What an absolute delight of a read! As a huge fan of this book series, I can’t think of a better ending! The action scenes were gripping & the side characters were engaging. The chemistry between Major Ramsey & Ellie was EVERYTHING! & I am so glad that Ellie got closure. I have recommended this book to all of my family & friends, it is wonderful!

I love this series and am sad that this is the last one because it’s such an interesting subject within the WWII mysteries subset. This one does tie up so many loose ends but it started out so slowly that I almost gave up on it. I’m all for a romance within the series but the first half was too much for me. It did pick up halfway through, thankfully, and despite some TSTL moments, I enjoyed it and thought it was wrapped up nicely.

Final book in the Electra McDonnell series, and it pulls all the loose threads nicely together. Electra is no longer working for Major Ramsey, but is pulled back into the spy business when word gets through that her cousin (more a brother to her) is alive and has escaped from imprisonment, and is trying to get over the border to Portugal. Willing to do anything to find Toby, she is recruited by a Lisbon-based Captain to assist in finding the escape route and protect it from the Germans. Making things rather awkward - Major Ramsey is the only one able to assist them. And the usual twisty plot ensues with lots of action and daring do, lock-picking and clandestine meetings, and lighting fast thinking on their feet. Great fun and most satisfying.

First, let me say that I am so sad that this is the conclusion of this wonderful series. I have enjoyed reading these characters and the situations they find themselves in. This book ends the series on serious high note and I love that!

“The fifth and final installment in the Electra McDonnell series brings safecracker Ellie on a mission across World War II-era Europe to Lisbon, Portugal to rescue a key group of escaped POWs.”

I have absolutely adored this historical mystery series and while I am sad this is the last one, it was so perfectly well done that it made it a bit easier to say goodbye. I binge listened to this in a day and a half, using every possible excuse to have it in my ears. They are brilliant on audio (I’ve taken all five in that way).

I gasped and sighed and smiled throughout and the ending was chef’s kiss. If you’re a mystery lover and want a strong, funny, independent former lock-pick sleuth in your reading life, go now and read. You won’t regret it. Five wonderful stars.

I can't believe this is the last book in the series. Most of the cozy mystery series I read go on and on and on, so I was shocked when One Final Turn was announced as the fifth and final novel in the series.

It was a really good finale. All the loose ends were wrapped up, though one storyline that had just started felt like it was wrapped up too quickly, but I don't think there was any other way to handle it, as this is the final book.

At one point, I felt like it was going to turn into a Regency romance novel, but I'm sure fans who like romance in their cozy mysteries will love the scene.

There is plenty of Ellie and Ramsey together, and I enjoyed them being in Lisbon. I think series fans will be happy with how the series ends.

I've read the entire series and really liked this WWII cozy mystery series that sometimes reads more like a spy novel. The writing is good, the characters have some depth to them, and the plots are always fun. If you are looking for a complete series to binge read, you should definitely pick it up.

I wonder what Ashley Weaver will write next.

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Sunday - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2025/06/one-final-turn-by-ashley-weaver-review.html

Part of series with Ellie and Major Ramsey of to another mission in Lisbon, Portugal to save her cousin Toby and others.
Drama, suspense, twists, surprises and romance.
A good thrilling story..
Voluntarily reviewed.

In the final novel in the Electra McDonnell series, Ellie finds herself facing her greatest challenge: leaving her home to travel to Lisbon to try to locate her cousin, who has been missing in action for about 9 months. She will do this without her usual commanding officer, Major Ramsey, due to the result of a few horrible decisions and violating the one rule Ramsey had for her - which she did twice. And of course it was when everything went to Hades that Ellie realized how much Ramsey meant to her. So with emotions fraying and stakes being at their highest, Ellie enters a world where enemies are everywhere and one false move could mean death.

I have never been more disappointed to have a series end! I have come to love Ellie and Ramsey, watching them match wits and overcome the odds. This final adventure was quite a ride and poor Ellie has quite a few close calls. As she said during the adventure, when she found someone trying to kill her, her response is one we can all understand ‘Not again!’

The one thing that disappointed me, beside the fact that this was the last novel was that all the loose ends seemed a bit too rushed. The resolution to the mystery of her father’s death deserved its own book, and including it here seemed rushed.

