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Mrs. 'Arris #4
Mrs. Harris Goes To Moscow
Responsible for cleaning the homes of the rich, Mrs Harris is a humble charlady with a knack for putting things in order wherever she goes. When much to her surprise she wins a trip for two behind the Iron Curtain, she has no idea of the adventure that awaits her. Ever the loyal servant, however, Mrs Harris (accompanied by her loyal friend Mrs Butterfield) believes it only right that others benefit from her good fortune as well. With a mink coat in mind for Mrs Butterfield, she also hopes to use their holiday to reignite a romance between her lovelorn employer and a Russian woman he loved years ago. Unfortunately, the discreet passing of documents can land even the most well-intentioned charlady in hot water with the KGB...
241 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 14, 1974
33 people are currently reading
823 people want to read
About the author
Paul Gallico
186 books318 followersPaul William Gallico was born in New York City, on 26th July, 1897. His father was an Italian, and his mother came from Austria; they emigrated to New York in 1895.
He went to school in the public schools of New York, and in 1916 went to Columbia University. He graduated in 1921 with a Bachelor of Science degree, having lost a year and a half due to World War I. He then worked for the National Board of Motion Picture Review, and after six months took a job as the motion picture critic for the New York Daily News. He was removed from this job as his "reviews were too Smart Alecky" (according to Confessions of a Story Teller), and took refuge in the sports department.
During his stint there, he was sent to cover the training camp of Jack Dempsey, and decided to ask Dempsey if he could spar with him, to get an idea of what it was like to be hit by the world heavyweight champion. The results were spectacular; Gallico was knocked out within two minutes. But he had his story, and from there his sports-writing career never looked back.
He became Sports Editor of the Daily News in 1923, and was given a daily sports column. He also invented and organised the Golden Gloves amateur boxing competition. During this part of his life, he was one of the most well-known sporting writers in America, and a minor celebrity. But he had always wanted to be a fiction writer, and was writing short stories and sports articles for magazines like Vanity Fair and the Saturday Evening Post. In 1936, he sold a short story to the movies for $5000, which gave him a stake. So he retired from sports writing, and went to live in Europe, to devote himself to writing. His first major book was Farewell to Sport, which as the title indicates, was his farewell to sports writing.
Though his name was well-known in the United States, he was an unknown in the rest of the world. In 1941, the Snow Goose changed all that, and he became, if not a best-selling author by today's standards, a writer who was always in demand. Apart from a short spell as a war correspondent between 1943 and 1946, he was a full-time freelance writer for the rest of his life. He has lived all over the place, including England, Mexico, Lichtenstein and Monaco, and he lived in Antibes for the last years of his life.
He was a first-class fencer, and a keen deep-sea fisherman. He was married four times, and had several children.
He died in Antibes on 15th July, 1976, just short of his 79th birthday.
He went to school in the public schools of New York, and in 1916 went to Columbia University. He graduated in 1921 with a Bachelor of Science degree, having lost a year and a half due to World War I. He then worked for the National Board of Motion Picture Review, and after six months took a job as the motion picture critic for the New York Daily News. He was removed from this job as his "reviews were too Smart Alecky" (according to Confessions of a Story Teller), and took refuge in the sports department.
During his stint there, he was sent to cover the training camp of Jack Dempsey, and decided to ask Dempsey if he could spar with him, to get an idea of what it was like to be hit by the world heavyweight champion. The results were spectacular; Gallico was knocked out within two minutes. But he had his story, and from there his sports-writing career never looked back.
He became Sports Editor of the Daily News in 1923, and was given a daily sports column. He also invented and organised the Golden Gloves amateur boxing competition. During this part of his life, he was one of the most well-known sporting writers in America, and a minor celebrity. But he had always wanted to be a fiction writer, and was writing short stories and sports articles for magazines like Vanity Fair and the Saturday Evening Post. In 1936, he sold a short story to the movies for $5000, which gave him a stake. So he retired from sports writing, and went to live in Europe, to devote himself to writing. His first major book was Farewell to Sport, which as the title indicates, was his farewell to sports writing.
