Sorry I just got to this one, I really enjoyed it so I can't wait to continue with the series and get caught up! I really liked Electra and Major Ramsey and I am interested in what is going to happen in the next one!! Great historical mystery!

The first book in a future series with a good set of characters and a speak her mind heroine. This was a fun read. I enjoyed the setting of London at the beginning of WWII. I thought that I had the mystery solved and that a twist was coming in the end. Yes, it did come but not exactly the way I thought. A light, easy and satisfying read, which is highly recommended. Thank you to NetGalley, and Dreamscape Media, for the advance copy.

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* really ended up liking this book! different from other ww2 mystery books ive read, looking forward to reading more!

A Peculiar Combination is the first book in Ashley Weaver's electrifying new series Electra McDonnell, set in England during World War II. If this first installment is any indication, we are going to be in for a thrill ride in upcoming volumes! I read the last book in Ms. Weaver's Amory Ames series and loved it, but I think this one may be even better. I both read and listened to the audiobook version which was narrated by Alison Larkin. You can't go wrong either way!

Electra "Ellie" McDonnell helps her Uncle Mick in his locksmith shop while her cousins Toby and Colm are off fighting the war. She's also involved in the family's other business - safe cracking. It's definitely an unusual occupation for a young woman but they need help paying bills, so they break into homes and pick the locks on safes to supplement their income. Uncle Mick receives a tip about an empty home with a safe full of jewels, so off to work they go...where they are caught red-handed. They expect to be hauled off to jail, but are instead brought to a big townhouse where they meet Major Gabriel Ramsey. Major Ramsey offers Ellie a deal: she can either break into a safe for the government and retrieve plans before they can be delivered to a German agent, or she and Uncle Mick can go to prison. Ellie has no desire to be in jail, and she does like the thought of her doing her part in the war effort; so she and the Major break into the house where the plans were to be, only to find the suspected spy with his throat cut and the plans already gone! Major Ramsey utilizes Ellie and Uncle Mick to help find the missing plans before the war goes the wrong way and the English people must start speaking German.

This was definitely one of those stories that I seriously did NOT want to put down! It started off with a bang and kept me totally enthralled until the end. Ellie was a fantastic heroine; she regularly broke the law, but as the story moved along we found the hidden reason behind her life of crime. She was extremely smart and clever, had a gift for safe cracking, a hot temper and apparently a talent for spy games. She and Major Ramsey mixed like oil and water...though that didn't stop her from noticing his tall muscular form, broad shoulders and violet eyes. Ramsey had an imperious manner and was rather a rigid and stuffy man; he could, though, make Ellie swoon when they had to act enamored of each other to hide their spying. I enjoyed watching the relationship between them evolve. She also had an interesting relationship with her friend Felix Lacey, a charming ex-soldier and very talented forger who assisted them on their mission; there were some latent romantic feelings between them. Uncle Mick was a charmer, and I loved Nacy the housekeeper who was really a part of the family. Of course, the mystery must be as compelling as the characters, and it certainly was here! The revelation of the villain totally caught me off guard. I suspect this series will become of my favorites; I can't wait to see Ellie and the gang on their next adventure!

Alison Larkin did a smashing good job on narration. Her female voices were excellent, and she didn't try to over-exaggerate male voices. I did have one issue, and perhaps it was the NetGalley app on which I was listening to the book: It dragged. Ellie sounded like she were a slow, old woman. However, when I changed the speed to 1.25, it was perfect! So don't be afraid to try playing with the speed if you have any issue.

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher, Dreamscape Media and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

I very mush enjoyed listening to the audio version of A Peculiar Combination, by Ashley Weaver. This is the first in the Electra McDonnell series and I am looking forward to more adventures with Ellie. She was raised by her Uncle Mick, and her cousins Colm and Toby...a family who supplements their living by cracking safes and stealing from the wealthy. When Ellie and Mick are caught red-handed, they are offered an opportunity to stay out of prison. They are recruited by Major Ramsey and a secret branch of the British Government to break into a safe to swap documents that should not fall into the hands of the Nazis. Ellie is a smart young woman who finds it difficult to hold her temper, and it is a delight to follow her story. A nice mixture of suspense, humor, and sexual tension. I must check out Ashley Weaver's other works until the next Electra McDonnell book comes out.

