Mrs. Pollifax on Safari [Mass Market Paperback]

Dorothy Gilman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 12, 1985

"Mrs. Pollifax is the American cousin to Agatha Christie's Miss Marple."
TORONTO STAR
Mrs. Pollifax has been sent on safari by the C.I.A. and told only to take pictures of all of her companions, in order to find the international assassin whose next target is the president of Zambia. It sounded so simple, but shortly after Mrs. Pollifax started taking pictures, someone stole her film. And right after that she was kidnapped by Rhodesian terrorists. And right after that--well, read for yourself....

--This text refers to an alternate Mass Market Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

My grandmother is a big fan of the MRS. POLLIFAX mysteries by Dorothy Gilman. I was at first hesitant
to try the books, because I wasn't sure if I'd be able to relate to mysteries featuring a suburban grandmother
working for the CIA. But because my grandmother's taste in literature has always been impeccable,
I decided to delve into Mrs. Pollifax's adventures. I began with THE UNEXPECTED MRS. POLLIFAX, the first
in the series, and immediately found them delightful. Mrs. Pollifax is just the kind of grandmother I'd
love to have: resourceful, intelligent, somewhat sly, and, of course, a secret CIA operative. Her
adventures take her to all corners of the globe: from an authentically described communist China
(MRS. POLLIFAX ON THE CHINA STATION) to an exhilarating safari across Africa (MRS. POLLIFAX ON
SAFARI). I've thoroughly enjoyed joining her on her adventures, and intend to read them all. I recommend them
to everyone who's interested in learning about different countries and cultures--and, obviously, espionage!

--Malinda Lo, Editorial Assistant --This text refers to an alternate Mass Market Paperback edition.

From the Inside Flap

"Mrs. Pollifax is the American cousin to Agatha Christie's Miss Marple."
TORONTO STAR
Mrs. Pollifax has been sent on safari by the C.I.A. and told only to take pictures of all of her companions, in order to find the international assassin whose next target is the president of Zambia. It sounded so simple, but shortly after Mrs. Pollifax started taking pictures, someone stole her film. And right after that she was kidnapped by Rhodesian terrorists. And right after that--well, read for yourself.... --This text refers to an alternate Mass Market Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback
• Publisher: Fawcett (September 12, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0449210111
• ISBN-13: 978-0449210116
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)

More About the Author

Dorothy Gilman is the author of thirteen Mrs. Pollifax novels, beginning with The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax and continuing through Mrs. Pollifax, Innocent Tourist. She lives in Westport, Connecticut.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cork hat and Umbrella, June 17, 2000

By 

Bradley - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mrs. Pollifax on Safari (Mass Market Paperback)

Mrs. Polifax is a lovable charector. Her adventurs have always been mystifying and this one is no exception. Her African adventure is exciting. Plus her mission seems sweet and inocent. Take photographs. Soon however it turns for the worst. Her film is stolen, police make a surprise visit, and then she is Kidnapped. Whats next? Well.... no sorry that would give away too much. Sit down and read this masterpiece. You won't regret it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another fun outing for Mrs. Pollifax, February 1, 2002

By 

Kevin W. Parker (Greenbelt, MD) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mrs. Pollifax on Safari (Mass Market Paperback)

(Based on the audiotape, no longer available (?) )

Mrs. Pollifax is called upon by the CIA to undertake another mission, this time to photograph members of a safari, one of whom is an international assassin, nicknamed Aristotle. She innocently posts an ad in the local newspaper trying to contact her old friend Farrell from the first book. This leads to major complications as Farrell is involved with the freedom fighters across the border and has made some enemies. Another entertaining outing and with a bit of romance as a fellow traveler takes a fancy to Mrs. Pollifax. Barbara Rosenblat does another excellent job reading, coming up with clear, distinct, and identifiable voices for a myriad of characters.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Dark Cotenant Can't Darken Mrs. Pollifax, March 11, 2009

By 

Mark Baker (Santa Clarita, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mrs. Pollifax on Safari (Mass Market Paperback)

Carstairs has gotten intel that the assassin Aristotle is going to be on a safari in Zambia to arrange his next hit. Since no one even knows what he looks like, Carstairs knows this is a great opportunity to gather information. He immediately calls his favorite innocent tourist. Mrs. Pollifax's mission is to take pictures of the other people on the safari. The CIA will use them to figure out who Aristotle really is.

But the first night of the safari, Mrs. Pollifax discovers that her film has been stolen. Suddenly, things are personal, and she decides she will not only take the pictures but figure out who Aristotle is. Can she do that when her fellow travelers seem so nice? What secrets might they be hiding?

It's been years since I read this book, so I had forgotten most of it. I was surprised to find how slow I felt the book started. There is also a bit of background, but this time it didn't seem as much a part of the story. Once she arrives at the safari, things pick up. There are some fun moments along the way as well as a couple of great twists and a reunion with a character from another book. Mrs. Pollifax is her usual resourceful is slightly naive self. And several of the others characters are equally charming.

The book might not be quite as enjoyable as I remembered it, but it will still please fans of the series.