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Mrs. Pollifax #5
Mrs. Pollifax on Safari
Now the incredible Mrs. Pollifax has been sent on a safari to smoke out a very clever international assassin whose next target is the president of Zambia.
“Just take a lot of pictures of everyone on that safari,” the CIA man told her. “One of them has to be our man.”
It sounded simple enough. But it wasn’t. Because 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....
“Just take a lot of pictures of everyone on that safari,” the CIA man told her. “One of them has to be our man.”
It sounded simple enough. But it wasn’t. Because 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....
223 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1976
468 people are currently reading
1458 people want to read
About the author
Dorothy Gilman
120 books760 followersDorothy Edith Gilman started writing when she was 9 and knew early on she was to be a writer. At 11, she competed against 10 to 16-year-olds in a story contest and won first place. She attended Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and briefly the University of Pennsylvania. She planned to write and illustrate children's books. She married Edgar A. Butters Jr, in 1945, this ended in divorce in 1965. Dorothy worked as an art teacher & telephone operator before becoming an author. She wrote children’s stories for more than ten years under the name
Dorothy Gilman Butters
and then began writing adult novels about Mrs. Pollifax–a retired grandmother who becomes a CIA agent. The Mrs. Pollifax series made Dorothy famous. While her stories nourish people’s thirst for adventure and mystery, Dorothy knew about nourishing the body as well. On her farm in Nova Scotia, she grew medicinal herbs and used this knowledge of herbs in many of her stories, including A Nun in the Closet. She travelled extensively, and used these experiences in her novels as well. Many of Dorothy’s books, feature strong women having adventures around the world. In 2010 Gilman was awarded the annual Grand Master Award by the Mystery Writers of America. Dorothy spent much of her life in Connecticut, New Mexico, and Maine. She died at age 88 of complications of Alzheimer's disease. She is survived by two sons, Christopher Butters and Jonathan Butters; and two grandchildren.
Series:
* Mrs. Pollifax
Series:
* Mrs. Pollifax
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 577 reviews
December 29, 2023
One of the reasons why I enjoy book challenges is because I get to discover authors I have not met before. This time I needed a book set in a place beginning with Z and Mrs. Pollifax's safari in Zambia popped up. Now I have a whole series of great books to read!
It is a shame that I have begun at #5 but it did not matter at all in my enjoyment of the book. Mrs. Pollifax is an older woman, single, a keen gardener and a part time agent for the CIA. I look forward to reading the first books and finding out how she came to be a spy. In this book her job is to join a safari in Zambia and take photos of all the participants one of whom is an assassin. Sounds safe enough? Not really.
What a delightful character Mrs. P turns out to be and it was fun to see her developing a romantic interest as well as dealing with all the issues of spying on a very dangerous man. I also very much enjoyed her visit to Zambia taken only a few years before I spent time there myself. I have good memories of early morning safaris and spotting elephants and lions.
Altogether an excellent book and I now have the pleasure of going back to #1 and reading the whole series.
It is a shame that I have begun at #5 but it did not matter at all in my enjoyment of the book. Mrs. Pollifax is an older woman, single, a keen gardener and a part time agent for the CIA. I look forward to reading the first books and finding out how she came to be a spy. In this book her job is to join a safari in Zambia and take photos of all the participants one of whom is an assassin. Sounds safe enough? Not really.
What a delightful character Mrs. P turns out to be and it was fun to see her developing a romantic interest as well as dealing with all the issues of spying on a very dangerous man. I also very much enjoyed her visit to Zambia taken only a few years before I spent time there myself. I have good memories of early morning safaris and spotting elephants and lions.
Altogether an excellent book and I now have the pleasure of going back to #1 and reading the whole series.
January 31, 2022
Charles van Buren
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing entry in the series
June 25, 2019
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Review of the Kindle edition
Publication date: May 28, 2014
Publisher: Fawcett
Language: English
ASIN: B00K4C4H0I
Another tale of spies, humor, amazing adventures and derring-do featuring that irrepressible and formerly unexpected grandmother, Mrs. Pollifax. Forget realism, in fact forget reality, park your incredulity at the door and go along for the ride. The only fly in the ointment is that while the action and plot are expected to strain the believable in this series, I think that readers are entitled to expect accurate portrayals of the locations. Not in this book. Not only is it obvious that Dorothy Gilman knew little about Africa, it is also obvious that her research, if any, was most superficial. It is also obvious that for the political situation in Zambia and Rhodesia, she used just the prevailing fuzzy ideas of the 1960's and 1970's without looking any deeper. A great disappointment in a series which I usually enjoy.
