Writing: 3/5 Characters: 4/5 Plot: 3.5/5

A perfect airplane read! Number four in the Electra McDonnell series in which a (former) safe cracking thief turns her skills to help the British government in the person of the (handsome, naturally) Major Ramsey in London around 1941. Some nice twists and connections to historical events. I like all the characters — they are interesting and well drawn. In addition to the case in hand, each book makes some progress on Electra’s backstory (father murdered and mother accused of the crime before Electra was born) while the Electra and stoic Major Ramsey romance continues at a steady parboil.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the advanced reader copy of LOCKED IN PURSUIT, the 4th book in the Electra McDonnell series. I was absolutely thrilled to get this ARC, but sad that once AGAIN, I have finished Electra's latest adventure with Major Ramsay in one day!! Loaded with action and great scenes between the two, this story is set a few months after their last adventure. Ellie reads about a robbery in the paper that she realizes she and Uncle Mick hadn't heard about from their inside sources, and she immediately guesses something isn't right. She uses it as an excuse to run it by Major Ramsay and they are off like a shot on another thrilling adventure through wartime London. Some tantalizing new light is shed on the mystery surrounding Ellie's parents, as well as news on one of her cousins, who has been MIA. Love how Ms. Weaver teases out the details of Ellie's life. This episode sees definite progress in Ellie's relationship with the major.♡♡ Highly recommend!!

The fourth book in the Electra McDonnell series was a page-turner. I wish I would have limited myself to one chapter a week so it wouldn't seem so impossibly long until the next book.

I'd highly recommend reading the previous three books in the series as they build upon one another. This one finds Ellie back home in London amidst a frigid January. Ashley Weaver does a wonderful job conveying the mood through the cold.

We get more of a backstory to several things, including a bit of Ellie's parents and also Ramsey's family, as we are introduced to one of his sisters. I came to like Ramsey's character more, while actually getting more irritated with Ellie. She is understandably under a cloud over the revelation about her father, which we learned in the last book, and is more affected by what happened in Sunderland than she realizes. However, her poor decision-making and feeling the need to keep things secret makes quite a mess. And she shares a defect with Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice, as Mr. Darcy pointed out, which was "wilfully to misunderstand" everyone but particularly Ramsey, in Ellie's case. To be honest, if the back and forth of their relationship continues in the fifth book, I'm not sure I'll bother reading a sixth.

The mystery storyline was thrilling and fast-paced. I really enjoyed the details of it and learning a bit of the situation in Portugal during WWII. And I have to add, I love the titles in this series, very clever.

Oh man, this series is heating up. It feels way too long to already be anxiously awaiting book 5!

We join back up with Ellie three months after the events in Playing it Safe. Unlike the previous books in the series, the mission, while interesting, takes a backseat to other dilemmas in the character's lives.

Ellie is grappling with the news she learned about her father, and is wondering how to move forward with the knowledge, without anticipating the danger rattling old cages can cause.

Major Ramsey is still recovering from his injuries, and I think we see a lighter side of him in this book. Less rigid, more human in recognizing how he pushes himself 24/7 from fear of what a lapse in vigilance may cause. When Ellie notices the suspicious burglary and reports it to him, we see his drive to determine what the threat may be, while also having him show a bit more reflection and action in his work with Ellie.

While the mystery revolves around tracking burglaries and determining who from a flight from Lisbon is concealing information, Ellie seems to play a bit fast and loose with her own personal safety, and that is more of the story this time. For me, this was a bit frustrating - though I think it will lead to positive character development in the future - I just want to be mad at her for some of her actions in this book. For a reformed thief she seems to still have trouble recognizing when she is crossing a line, while at the same time seeming too innocent to understand the potential negatives to agree to do any sort of favor-for-a-favor. I both want her to be a better criminal and a more honest person.

Ellie and Major Ramsey continue their will-they-won't-they dance, though the complexities of their relationship continue to grow in ways that will be more than difficult to overcome.

