From the Bookshelf of Retro Reads…

The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax (Mrs. Pollifax, #1)

Dorothy Gilman

Start date: April 10, 2019

Finish date: May 9, 2019

Discussion: Buddy reads

Discussion leader: Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽

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What Members Thought

Mar 01, 2019 Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽ rated it really liked it

Shelves: spy-vs-spy, oldies-but-goodies, mystery

Cold War spy thriller, written in 1966, that manages to be both cozy and steely. For the uninitiated (like me), this is the first book in a series of old-fashioned Cold War spy novels, featuring one Mrs. Pollifax. She's a rather fluffy, quirky and kindhearted lady in her 60s, with an unexpected core of steel. You have to like her.

Mrs. Pollifax is a widow who lives alone, and her despair at the monotony and lack of excitement in her life leads her to take a trip to the CIA offices in Washington ...more

107 likes · Like · see review

Apr 27, 2019 Elinor rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I have a new literary heroine -- Mrs. Pollifax is a bored senior who decides to apply to work for the C.I.A. as a spy. Her first assignment takes her to Mexico, and then to Albania, of all places, where she must dig deep to overcome the most life-threatening physical challenges. This book was published in 1966. Here's my general observation on older books. When I read contemporary "light fiction," it does not stand up well to the writing characterized as light fiction written decades ago, as is ...more

13 likes · Like · see review

Jul 28, 2014 Jen rated it it was amazing

I completely loved this book. It's not quite a cozy mystery, more like a cozy spy thriller? The main character was truly unexpected. The plot was slightly dated in who the "enemy" was, but it was a delightful romp, with a bit of seriousness thrown in to keep the reader on the edge of their seat. I really liked the main character and can see my Grandmom as her toughness and ability to think on her feet. :) I also loved the fact that she was from New Jersey and it WASN'T a dig or slam against the ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Apr 10, 2019 Bobbie rated it really liked it

Shelves: mystery-suspense, group-reads

This little book, the first of a series, contains a little of everything with laughs as well as Cold War suspense and tension. It is rather unbelievable but somehow intense and even rather heartwarming in places. It was enjoyable and I plan to read more of this series, just for fun. This was a group read for the Retro Group, for April 2019.

3 likes · Like · see review

May 24, 2016 Theresa rated it really liked it

Shelves: mystery

Mrs. Pollifax has raised her two children and is a widow in her sixties.

"As she passed the desk the engagement calendar caught her eye and she stopped to glance at it with a sense of ennui. This was Monday; on Tuesday she wheeled the bookcart at the hospital, on Wednesday she rolled bandages, on Thursday morning there was a meeting of the Art Association and in the afternoon she worked in the gift shop of the hospital. On Friday the Garden Club met, on Saturday morning she would have her hair t ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Nov 09, 2019 Tuesdayschild rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audio, 2024-read, 2021-read, 2024-audio, cosy-mystery, usa, mystery, 2016-read, 2025-read, 2025-audio

2025: 4⭐️ Repeat, late nightlistening

2024 & 2022: (as below)

2021: 4⭐️ I enjoyed this beginning story to the Mrs. Pollifax series more this time through, as I knew - from what I could remember - there were no nasty, unexpected, surprises and Mrs. Pollifax's initial suicidal depression became the catalyst for her to try to become a spy.

2016: 3⭐️
Audiobook.

Recommended by another educating at home friend as a possible cosy mystery series for my voracious reading pre-teen.

(I'm writing this review af ...more

1 like · Like · see review