close
The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax Audiobook, by Dorothy Gilman Play Audiobook Sample

The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax Audiobook

The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax Audiobook, by Dorothy Gilman Play Audiobook Sample
FlexPass™ Price: $12.95
$9.95 for new members!
(Includes UNLIMITED podcast listening)
  • Love your audiobook or we'll exchange it
  • No credits to manage, just big savings
  • Unlimited podcast listening
Add to Cart
$9.95/m - cancel anytime - 
learn more
OR
Regular Price: $19.99 Add to Cart
Read By: Barbara Rosenblat Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc. Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 5.50 hours at 1.5x Speed 4.13 hours at 2.0x Speed Series: The Mrs. Pollifax Series Release Date: April 2011 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781461810483

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

24

Longest Chapter Length:

39:53 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

56 seconds

Average Chapter Length:

20:42 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

20

Other Audiobooks Written by Dorothy Gilman: > View All...

Publisher Description

Emily Pollifax in the “twilight of her years”—a phrase she herself would detest—lives alone at the Hemlock Apartments, New Brunswick, New Jersey. Her children up and gone, every volunteer occupation tediously similar, and a “respectable widowhood” awaiting her, Mrs. Pollifax decides she is definitely ready for a change. And what Emily Pollifax decides, Emily Pollifax does. The recruiting officer at the CIA would have saved himself a lot of unnecessary time and embarrassment if he had realized that from the start. If Mrs. Pollifax had chosen spying as a second career, there was little to nothing that could stop her. She is, as the CIA and its enemies are soon to find out, quite unexpected.

Download and start listening now!

"This is the first of Dorothy Gilman's Mrs. Pollifax series and I was hooked from here on out. Mrs. Pollifax is one of those characters who I would love to be real life friends with. The stories themselves are fun in several ways. I enjoy learning a little about each country she visits, and all of the new characters she introduces. I also am a sucker for a "spy" story, especially one involving an older woman who wears such extravagant hats and whose acheivements are those of perseverence and attitude."

— Brandy (5 out of 5 stars)

The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 4.219512195121951 out of 54.219512195121951 out of 54.219512195121951 out of 54.219512195121951 out of 54.219512195121951 out of 5 (4.22)
5 Stars: 17
4 Stars: 18
3 Stars: 5
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 1
Narration: 4.666666666666667 out of 54.666666666666667 out of 54.666666666666667 out of 54.666666666666667 out of 54.666666666666667 out of 5 (4.67)
5 Stars: 2
4 Stars: 1
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 4.666666666666667 out of 54.666666666666667 out of 54.666666666666667 out of 54.666666666666667 out of 54.666666666666667 out of 5 (4.67)
5 Stars: 2
4 Stars: 1
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    — Linda Hanwell, 11/9/2022
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Adorably set in the 60s with no mobiles, internet or whiz-bang gadgets for our intrepid and spry accidental spy to rely on. With only her wits and charm, she manages to unexpectedly and courageously save the day when a simple FBI information exchange goes horribly wrong. An engaging story that may have you listening for longer than you intended. "

    — RedLycaste, 3/14/2018
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Love this book. The only thing. Didn't like about the speaker was that she pronounced Pollifax several different ways. "

    — Ellen, 5/13/2017
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I love Mrs. PolifaX. She is truly unexpected. I have read or listened to all of the books in the series. I have learned a lot about many different cultures and people. Gilmore's books are a fun read. "

    — Valori, 2/9/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I am loving this book! I REALLY am trying to bug Amazon A LOT to get them to move the series to Kindle. The only complaint I have is that their paperback has THE MOST TINY font EVER! *ugh* 1/2 way through in the space of 2 days! "

    — Sheree, 1/21/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " If Miss Marple were dropped into an action movie about the CIA, the result would be this book. A fun read. "

    — Amy, 1/7/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Thoroughly enjoyable--I'll have to track down the rest of the series. "

    — Brackman1066, 12/24/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Mrs. Pollifax is one of the most original and endearing characters I've read in a long time. Thanks, Mari! "

    — Jackee, 12/12/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I found these book pleasantly surprising - very enjoyable to read. "

    — Tammy, 12/7/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " The first of the Mrs. Pollifax series. A widow with grown children becomes a CIA agent and begins a wild adventure. "

    — Kaye, 11/26/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Read my thoughts at: Thoughts of Joy... "

    — Joy, 11/21/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Totally refreshing and totally fun! "

    — Julia, 8/17/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Best of the best authors, all of the Mrs. Pollifax mystery books are very funny and good. "

