I Love Historical Novels discussion

Ashley Weaver, A Peculiar Combination, Minotaur 2021 (5 stars)

Electra “Ellie” McDonnell is a young woman whose family supplements its income from burglary and safecracking in the homes of wealthy Londoners. Early in World War II, she and her uncle, apprehended in a break-in, are given the option of helping in a secret service operation under the direction of Major Ramsey against the Nazis, or else going to prison. The operation doesn’t go quite to plan and the ensuing adventures provide Ellie perilous opportunities to use her steady nerves and resourcefulness for the benefit of Britain, winning the continuing reluctant admiration of the major, a handsome but enigmatic wealthy member of the nobility.

I liked Ellie as a heroine who is not only spunky and physically attractive, but who is justified in her confidence in herself, having grown up needing to hold her own against her family of strong males and her cool in dangerous situations -- but who has also attended a finishing school and is therefore able to adequately fit in at upper class social events.

A less capable writer might have created a standard romance novel, with Major Ramsey as the hunky guy and Ellie as the impressionable girl swooning over his muscular build and charm despite initially disliking him. Instead, Weaver handles the relationship with deft subtlety and humor, avoiding stereotypical language.

I was personally intrigued and amused by Ellie explaining to the major the workings of a safe’s combination, which goes on for over two pages. Somehow it works, increasing the major’s grudging admiration for Ellie and her skills.

And without giving away too much of the ending, the reader is left with some uncertainty about the form of Ellie’s continuing relationships with both the major and the longtime handsome family friend who fancies her.

I also tried a couple of the author’s earlier books in the Amory Ames mystery series, but regrettably I found that I just couldn’t care about the upper class protagonist or the milieu with the other high society characters.

I’m eager to read the next book in the Ellie McDonnell series when it becomes available.