Dorothy Gilman's Mrs. Pollifax mystery series was originally marketed as "cute," the main character being a little old lady, in the days before women were expected to be the protagonists of thrillers, and old women never were. She wears a lot better than many of the books out now that are based on dogs or cats or cute eccentric characters, though. Her character is drawn well, a believable and interesting person who faces death and difficult situations with admirable equanimity. Mrs. Pollifax herself is not cute, though her enemies in the books often underestimate her by thinking she is. The books are amusing, but not superficial or flimsy, as "cute" books too often are.....

Dorothy Gilman's Mrs. Pollifax mystery series was originally marketed as "cute," the main character being a little old lady, in the days before women were expected to be the protagonists of thrillers, and old women never were. She wears a lot better than many of the books out now that are based on dogs or cats or cute eccentric characters, though. Her character is drawn well, a believable and interesting person who faces death and difficult situations with admirable equanimity. Mrs. Pollifax herself is not cute, though her enemies in the books often underestimate her by thinking she is. The books are amusing, but not superficial or flimsy, as "cute" books too often are.

As with many series, this one is best approached by reading the books in order, though any of them will also stand alone. Many of the characters reappear and develop as the series unfolds. Here is the list of the complete set, in order of publication:

1. The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax (1966)
2. The Amazing Mrs. Pollifax (1970)
3. The Elusive Mrs. Pollifax (1971)
4. A Palm for Mrs. Pollifax (1973)
5. Mrs. Pollifax on Safari (1976)
6. Mrs. Pollifax on the China Station (1983)
7. Mrs. Pollifax and the Hong Kong Buddha (1985)
8. Mrs. Pollifax and the Golden Triangle (1988)
9. Mrs. Pollifax and the Whirling Dervish (1990)
10. Mrs. Pollifax and the Second Thief (1993)
11. Mrs. Pollifax Pursued (1995)
12. Mrs. Pollifax and the Lion Killer (Mrs. Pollifax Mysteries)(1996)
13. Mrs. Pollifax, Innocent Tourist (1997)
14. Mrs. Pollifax Unveiled (Mrs. Pollifax Mysteries) (2000)

The only book in the series that disappointed me was the last one, Mrs. Pollifax Unveiled. Unlike the other books, the Mrs. Pollifax in this last volume is crudely drawn, cheerful and capable but without the depths and complexities of the earlier volumes. It's worth reading to complete the set, but lacks the charm and feeling of significance of the others.

This is one of the series that I read again every decade or so. It's worth devoting some shelf space to. It's good to note that the entire series is still in print.