Doing your bit for king and country get really complicated in this tale of thief, spy, double agent, good guys and bad guys.

Not your usual cops and robbers! A sophisticated tale written well and read well

The narration for this title was very well done. The narrator created distinctive voices for each character that fit well with what we knew about them. Ellie really comes through as the resourceful and stubborn protagonist she's written as. This was very well done.

Audiobook provided by NetGalley and Dreamscape Media in exchange for an honest review.

Electra McDonnell may be my new favorite character! She's feisty, she's smart, and she refuses to let the men around her treat her like a helpless woman. I look forward to seeing where this series goes.

Ashley Weaver's writing is witty and this was an absolute delight to read. The mystery was engaging and had some twists to it that I didn't see coming. While there are.... A LOT of WWII books out there, this approached being a war novel from a different angle to not make this feel like the same ol' story in an oversaturated market.

Alison Larkin does a fabulous job with the audiobook too!

I enjoyed meeting Electra McDonnell in this latest from Ashley Weaver. A safe-cracker, Electra finds herself pulled into the shady world of espionage in WW2 London as she is forced into a partnership with a stuffy army major. The right combination of suspense as Ellie and the major investigate the possible double agent and flirt with each other. The story ended with some loose threads to be pursued as the series evolves, and the promise of more fun with Ellie in her not-so-legal endeavors.

Thanks to Dreamscape Media for an ALC via NetGalley.

Weaver is a pro at creating a wonderful historical setting and engaging characters who live within it. Her new heroine is spunky and unique and I cannot wait for her next adventure. I was a bit put off by the use of the same narrator as Weaver's Amory Ames series, especially since Alison Larkin has such a distinctive voice.

The narration of this audiobook is phenomenal, adding an extra layer to the wonderfully writing and plot of the novel itself.

I really enjoyed this historical mystery featuring Electra McDonnel, a woman who knows how to get things done, and how to steal things without getting caught. I loved the historical aspect of the book, and really enjoyed the character development. I look forward to reading more adventures.

I received an e-ARC of this book by the author and publishing via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

You can find a link to my Goodreads Review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4006501942

I enjoyed traveling to WWII London while reading A Peculiar Combination by Ashley Weaver, author of the Amory Ames cozyish mystery series.

Electra (Ellie) McDonnell is an unusual heroine as readers meet her as she's caught breaking into a stately home and picking the safe with her Uncle Mick. Expecting to be arrested, she's surprised when she's taken to Major Gabriel Ramsey who offers her an intriguing deal - use her unique skills to benefit her country's war effort ... or go to prison.

The novel is filled with witty banter, spy mission maneuvers, interesting backstory, and romantic tension. The characters, especially plucky Ellie and commanding Ramsey, are delightful. The first novel in a series, I'm looking forward to future Electra McDonnell adventures including her love life - is her future with family friend Felix, dashing Major Ramsey, or someone else?

I enjoyed the audiobook narration by Alison Larkin; her snappy British accent was perfect for bringing Ellie and Ramsey to life. Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the ALC; all thoughts are my own.

A Peculiar Combination, a delightful play-on-words, is a sprightly spy/mystery story set in WWII England. The main character is Electra, or Ellie, a young woman born into a family of safe crackers who do engage in legitimate enterprise, but are also not averse to a little side-business of criminal house-breaking and theft when needs must. Ellie and her lively family are drawn into a web of spies and intrigue with the stern and handsome Major Ramsey, while putting their house-breaking and safe-cracking skills to good use against German spies and potential traitors. A side plot of romance and attraction spice up the relationship between Ellie and the Major.

