Mrs. Pollifax and the Lion Killer

The CIA was completely MIA this time, and that was just fine by me. I am liking the character development and continuation from the previous book.

Poor old Cyrus, though. He keeps having to be set aside because of one thing or another. That's okay. Emily Pollifax is a full handful all on her own.

Beneath the rather cozy exterior of this story are some quite serious considerations related to issues surrounding small African nations trying to establish their place in world affairs, and viable lives for their citizens, in the late 20th century.

Kadi Hopkirk is a reminder of the violent past of the improbably named Ubangiba for she is the daughter of white American doctors killed during a revolution. Sammat on the other hand is the overseas educated grandson of the old king. He once imagined that he could set up a democracy but finds that he is actually king-to-be.

The country of Ubangiba has been impoverished by megolomaniac rulers since Sammat's grandfather was assassinated and even now there is a group murdering people but making show more it look as if they have been killed by a lion. But there are no lions in Ubangiba. We are talking here of a population that still believes in witchcraft.

On the surface Emily Pollifax is an elderly woman, but, some years before, at the age of 60 she became a part time CIA agent, and she has rather Marple like qualities of observation. Soon after their arrival young Kadi is attacked in the palace grounds, and, having survived that attack, she is abducted. Mrs Pollifax thinks king-designate Sammat is altogether too trusting of those around him.

About the author
Dorothy Edith Gilman (June 25, 1923 – February 2, 2012) was an American espionage and mystery fiction writer. She was best known for the Mrs. Pollifax series. Emily Pollifax, her heroine, became a spy in her 60s and is very likely the only spy in literature to belong simultaneously to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the local garden club.

In 2010 Dorothy Gilman was awarded the annual Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America.
She died in New York of Alzheimer's disease in 2012, aged 88. show less

This book is the sequel to Mrs. Pollifax Pursued, in which we meet Kadi Hopkirk, the daughter of Ubangiba missionaries. Kadi's college friend Sammy is now trying to rule Ubangiba after many years of dictatorship. Sammy calls upon Kadi for help and Mrs. Pollifax decides to accompany her to Africa. There have been a series of violent deaths where it appears the victims have been clawed to death by a rogue lion. But there are no lions in Ubangiba. Much of the population of Ubangiba still believe in witchcraft and there are rumors going around that Sammy is dabbling in sorcery.

Even though this is a fictional African country it's easy to identify the many elements that make it similar to real countries in Africa. Beneath the cozy exterior of show more this story are some quite serious issues. Mrs. Pollifax is always entertaining and her affection for Kadi and Sammy is quite apparent. If you enjoy the antics of Mrs. Pollifax you will really have a good time with this one. show less

Mrs Pollifax makes a return visit to Ubangiba with Kadi Hopkirk in response to a call for help from Kadi's childhood friend--the soon the be crowned King. Rumors are saying that he is a sorcerer and responsible for people being clawed to death by a lion. Mrs Pollifax tries to discover the true killer and save the kingdom from turmoil.

By far my least favorite of the series. I dearly love Mrs Pollifax and always find Barbara Rosenblatt's narration a delight. However, I didn't connect with the story line and was almost anxious for the end.

The story is pretty good. No surprise denouement, for which I am glad. I tend to feel cheated when clues and facts are only added after-the-fact.

Mrs. Pollifax is made to sound as though she were in her 80s...but though I work with a large number of extremely active octogenarians, I doubt if even one of them could swing their legs high enough to perform some of her "karate" moves.

I also criticize Gilman in this book for her unspoken racism. What is the purpose in describing someone's hand as "black" when speaking of an African? She didn't resort to it too often, but often enough that it caught my attention.

Rosenblat, as a narrator must be commended for the wide range of voices she brings to her work. But I still find myself constantly show more wondering if she wears false teeth or is constantly sucking on a piece of hard candy. The shlurping sound that accompanies many (most? all?) of her voices is irritating.

This review is to the audible.com recording show less

This was a departure for Ms. Gilman in that she wrote an actual sequel to the previous novel (in the sense of continuing the story of #11). It made for a more complex storyline. It is also continuing the idea of the last novel of Mrs. P. where she has an adventure not tied to the CIA. In this one, there is no connection at all (unlike the last one where there was a superficial tie). I like the change of pace and Kadi is a another nice addition to the cast of recurring characters.

It was okay. I think Kadi should have had a chance to play detective. She's just a sweet victim. Sammat should have been a more developed character. An African King in his early 20's who went to Yale has potential.