The ending - I knew something was coming, but I didn't expect it to be as explosive as it was in the last chapter - I think the tone of the next book will be very different from the previous four, and, again, I think we will see a lot of growth from Ellie. The danger in the new mission will have larger stakes than any of the previous books - and Ellie's mystery around her parents continues to loom in the background. Her tense relationship with the major will truly be at an inflection point - and I'm both excited and dreaded to see where the story goes next year.

I absolutely loved the 4th installment of the Electra McDonnell series! The mystery was well-plotted and there was a twist at the end that I did not expect. I always enjoy the mysteries in this series but my very favorite part is the characters, especially Electra and Major Ramsey. Loved the character growth in this book and really enjoyed getting to meet Ramsey’s sister. I was also glad to see Ellie being honest with Felix at the end. I cannot wait to for the next installment!!! I am really hoping for more progress in Ellie and the Major’s relationship.

It’s always a pleasure to pick up an Ashley Weaver book. I'm thrilled to also say that Locked in Pursuit was fan-freakin’-tastic! It took me a day and a half to read, and every time I had to put the book down to do other things, I always ran back to it as soon as I finished. To start off, I absolutely love the character development in this one. As the series progresses, we are finally getting some real deets! For instance, Electra gets more information and insight on the death of her parents. Major Ramsey ( Swoon!) finally gives you a bigger insight into his thoughts, especially concerning Electra, and you get a little peek into his family. The mystery was interesting too, but for me, I enjoyed the journey (the quick story progression) more than anything else. It was like finally being able to see a clearer picture of a puzzle.

The book ended on a slight cliffhanger. I won't lie and tell tales, but it's definitely going to tie in to the next book. Weaver made me think I had the ending all figured out, but she threw a curveball. But a good curveball! That’s kinda of how I felt about the last book's ending too. But I love roller coasters, so I can't complain.

I was sad to see the book end because I knew I’d have to wait till next year for another new installment. But it is definitely worth the wait. Looking forward to the next read in the Electra McDonnell series!

I have been reading this author’s Amory Ames series, which i loved for the first dozen or so. There was no character growth. I love this Electra character very much, i love her Uncle. I have read the first book and now this one. I am highly recommending it. I absolutely loved it. I am terrified history will repeat itself and put Electra in a rut. I can see the signs, but i hope not.

Ashley Weaver likes to play with my emotions and it's going to take all the way until the NEXT book for me to recover!!!!

I would highly recommend for readers to start with the previous books in the Electra McDonnell series (especially the last one, #3) before they dive into this - not because of confusion - but mostly for the opportunity to really discover and understand the dynamics of all the main characters and how all their pieces are currently coming together. Example: I personally found Electra to be a more emotional and reckless soul in this book when she wasn't so much in the past, but she's understandably this way now bc of the events that took place towards the end of book #3.

This was overall another great work of mystery, historical espionage, and romance all rolled into one!

Thank you Netgalley and Minotaur for the ARC!

I am delighted when I see a new title for offer by Ashley Weaver. Electra McDonnell and her family are/were thieves with the highest ability in cracking locks and safes until they were caught and recruited by Major Ramsey to help with the war effort. Ellie is quite good with spying and working with Major Ramsey so when she sees a notice about a robbery in the paper she think is nothing of reaching out to the Major. Once again they’re a team and although it’s a little awkward after their kiss last time the two work well together while going after a mysterious package from Lisbon. A combo WW2 historic, mystery and romance rolled in one, this series has all the elements to keep you wanting more. The pacing of the storyline through the books is spot on, the romance heating and cooling leaves you wanting more, and the plots are interesting. But the characters and how Weaver writes them is the main draw for me, especially Electra. All in all a great series and a great read. You can start with this book alone, but it’s more fun if you start at the beginning of the series. Her Amory Ames mystery series is wonderful as well, and I hope we see another in that soon as well.