This is the second book of the series that I have read and enjoyed. I like racing through Loudon with blackouts and bombs bursting almost every night. I'm a bit weary of WWII Loudon but this story moves fast and keeps me, the reader, interested in how they all seem to manage each day. Set in WWII in 1941, the story gives the reader romance, danger, and the inner workings of British intelligence. Complications abound the thwart the relationship of Ellie and Major Ramsey and creates a continuing line of interest.
I liked Ellie's, the main character, background of unusual skills development in safe-cracking, lock picking and more. To wit, Ellie's neighborhood abounds in dangerous characters who ensnare her in criminal schemes despite her attempt to stay on the straight and narrow so she can continue to work, or not, with Major Ramsey by his rules.
By the end of the story., those rules and roles trip up almost everything. However, the ending was awkward, a rushed scene that seemed out of place. It may be explained in the next book, I hope so.
Thank you, Net Gallery, for providing the book for me to read and comment.

This was a tough rating for me, rounding up to 3 stars. I was really excited for this book, having though this series really found its footing in the third installment. In Locked in Pursuit, we pick up a few months after Ellie and Major Ramsey's mission in Sunderland, with contact between them having been minimal. Ellie pursues a side plot in helping a friend, but also, through her family's contacts, hears about a burglary that sets off her internal alarms and compels her to reach out to Major Ramsey. He enlists her in his work to track down the agents behind the burglaries and reasons for them, requiring disguises, infiltrations, and break ins.

There were some very fun elements in this book, with the undercover work and Hitchcockian break ins. However, I felt like this book had the same problems as number two in this series, in that it felt like it had been rushed to publication and was twisting the characters to fit into required plot tropes. I disliked in particular that Ellie - who is supposed to be clever and wily - acts in a way that is both incredibly foolish and deeply out of character to set some future plot machinations in action. I like Ashley Weaver and the conceit of this series, but I hope the next installment has a bit more time to cook.

Ellie and her boss, Major Gabriel Ramsey, investigate a series of thefts and a murder which may be tied to German espionage efforts in this engaging novel, set during World War 2 in London. The author does a good job of bringing wartime London to life, and the details about the espionage each country was carrying out against its enemies was interesting. The relationships between the characters are always a fun part of the books, with developments in Ellie's love triangle and some interesting new characters (Ramsey's sister, for example). To learn the characters' histories and see the relationships develop, strongly recommend reading the series, but this entry in the series would work as a standalone. Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC.

4.5/5⭐️

I’m loving this series!

Set during WW2, this 4th outing finds Ellie called on to aid Major Ramsey with a series of robberies that may be connected to a bigger German threat. She’s also decided to investigate shocking allegations that her father may have been a spy. There are further developments on the personal side between Ellie and Ramsey (both good and bad) which led to some frustration for me with some choices Ellie made. Ended with a good cliffhanger for their next adventure.

Great characters, great stories! Bonus…seriously beautiful cover. Recommended for Lady Darby and Verity Kent mysteries fans.

My sincere thanks to the author, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for providing the free early arc of Locked in Pursuit for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

I love this series, but I hope it doesn’t break my heart. I want Electra and the Major to be together! I hope the series will continue with them as a team, together. I can’t wait for the next book, I can’t take another cliffhanger!

Excellently done as the setting captures the essence of the era. A quick read that is helped if you suspend reality a bit as the main characters display skills in many areas as they try to foil the bad guys.

I enjoyed this so much. Great relationships and mystery with just the right amount of romance. I cannot wait to read the next book

"Locked in Pursuit" is the fourth installment in Electra McDonnell series by Ashley Weaver. I think it reads well as a standalone novel; I was unaware it was part of a series when I read it.

Set in England during the Second World War, Electra (Ellie) and her uncle/caretaker have been convinced to change from a life of safecracking and home robbery to work for the war effort.

Felix cares deeply about Ellie. Ellie would like to care deeply about Major Ramsey, her supervisor in all things espionage. He did kiss her once. Does she dare hope for more?

Ellie would also like to know more about her parents. Her father was found dead under suspicious circumstances and her mother was charged with the crime and sentenced to hang. However, Ellie's mother was pregnant. After delivery, Ellie stayed with her for several months and then was given to her Uncle Mick. Ellie's mother died of illness before she could be hanged. Ellie wants to know more of the story.

The story ends precipitously. I don't know if the previous three do as well. I found it unsettling.

"Locked in Pursuit" moves quickly and is an enjoyable book. Thank you to NetGalley for the advance reader's copy. This is my honest review.

