This series is developing quite nicely. This is a new series (book 2) by Ashley Weaver and it's set in England during WWII

I love how this book had more espionage than the previous one. I also love Ellie and the Major and how their relationship is evolving, I just don't like the love triangle that is being further developed. Hopefully, Ms. Weaver gives us a nice match. with the Major.

I love Ellie. She is a strong character doing her part for her country, while her cousins are off fighting the war. (one cousin is MIA/the other a member of the RAF) and now we have Lacey (third leg of the triangle) up in Scotland involved in some clandestine mission. Ellie is great at figuring out clues, and she is fearless. She actually figures out a key part of the mystery before the Major does. We also have a side mystery, that of her father's murder that is taking center stage and that I hope won't undermine her relationship with her Uncle Mick. (Not a spoiler since I have no clue how that mystery is unraveling).

This series is developing very nicely and I love seeing Ellie's continuously evolving. I'm curious to see if Ms. Weaver develops Ellie along the lines of Jacqueline Winspear's Maisie Dobb.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review. My oh my, am I growing fond of Miss Electra "Ellie" McDonnell, and we're only on the second installment. Her grit, determination, creativity, personality, and spunk make for a delightful heroine. She's the perfect blend of rough and tender, passionate and steely, focused and full of dreams. For some reason, I'm strangely drawn to her little apartment abode behind the bigger house. I think every description of it is charming and wonderful. Ellie is back again, drawn in to the world of espionage and thrills thanks to the Major and the knocking of Germany on Britain's doorstep. Spies, murder, clocks, jewels, what do they all have to do with the advancing German threat? Weaver deftly spins a delightful, engaging read sure to continue to delight readers. I'm already impatient for the next installment!

Thanks to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books, along with NetGalley for giving me this book in return for my honest review.
This is the second installment of the Ellie McDonnell espionage series set in England during World War Two. I was very excited to receive this book and moved it to the top of my reading list. Unfortunately my excitement did not last that long for this book. It is rather simple and lacks some of the qualities that I so enjoyed in the first book. There's a lot of championing of England and patriotism, which is all well and good, but sometimes it gets to be a bit much.

Now, this has an interesting plot in that out of the blue Ellie is approached by Major Ramsey to help him remove a bracelet from the wrist of a young lady who was found dead in the Thames River. It was a rather simple bracelet to remove, and yet attached to the bracelet is a locket which also needs to be opened. Again this is not a hard task and it makes you wonder why major Ramsey really needed Ellie to be with him to open this. Nonetheless it turns out that within the locket was a small camera which contained film that had photos of sensitive areas in and around London. It becomes obvious that the dead woman was a spy. Now we have to find out who was the woman, who is in the spy network and to do this we bring in her uncle Mick, as well as her friend and possible love interest Felix Lacey.

A lot of this book is easy to figure out, and I just found the writing not up to the quality of the first book of the series, and the plot was rather obvious. Now, there have been many books written about World War Two, and many of the espionage novels have already covered much of the same ground. This series is different because Ellie and her family were professional thieves, which was a very unique twist that was introduced into this series. But by the 2nd book everyone becomes legitimate and some of the fun is gone. Ellie is torn between her growing relationship with Felix, and yet everybody seems to want Ellie to end up with Major Ramsey. We also get more information as to Ellie’s mother who had been convicted of killing her father and a lot of the back story into that situation. To be honest I don't need that. Major Ramsey makes a very good observation about that very subject and I think he hits the nail on the head.

But we have spies, spy rings, the beginning of the bombing of London, breaking into a bank vault and a lot of other action which helps move the story along. Unfortunately for me it just didn't do enough, I had a feeling that the author was rushing this book to press after the success of her first book. It's a good read, but it's not a great read and that to me was a disappointment. I still think the series has a lot of potential but the author must whittle down her cast of characters to make things a little more believable. While not a major fan of this book I do look forward to her next installment in this series.

The Key to Deceit by by Ashley Weaver isa wonderful historical cozy mystery that is the second book in the amazing series: An Electra McDonnell Novel. I just love this series!

This is a WWII-era series and this takes place in London 1940 where the previous left off. I love everything about this book.

