Title: Mrs. Pollifax and the Golden Triangle
Author: Dorothy Gilman
First published January 1, 1988
199 pages, Paperback
Rating: 4.01
Overview
Mrs. Pollifax is back and better than ever before! She’s determined to leave her days of spying behind, but when duty calls, she can’t resist.
Her mission seems simple enough – take a small object to an agent in Thailand and receive something in return. But things quickly take a turn for the worse.
Mrs. Pollifax arrives to find her contact dead and her husband missing.
With no other choice, she sets out on a journey through the mysterious and treacherous Thai countryside. Along the way, she meets a curious companion who may be her only hope in finding her beloved husband.
But can she trust him? Is he really trying to help, or does he have more sinister motives?
Join Mrs. Pollifax on her latest adventure filled with danger, suspense, and unexpected twists and turns.
About the Author
Dorothy Gilman was a born writer from New Brunswick, New Jersey. She began writing at the tender age of 9, and won her first story contest against older kids at the age of 11.
She had dreams of writing and illustrating children’s books and attended the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and briefly the University of Pennsylvania.
In 1945, Dorothy married Edgar A. Butters Jr, but unfortunately, they divorced in 1965.
Before becoming an author, she worked as an art teacher and telephone operator. She wrote children’s stories for over a decade under a pseudonym, and later started writing adult novels about Mrs.
Pollifax, a retired grandmother who becomes a CIA agent. This series brought her fame.
Dorothy was not only knowledgeable in storytelling, but also in herbal medicine. She grew medicinal herbs on her farm in Nova Scotia and utilized this knowledge in many of her stories, including A Nun in the Closet.
Traveling around the world, she gathered experiences that also found their way into her novels. Her books often featured courageous women having adventures in different parts of the world.
In 2010, the Mystery Writers of America awarded Dorothy the annual Grand Master Award. She spent most of her life in Connecticut, New Mexico, and Maine.
At the age of 88, Dorothy passed away due to complications of Alzheimer’s disease, leaving behind two sons, Christopher Butters and Jonathan Butters, and two grandchildren.
Editoral Review
Mrs. Pollifax and the Golden Triangle is the fourth book in the Mrs.
Pollifax series written by Dorothy Gilman. This book was first published on January 1, 1988.
Gilman, who was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, was an American author of mystery novels. She is best known for the Mrs.
Pollifax series, which features Emily Pollifax, a retired widow who becomes a CIA agent. Gilman’s writing style is characterized by her ability to create fast-paced, suspenseful plots, and her books often incorporate historical and cultural elements.
In Mrs. Pollifax and the Golden Triangle, Emily Pollifax is once again recruited by the CIA to undertake a dangerous mission.
This time, she is sent to Bangkok, Thailand to investigate a drug trafficking ring known as the Golden Triangle. Emily must navigate the unfamiliar terrain of Southeast Asia while posing as a tourist, all the while trying to gather information about the elusive drug kingpin.
Gilman’s writing in this book is impressive, and she manages to create a vivid and immersive setting that transports readers to the streets of Bangkok. Her descriptions of the food, culture, and people of Thailand are detailed and authentic, and readers will feel as though they are right there with Emily as she goes about her mission.
The character of Emily Pollifax is another strength of the book. She is a unique and likable protagonist who defies stereotypes about older women.
Emily is brave, resourceful, and intelligent, and she proves time and again that age is just a number. Her interactions with the other characters in the book, including her CIA handlers and the local residents of Bangkok, are engaging, and she is able to win over even the most skeptical of individuals.
However, the book does have some weaknesses. The pacing of the plot is somewhat uneven, and there are times when the story drags or becomes repetitive.
Additionally, some of the supporting characters are not as well-developed as Emily, and readers may find it difficult to become emotionally invested in their fates.
Despite these limitations, Mrs. Pollifax and the Golden Triangle is still an enjoyable read that will appeal to fans of the mystery genre.
It is a well-written book that offers a unique perspective on the world of espionage and international crime. Readers who are interested in Southeast Asian culture and history will also find much to appreciate in this book.
Overall, Mrs. Pollifax and the Golden Triangle earns a solid recommendation from us.
It is a well-crafted and engaging book that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. While it may not be perfect, it is still a worthy addition to the Mrs.
Pollifax series and a testament to Gilman’s talent as a writer. We give it a score of 4 out of 5 stars.