Thank you to @netgalley and @StMartinsPress for this ARC. Electra McDonnell, along with her uncle, is a safecracker. When she was caught redhanded, Major Ramsey recruited her for the good of the war. In book 4, Electra comes across news of an odd robbery. When she brings her findings to Ramsey, they embark on the truth. I absolutely love this series. It is a light, cozy mystery and enjoyable to read! #LockedinPursuit #AshleyWeaver #StMartinsPress #May2024

This fourth book in author Ashley Weaver's "Elektra McDonnell" series, is a delightful historical mystery. The setting is January of 1941, London. The evening German bombings had subsided a bit through the holidays and the bitter days of winter have settled into the city. While our plucky Elektra McDonnell ("Ellie" to her family and friends as well as locksmith and reformed thief) was reading a newspaper article about a recent burglary, there were a number of details which appeared off to her. It had been a while since last she worked with the dishy Major Ramsey. These observations of hers may be just what the good Major needs to to be apprised of. When she arrived at his flat, he was already on the case but glad of her intuition and professional observations. There appears to be more at stake then the purloining of precious baubles, and the Germans want whatever it is at all costs. Can this on-the-surface-mismatched-duo find the sought after prize before it's sold to the highest bidder? So much is at stake and danger lurks around every corner.

In this installment, there were several story lines which all eventually converged. The element of a love triangle continues with Ellie at its center. The writing is clean, well crafted and the characters are interesting and well-developed. The mise en scène was deftly created and one could imagine strolling through the chilly and rough streets of blitzed London. All in all, this was a sweet and enjoyable historical mystery. Although this fourth book in series can stand alone, there is a continuing story thread for which you may wish to start at the beginning. If a fun historical mystery is your jam, then this may be just the right series and book for you.

I am grateful to Minotaur books for having provided a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.

Publisher:‎ Minotaur Books
Publication Date: ‎May 14, 2024
No. of pages:‎ 272
ISBN-13:‎ 978-1250885906

Historical Mystery set in London 1941 in which a former thief works with her aloof government handler to stop a series of thefts linked to Lisbon, an unknown object and the spies after it.

5/5 stars: Weaver is a favorite author and this newest release doesn’t disappoint. This is the fourth entry in Weaver's Electra McDonnell series, which is a Historical Mystery that takes place in London 1941 and features a former thief who uses her safecracking skills for the government to do her part in the war effort and thwart the Nazi. With plenty of twists and turns, Weaver has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. I also really appreciate the overarching plot involving Ellie's parents and how that's continued to play out. Additionally, Weaver's writing and character work is stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. Ellie is incredible and I love catching up with her, her family (especially her Uncle Mick) and friends and tagging along with her and Major Ramsey on the latest mission / job. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, A Peculiar Combination. If you’re looking for a great story involving former thieves doing good, wartime espionage and tons of intrigue run don’t walk and pick up this amazing series. Highly Recommend!

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

The latest in this long running series is by far the best. Electra McDonnell comes from a family of thieves but has begun using her lock picking and safe cracking talents to help Britain beat the Germans in world war two. Something seems off about a robbery during a party and she alerts her government contact, Major Ramsey, leading them to discover a stolen map that the Nazis are eager to get their hands on. If a forgery can be substituted, this is a perfect opportunity to feed misinformation to the Germans and Ellie's skills are needed to make the substitution.

The attraction between Ellie and Ramsey complicates the assignment as does Ellie's criminal past and debts she must pay to shady characters.

This was a fun read with a surprise ending. I can't wait for the next installment!

This book is so exciting! Do read the previous books in the series. Perhaps it isn’t necessary, but it fills in a lot of backstory and they’re fantastic. Locked In Pursuit is the epitome of a page turner - easy to read quickly because I literally couldn’t put it down! Can’t wait for more!

I received a copy of this book from Minotaur Books.

This series continues to get better and better as WWII continues and the relationships between the main characters, their family, friends and colleagues are more fully developed.

Amid the backdrop of the frequent bombing of London by the Germans, this fourth mystery in the Electra (Ellie) McDonnell series finds Ellie once again working with Major Ramsey on another mission to help the war effort. Their latest assignment is kicked off by a newspaper article about a brazen robbery at a dinner party. Something about the crime strikes Ellie as being odd and soon she and Ramsey are investigating, which leads them to suspect that the robbery might have been an attempt to recover something more valuable than jewelry or art from the partygoers.

Once again, they find themselves looking into potential espionage, attempting to thwart the efforts of Nazi spies and collaborators to locate and pass a valuable map to the Germans. Ellie and Ramsay are also trying to ignore an attraction that is growing between the two of them, despite the vast differences in their backgrounds.

In addition to her espionage work with for the government, on her own, Ellie continues to look into whether her late father was truly a spy for the Germans in WWI, and if that was why he was murdered. This puts her at cross-purposes with Ramsey at times, leading to tension, threatening their personal and professional relationships, as well as potentially, Ellie’s life.

