The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax is a book by Dorothy Gilman. The main character, Emily Pollifax, is a widow in her 60s who is bored with her life. She decides to pursue one of her dreams and become a spy. She goes to the CIA in Washington, DC and offers her services. The CIA accepts her offer.
Pollifax is sent to Mexico City on a job that doesn't sound dangerous. However, something goes wrong and she becomes involved in the Cold War. She encounters many dangers as she tries to escape, but she and two others are picked up by a ship.