Errands & espionage

Tschida (Siri, Who Am I?) fails to deliver on a promising premise in this lopsided action-adventure rom-com. Following a divorce, stay-at-home mom Gabby Green doesn't know what to do with herself or how she'll keep her family afloat. With an incomplete English degree and a 14-year gap on her résumé, she seriously considers multilevel marketing. Then Gabby is approached by the CIA, who inform her that she bears a strong resemblance to the recently murdered agent Darcy Dagger--and want her to play the part of Darcy in an ongoing investigation. It's dangerous, but it comes with a very convincing salary. After a makeover, Gabby is tossed into the world of the Russian mafia, money laundering, and violence--all while still balancing her children's schedules and household maintenance. Assisting her is Darcy's partner, Markus Parks, whom Gabby approaches with a mix of suspicion and serious attraction. Tschida succeeds in mining this setup for comedic effect, playing up Gabby's clumsiness and inexperience in scenes that may cause either laughter or second-hand embarrassment. Unfortunately, the mission never feels truly thrilling and the romance takes a backseat to what little action there is. This disappoints. Agent: David Purse, Inked Entertainment. (Aug.)

Gabby Greene dreams of changing her life. The ex-husband, the housework, the intrusive neighbors, and the kids who have more allergies than respect--she didn't sign up for all of this. Then two CIA officers show up, dramatically changing her monotonous routine. Turns out Gabby is a look-alike for a dead agent, and the CIA wants her to impersonate the woman to help them investigate a case. Life takes an even more complicated turn when Gabby gets a visit from a Russian mob boss who tells her to double-cross the CIA or her whole family will be killed. Between special-agent school (led by a sexy secret agent) and driving the carpool, Gabby works frantically to complete her mission while still appeasing the mob. Life gets just as complicated as her son's allergies, and it is up to her mom skills--and her Russian granny--to foil the mob and even her homeowner association. VERDICT In this delightful spy thriller romance from Tschida (Siri, Who Am I?), disrespectful kids and mob bosses alike fall victim to special agent Gabby Greene, a stay-at-home mom with the lethal combination of a dart gun, just-dyed roots, and a minivan. Bad guys beware.--Judy Garner