This entry in the series is enhanced with deeper insight into both Ramsey and Ellie through their own interactions and those with an appealing cast of secondary characters, especially Ellie’s family and Ramsey’s twin sister. Locked in Pursuit is a great addition to this series; looking forward to seeing what happens in the next one.

Although this book can be understood without reading the previous three, to get the most out of the series, I’d recommend reading the first three books as well. They are all well written, fast-paced tales with appealing characters set in a interesting time period.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress for an advance copy.

I was totally sucked into the story from the get-go! Weaver's writing is like a magnet, pulling you into Ellie's world of spy games and danger. Seriously, I couldn't flip through the pages fast enough to see what Ellie and Major Ramsey would get up to next!
Set against the backdrop of World War II London, this fourth installment in the series follows the intrepid safecracker, Ellie McDonnell, as she finds herself embroiled in yet another dangerous mission.

When Ellie discovers a string of suspicious robberies in London, she knows she can't turn a blind eye, despite not having seen her enigmatic handler, Major Ramsey, in months. Teaming up once again, Ellie and Ramsey delve into a world of espionage, tracing the robberies back to a hotbed of spies in neutral Lisbon, Portugal. As they navigate the treacherous landscape of wartime espionage, their partnership is tested, and sparks fly between them, even as they try to deny their mutual attraction.

One of the highlights of this series is the depth of the characters and their evolution throughout the story. Ellie is a compelling protagonist, a strong-willed and resourceful woman who is not afraid to take risks. Watching her grapple with her emotions for both Felix and Major Ramsey while staying true to herself is both heartwarming and relatable. And Ramsey, with his brooding demeanor and hidden vulnerabilities, adds an extra layer of complexity to the narrative, keeping readers guessing until the very end.

Weaver's attention to historical detail is commendable, immersing readers in the sights and sounds of wartime London. From the air raid sirens to the bustling black markets, the setting comes alive on the page, adding depth and authenticity to the story.
The narrative is fast-paced and suspenseful, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the final page. And the ending? Let's just say it left me eager for more, eagerly anticipating the next chapter in Ellie's thrilling adventures.

Overall, Locked in Pursuit is a must-read for fans of historical mysteries with a dash of romance. Just be sure to start from the beginning of the series to fully appreciate the character development and intricate plot twists!

Thank you Minotaur Books for the gifted ebook!

Locked in Pursuit is the fourth book in the Electra McDonnell series and these books just keep getting better!!! *This review is spoiler free for the whole series.*

This series takes place primarily in London during WWII and follows a safecracker turned spy, helping her country by using her very specific set of skills. There’s not a lot I want to say about this specific book, because I don’t want to spoil anything from the previous books, but I will say that I absolutely loved it and I think it’s my favorite so far. AND things are set up for a very good fifth book!

Every time I finish one of these novels I’m so sad that I’ll have to wait another year to reunite with these characters. I think I may do a whole series reread between now and book five, because I just can’t wait that long.

This is the third book in the Electra McDonnell series by Ashley Weaver set in wartime London. Again, the author does not disappoint in the exciting race against time to locate a map that would greatly benefit the German war effort. The story begins with a series of thefts that first Ellie, and then Major Ramsey realize are suspicious and need to be investigated. As usual, both Mick and Felix become involved along with some shady characters from the underworld resulting in a serious problem between our two main characters who are attempting to deal with the growing attraction between them. The ending is fantastic and sets the reader up for our next adventure. I very much appreciate being given the opportunity to read a galley copy, and I highly recommend this book.

1941-Electra comes from a family of safecrackers and burglars. But, they are putting their skills to work for military intelligence in the attempt to win the war against Germany. The stakes are high and the assignments are dangerous. I’ve been fortunate enough to read the previous books in this series and I’ve enjoyed them all. This one centers more on Electra and brings in a touch of romance along with the suspense and danger. This may be the best one yet..

4.5 stars, only because it stopped, not at a cliffhanger exactly, but definitely leaving more questions than answers.

This is a great series, even for those of us who might be a bit tired of WII historical mysteries. The characters and their interactions, and all the nuances and shadings of good guys / bad guys / circumstantial ethics, etc. just excellent.

I'm almost sorry I got an e-galley because that just means an even longer wait for the next one!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book. I really enjoy the Electra McDonnell series and the latest installment did not disappoint! Electra is a semi-reformed lockpicker & safecracker working for the British government in WW2, with the military using her various skills to assist in all types of spy related activities. I enjoy the relationships between Electra and her uncle as well as her handler Major Ramsey. Locked in Pursuit takes both of these to new levels, introduced some new characters that I hope to see more of, and left me anxiously awaiting the next book. I highly recommend this book to fans of the Maisie Dobbs and Maggie Hope series as well as anyone looking for a WW2 mystery with a strong female protagonist,