One Final Turn is the fifth (and sadly final episode) in Ashley Weaver's World War II mystery series starring Electra McDonnel. Born in Holloway prison, Ellie was raised by her locksmith Uncle Mick, who moonlighted as a burglar and safecracker.

She's been drafted for intelligence work.. In this last episode in 1941, Ellie travels to Lisbon, Portugal, hoping to find and rescue Toby, after hearing that he may have escaped from a German prisoner of war camp via a route through the Pyrenees.

What a wonderful conclusion to the series! This series is set during WWII. I love Electra and Ramsey so much! They are such fun. I love their chemistry and how well they work together on their assignments. In this story, Electra is working with Archie, after things that happened between Electra and Ramsey in book 4. I loved Archie’s character. I loved that he made Ramsey jealous haha. There is a marriage of convenience of sorts in this story. I loved that we get a happy ending. This is a closed door romance but check out content to see if it suits your preferences. It went a little much for me personally but overall, a great story and I enjoyed it.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Content: fade to black scenes with married couple, flirtatious innuendos, kisses, mention of man’s hand on woman’s behind

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Well, if this excellent series needed to end [WAAAAAA], then this was a really good way to go out.

While I would have loved to have several of the stories better fleshed out [and several of the "wrap-ups" less rushed], overall this was a very good read with a satisfying end. I will miss Electra and Co. [especially Nacy]; these were some great books for me and I am grateful that I was able to read them.

**YES, I am aware I am being vague, but if you have made it to Book 5, you absolutely DO NOT [nor do you deserve] want spoilers and I am [and I am anti-spoiler overall] honoring that. Read this cold. It will be a better read that way.

Thank you to NetGalley, Ashley Weaver, and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The ending of a beloved series is always sad because it seems the characters have a real life you are following!

Electra has gotten news of where her beloved cousin might be and goes on a journey to find him. Of course there is a lot that happens all the way and might she finally find her love?

As always an unputdownable mystery you will thoroughly enjoy!

In this finale to the five-book Electra McDonnell series, we find Ellie in Portugal attempting to find and rescue her missing cousin, Toby, with the help of her friend Archie Blandings and the decidedly unfriendly Major Ramsey. Spies, allies, and enemies are everywhere; tension and betrayal are always just below the glamorous surface of Lisbon nightlife.

Ashley Weaver brings the series to a satisfying conclusion. Not only do we find out what happened to Toby, but Ellie and Major Ramsey come to a resolution in their difficult relationship. We also finally discover the truth about Ellie's parents. I did feel like the writing was a bit rushed, however, like the author was trying to beat a deadline or just ready to get on to a new project.

I rate this 4 1/4 stars and recommend the full series to any historical mystery fan. I'm going to miss Electra and her world.

Ashley Weaver delivers a masterful and deeply satisfying conclusion to the Electra McDonnell series in One Final Turn, sweeping our beloved Ellie into the most perilous mission of her life—one that spans World War II-era Europe and lands her in the teeming, espionage-laced streets of neutral Lisbon, Portugal.

The premise is immediately compelling: Ellie’s cousin Toby, long presumed dead after Dunkirk, may have escaped from a German POW camp and found his way to Lisbon via the mysterious Pyrenees escape route. Ellie is determined to find him—no matter the risk, no matter the heartbreak. Even if it means facing Major Gabriel Ramsey, the intelligence officer who once dismissed her professionally and crushed her emotionally just as she began to understand her feelings for him.

From the outset, the tone is somber and reflective, and rightly so. Ellie’s opening chapters move with a slow, deliberate pace—an effective narrative choice that mirrors her internal struggle as she recovers from the traumatic mission in Sunderland and grapples with Ramsey’s rejection. But once Ellie arrives in Lisbon with the affable (and very likable) Captain Archie Blandings as her new handler, the story kicks into high gear. Murder, double-crosses, shadowy figures, and high-stakes subterfuge quickly take center stage. And yes—Ramsey eventually returns, complicating everything in the best possible way.