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing entry in the series
June 25, 2019
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Review of the Kindle edition
Publication date: May 28, 2014
Publisher: Fawcett
Language: English
ASIN: B00K4C4H0I
Another tale of spies, humor, amazing adventures and derring-do featuring that irrepressible and formerly unexpected grandmother, Mrs. Pollifax. Forget realism, in fact forget reality, park your incredulity at the door and go along for the ride. The only fly in the ointment is that while the action and plot are expected to strain the believable in this series, I think that readers are entitled to expect accurate portrayals of the locations. Not in this book. Not only is it obvious that Dorothy Gilman knew little about Africa, it is also obvious that her research, if any, was most superficial. It is also obvious that for the political situation in Zambia and Rhodesia, she used just the prevailing fuzzy ideas of the 1960's and 1970's without looking any deeper. A great disappointment in a series which I usually enjoy.
July 26, 2022
In the mid-1970s, the unsinkable Emily Pollifax is assigned by the CIA to join a safari in Zambia in order to identify an assassin. As she never does only what she’s sent to do the result is, of course, a death-defying adventure!
As well as being very entertaining, this is also historically interesting as it was during this period that Zimbabwe / Rhodesia (oddly called Zambabwe in my Kindle edition) was fighting for freedom, covertly assisted by Zambia (ex Northern Rhodesia).
A quick read but so enjoyable. 4.5 stars.
As well as being very entertaining, this is also historically interesting as it was during this period that Zimbabwe / Rhodesia (oddly called Zambabwe in my Kindle edition) was fighting for freedom, covertly assisted by Zambia (ex Northern Rhodesia).
A quick read but so enjoyable. 4.5 stars.
October 19, 2011
I love it when you read a series that becomes better as you move into it. Better because you become more attached to the characters, more invested in their development, and pay more attention to the writing. I find Dorothy Gilman's writing to have lovely poetic glimpses and thoughtful moments. I also enjoy the specific time settings (cold war era) that nevertheless have a timeless feeling. They are "dated," but in a good, comfortable way.
In this book, I loved Mrs. Pollifax having a real romantic interest, but also not knowing for sure whether he was a good guy or a bad one.
In this book, I loved Mrs. Pollifax having a real romantic interest, but also not knowing for sure whether he was a good guy or a bad one.
June 11, 2018
An entertaining mystery with Mrs. Pollifax, the retired widow turned sleuth. It warrants 4 stars, but also an extra star for the location, Zambia, where I lived in the years in which the story takes place. Cairo Road and the Assembly building in Lusaka, Kafue National Park, the Kafue river… they all evoke fond memories.
June 19, 2025
Every bit as good as the first time I listened to Barbara Rosenblat read Dorothy Gilman's thoughtfully written adventure of the elderly female spy Mrs Pollifax. I love the wry humor and the pithy comments from the characters, especially Mrs. Pollifax. The inclusion of new character Cyrus Reed adds a bit of spice to this volume in the series.
Quotes that caught my ears:
"You're, what's the word they use these days, unattached?" asks Cyrus.
"A widow." responds Mrs. Pollifax.
"Ought to say I'm sorry, but can't. I like you." Cyrus.
She looked at him and began to laugh, "I really like your directness."
Amy Lovecraft "must once have been lovely, but so very often beautiful women grew up lopsided or didn't grow at all. She thought there was a curious hardness about her as if her beauty was a deceptively rich topsoil thinly spread over rock."
"Amy Lovecraft, thought Mrs. Pollifax, was definitely hunting something more than game."
"Having brought out her grievances and inspected them, Mrs. Pollifax began to feel better."
Quotes that caught my ears:
"You're, what's the word they use these days, unattached?" asks Cyrus.
"A widow." responds Mrs. Pollifax.
"Ought to say I'm sorry, but can't. I like you." Cyrus.
She looked at him and began to laugh, "I really like your directness."
Amy Lovecraft "must once have been lovely, but so very often beautiful women grew up lopsided or didn't grow at all. She thought there was a curious hardness about her as if her beauty was a deceptively rich topsoil thinly spread over rock."
"Amy Lovecraft, thought Mrs. Pollifax, was definitely hunting something more than game."
"Having brought out her grievances and inspected them, Mrs. Pollifax began to feel better."
January 27, 2018
I continue to really enjoy this series. They provide good, light-ish, amusing reads and this one is no exception. In this book I appreciate that Mrs. Pollifax continues to grow and find her own grove in her spying activities. I also appreciated the addition of a romantic element, and especially that this part of the book was included judiciously as an added element rather than taking over the overall story. I also appreciate that the story gave me a few good chuckles but still also the suspenseful adventurousness I expect from these books.
I will definitely read the next in the series to see where it all goes, and because I really do enjoy these books.
I will definitely read the next in the series to see where it all goes, and because I really do enjoy these books.
June 19, 2022
Always lovely to revisit Mrs Pollifax. In this book, Mrs. Pollifax is asked to travel to Zambia for safari to take photos of the group and hopefully help identify an assassin. I love her shopping for her dream safari complete with an eye catching umbrella. She has the extra bonus of looking up her colleague from her very first adventure, Farrell, though her naivety lead them to additional dangers. On the journey, Emily captures the attention of a retired judge from Connecticut which may lead to some different adventures for her. He is quick to rush and support her in saving the president of Zambia from an assassination and maintain the hold of independence against white colonizers in the region.
