Mrs. Pollifax Pursued

Mrs. Pollifax: 11

ISBN: 0-7887-0227-0 Order from: Recorded Books

A humorous spy adventure with an unusual heroine, this novel features charming protagonists, an implausible plot and unlikely villains.

Reviewed by David on January 01, 2000

Genre: Mystery (Cloak and Dagger)

Synopsis: For once, instead of the CIA asking for Mrs. Pollifax's help, it was the other way around. When the grandmotherly agent discovered a girl hiding from mysterious and very determined pursuers, Mrs. Pollifax and her companion were wisked away by her efficient friends in intelligence to a safe location. Unfortunately, the safe location proved deadly to at least one of the agents hiding there, and Mrs. Pollifax had to play a detective.

Full Review: This is an unabridged recording of Mrs. Pollifax Pursued.

This book is perhaps the closest to the classic mystery in the entire series of slightly humorous adventures of Mrs. Pollifax and her friends. As a tangled web of crime and conspiracy begins to touch several agents, the usually indolent CIA department head, Carstairs, has to decipher the confused collection of data and form it into an unlikely conspiracy. There is even a classic denoument at the end.

While the characters are still as charming and colorful as ever in the series, the evil plot which gives the novel its shape is unlikely and simplistic. The villains appear uncommonly determined and capable at one point, only to become completely amateurish at the end. Another annoyance is the simplisic and rather patronizing tone of the novel. While in perfect keeping with the earlier installments in the series, the parochial condescention becomes more jarring in a novel written and taking place in the nineties.

While a pleasant diversion and an attractive snippet for the fans of Mrs. Pollifax, the book has limited entertainment value when considered on its own merits.

Overall: 5.5; Plot: 4; Characters: 5.5; Style: 6; World-building: 5.5; Originality: 6;

ISBN: 0-7887-0227-0 Order from: Recorded Books