The Amazing Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman #1970Club

Book Beginnings (hosted by Rose City Reader)

Mrs. Pollifax had attended church that Sunday morning, and her hat--a garden of pale pink roses and green leaves--still sat on her head as she ate lunch in the sunny kitchen of her apartment. She had a tendency to be absentminded lately about hats--in fact since beginning karate lessons she had become forgetful about a number of things--and since she would be going out again soon she had anticipated the problem by placing her hat where it could not possibly be left behind.

👒 If that opening lines can't intrigue you to read on, I don't know what can. Floral hats and karate lessons don't usually go together in one paragraph. But that's what Mrs. Pollifax is - if you haven't familiar yet with the series - unexpected. The first book in the series, The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax, is a strong proof.

👒 Still assuming you haven't read the series - what are you waiting for?? - Mrs. Emily Pollifax is a sexagenarian widow who loves gardening - hence her floral hat - but isn't prepared yet to lead a quite and monotonous life, alone in her apartment. So she went to CIA headquarters and unexpectedly got hired by a Mr. Carstairs to be... a spy! Well, not a proper, as she's unqualified, but she's done her first courier job perfectly in Albania, that Mr. Carstairs, her boss, was quite both surprised and amused.

👒 This time she was tasked to go as tourist to Turkey, to assist Magda Ferenci-Sabo, a defecting Russian spy and double agent to leave the country. She only have to arrive at an hotel at certain time, and be at the lobby with a battered copy of Gone with the Wind as a sign. It's sounds easy, but as usual, Mrs. Pollifax's innocent impulses and affectionate heart brought things to totally different direction; more dangerous, but also more exciting. And along the mission, Mrs. Pollifax found friendship with unlikely people and allies.

👒 Davida @ The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews has recently reviewed this book, and I agree with her comment that it is even better than the first one. I see Mrs. Pollifax is becoming more adept to her new "profession" - she's been taking Karate lessons anyway - and in more than one occasion she quickly took initiative for further plans or actions. The writer, Dorothy Gilman, also brought more colorful characters to assist Mrs. Pollifax in her mission, including some gypsies. They helped brighten the story and some hilarious moments came from their encounters. But what I loved most is Gilman's picturesque portrayal of Turkey, especially the hilltop caves at Göreme where Mrs. Pollifax and co. used for hiding place, they were gorgeous!

(abandoned) cave dwellings at present-day's Göreme
National Park, Turkey

And here I quoted one beautiful landscape at night:

Friday 56 Quote (hosted by Head Full of Books)

They were passing over the Galata Bridge now, and the lights of moving tugs and boats slashed the glistening inky water with long ribbons of gold. Even at midnight the bridge was filled with traffic: miles, trucks, and donkeys bearing fruit and vegetables to the markets and merchandise to the bazaars. Pale moonlight etched out the silhouette of the mosque at the foot of the bridge and touched each passerby with a high light of silver.

👒 Needless to say, I loved this book! It has a perfect balance of mystery, suspense, comedy, love, and friendship, with a touch of cold war and exotic place.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2

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The 1970 Club

hosted by Simon and Karen