Mrs. Pollifax and the Second Thief

That dignified New Jersey grandmother with the wicked karate chop embarks on her 10th CIA assignment, after Mrs. Pollifax and the Whirling Dervish , in this sunny Sicilian adventure. Former colleague John Farrell, hired to crack a safe and lift a document signed by Julius Caesar (who ``launched his attack on Africa in 47 B.C. from the town of Lilybaeum'' in Sicily) sends an SOS while dodging a professional assassin whom he and Mrs. P. jailed some years ago. Soon she too is ducking bullets and the old pals are forced to hole up in the Villa Franca--part farm, part medieval fortress and full-time residence of young CIA agent Kate Rossiter's eccentric aunt. Ancient artifacts, hair-raising chases, art forgery, arms traffic, a nighttime assault on the villa, mysterious millionaires, spectacular scenery and unexpected romance are some of the ingredients simmering in the plot. Gilman's smooth storytelling and slyly comic tone make it easy for readers to overlook a somewhat untidy ending. (Oct.)