The character cast is complex, intriguing, and likable. Their backstories are slowly being presented and I expect to see those will continue to be revealed in future books. I love the feisty, smart, real, and definitely talented. Her working and personal relationships with her fellow characters are spot on. And can I just say that I am such a personal fan of Major Ramsey?!

Anyways, I enjoyed the murder/mystery plot, pacing, direction of the narrative, characters, and I am excited to see where it all goes.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Minotaur Books/ St. Martin’s Press for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 6/21/22.

British Military Intelligence + Irish Safecracker + Spy Games = A Very Enjoyable Read!

The second in a series set during the beginning stages of World War II in England, The Key to Deceit, is the story of Major Ramsey's recruitment of a family whose activity is a slightly beyond the law. Ellie McDonnell has an uncanny skill in opening locks which comes in handy while trying to defeat an invading enemy.

The dynamic between the extremely reserved major and the fiery Irish Ellie is wonderful. The way they work together and goad one another along creates the perfect pair. The story is made more complicated and entertaining by characters from Ellie's world who are extremely quirky and loveable. There is also an ongoing mystery about her own parents.

Overall, this is a very entertaining series in more of the cozy mystery genre. It is fun with enjoyable characters who grow together due to their difficult war circumstances and work for a common cause. I am definitely looking forward to reading more by Ashley Weaver.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this! I had just finished reading the first book in the series, so all the characters were fresh. I was very pleased that this novel jumped right in and maintained the fast pace all the way through. We meet new people in Ellie's life. We learn more about her past and her family. And we see more of her talents put to work. I really loved how Weaver portrays day to day life in wartime London, although I admit it was a trip to be reading this as the war began in Ukraine, with air-raid sirens both on the news and in the novel in my hands. (🇺🇦Save Ukraine! 🇺🇦)

Anyway, I thought this was a better formed novel than the first, though I could have done with more Major Ramsey. Very much looking forward to the next in the series!


ARC

I received an ARC of The Key to Deceit from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley.

The Key to Deceit is a spy novel about a beautiful female spy (who also happens to be a reformed criminal) aiding her country in WWII with a host of other colorful characters. It was an easy, but entertaining read.

I don't normally read books with a First Person Perspective, so it took a bit for me to really get into the story; however once I did, I found Weaver beautifully captured Electra McDonnell's story. Electra is a complex, well thought out heroine, with a love interest (or two?). Though, this is in no way a romance novel.

When a woman is found floating dead in the Thames, it is up to Electra and her team to keep sensitive information from enemy hands. I felt Weaver's balance between the stress and atrocities of war and the entertainment of the reader was very well thought out. I might have even learned a thing or two. (Has anyone else never heard of barrage baloons?)

Overall an entertaining read. I'll be looking for more Electra McDonnell novels.

Entirely enjoyable and over far too soon! Key to Deceit picks up shortly after A Peculiar Combination ends. Reminiscent of the tv series Foyle's War, this book features great characters, a fabulous setting (London 1940!) and another war-time plot. The book frankly flies by--the only bad thing about it is that it ends. All of this is enhanced by a love triangle and several long-term mysteries that will probably play out over the series. I'm looking forward to reading more about Ellie!

The second book in the Electra McDonnell series picks up where the first left off, Having agreed to stay on the right side of the law, Ellie returns from completing a legitimate locksmith job to find Major Ramsey waiting with another job in service of king and country. A smart capable young woman, Ellie is frustrated by men seeing only her gender--though she remains unaware that the friction between Felix Lacey and Major Ramsey is over their attraction to her! This book has it all--a spy ring in London, the evolving story of her mother's innocence, Felix's mysterious trips to Scotland, and an emerging romance (though I'm on Team Ellie & Ramsey).

Thanks to St. Martin's Press for access to a digital ARC via NetGalley.

When the body of a suspected German spy is pulled from the Thames with nothing to identify her but a mysterious bracelet locked to her arm, Electra McDonnell is once again called to action by the dashing Major Ramsey. Utilizing her skills at lock picking and her contacts with the criminal element of London, Electra more than holds her own as the investigation into who the mystery woman was and what spy ring she was working for progresses. We get to meet more of Electra's criminal friends who are all very fun characters. Electra also has a blossoming romance with Felix, though she gets butterflies in her stomach when the Major looks at her a certain way.
Anyway, solid fun read, can't wait to see who Electra ends up with (#teamRamsey).