Lisbon proves a brilliant backdrop: exotic, tense, and utterly atmospheric. The city’s neutral status makes it a breeding ground for spies, allies, enemies, and opportunists, and Weaver uses the setting to full effect. Every alley, every café, every clandestine meeting pulses with intrigue. The vivid descriptions of food, architecture, and local culture not only ground the action but made me want to bump Lisbon up on my own travel bucket list (seriously, the pastries alone!).

What stands out most, however, is how beautifully Weaver balances plot and emotion. The mission to track down Toby and uncover the truth behind the escape route is gripping. But it’s the emotional thread—the evolving, layered relationship between Ellie and Ramsey—that truly shines. Their dynamic is painful, tender, volatile, and, ultimately, utterly fulfilling. I found myself choked up at several moments, especially as Ellie wrestles with her loyalty, her love, and her identity in the ever-shifting landscape of war.

And for longtime fans of the series—yes, you will be rewarded. Ramsey, finally, gloriously, is “unleashed.” Ellie’s journey, both emotional and physical, reaches a crescendo that is as exhilarating as it is heartfelt. We even get long-awaited answers about Ellie’s mysterious past, particularly her parents, wrapping up this series arc in a way that feels earned and poignant.

There’s something particularly special about a series finale that feels like a love letter—not only to its characters, but to the readers who have grown alongside them. That’s exactly what One Final Turn is: a warm, pulse-pounding, emotionally resonant farewell to a heroine who has stolen hearts with her grit, wit, and vulnerability.

I read it in one sitting, then read my favorite parts again the very next night. I laughed, I cried, I held my breath. And when I finally turned the last page, it was with a heart full of gratitude.

Thank you, Ashley Weaver, for gifting us Ellie McDonnell. What an unforgettable journey it has been.

Finally, a new Electra McDonnell to lift me out of my blah reading slump. Electra and her on and off love Major Ramsey are on their way to Portugal to help rescue her cousin Toby. The warm setting of the Iberian Peninsula is a relief from grim London, and even though Electra is determined to resist Ramsey's charms, proximity does its work!

The secondary plot of this series involving Electra's parents is rather abruptly tied up at the end of the book, and I'm not sure that the author has more to tell. Too bad, I've enjoyed the series and looked forward to more.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

“I find loose cannons can be highly effective if aimed in the right direction.”

This book is a little different from the rest of the series. For one thing, it mostly takes place in Portugal—far away from Ellie’s family and criminal contacts in London. Also, as a neutral country, the war has affected Portugal differently than England, which made for an interesting change of pace. I appreciated the way that snippets of Portuguese life and culture in the 1940s was incorporated into the story.

Unlike the previous books, Ellie’s involvement in this case has less to do with her skills in lockpicking and safecracking and more to do with her personal connections. Personally, I was okay with that in this context. There’s still a lot of spy work and inventive solutions to challenging situations. Just, you know, without the dynamite.

I enjoyed this conclusion to the Electra McDonnell series. It wrapped up the overarching storylines nicely. I will miss reading about Ellie’s daring adventures, but I’m content with the way this one ends. Meanwhile, if the author wants to write a spin-off involving Archie Blandings, I would totally be on board! He’s a very intriguing character who manages to be charming and enigmatic at this same time. I would love to read more about him.

Note: This is the fifth and final book in a series and should be read in order. Book 1 is A Peculiar Combination.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this story! I initially thought it was a standalone historical fiction novel and I didn't realize that this was part of a series. After reading but after conclusion, though, I definitely want to go back and read them all-then reread this one! While it can be enjoyed alone, its clear that the story would shine even more as the culmination of a lovely romance. Personally, I am glad I got to see where it was headed, but if you haven't started the series yet, I recommend starting at the beginning with "A Peculiar Combination".

