Okay, this is not five stars like my favorite books of ALL TIME are 5 stars. But if you are looking for FAST paced adventure, a quirky, improbable, yet wonderfully entertaining read, then, yes. Five stars.

I am in love with Mrs. Pollifax. I am starting to see a longer story arc unfolding in each book of the series and that is almost as tantalizing as each novel's own roller coaster plot.

And sorry, but dinner had to wait till 9pm, as I rushed through the ending. I could not have put down the last 30 or so pages if the house had been on fire (SO glad it was not!).

I have taken to following her adventures via GoogleMaps - VERY fun, highly recommended.

Thank you Ms. Gilman, now traveling the Summerlands, for this unlikely heroine, your meticulously researched details, and the anti-Bond some of us might have longed for. ( )

Suspend your disbelief and prepare for adventure. I have a soft spot in my heart for Emily Pollifax. ( )

2019 reread via Recorded Books audiobook narrated by Barbara Rosenblat ( )

Emily Pollifax is sent to Bulgaria to deliver eight passports hidden in a cleverly designed hat. She meets a group of students taking the same flight. One of them, Philip Trenda, who had been feeling sick and did not want to go, chatted with her briefly in the airport. She was surprised when she heard he had come and distressed that he had been immediately arrested for espionage. She has to slip away from her Balkantourist guide Nevena to deliver the eight passports to Tsanko, but also is determined to rescue Philip and political prisoners held at Panchevsky Institute. As usual, this third Mrs. Pollifax is a fun read. ( )

As usual, Carstairs sends Mrs. Pollifax off on a routine courier mission-- this time delivering some false passports to rescue some dissidents from Bulgaria, plus (unbeknownst to her) another delivery meant to be picked up from her luggage. As usual, the mild-mannered but fearless grandmother befuddles her guide, collects a coterie of rescued bystanders, bemused agents, admiring gentlemen and a following of dangerous villains as she makes her way across Bulgaria and delivers a much more successful mission than Upstairs could have imagined.
I have trouble telling which Mrs. Pollifax books I like best, but this is definitely one of my favorites. ( )