The characters are very entertaining, the plot twists are interesting without being confusing, and the narrator, Alison Larkin, is ideal for this audiobook. Her voice is melodic and expressive; she brings the characters to life without over-dramatizing. My only complaint might possibly be that the novel could have been a little more concise, but that is a minor flaw. I thoroughly enjoyed this and, on one night, stayed awake long past my bedtime while listening!

At the novel's end, it is clear that further intrigues are on the horizon, and I am already anticipating Electra's next adventure.

I cover a lot of miles in my daily commute to work, so audio books are a part of my daily routine. It is possible to have an exceptional story and still not have a stellar audio book. A Peculiar Combination is the perfect combination of a suspenseful, yet gentle historical mystery set in WWII and stellar voice acting.

I looked forward to every time I got into the car to travel. With gridlock and construction woes, that's saying quite a lot! If you enjoy books set in WWII with a strong female protagonist and a little bit of romance, this is your story!

I'm so excited to see this is a book 1! What a great start to a series!

I was completely sucked in to this. Enjoying it as an audio book, the narrator really brought the story to life. I enjoyed the espionage - it's fun to see how some skills that make you a good thief can also make you a great spy!

I really enjoyed Ellie - she's a fun main character. She's spunky and fiery and is okay running with the boys but can also enjoy a good pair of stockings. I love that she was so versatile - she could be attending a party in one moment and then picking a lock in another.

The mystery kept me guessing, the story was easy to follow along. I loved it!

<i>A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.</i>

If you are in the mood for a thrilling mystery, catching some WWII bad guys, and a fun romantic triangle then A Peculiar Combination by Ashley Weaver is the perfect audiobook for you to enjoy.

In London 1940 we meet the delightful Electra McDonnell known as Ellie to her family and friends. Ellie lives with her Uncle Mick and male cousins and they are all taken care of by their motherly housekeeper Nacy. Sounds like a lovely family and they are except for their occupation; they are professional thieves and are exceptional in their chosen field.

Through a series of events Ellie has to work with the staunch Major Ramsey to crack open a safe in a known German spy's house to get the blueprints that cannot fall into enemy hands. Of course things do not go as planned and more spying and planning is necessary. As Ellie and the Major spend time together their dislike for each other lessens and maybe something else happens between them. But there is family friend Felix, an excellent forger, who has always been sweet on Ellie and Ellie has always cared about him. Romance during a spy mission; what could possibly go wrong?!

One of the major joys listening to this audiobook was the talents of narrator @alisonlarkinpresents She enhanced the beguiling Ellie, gave heart to the major, and intensified the suspense throughout the story.

This novel is the start of the Electra McDonnell series and though there is a satisfactory ending in the book I know there are more adventures awaiting our heroine. I hope our author is a fast writer. Seriously, the Major or Felix, who truly has Ellie's heart?

I received a free copy of this audiobook from the publishers via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

I absolutely loved this book! The reader is amazing and drew one into the story very quickly. The title was perfect and so appropriate. I can’t wait for the next one from this author. There are so many twists and turns that it keeps you at the edge of your seat while listening. Highly recommend!

I was interested in reading this book because it was labeled historical fiction. I was so happy with this story! Yes, it was historical fiction, however, it read very edgily and the story had me IMMERSED! I loved each character, and I loved the strength of each character. I will eagerly be awaiting each book in this series!!

Thank you so much Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to read this book!

The plot of this story intrigued me. A criminal safe-cracker isn’t something you read about every day. There were some good descriptive parts about how Ellie and her uncle do this that I enjoyed. Overall the concept was good but I found I didn’t really like the characters. How could she be so smart and so naive at the same time?!? Maybe they just weren’t developed enough for me to care about them or maybe I was just in a irritable mood lol. The plot was enough to keep me reading but it was a bit predictable so this was a 3 star read for me. Once I got used to the narrator’s accent I did like how she portrayed the personality of each character. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!