Though his name was well-known in the United States, he was an unknown in the rest of the world. In 1941, the Snow Goose changed all that, and he became, if not a best-selling author by today's standards, a writer who was always in demand. Apart from a short spell as a war correspondent between 1943 and 1946, he was a full-time freelance writer for the rest of his life. He has lived all over the place, including England, Mexico, Lichtenstein and Monaco, and he lived in Antibes for the last years of his life.
He was a first-class fencer, and a keen deep-sea fisherman. He was married four times, and had several children.
He died in Antibes on 15th July, 1976, just short of his 79th birthday.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
September 3, 2023
I wish there were more book in this series; Mrs. Harris is just delightful! I enjoyed the Cold War aspect of this one. My favorite of the quartet!
January 20, 2024
Loved this series about an indomitable charwoman. Just sad it's over!
April 17, 2023
Adorable!
January 19, 2017
The most disappointing (and final title) in this series of books.
There is no apostrophe for the letter H to indicate the Cockney dialect.
There is no more about Mr. Bayswater who we ended with in Book #3, "Mrs. 'Arris Goes to Parliament."
And the actual raging toward the Russians and Moscow in this book is so disrespectful I was shocked. I realize this was written when the COLD WAR was still going on but the rants just felt so stereotypical.
Still, I enjoyed Mrs. Harris' need to bring two people in love together.
And there were a couple of laugh out loud moments with her sidekick and friend, Mrs. Butterfield.
There is no apostrophe for the letter H to indicate the Cockney dialect.
There is no more about Mr. Bayswater who we ended with in Book #3, "Mrs. 'Arris Goes to Parliament."
And the actual raging toward the Russians and Moscow in this book is so disrespectful I was shocked. I realize this was written when the COLD WAR was still going on but the rants just felt so stereotypical.
Still, I enjoyed Mrs. Harris' need to bring two people in love together.
And there were a couple of laugh out loud moments with her sidekick and friend, Mrs. Butterfield.
June 27, 2022
Ada Harris can travel anywhere and I’d follow!
April 25, 2025
I was afraid that the series will lose its charm, but it didn’t. It was like a visit with a dear old friend. Back in the times when someone’s word could be counted upon - absolutely. Probably this still exists- somewhere, under the surface.
December 26, 2015
Something definitely happened with this last book in the series: just looking at cover art leads me to believe there was a switch in publishers, their illustrator was lost, or there was a drastic shift in marketing strategy (perhaps all?). One edition has a black cover reading Mrs. Harris Goes to Moscow in red lettering, like some dramatic murder mystery/thriller. It's simply not the same darling presentation. Funny, though. My first impression was "What on earth happened in Moscow, Mrs. 'Arris!?"
Overall, the story is still funny, but just doesn't have the same sparkle as the previous installments. I'd focus on Mrs. 'Arris Goes to Paris, Mrs. 'Arris Goes To Parliament, and Mrs. 'Arris Goes to New York, with the first two being my favorites.
Overall, the story is still funny, but just doesn't have the same sparkle as the previous installments. I'd focus on Mrs. 'Arris Goes to Paris, Mrs. 'Arris Goes To Parliament, and Mrs. 'Arris Goes to New York, with the first two being my favorites.
January 19, 2025
One of the people Mrs Harris cleans for is a young writer, Mr Lockwood, and one day Mrs Harris finds out that he is hopelessly in love with a young Russian tour guide whom he met in Moscow. But alas, Mr Lockwood is banned from ever entering Russia again on account of his subversive writing, and it seems he will never see his beloved Lisa again. Mrs Harris longs to help him, but doesn’t see how. But then she has a stroke of luck and wins a trip for two to Moscow, with the very tour company Lisa works for. She persuades her reluctant friend Mrs Butterfield to accompany her, with the promise that she will be able to buy the fur coat she longs for, since furs are so much cheaper in Russia. once they are in Moscow, Mrs Harris is sure it will be an easy matter to contact Lisa, but there are unforeseen complications, and owing to a misunderstanding, Mrs Harris and Mrs Butterfield are suspected of being spies. This is a very amusing story with Mrs Harris and Mrs Butterfield both on top form, and there are some good supporting characters.
