Why I read the book: I saw it recommended somewhere or other. Modesty is supposed to be the female James Bond.

What the book was about: Modesty and her partner Willie Gavin used to be professional thieves. When they made all the money they wanted, they got out of the business, but now they’re bored. British agent Tarrant wants their help — The Sheik of Malaurak has agreed to sell his oil to Great Britain in exchange for two boxes of diamonds. Tarrant is worried that someone will try to steal the diamonds.

Modesty and Willie agree to help. They track the plot to Gabriel, a thief who used to be Modesty’s competition. When they can’t figure out Gabriel’s plan, they decide to allow themselves to be caught by him. They force Willie to help them grab the diamonds by breaking through the bottom of the ship that’s carrying them. Gabriel then takes the two as prisoners to his island hideout because Modesty has convinced him she has a buyer for the diamonds.

Modesty and Willie break out of their cells, dump the diamonds into a well and hold off Gabriel’s men until Tarrant and the Sheik’s men arrive to rescue them.

What I liked about the book: It was pretty well written, with interesting characters and descriptions of weapons and fighting. The plot wasn’t great, but it served.

What I didn’t like about the book: A few too many descriptions of Modesty’s clothing and the details of her weapons.

Recommendation: I gave it an 8 just because it was new and somewhat different. I plan on getting the next book in the series.

Further Comments: It was a newspaper comic strip before it was a book.