“Mrs. Pollifax is the American cousin to Agatha Christie's Miss Marple.”—Toronto Star Now the incredible Mrs. Pollifax has been sent on a safari to smoke out a very clever international assassin whose next target is the president of Zambia.  “Just take a lot of pictures of everyone on that safari,” the CIA man told her. “One of them has to be our man.” It sounded simple enough. But it wasn't. Because shortly after Mrs. Pollifax started taking pictures, someone stole her film. And right after that she was kidnapped by Rhodesian terrorists. And right after that—well, read for yourself. . .  “Mrs. Pollifax is an enchantress.”— The New York Times My grandmother is a big fan of the MRS. POLLIFAX mysteries by Dorothy Gilman. I was at first hesitant to try the books, because I wasn't sure if I'd be able to relate to mysteries featuring a suburban grandmother working for the CIA. But because my grandmother's taste in literature has always been impeccable, I decided to delve into Mrs. Pollifax's adventures. I began with THE UNEXPECTED MRS. POLLIFAX, the first in the series, and immediately found them delightful. Mrs. Pollifax is just the kind of grandmother I'd love to have: resourceful, intelligent, somewhat sly, and, of course, a secret CIA operative. Her adventures take her to all corners of the globe: from an authentically described communist China (MRS. POLLIFAX ON THE CHINA STATION) to an exhilarating safari across Africa (MRS. POLLIFAX ON SAFARI). I've thoroughly enjoyed joining her on her adventures, and intend to read them all. I recommend them to everyone who's interested in learning about different countries and cultures--and, obviously, espionage! --Malinda Lo, Editorial Assistant "Mrs. Pollifax is the American cousin to Agatha Christie's Miss Marple." TORONTO STAR Mrs. Pollifax has been sent on safari by the C.I.A. and told only to take pictures of all of her companions, in order to find the international assassin whose next target is the president of Zambia. It sounded so simple, but shortly after Mrs. Pollifax started taking pictures, someone stole her film. And right after that she was kidnapped by Rhodesian terrorists. And right after that--well, read for yourself.... "Mrs. Pollifax is the American cousin to Agatha Christie's Miss Marple." TORONTO STAR Mrs. Pollifax has been sent on safari by the C.I.A. and told only to take pictures of all of her companions, in order to find the international assassin whose next target is the president of Zambia. It sounded so simple, but shortly after Mrs. Pollifax started taking pictures, someone stole her film. And right after that she was kidnapped by Rhodesian terrorists. And right after that--well, read for yourself.... Dorothy Gilman  (1923–2012) was the author of 14 Mrs. Pollifax novels, including  The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax,  the series debut;  Mrs. Pollifax Pursued;   Mrs. Pollifax and the Lion Killer;   Mrs. Pollifax, Innocent Tourist;  and  Mrs. Pollifax Unveiled . She was also the author of many other novels, among them  Thale’s Folly . CHAPTER 1   It was barely eight o’clock in the morning when the telephone call came in from Algiers, but Carstairs was already at his desk high up in the CIA building in Langley, Virginia. With his left hand he switched on a tape recorder, with his right he buzzed for his assistant while he listened with narrowed eyes. At one point he interrupted, saying, “Mind repeating that?” and scribbled several words on paper. When Bishop hurried into the office the call had just been completed. “Sorry,” Bishop said breathlessly, “I was in the men’s room, sir. I’ve missed something?” “You have every right to be in the men’s room,” Carstairs told him reproachfully, “but you’ve missed an important call from Algiers. We may—just may, Bishop—have the first whisper of a breakthrough on the Aristotle case.   “Good God,” said Bishop, staring at him incredulously. “After all these months?”   “It’s possible. Remember that fabric shop that Davis’ department placed under surveillance in Algiers? The stolen bank-note job,” he added helpfully. “Bennet photographed some messages that were left out on a desk overnight and he decided, bless him, that one of them would interest us very much. Bright lad, Bennet. The cables and memos were in French and Arabic and he’s only just finished translating them.” Carstairs reached over and turned on the tape recorder. “Here we are,” he said, and accelerating and then slowing the machine, he signaled to Bishop to take the words down in shorthand.   They both listened carefully as Bennet’s clipped voice told them, “The original message, translated from the French, reads as follows: CONFIRM ORDER SEVENTY YARDS BLACK ARISTOTLE SILKS TO ZAMBIA THREE BOLTS COTTON DUE KAFUE PARK TWO BOLTS CHUNGA MUSLIN TEN YARDS FIVE-DAY SAFARI DESIGN CHINTZ DELIVERABLE JUNE NINE REPEAT CONFIRM RE-CONFIRM. CHABO.”   “Right,” said Bishop, puzzled. “Any more?”   “Yes, if you’ve got that down.” Carstairs pres