The Key to Deceit is the second book in the series starring safe cracker and sometimes thief Ellie McDonnell. It’s London, 1940 and the intelligence service of the war office is again in need of Ellie's expertise. A young woman's body is pulled from the Thames with a locked cuff bracelet on her wrist. Ellie unlocks the bracket and so begins a job as she helps the war office uncover a spy ring. The premise of the book as Ellie and her Uncle go from occasional thieves to aiding the government is well written and the secondary characters very likable. I really enjoyed The Key to Deceit, the plot was interesting and addition information on a sub plot regarding Ellie's deceased mother bodes well for future books in the series.

Maybe the best thing one can say about a book series is that you are royally upset you have to wait an entire year for the next book to be released! Oh well, patience is a virtue.

"The Key to Deceit" picks up about a week from where "A Peculiar Combination" ends. The Nazis are storming through continental Europe and England is bracing for what is headed their way. Electra 'Ellie' McDonnell is trying to find her way in a drastically changing world: a war that may be reaching the shores of England and a woman trying to find honest work that would usually be done by men. Life is not easy for our Ellie girl.

Under these conditions, Major Ramsey reappears, but instead of coming to Ellie for help with a mission, he comes looking for Uncle Mick. Fortunately for Ellie, and to the frustration of the major, Uncle Mick is away on a job. So off our two patriots go to the beginnings of our next mystery.

A woman is found floating in the Thames with no identification papers on her, but wearing a bracelet that may or may not be what it appears to be. Much to the major's chagrin, Ellie, and her knowledge of how to walk on the not quite legal side of the law, prove to be help in the investigation.

Felix Lacey, the other man in Ellie's life, is helping finding leads in the other mystery in Ellie's life. Ellie's mother was convicted of killing Ellie's father and died in prison professing her innocence. Ellie has decided to find the missing evidence that would prove that her mother was innocent of the crime. Felix is also hoping that he can convince Ellie that he can be more that just a friend of the family and an outrageous flirt. As things heat up with Felix, Ellie is also aware that he hiding something. And what that something is...well you will just have to find out.

The tension increases as Ramsey and Ellie try to solve the puzzle before the Nazis gain the upper hand. And just when you think things can't get anymore complicated for our merry band of those "in service to the crown", bombs begin to drop on England.

What I loved about this story is the spunky heroine and how she deals with not only her government work, but also how she faces the uncertainty of a war raging increasingly closer to her country's shores. She is a woman who is looking for her place in the world falling apart to war, ready to take on any challenge, but literally surrounded by men who would do anything to protect her. She has Felix, a forger she grew up with who no longer looks at her as a scrappy girl but a woman who's picture he took with him when he went to serve in the navy. She has Uncle Mick, a widower who raised his niece from the time she was a baby, and who made sure she could master any lock, even if it isn't for legal purposes. And she has the major, a man from the world of wealth and privilege and who code of conduct that does not seem to jive with a thief trying to go good. But as we saw it the first book in the series, war has a way of changing people. And the second world war is just getting started.

This is a good mystery that I didn't see the grand reveal coming until I was reading the climax and the romantic elements add a nice diversion without overwhelming the main story. The secondary mystery about Ellie's mother is just unfolding and I look forward to whatever twists and turns are uncovered. I have a sneaking suspicion that Ellie may uncover a few secrets she might wish she never brought to light.

As for the two potential love interests, Ellie will have to chose between the man she grew up with is not shy about dropping hints of where he hopes their relationship could go and a man who tries to keep rigid control over his emotions and keeps Ellie mostly at arms length. The choice as things are now seems obvious. I am hoping that Ramsey heals from past hurts of a failed romance and makes a strategic campaign for Ellie. If not, he will find himself on the losing side of the battle for Ellie's affections. Although if he enlists the help of Nacy and Uncle Mick, my hope is that he will be very successful.

Brava, Ms. Weaver, on creating wonderful stories with a very entertaining cast of characters. I will be counting down the days until the next book is released in the historical series.