Fascinating to get a take on Zambia in the early years of independence. Gilman certainly did her homework on Zambia which I fully appreciated. There were some incongruencies with my own experiences in Zambia but I wonder if it is due more to it being a different era. I also loved that Mrs Pollifax as an older woman, widow and grandmother is still getting a bit of romance and Cyrus is smart to see her amazingness. Excited for the next one.
Fascinating to get a take on Zambia in the early years of independence. Gilman certainly did her homework on Zambia which I fully appreciated. There were some incongruencies with my own experiences in Zambia but I wonder if it is due more to it being a different era. I also loved that Mrs Pollifax as an older woman, widow and grandmother is still getting a bit of romance and Cyrus is smart to see her amazingness. Excited for the next one.
March 6, 2025
Another wonderful entry in the Mrs. Pollifax series. I loved the African safari setting and even though I figured out who the bad guy was pretty early on, I loved following Mrs. P on her adventures and a bit of a romance!
May 7, 2024
One of the best in a wonderful series. I've been reading these books since I discovered the first few back in the 70s, and they never get old. Mrs. Emily Pollifax of New Brunswick, New Jersey, is a courier for the CIA. At least, that's how she started out, carrying out simple trips where all that's needed is an ordinary, innocent looking person to pick up or drop off something. However, it quickly evolved that this 60-something Grandmother is capable of so much more. In this book she's sent on a photo safari to take pictures of everyone, hopefully including an international assassin. Of course Emily will do her job - and everyone else's, too.
By the time the book ends Mrs. P. not only gets her man - a serial killer who destabilizes nations - but she gets a man. This is the book where she meets Cyrus Reed. :) There are some interesting details about safaris and enough danger and adventure to satisfy just about anybody. Like every book in the series, it's an adventure/travel/spy novel rolled into one, with one of the best MCs you'll ever meet. Highly recommended and lots of fun!
NB - The audiobooks are excellent, too, though the narrator does make Mrs. P. sound too old. It took me a while to get over that. My daughter never did. Still, I like them so give them a try.
I recommend reading The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax first. Then you can proceed in order or jump around, it won't matter as much.
By the time the book ends Mrs. P. not only gets her man - a serial killer who destabilizes nations - but she gets a man. This is the book where she meets Cyrus Reed. :) There are some interesting details about safaris and enough danger and adventure to satisfy just about anybody. Like every book in the series, it's an adventure/travel/spy novel rolled into one, with one of the best MCs you'll ever meet. Highly recommended and lots of fun!
NB - The audiobooks are excellent, too, though the narrator does make Mrs. P. sound too old. It took me a while to get over that. My daughter never did. Still, I like them so give them a try.
I recommend reading The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax first. Then you can proceed in order or jump around, it won't matter as much.
May 23, 2022
3.5/5
A solidly entertaining adventure story. A bit more serious than the average Mrs. Pollifax story.
A solidly entertaining adventure story. A bit more serious than the average Mrs. Pollifax story.
July 31, 2023
This is another fun installment in this series. This time Emily Pollifax is sent to Zambia in order to photograph everyone on her safari in order to help the CIA find out the identity of an assassin known as Aristotle. Naturally she'd like to do more. Once again there are some clever twists. For history buffs, this book is set after Zambia became independent but before Zimbabwe regained its independence. There is mayhem and possibly murder along as she embarks on her journey.
December 12, 2014
Somehow for a long time, I have got disconnected with the spy fiction genre. It’s strange but in fact it was this genre and the writings of Frederick Forsyth, Colin Forbes and Robert Ludlum that made me realise my unhealthy addiction towards thrillers. But, somehow I don’t feel the same affinity with the modern spy thrillers. With their over use of gadgets and other technology I feel left out. And also the whole concept of one man fighting terrorist and uncovering political conspiracy over and over again without his cover as a spy being blown, is not digestible. For me a spy thriller served as standalone novel is the best way.
Mrs. Pollifax and her “spy” thrillers though fall in the category of a series, but still manage to hold my attention till the last page. The reasons being, a fast plot with a nice twist in the end, a very modern style of writing without extra long paras or flowery language. Even the methods used by Mrs. Pollifax to solve the crime or ferret out the criminal are traditional without much emphasis on the use of gadgets. And, lastly for the protagonist, Mrs. Pollifax herself. Not a spy in the traditional sense, much more of a information collector in this book, she gets embroiled in the thick of things and uses her skills a\to come out of the whole affair unharmed and victorious. For me she represents a perfect example of what Miss Marple would have been like had she lived in USA in the 1980s.
Though not as well read in recent times as these books by Dorothy Gilman should be, the writer and her series does form an integral part of any crime fiction lover’s bibliography. A thoroughly enjoyable and fast read, like most of the books in the series.
