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Member Reviews

One Final Turn was my First Electra McDonell Novel and I was hooked. I now want to go back to the beginning and get the full background on all the characters. As I said I was hooked and could not put this book down. Ellie and Ramsey we so captivating and I just wanted more. I am so grateful to NetGalley and St. Martin Press for the ARC opportunity, and to fall in love with a new series and Author.

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This is a lovely end to a lovely series. I was surprised how much I liked and was even moved by these books. Ashley Weaver really is a talented writer, and I think she has hit gold with Electra McDonnell and Gabriel Ramsey. She manages to resolve all the plot lines with some clever tricks that allow her to satisfy those of us who wanted something to finally HAPPEN in this romance at the same time as she stays (mostly) on the right side of more culturally conservative readers (I did see a few complaints in other reviews). More than that I cannot say, or I would ruin the fun for readers to come:) Except -- I agree with everyone who has noted that there is still plenty of room for growth in these characters, and I wouldn't say no if the author relented and gave us a few more books.

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What a wonderful conclusion to the series! Too bad it is the end because I could easily read more Electra/Ramsey adventures. This was a very quick, engaging read that I couldn’t put down. Thanks to Minotaur for the ARC.

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4 Stars

Ending this series - and accompanying Ellie for one final adventure very reluctantly! The stakes have never been higher as she goes head to head with the Nazis, to track down her cousin.

The book starts pretty innocuously, as she comes to terms with her estrangement from Ramsay. Archie Blandings is a great partner to her, and some of their interactions had me in splits. But fear not, Ramsay shows up soon enough - and in one masterstroke (no spoilers!) - furthers their relationship. The nitpick I'll have here is that I felt cheated to have Ramsay's character develop off page.

Soon enough, we're led deep into danger as the gang battle to save not just her cousin, but also the very route to freedom.

There are some obvious pacing issues with this book - especially with the mystery about her parents -but I'm really satisfied with how everyone's story wraps up. Yes, the war is nowhere close to winning, but the message of the series - trusting loved ones and being family trumping all - rings through!

My thanks to the St Martin's press and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange of an honest review - all opinions my own!

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I was sad to conclude One Final Turn as that meant the end of Electra's story. However, the finale does justice to Electra and Ramsey in this high-stakes adventure in Portugal to rescue her missing-in-action cousin, Toby. The mystery even takes a bit of a classic screwball comedy twist, as Electra and Ramsey are forced to pretend to be in a relationship - all for the sake of intelligence, of course! I will miss reading new installments in this series but look forward to reading what Ashley Weaver launches next.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

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I have loved every book in this series, and I am both depressed that this is the last of them and thrilled that it ended so satisfyingly. While none of the previous stories were short on danger or action, Weaver really raised the stakes (emotional, espionage, romantic, familial) for this final adventure. It was so delightful to see Ellie come into her own as a spy, and in an exciting locale, too! Your faves all make an appearance here; I will miss Ellie and Ramsey and the whole gang dearly. It will take some time to find a new story that can fill the space in my life these books occupy.

I received an advanced copy of this book for free through NetGalley; review is my own.

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The Electra McDonnell series was recommended to be by my sister (and mega-fan) and after many months of her gushing, I dove into the series and finished it all in less than two weeks. I was not disappointed in the slightest! After falling in love with the characters and leaving book #4 feeling emotionally ransacked, I had no choice but to request an ARC of book #5! So big thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for providing an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Throughout the series, each setting was captivating, the characters were relatable, and the storylines were intriguing without being overwhelming. I so appreciated how strong Ellie's character was and the personal growth she exhibited through her work with Major Ramsey.
In One Final Turn, Ellie, heartbroken by her recent dismissal by Major Ramsey, is now working with Archie Blandings, travels to Lisbon to assist in the search for her beloved cousin Toby. While Lisbon offered a refreshing locale compared to war-torn London and set our love interests up nicely for angsty encounters (hello forced proximity), I felt Ellie's purpose in being there was flimsier than the prior novels. Other than providing a fresh face and picking a few locks, she didn't seem to have much to do. I really missed the high-stakes safe cracking and investigative work we saw Ellie doing in the past. The characters seemed to float from one disappearing informant to another, before finally receiving intelligence related to Toby and his fellow escapee's whereabouts.
I did love seeing Major Ramsey squirm a little bit. It was about time that these two confronted their feelings for one another and I didn't even mind the marriage of convenience, which is normally a no-go for me. I would have loved to see them get together on their own terms but given their status at the start of book #5 and it being the final one of the series, it made sense to move the storyline along. I just wish we would have seen Ellie and Ramsey confront some of the issues that had plagued them both in prior novels.
I feel this series could have and SHOULD have been stretched over a few more books. I was not ready to say goodbye to these characters and their storylines. With several years left of WWII and the other storylines that were left unfinished at the start of book #5, Ashley Weaver had a lot to cover and tie up in a relatively short amount of time. Most notably, I would have loved to see more page space dedicated to the resolution of her parent’s storyline as it was a huge part of Ellie’s identity.
Overall, I loved book 5 as much as I loved the rest of the series and am sure that I will come back to the series time and time again!