Book review: 3.75/5 ⭐️
Genre: historical mystery
Themes: WWII POWs, spy network, love in war
📖 Read if you like: The Alice Network

This is book 5 in the Electra McDonnell series, but because I can never say no to good historical spy novel I decided to read it as a standalone. There were definelty some undercurrents I didn’t fully understand, but they were easy enough to follow in the context on this story. I personally will never be fond of the smothering in a protective cocoon MMC archetype even if it comes from a place of love, especially with such a capable female lead, but I get why it worked in this story line. So I think fans of this series will be happy with this finale, though some parts of the ending felt rushed. When older characters made a brief appearance for their own happily ever after or the discovery of her parents alleged truths needed more time for development than they received.

In this installment Electra embarks on a dangerous mission to save her beloved cousin. Following the battle of Dunkirk, Toby was presumed dead, but intelligence presented by Major Ramsey indicates that he has been smuggled through a hidden pipeline and is heading towards Lisbon. This is where she will be stationed under the charming and charismatic Captain Archie Blandings. As they race against time and the deadly Nazis on their tail in this “neutral” territory, the mystery of where her cousin could be starts to unfold.

There was a fair amount of ogling and sightseeing in this novel, which I actually enjoyed as an avid traveller. The mystery and spy elements felt slower paced and almost cozy in nature, though there were several deadly interactions. If anything, the pace made the realness of this storyline all the more weighted. It was also interesting to be in a place that seemingly didn’t take sides in the war and so was full of operators.

I liked Electra/Ellie as a main character, and Archie was a bashful and flirtatious comrade. As I haven’t read the previous novels, I actually hoped for something to bloom between these characters, instead of the surprise function of him acting as a match maker. Instead we have Ellie realizing she is in love with Major Ramsey just as he has dismissed her as untrustworthy.

Their relationship was awkward and full of tension. I always lean towards the partner that supports your decisions and your capabilities, instead of trying to put your in a box for your own safety so I didn’t really feel invested in this love story, though it did grow on me by the end. Still the rescue mission and all the sleuthing and lock picking required along the way were a cracking good time. I liked the mystery and the characters, and there was a good twist.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for providing this eARC.

It has been a joyful pleasure following along with Electra McDonnell's journey for now 5 incredible reads. It is bittersweet the series has come to an end, but Weaver has masterfully tied up every loose end when it comes to both plot and characters, it gives the sense that everything does fall into place beautifully and naturally in the end.

Weaver upped the ante in her final installment in terms of espionage and readers should not be disappointed. She added more depth and dynamics to every main player, especially where Electra, Ramsey, and Blandings were concerned. There was also considerable development in the humor and banter between the characters - before it was cliche and predictable dialogue - but now we have a more fluid cheekiness to the lighter-side of the novel and it shows that the writing has vastly improved.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and St Martins Press/Minotaur Books for the digital ARC. One Final Turn has been my favorite read of 2025 so far!

Pulling the entirety of this series to a close, Electra, Ellie, McDonnell takes a trip with Capt. Blandings to Lisbon where there was intelligence that her cousin Toby, who has been a POW, might be trying to get across into Portugal. Though the war is different within Portugal than England, she, Blandings and Ramsey are now trying to walk the line between the networks working for the Spanish, the Riech, and the network saving POWs as they escape and try to get home.

I came into this series about midway through not knowing it was a series and I felt like this fully resolved all of the plotlines that arose in the books that I read and probably the ones that came before as well. There were the twists, the turns, the jealousy, the subterfuge, the secrecy and Ellie's kick-butt way of solving problems and standing up for herself. I was fully satisfied with this conclusion.

#arc
#netgalley
#onefinalturn

Rounded up to 4 stars. I always feel a bit wistful when a series I’ve enjoyed comes to an end, and One Final Turn is a fitting conclusion to the Electra McDonnell series. Set primarily in Portugal, this final installment wraps up the ongoing storylines while delivering the intrigue and light romance readers have come to expect.

This is definitely a series that needs to be read in order, so I’ll avoid major plot details. What began with Electra—a clever safecracker from a family of thieves—being recruited by British intelligence during WWII has developed into a layered mix of espionage, mystery, and personal drama, including a long-running subplot about the murder of her father.