    — Michelle, 8/9/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Mrs. Pollifax is a great character. I loved her persistence and outlook. "

    — Pamela, 6/25/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " So much fun. I am surprised I haven't heard of this series before. "

    — Lori, 5/26/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Her books are like potato chips. You can't read just one! I want to be this feisty woman when I grow up! "

    — Marla, 4/20/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax is the first of a very enjoyable series that follows the adventures of a widowed, garden-club president-turned spy. She is one fiesty, intelligent lady! "

    — Katy, 2/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Light mystery/adventure for grandmother turned spy to put some excitment in her life. A good beach read "

    — Khavren, 11/24/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A delightful read. Totally "unexpected" in its clear voice and movement of plot. I expected fluff and got a very enjoyable book...actually learned something. "

    — Paula, 11/18/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This is a fun read! I never use this word, but Delightful is a great word to use when describing this book! "

    — Debbie, 9/17/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " She is such an unexpected heroine and makes me want to be just like her when I'm in my golden years! This is definitely a good read! "

    — Miriam, 8/27/2012
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Did not like it. Can't remember if she said she finished it, but is not interested in the rest of the series. "

    — Melinda, 6/19/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Mrs. Pollifax was a fun, fun character! She was so unassuming and got herself in and out of the craziest situations. I loved how Farrell was always calling her "Dutchess." It made me think of The Aristocats (Disney) for some reason. I thoroughly enjoyed it! "

    — Katie, 4/25/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I LOVE the Mrs. Pollifax books. They have such fun settings and Mrs. Pollifax is a great character. Not all in the series are created equal. I love the earlier ones the best. "

    — Maren, 3/7/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I love the Mrs. Pollifax books. This was the second time to read this one and enjoyed it all over again. These are well-written mysteries...lots of detail and well-thought-out plots. "

    — Linda, 2/14/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A great audio book! "

    — Kristin, 12/11/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " If you like espionage and adventure, the Mrs. Pollifax is a charming character with which to get acquainted. She has a lot of good luck to help her out of the pickles she gets into with her bad luck. I've read many of the series. Fun reading. "

    — Linda, 11/10/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I have loved all of the Mrs. Polifax books. I consider her a dear friend and secretly wish I could be her. I was hooked after reading the first one. I wish she could go on adventures forever. "

    — Carol, 10/10/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Amusing and easy! "

    — Denise, 8/31/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This is a fun cozy series with a bit of grit. "

    — Laura, 6/8/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Love it! This is a start to a great series:) "

    — Jenn, 6/1/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " It was a relatively fun listen (but I would have been bored reading it). I hear the later books get better and better. I'll try another. <br/> "

    — Daryoung, 5/31/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I reread this book and loved it again. It's just a fun summer read with likable characters. This time Mrs. Polifax travels to Bulgaria. While some situations seem difficult to believe, it's still nice to read about good guys winning and sacrificing to help someone. Enjoyable read. "

    — Michelle, 5/26/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " a good little mystery, an engaging character and good plot. fun but not a fluffy &quot;cosie&quot;. "

    — J., 5/17/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I loved this book. It was funny and I want to be as cool as Mrs. Pollifax when I get old(er) :) "

    — Heather, 5/16/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I have only listened to this series on tape and read by Barbara Rosenblat. I didn't find them nearly as delightful when I tried to actually read them. As read by Barbara Rosenblat I adore every single one of them. "

    — Elsie, 5/2/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Although the first story in this series is about 50 years old it's still fun to read. The books take only a couple hours to read and are worth it just based on fun. "

    — Holly, 4/21/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This series is such fun. Plucky lady of an age:) reminds me a little of miss marple but much more fun. "

    — Mindy, 4/18/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I loved this series. A friend gave me these when I needed an easy read. I'll always feel affectionate about these books because I needed them. "

    — Tara, 4/18/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I've recently discovered Mrs. Pollifax at my library and am enjoying her thoroughly. "

    — Katie, 4/4/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A light, fun read. Possibly the first in a series, though I didn't not continue them. "

    — Summerfly, 4/1/2011

About Dorothy Gilman

Dorothy Gilman (1923–2012) is the author of the Mrs. Pollifax series, which began with The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax. In 2010 Gilman was awarded the annual Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America

About Barbara Rosenblat

Barbara Rosenblat, one of the most awarded narrators in the business, was selected by AudioFile magazine as one of the Golden Voices of the Twentieth Century. She has received the prestigious Audie Award multiple times and has earned more than fifty AudioFile Earphones Awards. She has also appeared in film, television, and theater, both in London’s West End and on Broadway.