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Although I'm very sad that this series is ending, this was such a perfect and satisfying conclusion. All the best aspects of the series are featured here, with lots of action, suspense, drama and tons of romantic tension and angst between Electra and the Major. Given how things were left between the two of them at the end of the last book, it seemed impossible that they could bridge the gap in one story, but Ashley Weaver did a fabulous job of crafting a plot that forces them to reconcile their feelings for each other. I loved the details about Portugal -- the setting was described so vividly it felt like I was there. I'm also glad we finally got answers on the series-long mystery about Ellie's parents and her father's activities during the last war, as well as other loose threads that were tied up in a satisfying manner. I highly recommend this entire series to any historical mystery fans!

Thank you to Minotaur and Netgalley for providing an ARC for review!

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4.5- almost 5 ⭐️

A great end to a series ❤️ personally 5 books isn’t enough, but I also appreciate that it ended so well. I have enjoyed each book in the series so much and this is the best one! I love how each book builds upon one another to create a complete story, and this book did an excellent job wrapping up all the loose ends and bring closure to everyone's stories.

There were obvious red herrings, and I figured out who was behind the mystery pretty quickly, but I honestly didn't mind because then I was able to enjoy reading about the character development and tensions between everyone. This book takes place in Portugal, and I could imagine being there so easily, maybe because I have been, and I knew exactly what places and locations the author mentioned.

I don't want to give spoilers because my mother has read this series with me so since I received an ARC she has to wait :)

Thanks to NetGalley and to St. Martin's Press for an E-ARC of one of my favorite cozy historical fiction mysteries. I was looking forward to reading this when it was published and am so excited I was able to read it early!!!!

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I loved this series!! I am so bummed this was the final book. I enjoyed it immensely and am happy to have all the loose ends tied up. Ashley Weaver has a way with keeping you intrigued throughout the story. I loved the little quips she used and the way she brings you into the characters emotions.

I am excited for her next series!!! Thank you again!!

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If you have not read the Electra McDonnell series yet, I would highly recommend that you change that today. The series follows Electra McDonnell from her days as a safecracker with her Uncle Mick in London during WWII, to using her skills for good with the military on secret missions. This story sends Electra to Lisbon, Portugal, under the direction of Captain Archie Blandings. News has been intercepted that may lead to the release of her cousin, Toby, who has been in a POW camp. Major Ramsey is called upon as well to assist with this mission. This is the fifth and final book of the series and it draws to a satisfactory conclusion. I have to say that I love this series, and I love this book.

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This series is one of my all-time favorites. I loved the mysteries and the will-they-won't-they dynamic between Ellie and the Major. In this final installment, Weaver absolutely delivers. The readers get more romance, more action, and answers to the questions that have been present since book one. I've been cheering for Ellie when the first story released and have been following her journey ever since. So of course I'm sad that this series has to end, but I'm looking forward to whatever the author pens next.

