Mrs. Pollifax, Innocent Tourist [Large Print] [Paperback]

Dorothy Gilman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 11, 1997 | Series: Random House Large Print

The spry Connecticut matron and CIA secret weapon Mrs. Pollifax poses as a New York City bag lady in order to catch a Middle Eastern smuggler who holds the key to the power of Iraqi strongman Saddam Hussein. (Mystery).

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Spunky Emily Pollifax, the occasional CIA operative last seen in Mrs. Pollifax and the Lion Killer (1996), travels to Jordan with former Company agent John Sebastian Farrell to receive a manuscript smuggled from Iraq, written by an executed dissident Iraqi novelist. As Farrell's cover, Mrs. Pollifax poses as his tourist cousin but immediately is up to her flowered straw hat in intrigue. In Amman, she discovers that her airplane seatmate hid a carving in her luggage that contains a mysterious map and key; then her room is searched. Simultaneously, the CIA learns that notorious Jordanian terrorist Suhair Slaman recently sneaked into and out of the U.S. Was he Emily's seatmate? You bet. Farrell's contact doesn't show up for their scheduled meeting at the Crusader castle at Karak, although Emily does find a dead body there. When their guide, Youseff, and his sister, Hanan, invite them to visit their grandfather, a desert sheik, they're trailed by Jordanian terrorists, the Iraqi secret police and Amman police Inspector Jafer. The climax occurs at an ancient desert fort, where Mrs. Pollifax fells the villains with karate. Whatever they lack in subtlety, the reliably delightful Mrs. Pollifax stories make up for in charming, intelligent characters, brisk action and seductive scenery. Author tour.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

The always delightful Emily Pollifax is back in another hair-raising adventure. Mrs. Pollifax's latest mission is a trip to the Middle East with her CIA friend Farrell to retrieve a manuscript written by a murdered dissident. The manuscript, thinly disguised as fiction, provides provocative details of Saddam Hussein's reign of terror. The pickup, arranged through an intermediary, proves much more difficult than Farrell or Mrs. Pollifax anticipated, what with smugglers disguised as businessmen, attacks by knife-wielding sheikhs, car chases, and rides on berserk camels. By the end, the always gracious Mrs. P., as expected, has fingered the baddies, restored order to the universe, and made some delightful new friends in adverse circumstances. Fun and entertaining, this one is sure to be a hit with the legion of Mrs. Pollifax fans. Emily Melton --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 244 pages
• Publisher: Random House Large Print (February 11, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679774203
• ISBN-13: 978-0679774204
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,439,196 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unexpectedly Charming, February 28, 2000

By 

"mg18" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mrs. Pollifax, Innocent Tourist (Mrs. Pollifax Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

Having a few hours at my disposal this morning, I picked up this, my first Mrs Pollifax, which I'd been given as a gift, but never read. Imagine my surprise when what I thought would be an insubstantial bit of fluff turned out to be a well-plotted, riveting introduction to a woman whose further acquaintance I shall certainly pursue.

Mrs Pollifax's adventures in Jordan have nothing of the implausible about them, a neat trick when one considers that the premise is so fantastic: a grandmotherly gardening enthusiast who just happens to be a well-trained CIA "asset." Her lively approach to what life brings her is utterly charming; beware, Mrs Pollifax will steal your heart away.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mrs. Pollifax goes to the Middle East, May 1, 2003

By 

Karen Potts (Lake Jackson, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mrs. Pollifax, Innocent Tourist (Mrs. Pollifax Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

Mrs. Pollifax's friend Farrell asks her to accompany him on a mission to Jordan to retrieve the manuscript of a dissident author in Iraq. The author was a friend of Farrell's who was killed because he told uncomfortable truths about the reign of Saddam Hussein. On the flight to the Middle East, Mrs. Pollifax sits next to a man who turns out to be someone other than who he says he is. Farrell and Mrs. P. go through the requisite chases, shootings, and beatings until a happy conclusion is reached. I am curious about why Mrs. Pollifax married Cyrus in an earlier book in the series, because author Gilman manages to keep him well away from his wife's adventures. As always Mrs. Pollifax delights the reader and does not seem to need a leading man.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another fun trip with an old friend, February 8, 2001

By 

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

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This review is from: Mrs. Pollifax, Innocent Tourist (Mrs. Pollifax Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

Mrs. Pollifax is at it again. This time, helping Farrell, she travels to Jordan to get a manuscript. Of course, her trip couldn't be that uneventful. She soon finds herself involved in not one, but two cases of international intrige. Can she find her way out of both of them?

This book really felt like coming back to an old friend. The relationship between Farrell and Mrs. P. is wonderful as always. I really do wish that we would see more of Cyrus, however. The new characters are interesting and entertaining. The plot was entertaining and kept me confused about several things until the very end. It was good escapist fun, exactly what it tries to be. If you aren't familiar with the antics of the CIA's secret weapon, buy a copy now. You won't regret it.