I enjoyed Ashley Weaver’s Amory Ames series so I was eager to read this new series about reformed safecracker set in London in 1940.

The Key to Deceit, is the second in the Electra McDonnell. After years of stealing from the rich and giving to the poor—well, to themselves, anyway—Ellie McDonnell and her family have turned over a new leaf as they help the government’s war effort. It’s true that the straight-laced Major Ramsey didn’t give them much choice, but still, Ellie must admit she doesn’t miss breaking and entering as much as she might have thought.

Electra is working as a locksmith for her uncle, perfectly capable of installing them and picking them, when Major Ramsey returns with another case. A dead woman has a unique bracelet and locket locked onto her wrist and it needs to come off without destroying it.

Honestly, I wondered why they didn’t just cut her hand off because the poor woman was dead. But, whatever. Electra is quickly drawn in to the espionage mystery. Alongside this investigation, Ellie is delving into her mother’s past looking for answers.

The Major is an intelligence officer, cautious, stern, smart, devoted to his country, and far too stubborn and starched to have any interest in someone like Electra. Or so she thinks. Future books will tell if there is a softer side to Major Ramsey. Right now, old-friend-turned-something-more Felix seems in the lead.

The plot of the first book is hinted at, but it wasn’t necessary to read to understand the setup and characters in this one. I will go back to read it though because I enjoyed this one.

Electra misses the thrill of her former life of crime and helping the cause seems to fill that void. She’s principled and smart and witty. It’s a well-paced multi-layered mystery perfect for anyone who likes sharp female leads, spies and England during the war, and a hint of romance.

This is such a great book. It’s extremely well written capturing the reader into the story from the very beginning. Electra is such a strong and feisty character that’s it’s very fun and entertaining to read her exploits. Lots of mystery and twists and turns easily turn this novel into a 5 star one from me. I can’t wait to read more in the series and from this author!!!

Fans of Ashley Weaver will not be disappointed - the next installment of the Ellie McDonnell series is a fun read that continues right where the first book in the series left off. I really enjoyed the story of a jewel thief and her family being converted into government agents during World War II, and think this is the best series yet by Ashley Weaver.

This story continues some of the plot lines from the first book- several possible love interests, missing relatives, and an unsolved mystery around Ellie's mother - while being focused on resolving the location of German spies in London.

This is a fun stand alone read, but I recommend reading the series in order. I am also already looking forward to the next book in the series since there are still some arcs of the story that have not been resolved yet! Fans of historical fiction mysteries such as the Bess Crawford series will enjoy this series.

I discovered Ashley Weaver with her wonderful Amory Ames mystery series, so was happy to read the new Electra McDonnell series which is set in the beginning of England’s involvement in WW2. Seconds in the series, Electra is once again asked to work with the Major, this time to flush out a spy ring before the information falls into the hands of the Germans. Weaver writes a strong female character who can take care of herself which i really appreciate. The books are tightly written and the premise of this series is unusual which makes it more interesting. Ellie, her uncle and her family are safecrackers, well known on the wrong side of the law, who now work for England. A cast of unusual well written characters, a interesting plot and great writing makes this a series not to be missed. I’m looking forward to the next.

A body, a former criminal, a straight-laced Major, a love interest (or two?), and a spy-master make for an entertaining mystery novel chock full of intrigue.

Electra McDonnell is back and the second book in Ashley Weaver’s Electra McDonnell series does not disappoint!

Because of a unique expertise developed during her previous career as a thief, Electra is approached anew by Major Ramsay to help unlock the secrets surrounding a body found floating in the Thames. As the story unfolds and German bombs fall from the sky, Electra recruits a handful of her questionable criminal compatriots to work alongside the Major as unlikely allies in an attempt to uncover and hinder the plans of an enemy spy network operating in London.

Those of you who enjoy spirited, smart and daring female characters like Deanna Raybourn’s Virginia Speedwell, Elizabeth Peters’ Amelia Peabody and Stephen Spotswood’s Lillian Pentecost and Willowjean Parker will find a kindred spirit in Electra McDonnell. Check out the books in this delightful WWII mystery series - “The Peculiar Combination” and “The Key to Deceit.”

I can’t wait for the third book!

#thekeytodeceit #netgalley