I hope one day we might get another Ellie adventure because I would love just one more wild ride with the McDonnells. But all things considered, this was a very satisfying goodbye to Ellie and Ramsey.

So, so sad to see this series end! I've really enjoyed reading about Electra and her wartime adventures. The romance in the book was excellent and the setting couldn't have been better. While I liked that things were wrapped up satisfactorily, I really, really would have liked if a couple of the story lines hadn't been resolved quite so neatly and quickly.

I have read every one of Ms. Weaver's books and I can't wait to see what she writes next! Thanks for NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy of this book.

Ellie McDonnell sets off on a dangerous mission to Lisbon to rescue her cousin Toby, who has escaped a German POW camp after being missing since Dunkirk. Despite tensions with Major Ramsey—who once doubted her just as she realized her feelings for him—Ellie is determined to find Toby. In Lisbon, under the guidance of Captain Archie Blandings, she navigates a web of espionage, emotional conflict, and the ever-present threat of war and love.

I'm really sad that I picked this book up without reading the first 4 books in this series, but I am absolutely going back to read these soon. This book had everything I love about historical fiction- with the addition of mystery and romance. I really enjoyed Ellie's character- she was sassy, brave, and determined to do whatever it took to get Toby back. I also enjoyed Ramsey and Archie as the MMCs, they way that they went back and forth was so fun to read.

Having not read the previous 4 books, I thought the plot of this book was great! The pacing was good, and I was thoroughly interested in finding out what was going to happened next. I thought the big plot twist and the lead up to it was really well done as well. Overall, this was such a charming book and so much fun to read. Highly recommend and now I'm off to read the others!

Rating: 4.5/5
Spice: 1/5

Tropes:
WWII Historical Fiction
Second Chance
Spy Craft
Suspense
Red Herrings
Sweet Romance

Thank you so much NetGalley, Ashley Weaver and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for this eARC. All thoughts are my own.

This is the last installment in the Electra McDonnell series. This series has standalone mysteries accompanied by other storylines that transverse each book. In One Final Turn, the readers get the answers they have been waiting for. I wouldn't recommend reading this on its own. Definitely start with book one and enjoy this delightful series! (Just an FYI for those interested...the audio for these books is great!)

Electra continues her escapades in Portugal with Ramsey and some other collogues. I just love all of these characters, and it was nice to see them return for this finale. I am so glad that a friend recommended this author to me. I didn't know that the series had ongoing mysteries, and when I started I didn't realize it wasn't complete! It wasn't until I got to book 4 that I realized this one hadn't been released yet! Talk about anxiety!

Now that we have all of the books, I encourage anyone that enjoys cozy mysteries/light suspense with hints of romance, to pick up this series and ENJOY!

I was given the opportunity to read an advanced digital copy of this book by St. Martin's Press via Netgalley. I am happily and voluntarily leaving an honest review. And also in full disclosure, I also purchased and listened to the audiobook on the day it was released.

A delightful conclusion to a wonderful series! This book was my favorite in the whole series for so many reasons. Such a fabulous mix of adventure and romance.

This fifth and final volume in Ashley Weaver's series revolving around Electra McDonnell does not disappoint. I discovered these books last spring and quickly immersed myself.. Ellie is a fascinating character with an endearing family. She is smart, determined, passionate and loyal. All of these qualities both help and harm her as she navigates a world deeply affected by World War II. As a former safecracker turned government spy for England, her skills are in demand throughout the series and are utilized again in this final book.

Set in Portugal, ONE FINAL TURN explores Ellie's search for her POW cousin, Toby, who may be on the run. I have been to Portugal before, yet even so, I learned new things about it. I loved getting to know its streets, cultural landmarks and delicious food even more through the pages of this book.

In addition to the beautiful setting and the mysteries, the relationships among the characters, especially the one between Major Gabriel Ramsey and Ellie "Electra" McDonnell, form the heart of the series. I will give nothing away, but just know that the development of their relationship is very thoughtful.

I almost held off reading ONE FINAL TURN because I did not want the series to end. I had gotten to know the characters over the four previous books, and felt as if they were friends. I am grateful, though, that I finally dove into this final volume because the loose ends are resolved in surprising and satisfactory ways. Do not hesitate to read this final volume and if you have missed out on the previous four books in the series, I envy the journey ahead of you. Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books/St. Martin's Press for the eARC.

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.