ARC Review: Playing It Safe by Ashley Weaver

Playing It Safe
Author: Ashley Weaver
Series: Electra McDonnell (Book 3)
Publication: Minotaur Books (May 9, 2023)

Description: As the Blitz continues to ravage London, Ellie McDonnell―formerly a safecracking thief, but currently determined to stay on the straight and narrow to help her country―is approached by British Intelligence officer Major Ramsey with a new assignment. She is to travel under an assumed identity to the port city of Sunderland and there await further instructions. In his usual infuriating way, the Major has left her task as vague and mysterious as possible.

Ellie, ever-ready to aid her country, heads north, her safecracking tools in tow. But before she can rendezvous with the major, she witnesses an unnatural death. A man falls dead in the street in front of her, with a note clutched in his hand. Ellie’s instincts tell her that the man’s death is connected in some way to her mission.

Soon, Ellie and the major are locked in a battle of wits and a race against time with an unknown and deadly adversary, and a case that leads them to a possible Nazi counterfeiting operation. With bombs dropping on the city and a would-be assassin shadowing their every move, it will take all of Ellie’s resourcefulness and Major Ramsey’s fortitude to unmask the spymaster and avert disastrous consequences―for England and for their own lives.

My Thoughts: Ellie McDonnell has a new assignment from Major Ramsey. She's to travel to Sunderland and await further instructions. She's glad to leave London, which is under frequent bombardment from the Nazis, but she is confused about why the Major has sent her there. As usual, he is keeping all sorts of information from her.

After meeting a cute Captain on the train and being pushed into traffic on her arrival only to be saved by a stranger, Ellie is dismayed to later seen the stranger die on the street. Some of the girls at her rooming house new the man which leads Ellie into investigating what looks like a suspicious death. Especially since she grabbed the cryptic note that he was clutching in his hand as he died. 

Ellie soon finds herself involved in more than one plot. First there is the counterfeiting of identity documents which are likely used for incoming Nazi spies. Second there are the suspicious deaths that seem to be centered around the group of young people Ellie meets. 

Ellie's relationship with Major Ramsey also takes a turn in this episode. She's always been interested in him but being out of his class and from a criminal background, she doesn't think he has any interest in her. But kisses are exchanged after he rescues her from an attempted poisoning which makes her uncertain about how he does feel about her.

I enjoyed this story set during World War II, Ellie and Ramsey are both interesting characters. The setting was also well done. Fans of mysteries set in this time period will enjoy this story which happens to be the third in a series. 

Favorite Quote:

His hands were still on my arm, and when I looked up, our eyes met in the dim interior of the car.

And there it was. That uncomfortable little jolt in my chest that I sometimes felt when we were in close proximity. I could no longer deny to myself that it was attraction on my part, and sometimes, in moments like these, it was getting harder for me to believe that he wasn't feeling something, too. 

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.