Dorothy Gilman
Sad news for Dorothy Gilman fans this morning: the author, 88, died at her home in Rye Brook, New York, over the weekend, after battling Alzheimer’s Disease.
Gilman was best known for her Mrs. Pollifax mystery series, which began with The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax in 1966.
The titular heroine is a 60-something widow who gives up garden club for a more exciting life as a CIA agent. Marrying spy techniques with old-fashioned common sense, she finds unexpected success—and eventually, romance—in her new career.
The 14th and final Mrs. Pollifax adventure, Mrs. Pollifax Unveiled, was published in 2000. Since then, we at BookPage have received dozens of questions about when Gilman would publish a new novel, and today’s news, unfortunately, provides the final answer, and explains Gilman’s long absence from writing. On the bright side, it might also bring new fans to her work—readers who enjoy heroines like Ann B. Ross’ Miss Julia should find Mrs. Pollifax a delight.
