My second read by this author and she did not disappoint.
Beattie is unassuming and her supposed role in the Civil Service is to improve efficiency amongst employees especially their typing skills. It seems like a good cover because Beattie is discreet, fearless and loves her job. She had to overcome obstacles from her family who just wanted her to be domesticated and married. Their knowledge of what she did was vague and she kept it at that.
Her present assignment to go to Kilbride, a remote Scottish outpost where something was awry. There was talk of double agents, people working for both sides, and on arrival a missing head of the unit, as well as a missing uncle, the very enigmatic Howard Cavendish.
Paddy Corrigan, a past conspirators with Beattie also works in this story, bringing mixed emotions to both of them. Their attraction to each other is deep, trust implicit but there are many barriers and this was sad.
The setting was bleak and descriptive providing just the amount of negativity needed as a background for the story that emerged. Spies, double dealings, mercenaries and trying to see the wood from the trees was Beattie’s instructions.
An excellent story with strong and weak characters which fitted their respective roles perfectly.
Sent by Allison & Busby for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley
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