I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You

Liz is one of Cammie’s best friends. Where Cammie and Bex excel at the physical side of the spy life—fighting and things that would be considered stunts in the movies, Liz is the brains. Cammie says that Liz ““may be the next Einstein” (14), which is a tribute to how brilliant Liz is with logistics and computers. Liz represents the less glamorous side of spying. She doesn’t have the physical aptitude her friends have, but her role is no less important. During the Covert Operations final, Liz stays away from the fighting, rigging the electronics to cut the power and mapping out the building to provide the package’s location and an escape route. Liz shows how a well-functioning team needs all sorts to work.

Rebecca is the third member of Cammie’s trio, and Liz says she “always has been kind of rules-optional” (7). Bex has a swagger about her in everything from her walk to the way she speaks. She exudes confidence and is only shaken by truly scary moments, such as Mr. Solomon’s slideshow. Bex represents the type of spy seen in the movies—attractive, tough, and with attitude. She is the only girl at the academy who isn’t an American citizen, the result of a favor on the part of Cammie’s mother. The description of her skin as “cappuccino-colored” (13) implies that she is not white. Bex’s ability to get away with things no one else can do gives her self-assuredness and the confidence to charge ahead into uncertain circumstances.

Macey is a newcomer to the Gallagher Academy and has short black hair that “framed a face that belonged on the cover of a magazine” (30). Later in the book, her face does appear on the cover of a magazine, making this line ironic. She is the daughter of Senator McHenry and also a descendant of Gilly Gallagher, which makes Macey the ultimate legacy. Macey undergoes the most transformation during the book. She begins the story with a disrespectful attitude and a disregard for authority. She’s been kicked out of several schools, hinting at her discontent with traditional education. Her change is due in part to finding a curriculum she enjoys at the Gallagher Academy, as well as to finding friends in Cammie, Bex, and Liz. By the end of the book, Macey is part of Cammie’s friend group, setting her up to play a bigger part throughout the series.

Josh is Cammie’s love interest. He has wavy hair and a smile that “seemed to define his entire face” (79). Like Cammie, Josh feels trapped by the world he lives in. His parents want him to take over the family pharmacy, something Josh doesn’t want. He is intrigued by Cammie’s stories about traveling, showing how he wishes he could change his life and do more than it seems he’s destined for. Josh’s ready acceptance of Cammie’s cover story implies that Cammie created a convincing persona or that Josh is so eager for something different that he’ll believe anything that sounds interesting. It’s implied that Josh’s memories of Cammie will be wiped after the book ends, meaning he plays a smaller role in the rest of the series.

Mr. Solomon is the new Covert Operations professor. He has a grizzly beard and harsh eyes, and beside him, “Indiana Jones would have looked like a momma's boy” (12). Mr. Solomon symbolizes the dark side of the spy life. He was in the field with Cammie’s father when he died, and other stories Mr. Solomon tells suggest he’s seen things that would disturb most people. He is the toughest professor the girls have, but he’s also the one who teaches them the most. At the end of the book, he seems to be growing close with Cammie’s mom, suggesting a potential relationship between them later in the series.

Rachel Morgan is Cammie’s mom and the headmistress of the Gallagher Academy. She has made many controversial decisions regarding the school, including allowing Bex to be admitted, which shows she isn’t afraid to do what she thinks is right despite how other people feel. Rachel’s greatest strength is her love for Cammie. Even though she’s a terrible cook, Rachel attempts to make dinner every Sunday night so she can spend time with her daughter. It is never said but may be implied that her love for Cammie could be used against her, which may be dormant conflict for later in the series.