While the ending felt a bit rushed as Weaver worked to tie up every loose end, the series has been thoroughly entertaining. No, it’s not heavy literature, and yes, some elements are predictable—but Weaver consistently delivers engaging historical fiction. I’m curious to see what new direction she takes next. Fans of her Amory Ames series will likely enjoy this one, too.

The only reason I didn't finish this sooner was because I was "saving" it. I enjoyed the change of setting with most of the book taking place in Portugal. I also appreciated how the action kept going through most of the book and I thought "how will they resolve these storylines in time" but it did so and provided the satisfying ending I wanted. I will be exploring the author's backlist and I hope she will create more stories with characters that I enjoy as much as these.

Wow!

Word is that’s Electra’s cousin Toby may have escaped from a German prison via an unknown route through the Pyrenees to Lisbon. The British Government wants to help maintain that trail but need to find out who’s running it. Ellie is off to Lisbon to investigate along with an unknown handler Captain Archie Blandings who’s based in Lisbon. Major Gabriel Ramsey the intelligence officer whom she’d become close to, both personally and work wise is apparently going too, but fortunately Ellie is not under his command. Difficult! The last Ellie saw of the Major was when he’d rejected, then dismissed her.
Portugal is neutral and as such Lisbon is a hotbed of spies, officers and opportunists from all sides of the war.
Each time Ellie and Archie have a lead someone is one step ahead and they find themselves tripping over the bodies of those who might’ve helped!
I found myself chocking up at times, particularly as the sundered relationship between Ellie and Gabriel is always running in the background.
A brilliant conclusion to this series, resolving all sorts of questions Ellie and we readers have had, with the right amount of drama and sympathy.

A St. Martin’s Press ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

One Final Turn is the fifth book in the exciting historical mystery series "Electra McDonnell" by Ashley Weaver. I fell in love with this series with Book One. I am devastated - DEVASTATED, I tell you! - to discover this is the final book of the series! I swear I almost cried to find I was losing something I just adored. I know it's a series, not a person, but my fellow bookish friends will totally understand this feeling. However, I was thrilled with how perfectly Ms. Weaver concluded the series, tying up loose ends and giving her fans what they wanted.

Electra "Ellie" McDonnell is on her most dangerous mission ever. She is to go to Lisbon, Portugal to save her dear cousin Toby, who has allegedly escaped from a German POW camp. Toby has been missing since the Battle of Dunkirk, and the family thought they'd never see him again...until Major Gabriel Ramsey, the military intelligence officer she's been working closely with, shared the news he intercepted about Toby. Ellie will do everything she can to find her cousin, even if it means she has to travel to an unknown country with Ramsey after he dismissed her for being untrustworthy, just as she realized she had fallen in love with him. She is under the supervision of Captain Archie Blandings, a charming intelligence officer based in Lisbon. Elie meets with undercover operatives to determine where he is hiding from the Nazis, with the hope they aren't too late to retrieve him. Amidst all of this, Ellie is fighting her feelings for Ramsey. Can this end well for any of them?

Though I really am heartbroken there will no longer be further adventures with Ellie, Ramsey and all the rest, I am very grateful that I had the opportunity to read the entire series from the beginning. Though the rescue operation in this novel stands, alone, you will want to read the entire series from the beginning to understand the dynamics between the characters, especially Ellie and Ramsey. Of course, this book is my favorite of the five. The stories were all exciting, but the characters are what stand out here. Ellie McDonnell was an orphan. Her mother had been in prison for killing Ellie's father, but died of influenza before she could be hanged. Ellie was taken in by her fraternal Uncle Mick, where she was raised alongside her cousins Toby and Colm, under the supervision of housekeeper Nacy. Ellie excelled in the family business - safecracking - until Major Gabriel Ramsey put an end to that! Ramsey's world was totally different from Ellie's. His father was a Lord, and he was raised in an affluent home with this sisters and parents. He was a British intelligence officer, and he's dealt with some difficult issues...but not as difficult as Ellie! He is stern and appears to be cold, but don't judge a book by its cover. This man has hidden depths! After their last mission, Ramsey dismissed Ellie from working with him because he believed she could no longer be trusted. Ellie had just realized she loved him right before that occurred. However, there was no way she would be left out when Ramsey informed her that her missing cousin Toby was not dead, as believed, but was a POW. Captain Archie Blandings was in charge of the operation, and Ellie and Ramsey were under his supervision so they had to work together. They may have previously parted, but the sparks were still alive! I don't want to give any of the story away (besides "exciting", "tear inducing", "anger", "sorrow", "fear" and "happiness"), but all will be resolved neatly without any hanging threads. And I assure you, you will be happy with how Ms. Weaver has wrapped up this series. It was wonderful to be with Ellie, Ramsey, Uncle Mick, Nacy, Felix and all the others who appeared here once again. The consolation of this ending is that we are sure to having something exciting from this talented author on the horizon!