September 22, 2023
Mrs. Harris wins a trip to cross the Iron Curtain and visit communist Russia. However, she is suspected to be either a spy or a part of the British aristocracy. Harris finds herself on a mission for love and still could get in trouble. My only real issue with the book is the set-up for the novel as why would they be giving a trip to Russia rather than another country in Europe. Mrs. Harris is much more enjoyable than James Bond as a spy. Sad to see this series close.
How did this book find me? I've been enjoying the Mrs. Harris series since I saw the movie Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris.
How did this book find me? I've been enjoying the Mrs. Harris series since I saw the movie Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris.
October 10, 2016
Written during the cold war, it doesn't put Russia in a great light, but it was interesting to see how that was handled. Mrs. Harris is a bit of an adult version of Amelia Bedelia and I find the series charming, especially the Paris story.
September 18, 2023
I love Mrs. Harris so much. This one and the first one were my favorites of the 4. Kind of sad there are not any more Harris books. Such fun stories and wonderful endings.
December 3, 2025
I enjoyed Mrs Harris having her cold war moment, I wouldn't have expected a spy intrigue from the first book but I'm here for it. Enjoyable as ever, I felt that Mrs Harris was less foregrounded than the first book but it felt more well rounded as a result. I love her bestie Mrs Butterworth, clearly the love story in these books is between the best friends. Makes me annoyed that the film introduced a romantic sub plot when the love was there all along.
July 19, 2024
What a great find and read. Thoroughly enjoyed the book, with a quirky plot line and plenty of fun and laughter in the midst of intrigue. It really was a great read.
September 21, 2024
I'm kind of sad that Mrs. Harris's escapades are over!
April 26, 2025
another charming read about the adventures of Mrs Harris and Mrs Butterfield
June 19, 2023
I loved this series and hope to own it one day.
June 26, 2023
I guess the fact that the author is actually American explains the language in these books, which are peppered with far more bloodys than the characters they depict would likely have used. I enjoyed the Soviet-Commies-are-bad theme of this one, but missed Mr. Bayswater. I thought it was rather rude to just completely omit him from the tale.
April 27, 2021
When I first discovered Mrs. Harris in Mrs. 'Arris Goes to Paris, I was throughly charmed as she was a multi-dimensional character in a delightful book enriched with wonderful drawings. Mrs. Harris is one of those characters you just don't forget, and despite the book coming out many decades ago, it transcends the years. I haven't read the two installments that follow, but from what I gather they were also very good, most likely stronger than this one. I'm sure I will get to them eventually.
This final installment is somewhat disappointing. Mrs. Harris and her friend Mrs. Butterfield are much the same, and that is part of the problem as we don't really see anything new to round out the characters any further. The other concern is the cliché-ridden account of Russia, in 1974 still the U.S.S.R. Undoubtedly, many of the details are based on facts about the spying done by the KGB, the shortages of basic items like toilet paper (loo paper to these very British characters) in the stores, the rundown buildings and drab streets, and so on. Author Paul Gallico attacked the Soviet government with a vengeance – I have to wonder about his own KGB dossier.
Mrs. Harris and Mrs. Butterfield have won a package tour to Moscow and when Mrs. Harris tells her journalist client Mr. Lockwood about it, he asks her to bring a love letter to Liz, his Russian girlfriend, a tour guide for Intourist, the Russian travel service. They have not been able to communicate due to the strict rules laid down by the Soviet government. She agrees, though she knows it could be dangerous for her to carry a letter written in Russian and give it to a Soviet citizen. But, Mrs. Harris believes in love and wants to help the couple.
Mrs. Butterfield has serious reservations about the trip and once she finds out about the letter her anxiety grows. She's right to worry, as unbeknownst to Mrs. Harris, the two London ladies are incorrectly taken for spies and get into some very compromising situations. All sorts of complications eventually arise, especially once they realize their status and Liz becomes involved, much to her own peril.
