Playing it safe by Ashley Weaver

In the third of the Electra McDonnell series, Ellie is approached by Major Ramsey who asks her to travel to the port city of Sunderland where she is to await instructions. Ellie is determined to do her best for her country knowing that her safe cracking skills are sure to come in handy during the assignment. When she arrives, she is a witness to a man who dies in front of her eyes and quickly on the scene gains hold of a note that he is clutching in his hand. His friends rally around and Elly gets to know them while she impatiently waits for the Major to contact her.

With dangerous break-ins, bombs falling on the city, German spies and a spymaster to find, Ellie and Major Ramsey move from one precarious adventure to another in their quest to stop the traitors. The slow burn romance between the pair gently simmers although Ellie is not sure of Felix’s place in her life.

I enjoyed this short and easy to read cosy mystery very much. Ellie and Major Ramsey are fascinating main characters, the background of the Blitz, a port town being bombed and some bird watching thrown in, combine to make for an engrossing read. And the secondary mystery of Ellie’s dead mother and the stunning twist at the end will ensure that the next instalment is picked up.

Themes: Cosy mystery, Blitz, Spies.

Pat Pledger