotic areas (check) and happens upon deathly events. All of these authors have taken the “older woman” and run with it. As an older woman myself, I enjoy them all.
I shouldn’t toot my own horn and mention my own older woman sleuth, but I was inspired by Dorothy Gilman. My Jo Durbin is a nosy older woman (check) who travels to exotic places (well, not really) and runs into baaad deadly situations (check). Added bonus, like Mrs. Pollifax, she gets herself out jams with her karate skills. (She keeps in practice to stay in shape. Naturally. We older women must tend to our well-being.)
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