Gallico's plot feels contrived, and the caricatures of the Soviet and British diplomats who intercede fall somewhat flat. Even Prince Philip is written in to play a small part in events (and now it's hard not to think of his recent death).
Of course, it all turns out right in the end, as to be expected. I'm somewhat sorry that this installment completed the series, but it hasn't spoiled my memory of my introduction to Mrs. Harris, who remains a memorable and unique character.
This final installment is somewhat disappointing. Mrs. Harris and her friend Mrs. Butterfield are much the same, and that is part of the problem as we don't really see anything new to round out the characters any further. The other concern is the cliché-ridden account of Russia, in 1974 still the U.S.S.R. Undoubtedly, many of the details are based on facts about the spying done by the KGB, the shortages of basic items like toilet paper (loo paper to these very British characters) in the stores, the rundown buildings and drab streets, and so on. Author Paul Gallico attacked the Soviet government with a vengeance – I have to wonder about his own KGB dossier.
Mrs. Harris and Mrs. Butterfield have won a package tour to Moscow and when Mrs. Harris tells her journalist client Mr. Lockwood about it, he asks her to bring a love letter to Liz, his Russian girlfriend, a tour guide for Intourist, the Russian travel service. They have not been able to communicate due to the strict rules laid down by the Soviet government. She agrees, though she knows it could be dangerous for her to carry a letter written in Russian and give it to a Soviet citizen. But, Mrs. Harris believes in love and wants to help the couple.
Mrs. Butterfield has serious reservations about the trip and once she finds out about the letter her anxiety grows. She's right to worry, as unbeknownst to Mrs. Harris, the two London ladies are incorrectly taken for spies and get into some very compromising situations. All sorts of complications eventually arise, especially once they realize their status and Liz becomes involved, much to her own peril.
Gallico's plot feels contrived, and the caricatures of the Soviet and British diplomats who intercede fall somewhat flat. Even Prince Philip is written in to play a small part in events (and now it's hard not to think of his recent death).
Of course, it all turns out right in the end, as to be expected. I'm somewhat sorry that this installment completed the series, but it hasn't spoiled my memory of my introduction to Mrs. Harris, who remains a memorable and unique character.
May 16, 2020
This is the first Mrs 'Arris novel that I have read, and the previous comments suggest that it is the least of the series. (I liked the movie Mrs 'Arris Goes to Paris, with Angela Lansbury). I thought the beginning was pretty pedestrian, but the novel did pick up when they went to Moscow. The attitude to the Russians is totally out of date, as is the Cold War angst, but I remember those days well, so I could understand Mrs. Butterfield's fears, and the general feeling of paranoia. I think now, people in the Western world don't much think about Russia; then, it was a prevailing black cloud of possible nuclear ash; but Capitalism won the great ideological debate of the 20th Century, and the left developed a new obsession with the environment, and here we are.
Anyway, the novel had quite a few laughs, and ended with a charmingly happy finish. In a time of COVID-19, it was actually rather relaxing to read a novel set in the Cold War, knowing the ultimate ending of that conflict. This, too, shall pass.
Anyway, the novel had quite a few laughs, and ended with a charmingly happy finish. In a time of COVID-19, it was actually rather relaxing to read a novel set in the Cold War, knowing the ultimate ending of that conflict. This, too, shall pass.
August 13, 2022
Although I loved the earliest two Mrs. Harris books in the series (Paris and USA), this one fell a little short for me. It seemed darker, unnecessarily linguistically complicated throughout and a little forced in the charming and helpful random networking that we've come to expect from the Mrs. Harris series. In reading about author Paul Gallico, I learned that this, his last Mrs. Harris book, was written in 1974, some some 15 years after the first two (which were published in 1958 and 1959), and relatively near his passing in 1976, which may account for the different tone. Nevertheless, it does deliver on the basics of the lovely Mrs. Harris recipe, which we've successfully seen brought to the big screen in 2022. Fans will appreciate finishing the series, but it isn't the best of the lot.