Mrs. Pollifax and her “spy” thrillers though fall in the category of a series, but still manage to hold my attention till the last page. The reasons being, a fast plot with a nice twist in the end, a very modern style of writing without extra long paras or flowery language. Even the methods used by Mrs. Pollifax to solve the crime or ferret out the criminal are traditional without much emphasis on the use of gadgets. And, lastly for the protagonist, Mrs. Pollifax herself. Not a spy in the traditional sense, much more of a information collector in this book, she gets embroiled in the thick of things and uses her skills a\to come out of the whole affair unharmed and victorious. For me she represents a perfect example of what Miss Marple would have been like had she lived in USA in the 1980s.
Though not as well read in recent times as these books by Dorothy Gilman should be, the writer and her series does form an integral part of any crime fiction lover’s bibliography. A thoroughly enjoyable and fast read, like most of the books in the series.
August 12, 2012
Mrs. Pollifax is sent on assignment to Africa - on safari, as we already know from the title - with instructions from the CIA to photograph everyone in her safari party, as one of them is an international assassain with the code name of Aristotle. So she stops at Abercrombie's to get properly outfitted, and heads off to Zambia. As an added bonus, her old friend John Sebastian Farrell is now rumored to be living in Zambia, so she hopes to look him up as well. But neither of those intentions go according to plan, when her casual questions about Farrell stir up a great deal of shock, and her film starts disappearing after she takes snapshots of the fellow safari guests. And that's only the beginning of the adventure...
I've said it before, but I really love the glimpses into Mrs. Pollifax's "non-CIA" life at the beginning of each story. While to Mrs. P, that side of her life would be the everday, boring side, it provides a great counterpoint - and a great basis of comparison to make her adventures even more exciting - to her "secret" life as a spy. And she's a character that you can't help but love, and get invested in, so getting a glimpse into her New Brunswick, New Jersey apartment again is like stopping by to visit an old friend.
Mrs. Pollifax has a way of viewing life, and viewing the world around her, with such excitement and interest that it is both endearing and contagious. It strikes a chord with me, because I understand where she's coming from so well. I loved the mention of how she adored going to the old Tarzan movies, and even when her son outgrew them, she still went alone, to revel in the excitement and danger of them. Man, is Mrs. P awesome!! And I also loved the description of her going to Abercrombie's (the old outdoor goods supplier, not the current A&F of our present day, of course) to get her clothes and gear for her adventure. It reminded me so much of how I'd approach the same adventure, if it were me, that it only served to endear her to me even more.
After the last installment (A Palm for Mrs. Pollifax, which was a little weak in my opinion) Mrs. Pollifax on Safari was like a good shot of adenaline. As someone who loves international travel and seeing new, exciting places that are off the beaten path, it is a thrill to go along with Mrs. P as she sees some amazing places that the normal tourist doesn't get to see. It was intensely exciting to follow along with her as she travels to a new continent, and observes a new country (literally a new country, in this case). It is also interesting to read about the political climate in Africa at the time that the book was written (mid-1970s) and of course how it has changed today.
Also unspoken is that this is the beginning of where we have to "shift" time forward in our fictional universe (or backward, depending on how you look at it). The first book was written in the mid-'60s...this one was written ten years later but only 4 years have passed in the fictional universe. Maybe none of the other readers think about this, and it isn't really a critique on the writing as much as just an interesting conundrum that writers must deal with when a series spans three decades yet the character only ages a handful of years. Technology is of specific importance in this book, so of course the CIA and Mrs. Pollifax will always want to keep up with the times...Bishop uses a computer for the first time in this installment in the series...and references to many of the characters (Carstairs, Farrell) having been of service age during WWII in the first few books is now sort of "forgotten" since, we're approaching the 1980s and they just wouldn't have been the right age for that.
This story also marks the appearance of Cyrus Reed, who, for some reason, I can't help but picturing as a rugged Christoper Plummer type. He's likeable enough, but I have to admit that I feel sort of jealous toward him, because he quickly sets about claiming our Mrs. Pollifax for his own. Yes, the romance angle is sweet and makes me smile, and obviously I'm happy for Mrs. P that she finds this romance in her later years. But...I don't think that anyone is less in need of an overprotective man in her life as Mrs. Emily Pollifax, who can most certainly take care of herself! Part of what I love about her adventures is that she starts out, at least, on her own, exploring strange new lands and getting around quite capably all by herself. But now Cyrus comes in, and even though it goes unmentioned at times, the characters subtly defer to him as the "leader" of the situation.
The pacing of the story was decent. Better than the last installment, and although the beginning of this one (particularly once Mrs. P arrived in Africa) was a bit slow, there was enough suspense and intrigue to keep me interested, as well as a few surprises at the end which greatly improved my opinion of the end of the story. But as for denouement, it was still lacking. I guess I'm still wistful for the endings like the first few books in the series, where Mrs. Pollifax has a satisfying conversation with Carstairs to tie everything up in a neat bow. That didn't happen here.
Still, overall, it is another solid addition to what is one of my most favorite and beloved series. No matter how many times I read these books (this was at least my fourth time reading this one) they are always enjoyable, and I quite literally can't put them down!
I've said it before, but I really love the glimpses into Mrs. Pollifax's "non-CIA" life at the beginning of each story. While to Mrs. P, that side of her life would be the everday, boring side, it provides a great counterpoint - and a great basis of comparison to make her adventures even more exciting - to her "secret" life as a spy. And she's a character that you can't help but love, and get invested in, so getting a glimpse into her New Brunswick, New Jersey apartment again is like stopping by to visit an old friend.
Mrs. Pollifax has a way of viewing life, and viewing the world around her, with such excitement and interest that it is both endearing and contagious. It strikes a chord with me, because I understand where she's coming from so well. I loved the mention of how she adored going to the old Tarzan movies, and even when her son outgrew them, she still went alone, to revel in the excitement and danger of them. Man, is Mrs. P awesome!! And I also loved the description of her going to Abercrombie's (the old outdoor goods supplier, not the current A&F of our present day, of course) to get her clothes and gear for her adventure. It reminded me so much of how I'd approach the same adventure, if it were me, that it only served to endear her to me even more.
After the last installment (A Palm for Mrs. Pollifax, which was a little weak in my opinion) Mrs. Pollifax on Safari was like a good shot of adenaline. As someone who loves international travel and seeing new, exciting places that are off the beaten path, it is a thrill to go along with Mrs. P as she sees some amazing places that the normal tourist doesn't get to see. It was intensely exciting to follow along with her as she travels to a new continent, and observes a new country (literally a new country, in this case). It is also interesting to read about the political climate in Africa at the time that the book was written (mid-1970s) and of course how it has changed today.
Also unspoken is that this is the beginning of where we have to "shift" time forward in our fictional universe (or backward, depending on how you look at it). The first book was written in the mid-'60s...this one was written ten years later but only 4 years have passed in the fictional universe. Maybe none of the other readers think about this, and it isn't really a critique on the writing as much as just an interesting conundrum that writers must deal with when a series spans three decades yet the character only ages a handful of years. Technology is of specific importance in this book, so of course the CIA and Mrs. Pollifax will always want to keep up with the times...Bishop uses a computer for the first time in this installment in the series...and references to many of the characters (Carstairs, Farrell) having been of service age during WWII in the first few books is now sort of "forgotten" since, we're approaching the 1980s and they just wouldn't have been the right age for that.
This story also marks the appearance of Cyrus Reed, who, for some reason, I can't help but picturing as a rugged Christoper Plummer type. He's likeable enough, but I have to admit that I feel sort of jealous toward him, because he quickly sets about claiming our Mrs. Pollifax for his own. Yes, the romance angle is sweet and makes me smile, and obviously I'm happy for Mrs. P that she finds this romance in her later years. But...I don't think that anyone is less in need of an overprotective man in her life as Mrs. Emily Pollifax, who can most certainly take care of herself! Part of what I love about her adventures is that she starts out, at least, on her own, exploring strange new lands and getting around quite capably all by herself. But now Cyrus comes in, and even though it goes unmentioned at times, the characters subtly defer to him as the "leader" of the situation.
The pacing of the story was decent. Better than the last installment, and although the beginning of this one (particularly once Mrs. P arrived in Africa) was a bit slow, there was enough suspense and intrigue to keep me interested, as well as a few surprises at the end which greatly improved my opinion of the end of the story. But as for denouement, it was still lacking. I guess I'm still wistful for the endings like the first few books in the series, where Mrs. Pollifax has a satisfying conversation with Carstairs to tie everything up in a neat bow. That didn't happen here.
Still, overall, it is another solid addition to what is one of my most favorite and beloved series. No matter how many times I read these books (this was at least my fourth time reading this one) they are always enjoyable, and I quite literally can't put them down!
July 3, 2018
More of the same - and that's not necessarily a bad thing. My spouse (really) likes the series, and, to the extent we've already purchased them, I'll probably keep reading them ... but, alas, not at the same pace at which my spouse consumes them. (Specifically, I'm highly disinclined to read them back-to-back, and I'm confident I find them more palatable when they're only occasionally sprinkled in among my other reading....)
As someone who has lived abroad and traveled/worked extensively in other countries, I do find the travelogue aspects of these books entertaining. In that context (and more broadly), I'm particularly struck by the period piece (or time machine) aspects of the stories. For example: (1) it's a lot easier/faster/more comfortable to fly to Southern Africa these days (for example, you can fly direct to Accra, Ghana, from Washington DC ... or just about anywhere in Africa with only one stop, typically in a major European capital); (2) well, let's just put it out there ... living in the Internet/mobile phone era, it's remarkable how complicated life used to be; and (3) digital photography (OK, and mobile phone and iPad photography) makes film-based photography plot lines feel increasingly archaic....
Of the five books in this series I've read so far, this one felt the shortest (and, at times, most rushed, least well developed). More so than some of the others, I found the (extraordinary) number of loose ends - and unaccounted for (or unresolved) characters - distracting/frustrating/disappointing, but ... I'm guessing by the time she got to this one (back when she was writing), Gilman realized she had a successful serial on her hands, and she felt less pressure to ensure that the individual books stood on their own (but, of course, that may simply not be the case).
Ultimately, a quick, fun entertaining read (particularly if you enjoy the series) but ... alas ... nothing particularly special....
As someone who has lived abroad and traveled/worked extensively in other countries, I do find the travelogue aspects of these books entertaining. In that context (and more broadly), I'm particularly struck by the period piece (or time machine) aspects of the stories. For example: (1) it's a lot easier/faster/more comfortable to fly to Southern Africa these days (for example, you can fly direct to Accra, Ghana, from Washington DC ... or just about anywhere in Africa with only one stop, typically in a major European capital); (2) well, let's just put it out there ... living in the Internet/mobile phone era, it's remarkable how complicated life used to be; and (3) digital photography (OK, and mobile phone and iPad photography) makes film-based photography plot lines feel increasingly archaic....
Of the five books in this series I've read so far, this one felt the shortest (and, at times, most rushed, least well developed). More so than some of the others, I found the (extraordinary) number of loose ends - and unaccounted for (or unresolved) characters - distracting/frustrating/disappointing, but ... I'm guessing by the time she got to this one (back when she was writing), Gilman realized she had a successful serial on her hands, and she felt less pressure to ensure that the individual books stood on their own (but, of course, that may simply not be the case).
Ultimately, a quick, fun entertaining read (particularly if you enjoy the series) but ... alas ... nothing particularly special....
May 3, 2025
One of my favorites of the series. Carstairs sends Emily Pollifax on an African safari to Kafue in Zambia. The CIA is looking for a professional assassin whom they believe to be one of the nine-person safari party, not counting the guides. Carstairs also informs Emily that he believes Farrell (from book 1 of the series) to be in Zambia. Emily places a newspaper advertisement to Farrell, unaware that this will start a chain of events that will lead to her being kidnapped.
One of the people on the safari is an American, Cyrus Reed; he’s a big man and resourceful, and has an inordinate interest in Emily. When she is kidnapped, Cyrus and a young Zambian boy track the kidnappers but Cyrus is captured as well. Nevertheless his presence is encouraging to Emily - especially after he kisses her. Yes, it’s a romance for Mrs. Pollifax.
All ends well, of course. Farrell shows up: he is training some freedom fighters in neighboring Zimbabwe (formally known as Rhodesia at the time) and rescues Emily and Cyrus. He informs Emily the assassin has been caught and that his presumed target, the Zambian President, is safe.
But back in Lusaka, Emily sees one of the tourists from the safari, only he is now black. She realizes he must be the true assassin and follows him, and Cyrus follows her. Ultimately, both Emily and Cyrus prevent the President from being assassinated and Cyrus proposes marriage to Emily.
One of the people on the safari is an American, Cyrus Reed; he’s a big man and resourceful, and has an inordinate interest in Emily. When she is kidnapped, Cyrus and a young Zambian boy track the kidnappers but Cyrus is captured as well. Nevertheless his presence is encouraging to Emily - especially after he kisses her. Yes, it’s a romance for Mrs. Pollifax.
All ends well, of course. Farrell shows up: he is training some freedom fighters in neighboring Zimbabwe (formally known as Rhodesia at the time) and rescues Emily and Cyrus. He informs Emily the assassin has been caught and that his presumed target, the Zambian President, is safe.
But back in Lusaka, Emily sees one of the tourists from the safari, only he is now black. She realizes he must be the true assassin and follows him, and Cyrus follows her. Ultimately, both Emily and Cyrus prevent the President from being assassinated and Cyrus proposes marriage to Emily.
July 12, 2022
This is a Spy/Espionage Mystery. I've only read one other book in this series and I didn't care for it. That experience left me alittle hesitant to put another one on my TBR but I liked this one. It was engaging. I liked the MC; she was a hoot. I also liked the story line and the way the characters interacted with the MC. This was a little sweet but not in a bad way. Overall, this was a fun read and I have one more on my TBR that I'll have to get to soon for a reading challenge. So 4 stars.
June 7, 2024
This is my favorite Mrs. Polifax escapade so far. The author is excellent in her research of place, the characters are great and the details are surprisingly fresh considering the book was written in the 80's. Although the book doesn't move at a breakneck speed, there is never a dull moment. I listened to the audiobook and as always the narrator, Barbara Rosenblat is amazing.
April 17, 2020
That grandmotherly spy Mrs. Pollifax, with her penchant for flamboyant hats and her friendly interest in everyone she meets, heads to Zambia in this fifth installment of Dorothy Gilman's series devoted to her espionage adventures. Her mission, while on safari, is to take photographs of all of her fellow travelers, as Mr. Carstairs and the CIA have it on good authority that one of them is an international assassin known as Aristotle. Things rarely go as planned on a Mrs. Pollifax mission however, and soon our redoubtable retiree finds herself kidnapped by some very dangerous people...
I have always enjoyed Mrs. Pollifax on Safari, since first reading it (along with the rest of the series then in publication) as an adolescent. First, there is our eponymous heroine, with her cheerful, upbeat, hopeful view on her fellow human beings. I am no expert on spy novels - these are, in fact, the only ones I have read - but it strikes me that this must be unusual, in the genre. Second, there is the poetic description of Zambia, and the beauties of the natural world, which would make any reader long to go on safari herself. As another reviewer has noted, the travelogue aspect of this series is one of its great charms. Third, the reader gets to witness the happy reunion with John Sebastien Farrell, whom Mrs. Pollifax met and befriended in her first adventure, The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax , and who is a favorite character. Fourth, Mrs. Pollifax's new , Cyrus Reed, debuts here. These factors all make this an engaging addition to the series! I see that some other reviewers felt that Dorothy Gilman failed to grasp the geopolitics of the region, during this period, but while their criticisms may indeed be just, as someone not conversant with the history, I feel ill-equipped to judge. Still, those who do know more about the subject might want to keep that in mind, when approaching the book. With that proviso, I recommend this one to anyone who has read and enjoyed the previous books in the Mrs. Pollifax series.
I have always enjoyed Mrs. Pollifax on Safari, since first reading it (along with the rest of the series then in publication) as an adolescent. First, there is our eponymous heroine, with her cheerful, upbeat, hopeful view on her fellow human beings. I am no expert on spy novels - these are, in fact, the only ones I have read - but it strikes me that this must be unusual, in the genre. Second, there is the poetic description of Zambia, and the beauties of the natural world, which would make any reader long to go on safari herself. As another reviewer has noted, the travelogue aspect of this series is one of its great charms. Third, the reader gets to witness the happy reunion with John Sebastien Farrell, whom Mrs. Pollifax met and befriended in her first adventure, The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax , and who is a favorite character. Fourth, Mrs. Pollifax's new , Cyrus Reed, debuts here. These factors all make this an engaging addition to the series! I see that some other reviewers felt that Dorothy Gilman failed to grasp the geopolitics of the region, during this period, but while their criticisms may indeed be just, as someone not conversant with the history, I feel ill-equipped to judge. Still, those who do know more about the subject might want to keep that in mind, when approaching the book. With that proviso, I recommend this one to anyone who has read and enjoyed the previous books in the Mrs. Pollifax series.
February 11, 2021
Mrs Pollifax (the elderly woman who wanted to be a spy), is needed by the CIA once more, this time she travels to Zambia, for a safari. And she's really excited.
So she should be, because after Mexico, Albania, Turkey, Bulgaria and Switzerland that the Intelligence Angecy sent her (or was abducted to), she does want to visit Africa. And for a safari - what fun!
But ooops, one of the other 8 people must be a professional killer and she is to just photograph them, send the pictures back to the US (the year is 1976 - the year that the book was written - so no internet). Mrs Pollifax can do much more than pictures, she can identify the assassin.
But as usual, she gets tangled up in all kinds of mess.
I didn't find this book as funny as the others tbh, but enjoyable nevertheless. A nice installment to pass the time, while learning many things about Zambia, Rhodesia and the political scene that was back then. In all her books, the author Dorothy Gilman has done an exceptional job providing accurate information about each country.
I like the series and I plan to continue with the next book.
3.5 stars for this one though and the extra 0.5 for that kiss ♥♥
So she should be, because after Mexico, Albania, Turkey, Bulgaria and Switzerland that the Intelligence Angecy sent her (or was abducted to), she does want to visit Africa. And for a safari - what fun!
But ooops, one of the other 8 people must be a professional killer and she is to just photograph them, send the pictures back to the US (the year is 1976 - the year that the book was written - so no internet). Mrs Pollifax can do much more than pictures, she can identify the assassin.
But as usual, she gets tangled up in all kinds of mess.
I didn't find this book as funny as the others tbh, but enjoyable nevertheless. A nice installment to pass the time, while learning many things about Zambia, Rhodesia and the political scene that was back then. In all her books, the author Dorothy Gilman has done an exceptional job providing accurate information about each country.
I like the series and I plan to continue with the next book.
3.5 stars for this one though and the extra 0.5 for that kiss ♥♥
May 19, 2023
2019 reread via Recorded Books audiobook narrated by Barbara Rosenblat
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August 2016 reread -- I am increasing my rating from 3 to 4 stars. The Mrs. Pollifax books aren't great literature but they are a lot of fun and the best of them stand up well to rereading.
Amazing how the world has changed since this was first published in 1976 - issues that were of great contemporary interest then are now of more historical interest. But the characters still shine :)
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This entry of the Mrs. Pollifax series introduced Cyrus Reed!