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

Goodness, I loved this series so much!! So happy with how it ended. Ashley Weavers stories have been so entertaining and now I’m really looking forward to reading other stories of hers.

If you’re a fan of historical suspense with a side of romance, this is for you. Firstly, you HAVE to read the series in order to. And savor it because it’s too good.

That ending was so satisfying and now I’m just heartbroken over here that I won’t be able to read this series for the first time. Loved every second of it!

This series has literally everything I love about my three favorite genres in one book—a swoony MMC, a romance full of palpable attraction, a mystery to be solved, and a historical setting.

When I tell you I was BLOWN. AWAY. by the Electra McDonnell books, I mean that I literally could not put them down, and I haven’t stopped thinking about them since.

Major Ramsey is a major DREAMBOAT. He’s all things upright moral compass, dedication to duty, and capable intelligence.
Electra McDonnell is spirited, smart, and suave. She has such an interesting background, and her morally grey family is nonetheless charming!

I wish I could share my favorite quotes, but there are too many!

For being the final book in the series, I felt it gave proper resolution to everything: the relationship between Ellie and Major Ramsey, Ellie’s friendship with Felix, the mystery of her cousin’s disappearance, the search for the truth behind her father’s murder and mother’s imprisonment, and more.

There is a fade-to-black scene, which I thought was surprising since the other books had only kissing, if that.

My only issue is that I want more! This was only 1941! What about the rest of the war? Did they continue to do investigations together? What happens next??Unfortunately, I don’t think I’m going to get any answers 😭

I’ve become obsessed with both Emma M. Lion and Electra McDonnell this year! The difference, though, is that everyone is talking about Emma M. Lion, but NO ONE is talking about these books!

This is the most underrated series of all time, and I promise you, you will love it. Trust me on this one.

My only regret upon finishing One Final Turn is that I wish I could experience this series over again for the first time.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to @netgalley and @StMartinsPress for this ARC. Book 5 of the Electra McDonnell as a safecracker. She has a chance to work a mission in Portugal to find her MIA cousin Toby. Another great read by Ashley Weaver and sad to see this series end. #OneFinalTurn #AshleyWeaver #StMartinsPress #June 2025

We're finally here. The last book in the much-loved Electra McDonnell series.

If, like me, you've followed safecracker Electra from her not entirely legal beginnings through her drafting into the British espionage team, this book is a lovely conclusion to the series. All those loose ends (and there are a fair number of them) get tied up in a very satisfying manner.

Electra heads off to Lisbon in this adventure, with a possibility of finding the fate of her beloved cousin Toby as a prime motivator. Ashley Weaver does an amazing job of immersing us in World War 2 Lisbon, and helping us see and navigate the contrast between its beauty and the destruction that is happening in Electra's London. The descriptions are fabulous and the food descriptions in particular had me wanting to run and book a ticket to Lisbon!

There are the usual adventures having you on the edge of your seat, and love interest Major Ramsay does manage to appear, despite the huge wedge that developed between him and Electra in book 4.

This is a terrific ending to a strong series. Questions answered, our favourite familiar characters making an appearance, and the biggest mystery that runs throughout the series gets a satisfying solution. If you've got students who are Maisie Dobbs fans, this is a terrific parallel series to send them to.
A solid 4 star read.