March 2, 2024
„Cu doamna Harris, simpatica menajeră londoneză și prietena sa, Violet Butterfield, ne „cunoaștem” deja. Sau cel puțin eu. La sfârșitul recenziei celei de-a doua cărți din serie, „Doamna Harris cucerește New York-ul” , scriam că doresc să văd traduse restul romanelor, „Doamna Harris M.P.” și „Mrs. Harris goes to Moscow”.
Un an mai târziu, dorința mi s-a îndeplinit pe jumătate. „Doamna Harris cucerește Moscova” este tradusă și abia aștept ca același lucru să se întâmple și cu „Doamna Harris M.P”, unde înțeleg că celebra menajeră face senzație și în Parlament, dacă ne luăm după referințele din cea de-a patra carte din serie.
Dacă o găsește sau nu pe Liz las la latitudinea cititorului să afle, însă ce pot spune este că această carte este cea mai palpitantă din toată seria. Situația administrativă din spatele Cortinei de Fier este descrisă foarte realist (aici jos pălăria, Paul Gallico, pentru documentare!) și chiar dacă subiectul poate părea unul sobru, scriitura ne duce în alt registru. Aceeași scriitură ușoară, plăcută, relaxantă și amuzantă marca Paul Gallico, întâlnită și în romanele precedente.
Pot spune că „Doamna Harris cucerește Moscova” mi-a plăcut cel mai mult din serie, îmbinând umorul, acțiunea și momentele palpitante.” https://literaturapetocuri.ro/doamna-...
Un an mai târziu, dorința mi s-a îndeplinit pe jumătate. „Doamna Harris cucerește Moscova” este tradusă și abia aștept ca același lucru să se întâmple și cu „Doamna Harris M.P”, unde înțeleg că celebra menajeră face senzație și în Parlament, dacă ne luăm după referințele din cea de-a patra carte din serie.
Dacă o găsește sau nu pe Liz las la latitudinea cititorului să afle, însă ce pot spune este că această carte este cea mai palpitantă din toată seria. Situația administrativă din spatele Cortinei de Fier este descrisă foarte realist (aici jos pălăria, Paul Gallico, pentru documentare!) și chiar dacă subiectul poate părea unul sobru, scriitura ne duce în alt registru. Aceeași scriitură ușoară, plăcută, relaxantă și amuzantă marca Paul Gallico, întâlnită și în romanele precedente.
Pot spune că „Doamna Harris cucerește Moscova” mi-a plăcut cel mai mult din serie, îmbinând umorul, acțiunea și momentele palpitante.” https://literaturapetocuri.ro/doamna-...
August 29, 2023
I loved Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris and I really enjoyed Mrs. Harris Goes to NY. But while it was pleasant to revisit Ada Harris, this book lacked much of the charm of the first two books.
In this novel, Mrs. Harris wins a trip for two to Moscow and hopes to help one of her clients, who is in love with a Russian woman. One of the best aspects of the previous books was watching Mrs. Harris making friends all about her and negotiating new situations with aplomb. This book had far fewer charming encounters with strangers. Further, the atmosphere is somewhat sinister. I couldn't help feeling that Ada's antics were jeopardizing those around her.
In this novel, Mrs. Harris wins a trip for two to Moscow and hopes to help one of her clients, who is in love with a Russian woman. One of the best aspects of the previous books was watching Mrs. Harris making friends all about her and negotiating new situations with aplomb. This book had far fewer charming encounters with strangers. Further, the atmosphere is somewhat sinister. I couldn't help feeling that Ada's antics were jeopardizing those around her.
September 7, 2023
I was first inspired to read Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris after seeing the recent movie release. My daughter and I loved the film and I usually enjoy the original book version of the story even more. I was not disappointed! The book I bought also included Mrs. Harris Goes to New York and I enjoyed this book just as much. Mrs. Harris is her genuine love of life and her fellow mankind is heartwarming and humorous. I searched for the last two books in the series, Mrs Harris MP and Mrs. Harris goes to Moscow, which I finally found and borrowed from the public library. All four books are worth reading!
April 22, 2024
This, of course, is a fairy tale!
It was a little weird that reference was made to Ada Harris as MP and yet no reference was made to Bayswater, even though she drove off into the sunset with him at the end of the last book... to get married, I thought. However, I chocked this up to it being a fairly tale - discrepancies don't need to be accounted for in fairy tales.