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August 2016 reread -- I am increasing my rating from 3 to 4 stars. The Mrs. Pollifax books aren't great literature but they are a lot of fun and the best of them stand up well to rereading.
Amazing how the world has changed since this was first published in 1976 - issues that were of great contemporary interest then are now of more historical interest. But the characters still shine :)
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This entry of the Mrs. Pollifax series introduced Cyrus Reed!
December 5, 2018
On safari, Mrs. Pollifax has the assignment of simply taking photos of everyone in the group, as the CIA thinks that a hitman might be using the safari to make plans for his/her next assassination. And then things happen.
What I really like about Mrs. Pollifax is the fact that she never just accepts her situation. She always tries to come up with some kind of plan. Whether it works or not, at least she isn't just sitting there waiting to be killed.
Another quick and fun read.
What I really like about Mrs. Pollifax is the fact that she never just accepts her situation. She always tries to come up with some kind of plan. Whether it works or not, at least she isn't just sitting there waiting to be killed.
Another quick and fun read.
February 5, 2024
I don’t know if any individual book in this series is a 5 star book for me but the series as a whole definitely is one of my favorite series. This installment takes place in Zambia and Mrs. Pollifax gets to use her karate in a few scenes. She also meets a romantic interest, Cyrus, that aids her in her spy work. They work well together and we’ll see if he returns in the next book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 6, 2025
This was absolute fun! Mrs. Pollifax continues to delight. And she now has an umbrella with her hats.
December 14, 2023
Mrs. Pollifax, a grandmother turned Cold War era spy, is recruited to go undercover on a safari in Zambia. Her mission: Help identify Aristotle, a notorious assassin whose next target is the president of Zambia. She's originally supposed to merely take photos of those on safari, one of whom may be the assassin, but things never go as planned for Mrs. Pollifax. Between getting mixed up with freedom fighters from Rhodesia (essentially what is now Zimbabwe) and the rolls of film going missing under suspicious circumstances, Mrs. Pollifax has her hands full. On top of it all, Mrs. Pollifax has attracted the affections of the charming retired judge Cyrus Reed, taking her completely by surprise as she tries to carry on with her mission. She also tries to reach out to retired spy John Sebastian Farrell, said to have moved to Zambia. However, after posting an advertisement asking for him to contact her, she finds herself questioned by police and mired in tense situations. Everything comes to a head in the end as she finds herself thwarting Aristotle. It's a wild adventure and a fun story! The ending with the exchange between Carstairs and Bishop is the best part.
Verdict
Such a fun book. I loved the return of Farrell!
So, who would enjoy this book?
Cozy mystery lovers will love these low-stakes but high-fun cozy spy thrillers.
Others in series
Book 1: The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax ★★★★★
Book 2: The Amazing Mrs. Pollifax ★★★★★
Book 3: The Elusive Mrs. Pollifax ★★★★☆
Book 4: A Palm for Mrs. Pollifax ★★★★★
Verdict
Such a fun book. I loved the return of Farrell!
So, who would enjoy this book?
Cozy mystery lovers will love these low-stakes but high-fun cozy spy thrillers.
Others in series
Book 1: The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax ★★★★★
Book 2: The Amazing Mrs. Pollifax ★★★★★
Book 3: The Elusive Mrs. Pollifax ★★★★☆
Book 4: A Palm for Mrs. Pollifax ★★★★★
March 24, 2019
Such a pleasure, reading this series. I love the Mrs. Pollifax character. Critics compare her to Mrs. Marple but other than age & gender, they are not alike. Even though both Pollifax & Marple are dismissed and ignored by society for being older women, Pollifax refuses to conform to society standards and instead continues to live an active life. I especially like that Gilman gives her a romance in each book. Pollifax uses society's dismissal of her to her own advantage - it helps in her undercover CIA work. Looking forward to reading the next in the series.
March 1, 2018
On Safari with a too-limited number of suspects to be bad guys, Mrs. P sees lions, meets a new possible love interest, uses her smarts, and foils a few plots. We also know that, sadly refreshing to someone currently troubled by world politics, Mrs. P is horrified by apartheid and attendant racism. One of the villains, not the main one, is a truly execrable person, the only villain of the series I remember when I’m not reading the books.
January 22, 2011
Mrs. Pollifax goes on a safari to take pictures, in hopes the CIA can find a potential assassin before he kills the president of Zambia. However, she gets kidnapped by Rhodesian terrorists, has her film stolen and meets Cyrus. Ferrell turns up again too. He's not as charming as Robin, but a good sidekick, even if he isn't meant to be a sidekick.
April 12, 2017
I enjoy revisiting the Mrs. Pollifax books. I listened to this book on audible. The narration is excellent. Mrs. Pollifax is an older woman, who joined the CIA. She gets into dangerous situations, but she finds her way out of them, and helps save other lives. Mrs. Pollifax is a fun character.
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