This jewel of a book continues the story of Electra McDonnell, a safecracker conscripted into spying for her country in WW2 London. Fans of this series will delight in new twists as Ellie’s story, as well as her family’s secrets, continue to unfold.

London 1941

Such a fun historical mystery series! Main character Electra McDonnell has a unique skill set (cracking safes and picking locks) that can be helpful to her country in the war effort.

Locked in Pursuit has a beautiful blend of action, humor and romantic avoidance. I continue to be Team Major. There is clearly electricity between Ellie and Major Ramsey. The major can't seem to decide whether he wants to call her Ellie or Miss McDonnell and the decision seems to depend on how frustrated he is with her.

The ending sets readers up nicely for the next in the series. Can't wait!

Ellie continues looking into her mother's death in jail for the murder of her father, but she is soon busy with helping Major Ramsey which only gets her into bigger trouble. Major Ramsey the disciplined military man with high society background has stayed away from Electra, but will he remain so stoic as they work together again? Felix Lacey is still in the picture but what is he involved in with travel he won't talk about? Uncle Mick gets enlisted to aid again and the housekeeper Nacy is the nurturing presence Electra needs in this uncertain, ever changing time.

This outing is just as thrilling as the others and doesn't disappoint. There is plenty going on beyond just the just spys around the mission, Electra "Ellie" manages to get herself indebted to a gangster plus another man for favors that could backfire on her. The pacing is brisk and even though I'm normally a slow reader, I flew through this book. Several heart-pounding and heart-wrenching scenes that make this a compelling read. This is a great addition to the Electra McDonnell series, kudos.

Rating: Near Perfect - Buy two copies: one for you and one for a friend.

“Locked in Pursuit” by Ashley Weaver was #4 in her Electra McDonnell mystery series and if possible this book was even better than the last one. There is absolutely nothing not to Love in this series,, but you could read this as a stand alone. The main character is a beautiful young safecracker from a family of thieves who is now working with British intelligence during WW II. This adventure has it all, suspense, espionages, family loyalty, family mystery and a heartwarming romance. It is an unputdownable riveting read. Not saying more as I don’t want to spoil it for you other than I cannot wait for the next book in this series.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Locked in Pursuit by Ashley Weaver, the fourth installment in the captivating series, introduces readers to the daring world of safecracker Ellie McDonnell and her handler, Major Ramsey, amidst the backdrop of World War II. Weaver skillfully weaves a thrilling narrative of espionage, burglaries, and unknown objects in the neutral city of Lisbon, Portugal. As a newcomer to Weaver's work, the cleverly plotted mystery, morally gray characters, and romantic tension between Ellie and Ramsey left a lasting impression. The cliffhanger ending heightens anticipation for the next installment, and Weaver's attention to historical detail, clever titles, and emotionally resonant romantic subplot make Locked in Pursuit a standout addition to the series. Despite minor flaws, the novel promises an engaging continuation of Ellie McDonnell's compelling journey, making it a must-read for fans of espionage thrillers and historical fiction with a touch of romance.

This book was amazing!! Ashley Weaver does a great job navigating the new dynamic of Ellie and the Major! It had me kicking my feet and giggling! I can’t recommend this series enough and am on the edge already waiting for the next book!!

Such a great continuation of the series! Weaver does an excellent job of pulling the reader in and leaving them wanting more. Cannot wait to reread, and more importantly, can't wait for book five!

This series is just getting better and better - this was a quick read that I finished in just 2 days. Weaver does a great job of what should feel like a transition book in the series into an intriguing and exciting entry. Very much looking forward to the next one!

I love this cozy series! (Even when Ellie is frustrating me.) I love following along with her family life and watching the mysteries play out.

Thank you so much to the publisher and to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I have been a HUGE fan of Ashley Weaver's Electra McDonnell series for years, and I was lucky enough to be able to read and review an arc for the previous book in the series, "Playing it Safe". I appreciate so much the opportunity to do the same for the fourth book in the series, "Locked in Pursuit" - and side note, I love the locksmith-themed play on words in each title of the series.

Things finally, FINALLY take a turn for the more serious in the fourth novel of the series, and the simmering tension between Electra and Major Ramsey has come to a sizzling head, though events at the end of the novel take a turn for the angsty, leaving us to wonder if these two will ever receive their happy ending. I might be unique in the fact that I love when authors can string along tension between the two leads for as long as possible (and for believable reasons), and that is very much the case here. It's delicious, and Ashley Weaver delivers a masterclass in how to accomplish this. Without saying more, I love where I see this series heading, and I'm very much looking forward to the next!

Any fans of historical fiction, historical mystery, historical romance should absolutely give this series a try.

I find myself pulled into this series every book I read. I enjoy work of the details put into background of the setting. There is a good bit of intrigue. The development of the family dynamics of Electra's family helps the story along. The only thing that bothered me a little is the relationship between Electra and the Major going back and forth. It was a hard book to put down once I started reading.

In this 4th installment of the Electra McDonnell series, Electra again teams up with Major Ramsey and his colleagues to help the British war effort. The Blitz continues to ravage London in 1941. Electra's skills are called upon to retrieve a map before it falls into German hands. Her lock picking skills are again put to use to help the war effort. Her relationships with Felix and Major Ramsey are also revisited. Best of all, the scene is set for a 5th installment of this series.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy from Minotaur Books via NetGalley.

This book is an excellent addition to the ongoing series. The mystery is compelling and well balanced with the subplots. Watching Electra continually be supported by her family is wonderful.

The only part I struggled with in this book was the subplot around the romance between Electra and Major Ramsey, while I understand where each is coming from and it does fall within my understanding of the characters it is still frustrating!

Intrigued by the heroine’s unusual background as the safe-cracking thief daughter of a professional criminal family, I was curious to read LOCKED IN PURSUIT by Ashley Weaver--and I wasn’t disappointed. Although this is the fourth book of a series, a newcomer can pick up the storyline easily and without too much repetition that might annoy series devotees who already know the background. Electra (Ellie) MacDonald is a safecracker who was initially set up to be caught so she could be induced to employ her skills for British intelligence in World War II London. This adventure begins several months after her handler, aristocratic Major Ramsey, was shot and seriously injured during a previous mission. Still not completely healed, and denying the chemistry between them (Ramsey is all-work, all-mission, no-emotion allowed) Ramsey reluctantly agrees to use Ellie’s skills again after she comes to him with questions about a most unusual burglary. Guests at an aristocrat’s party have been robbed—but many valuable items were left and none of those taken have shown up at the usual fencing sources, nor do any of Ellie’s family’s criminal connections know anything about the perpetrators. Ramsey confirms that this burglary is of concern to intelligence as well, for they suspect the thieves were after a secret dispatch sent from Lisbon—officially neutral but a den of spies from all nations—that somehow compromises the German intelligence network. It quickly becomes apparent that whatever this item is, those seeking it have no qualms about killing anyone who gets in the way of its recovery. Though Ellie promises Ramsey she won’t go “rogue” and conduct any investigation without his knowledge, knowing she can use her family’s ties to the underworld forces her to hedge on that promise. That, along with a forbidden side investigation to help an old friend, strain her relationship with Ramsey to the breaking point while they both try to figure out the identity of the agent before the murderous agent can silence them. Enriched by a detailed description of wartime London with its blackouts and bombings, Weaver’s novel keeps the reader eagerly turning pages…and looking forward to Ellie’s next adventure. Thanks to NetGalley for a review copy!

Thank you to Minotaur Books for my advanced electronic copy via NetGalley. My opinions are my own.

This fourth book in the Electra McDonnell series was just as atmospheric and tension-filled as the previous three. We join safecracker Electra, whose day job is working in her uncle's locksmith business, and whose side hustle is now helping with the war effort in home-front London. Ever since they teamed up with Major Ramsey of the British government, they have set aside their thieving ways and committed to the straight and narrow. But will that dedication put Electra's life--and heart--in real danger, as her growing attraction to rule-following Major Ramsey and her propensity to value instinct over rules in her espionage work may be leading her down a road that has no return.