Gallico was more than a bit heavy handed in his dismal depiction of the Soviet Union, but from what I know about the USSR in the 50s and 60s, I don't think that his portrayal was entirely undeserved.
In any case, it was humorous and enjoyable read
It was a little weird that reference was made to Ada Harris as MP and yet no reference was made to Bayswater, even though she drove off into the sunset with him at the end of the last book... to get married, I thought. However, I chocked this up to it being a fairly tale - discrepancies don't need to be accounted for in fairy tales.
Gallico was more than a bit heavy handed in his dismal depiction of the Soviet Union, but from what I know about the USSR in the 50s and 60s, I don't think that his portrayal was entirely undeserved.
In any case, it was humorous and enjoyable read
August 21, 2017
Paul Gallico sure does hate Russia.
That's what caught me the most--not Mrs. 'Arris and her various catastrophes, but the constant carping on the Soviet Union, to the point that I'm not sure that this being a Cold War-era novel explains it.
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Mrs. 'Arris's long-suffering friend Violet Butterfield gets a chance to be the heroine for once. The women's friendship is really nice; they're supportive but they tell each other the truth when it's needed.
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I thought this was a disappointing end to the series, but I'm glad I read it.
September 26, 2018
I’d just finished The Broken Trilogy, which was great , but very dark, complex, and angry. This was a perfect light, fun antidote!
Mrs.’Arris is a char lady (housecleaner) in London. Her best friend is a restroom attendant at a club. They attend a union party raffle. Ada buys a raffle ticket, hoping to win a television. She wins a trip for two to Moscow! The Russian clerks processing her application flip char lady into Lady Char. Toss in one of her client’s doomed romances with a Russian girl, and mayhem issues.
Absolutely improbable, but great fun.😁
Mrs.’Arris is a char lady (housecleaner) in London. Her best friend is a restroom attendant at a club. They attend a union party raffle. Ada buys a raffle ticket, hoping to win a television. She wins a trip for two to Moscow! The Russian clerks processing her application flip char lady into Lady Char. Toss in one of her client’s doomed romances with a Russian girl, and mayhem issues.
Absolutely improbable, but great fun.😁
July 25, 2022
Read this book after reading Mrs Harris goes to Paris and Mrs. Harris goes to New York. I read all three of them because of the new movie coming out : Mrs. Harris goes to Paris. The book is entertaining albeit very lightweight. I'll only watch the movie if it is free on Amazon Prime. I was surprised to learn that the author wrote The Poseiden Adventure. Saw the movie many years ago and may give the book a go.
December 8, 2022
Fabulous!
Hilarious! I enjoyed every second of this story. Paul Gallico has a great gift of painting with words his characters and situations. I could picture everything in great detail. The underlying humour, never far from the surface, had me in stitches. Seriously, I was crying with laughter by the end. This is the third of Gallco’s books I have had the pleasure of reading and he never disappoints.
Hilarious! I enjoyed every second of this story. Paul Gallico has a great gift of painting with words his characters and situations. I could picture everything in great detail. The underlying humour, never far from the surface, had me in stitches. Seriously, I was crying with laughter by the end. This is the third of Gallco’s books I have had the pleasure of reading and he never disappoints.
July 15, 2025
Its weakness lies in a handful of coincidences that make Mrs ’Arris’ predicaments implausably benign – such as KGB officers getting stuck in a lift, allowing the protagonists to get away. Perhaps the political climate between East and West was more amicable in 1974 than in 2025, but I believe even then the Russian system was not to be joked with. Nevertheless, the script is well-written and the plot entertaining.
November 21, 2025
Unexpectedly, I think this is my favourite in the series. I just wasn't expecting a comedy spy adventure! Perhaps what I most enjoyed is that while technically the moments of danger are the most acute that Mrs. Harris ever experiences, and she is a little foolish at times, Mrs. Harris Goes To Moscow doesn't have the usual crisis where Mrs Harris has to learn the hard way to curb her ambitions and remember her place.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews