A thief, a major and secrets!

The Key to Deceit (Electra McDonnell #2) by Ashley Weaver    

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Electra (Ellie) McDonnell is on a quest. To find out if her dead mother really did kill her father. London, 1940. The war is raging, bombs are being dropped by the Germans. Major Ramsey, working for a secretive arm of the intelligence service has a job for this ex-jewellery thief and her family, her reformed safe cracking, jewel robbing family. 

The major is a man Ellie is conflicted about. She’s antagonistic in his company, can’t seem to get a handle on her responses to him, and is alarmed that she thinks about him too frequently.

The government has found their skills useful in the past. Their help is urgently needed. A dead woman has been dragged from the Thames wearing a camera disguised as a bracelet. Major Ramsey needs their skills to try and track down a probable espionage ring.

I love the tension in the plot. Ellie’s quest for information about her mother is supported by her long time friend Felix Lacey, and yet to me there’s something a little off with Felix. And what has he been doing in Scotland. 

Ellie’s unresolved feelings towards the enigmatic Major are a counterpoint of drama in the novel. The pages sizzle with understated emotion when they’re together. Ramsey obviously comes from a privileged background. As Ellie reflects, he’s the nephew of an Earl and “a toff through and through.” Mr. Darcy keeps flashing before my eyes whenever I think of him.

Ellie and her relationship with both men—Ramsey and Felix, does setup the potential for a future love triangle distraction.

BTW, thinking about attraction, I must say that I’ve found the cover of this title and the previous one quite alluring.

Another solid read from Weaver with plenty more of Ellie McDonnell to come I’m sure. I’m looking forward to the next “brick in the wall!”

A St. Martin's Press ARC via NetGalley 

Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change