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A review by laurieb755
A Peculiar Combination by Ashley Weaver
3.0
This delightful story, the first in a series of three, reminded me of Jennifer Ashley's Below Stairs Mysteries. Both are simply a comfort to read and a bit on the romantic side with a strong female role up against a highly focused male figure of authority, and of course the male has a soft side that does emerge periodically.
Ashley Weaver's Electra McDonnell books take place in England during World War II. Ellie (full name Electra) and her Uncle Mick make a living as highly skilled safe crackers, repairing broken safes when needed to provide a legit side to their business. As London is in black-out mode they attempt yet another safe cracking only to discover it was a setup. They are hauled away to a rather unusual location where they are ultimately offered one opportunity-allow themselves to be blackmailed into working with the Government or wind up going to prison. Since that wasn't much of a choice, they chose the former.
This is the story of the ensuing adventure to find a spy (or two or three), a killer (of more than one), and stop the transfer of munitions information to the Germans. I liked the pacing, fully enjoyed the quasi-romantic innuendo between Ellie and Major Ramsey, and found myself surprised by a few of the events and people. The surprise makes the story all the more enjoyable because if I can figure everything out before the book ends then it's been too easy a run!
The title, A Peculiar Combination, alludes to more than just combinations to open safes. I think it also alludes to the relationships among the various people including between Ellie, Felix and Major Ramsey. Who is Felix? You'll have to read to find out!
Ashley Weaver's Electra McDonnell books take place in England during World War II. Ellie (full name Electra) and her Uncle Mick make a living as highly skilled safe crackers, repairing broken safes when needed to provide a legit side to their business. As London is in black-out mode they attempt yet another safe cracking only to discover it was a setup. They are hauled away to a rather unusual location where they are ultimately offered one opportunity-allow themselves to be blackmailed into working with the Government or wind up going to prison. Since that wasn't much of a choice, they chose the former.
This is the story of the ensuing adventure to find a spy (or two or three), a killer (of more than one), and stop the transfer of munitions information to the Germans. I liked the pacing, fully enjoyed the quasi-romantic innuendo between Ellie and Major Ramsey, and found myself surprised by a few of the events and people. The surprise makes the story all the more enjoyable because if I can figure everything out before the book ends then it's been too easy a run!
The title, A Peculiar Combination, alludes to more than just combinations to open safes. I think it also alludes to the relationships among the various people including between Ellie, Felix and Major Ramsey. Who is Felix? You'll have to read to find out!