Weaver picks up with the shocking revelation at the end of the last book in the series. She is able to write emotionally fraught relationships with an element of distrust or distance very well. Also the heartbreaking consequences that can result from poor decisions. And cliffhanger endings! I have to admit that I had hoped for better in the relationship department by now, though--I appreciate the "will they or won't they" tension as much as the next reader, but at this point I just feel like I'm getting jerked around. I'm hoping the next book in the series has more resolution in that area. But boy, what wouldn't I give to have Electra's preternatural ability to read people's feelings and minds! I'm hooked and can't wait to see what's next.

Triggers: torture

This series is delightful. Great chemistry between Electra and Ramsey. Electra's family history as thieves is a fun twist that makes this series feel unique. Can't wait for the next book.

WW2, historical-novel, historical-places-events, historical-research, suspense, safecrackers, mystery, espionage, lies, secrets, spies, women-sleuths, relationships, relationship-issues, relatives, picklock, witty, 1940, London, family-business, family-dynamics, family-history, theft, riveting, unputdownable, cryptography, burglary, romantic, urgent*****

The stiff toff is a gentleman, a major, and a spymaster. The lady has dodgy family connections and is a safecracker, among other things, and has worked with him in the past.
Ellie starts the adventure off when she finds an article in the newspaper and goes to the Major about it. That starts a deep investigation into spies local and on the continent with plenty of danger and suspense. Her other quest is to find out more about her parents and that, too, becomes a real mess.
I really don't want to say any more, so I don't get into spoiler territory. I loved the others on the series, too, and this one has even more diabolical twists.
I requested and received an EARC from St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

Book Title: Locked in Pursuit
Author: Ashley Weaver
Series: Electra McDonnel #4
Publisher: Saint Martin’s Press-Minotaur Books
Genre: Historical Fiction -Mystery
Pub Date: May 14, 2024
My Rating: 3.7 rounded up
Pages 272

Who is a big fan of Ashley Weaver? That would be Me!!
I loved the Amory Ames Mystery series. When I read the first book in the Electra McDonnell series " A Peculiar Combination"- I thought - this is going to be fun.
This is #4 in this series and my fourth as well! Oh Yes - they are fun!

My comment in Book #3 was
The attraction between Ellie and the Major certainly seems to be blooming. Looking forward to Book #4!

In this story Ellie (Electra) McDonnell hasn’t seen Major Ramsey since their mission together three months ago, but when she hears about a suspicious robbery in London she feels she needs to reach out to him
Together they discover that a rash of burglaries in the city all lead back to spies in Lisbon, Portugal, and an unknown object brought to London by a mysterious courier.

Quick read – enjoyed finding out more about Major Gabriel Ramsay. However, as I mentioned when I finished Book #3 I was hoping for more Ellie and Major- Soooo that is now my wish in Book #5!

Want to thank NetGalley and Saint Martin’s Press- Minotaur Books for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for May 14,, 2024

This 4th installment was so good! Ellie is feeling lost since her last case a few months ago, & she hasn’t heard from Major Ramsay since then. So she takes it upon herself to call on him with something she saw in the papers. After an awkward meeting, the next day the Major hires Ellie to work a case about some questionable robberies that have taken place. German spies? Ellie also still has questions about her parents, will she be one step closer? The main question is: will Ellie and the Major finally express their feelings?? Read this in one sitting, it was a page turner. I really liked that we found out more about Gabriel Ramsay. He’s not such a man cloaked in mystery in this story. I do hope that the next book will find them further along with some romance.

The latest Electra McDonnell book is a roller coaster ride. Electra is bored waiting to be called in on another adventure by Major Ramsey. Ramsey is still recovered from being shot and Electra is still recovering from the kiss he gave her. Book four. In the series features a high stakes switcheroo job and the on again off agin romantic triangle with Felix, Ellie and Ramsey. It seems things will be settled by the end of the book but Ellie’s secret actions make Ramsey doubt he can trust her. Then a last minute twist throws Ramsey and Ellie together again! Weaver creates another cliff hanger ending that will have you salivating for the next book.