A Peculiar Combination: An Electra McDonnell Novel

Electra (Ellie) McDonnell is an orphan with an extraordinary past, she lives with her uncle, a housekeeper and her two cousins in North London. Her uncle is a locksmith, that is when he isn't safecracking. With one of her cousins missing in action and the other with the air-force, patriotism has stopped Ellie and her uncle Mick from supplementing their salaries, but times are tight and her uncle has heard about a swanky house that's empty and has a safe full of jewels. The job is a trap and Ellie and her uncle are offered a stark deal, help the UK government with a matter of national security or spend many years inside by an officious Major Ramsay. The job seems simple, break into an empty house, open the safe and steal some top secret plans for a new weapon. But when Ellie and the Major get there they find the safe empty and a dead body. Can Ellie and the Major retrieve the plans, substitute them for fake plans, and identify the German sympathisers without raising suspicion? I had read some negative comments about this book which (alongside the high price) put me off buying this earlier - Big Mistake, Huge! I just loved this, all of the historical detail I've come to expect from Ashley Weaver, engaging, enthralling and fast-paced I absolutely loved this and will definitely be pre-ordering the next book.

WWII Espionage Action Adventure This was a fun book to read. I was quite excited to learn that this was the first in a new series. The plot and action are tight. The story is quite believable and there are no super-hero type unbelievable stunts. Everything is quite believable. The action takes place in England as they fight to stay free from the Nazis. There are so many parts to the book that I just loved! From skill-sets to interpersonal relationships, to the moral values of everyone. Great job! I can't wait until book 2 comes out. I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.

theft, espionage, London, romance, family-dynamics, family, WW2, murder, historical-fiction**** Perhaps it takes a thief to catch a --spy? Ellie usually works the safes and locks with her uncle but gets blackmailed by a supercilious army major apparently working in espionage. They get along like flint and steel but he needs her peculiar skills to plant false documents to out another agent and give false information to the Germans. There's a murder or two and some interesting adventures complete with suspense. Nice start to a new series! I requested and received a free temporary ebook copy from St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books via NetGalley.