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Y'all... I have LOVED this series right from book 1 and was distraught to learn this would be the final installment. I ADORE the characters. SO MUCH. Like I don't want to leave them. I want to follow them right through the end of the war and on into their old age. Don't make me leave them! But all good things must come to an end... or so they say. Ashley certainly didn't take it easy on us readers with this one. I was on the edge of my seat as the tension ramped up. I didn't want to put it down. I needed to know that all would come right in the end. Did it? You'll have to read for yourself to find out. But I will say this... that was one heck of an ending to the series! What a ride! GO READ THIS ENTIRE SERIES if you haven't already!

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As sad as I am to see the finale novel of my favorite literary couple, it was a wonderful send-off. In Portugal following a promising lead, Ellie and the Major are at odds personally, but have to work together. The romantic tension is at an all-time high and I was here for it. My only complaint, was I wanted the book to keep going. Wishing Ellie and Major Ramsay a happily ever after!

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Ashley Weaver's One Final Turn brings her Electra McDonnell series to a satisfying close. Ongoing story lines wrap up (e.g., the mystery surrounding Electra's parents resolves, her slow-burn romance with Gabriel Ramsey crescendos), and the plot that propels this installment (that Toby is missing, presumed dead) amps up the suspense-- and the romance.

An enjoyable, cozy read!

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This book was a strong and satisfying conclusion to the series. As always, Weaver delivered the danger and intrigue that keeps readers hooked, while weaving in the romantic tension between Ramsey and Ellie. Archie’s matchmaking efforts caught me a bit off guard—given the war and covert mission at hand—but that’s part of the charm of fiction! The twist was a pleasant surprise and not what I expected, which kept the story engaging. My only critique would be that the subplot involving Ellie’s father felt a bit rushed toward the end. Overall, it was a well-executed finale that wrapped up the series nicely.

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In <i>One Final Turn</i>, the conclusion to the Electra McDonnell series, Ellie and Major Ramsey are sent to Lisbon on a mission to rescue escaped POWs. In a city bustling with spies, Ellie and the Major find themselves scrambling to keep up with a murderer who always seems to stay one step ahead of them.

This book leans into the romance between the characters more than the earlier installments in the series, and consequently, the plot feels a little bit contrived at times. <spoiler>The romance still stays pretty clean, but there is one scene that might make some readers uncomfortable. To quote Ellie, it's all "legally, morally, emotionally" proper, but it's a step beyond the fairly chaste kisses from the earlier books.</spoiler> Ellie is also experiencing quite a lot of physical and emotional turmoil after events from the past two books, and the tone can be a little heavy at times compared to previous installments.

Overall, I thought Ashley Weaver nicely wrapped up all the plot threads that she has been weaving throughout the preceding books, and I enjoyed this as a satisfying conclusion to one of my favorite series in recent years.

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This adventurous novel follows Ellie's struggle to find Toby who is thought to have escaped a Prisoner of War camp. Ellie uses her bravery and smart senses to help navigate on this difficult task.

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A wonderful send off to a great series. Ashely Weaver has brought the Electra McDonnell series to a close with a bang and a final that had me in tears. Her characters are so beautifully human in their characterisation that it is hard not to root for them. I'm so pleased I stumbled across this series and would highly recommend new readers start at the beginning so you can properly, fully appreciate the finale. Filled with action, adventure, espionage, high stakes, and more than a little romance, 'One Final Turn' sees Electra and Captain Ramsay in Portugal as they attempt to track down and rescue Electra's cousin Toby who has reported escaped for a POW camp. The tension is high and the sparks are flying as Electra and Ramsay are forced to face the truth behind their feelings as their mission becomes ever more complicated. This is one of the best send offs I've ever read for a series. I cried a little when I realised there won't be any more adventures with these two.

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The Major gets his girl!

Once again, Ashley Weaver spins a hair-raising historical suspense that kept me on the edge of my seat. In the fifth chapter of this engrossing series, Electra is on her way to Portugal, hoping to find her beloved cousin, Toby, who is believed to have escaped a German prison camp and is presumed to be making his way over the perilous Pyrenees mountains to Lisbon.
Ellie works with the charming Captain Archie Balding to unearth the escape route before the Nazis, and every moment is filled with danger and suspense.
Add in the romantic tension between Electra and Major Ramsey, who dismisses her and calls her untrustworthy after they shared some passionate kisses in the last book, and this is definitely a page-turner!

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