flinx8's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
lakea's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Torture, and Murder
Minor: Trafficking, Suicide, Drug use, and Physical abuse
marilynsaul's review against another edition
5.0
Another thriller. I'm impressed that D. Gilman comes up with such varied plots. Quite an exciting series!
readmore's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
sarahelizabeth205's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.75
wahine2748's review against another edition
4.0
I love Mrs. Pollifax and her little adventures! These books make for great palate cleansing between books, and this story did just that with its exciting mission that brings together a group of strangers to accomplish great things.
datadog1's review against another edition
3.0
This book was written and published quite some time ago and has hung around in my TBR pile for a very long time. I finally picked it up and quite enjoyed it. It was definitely dated but aged well. Coincidentally I had recently read another book published the same year, and Mrs. Pollifax had a much better portrayal of women. I expected to see a somewhat dated approach to the role and portrayal of women but the attitudes of the characters seemed realistic for the times. The main character, and other women seemed real, only limited by their own learned attitudes as well as those around them.
Generally I found the tone of the book a bit dark, and surprising. I expected a lighter read but the subject matter was deadly serious and thought provoking. It was also very interesting reading this type of international thriller written pre-9/11, knowing how the world has changed.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mysteries and thrillers, and I am surprised I haven't discovered Dorothy Gilman before now.
Generally I found the tone of the book a bit dark, and surprising. I expected a lighter read but the subject matter was deadly serious and thought provoking. It was also very interesting reading this type of international thriller written pre-9/11, knowing how the world has changed.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mysteries and thrillers, and I am surprised I haven't discovered Dorothy Gilman before now.
bethany_t's review against another edition
4.0
Recently married but with her husband Cyrus Reed off on a Vermont bird-watching expedition and her new house in the Connecticut countryside under construction, Mrs. Pollifax is quite happy to leave the contractors to their work and set off on a new adventure for the CIA. In this book, she returns to China for the second time. She’s supposed to make contact with Sheng Ti, an undocumented outcast whom she helped in the previous book. He had been relocated to Hong Kong by the CIA and works at Feng Imports, where agent Detwiler uses his position as a gem importer as a cover. However, after Detwiler starts passing along blatantly false information and Sheng Ti shows signs of being too terrified to interact with anyone, the CIA needs to find out what’s happening at Feng Imports. Grandmotherly and feisty Mrs. Pollifax is just the person for the job.
After landing in Hong Kong and visiting Feng Imports, Mrs. Pollifax is told by Detwiler and Mr. Feng that she can’t speak with Sheng Ti. During the odd encounter, Detwiler presents Mrs. Pollifax with a small Buddha statue as a sort of apology. Mrs. Pollifax suspects something fishy and investigates.
I forgot reformed cat burglar and Interpol agent Robin Burke-Jones returned in this book! It was a great surprise. As I mentioned in my review of “A Palm for Mrs. Pollifax,” he is my favorite partner in crime for Mrs. Pollifax. This is also the first book in which Cyrus officially joins Mrs. Pollifax on a mission, albeit arriving late. They’re a great duo. Also in this book, Dorothy Gilman’s fascination with psychics and the paranormal is featured yet again: This time in the somewhat odd psychic Albert Hitchens. Mrs. Pollifax meets him en route to Hong Kong where he’s going to help find his friend Alec’s missing father, police Inspector Damien Hao. The situation at Feng Imports, the missing police inspector, a rash of diamond thefts, narcotics activity, gun smuggling, and other criminal events indicate something sinister is happening in Hong Kong.
This is one of the darker Mrs. Pollifax books. There’s definitely a prevalent sense of danger, especially when Mrs. Pollifax finds herself captured and beaten and witnesses the death of a once-ally. But the change is welcome – it works well and really makes the rest of the series feel more thrilling. The only thing I dislike in this book is Mr. Hitchens. He just isn’t a likable character even though the book tries to make him seem interesting and redeemed through his renewed relationship with his ex-wife Ruthie.
Verdict
Among the best in the series. Not the best, but up there.
So, who would enjoy this book?
Anyone who likes cozy, lighthearted (but still fun and thrilling) spy novels. Though I’d recommend reading them in order to follow the development of Mrs. Pollifax’s character. This book especially marks a turning point in the series, so I wouldn’t recommend anyone skip ahead to books 8-14 without reading the first seven.
After landing in Hong Kong and visiting Feng Imports, Mrs. Pollifax is told by Detwiler and Mr. Feng that she can’t speak with Sheng Ti. During the odd encounter, Detwiler presents Mrs. Pollifax with a small Buddha statue as a sort of apology. Mrs. Pollifax suspects something fishy and investigates.
I forgot reformed cat burglar and Interpol agent Robin Burke-Jones returned in this book! It was a great surprise. As I mentioned in my review of “A Palm for Mrs. Pollifax,” he is my favorite partner in crime for Mrs. Pollifax. This is also the first book in which Cyrus officially joins Mrs. Pollifax on a mission, albeit arriving late. They’re a great duo. Also in this book, Dorothy Gilman’s fascination with psychics and the paranormal is featured yet again: This time in the somewhat odd psychic Albert Hitchens. Mrs. Pollifax meets him en route to Hong Kong where he’s going to help find his friend Alec’s missing father, police Inspector Damien Hao. The situation at Feng Imports, the missing police inspector, a rash of diamond thefts, narcotics activity, gun smuggling, and other criminal events indicate something sinister is happening in Hong Kong.
This is one of the darker Mrs. Pollifax books. There’s definitely a prevalent sense of danger, especially when Mrs. Pollifax finds herself captured and beaten and witnesses the death of a once-ally. But the change is welcome – it works well and really makes the rest of the series feel more thrilling. The only thing I dislike in this book is Mr. Hitchens. He just isn’t a likable character even though the book tries to make him seem interesting and redeemed through his renewed relationship with his ex-wife Ruthie.
Verdict
Among the best in the series. Not the best, but up there.
So, who would enjoy this book?
Anyone who likes cozy, lighthearted (but still fun and thrilling) spy novels. Though I’d recommend reading them in order to follow the development of Mrs. Pollifax’s character. This book especially marks a turning point in the series, so I wouldn’t recommend anyone skip ahead to books 8-14 without reading the first seven.