I spent a delightful afternoon and evening with Ashley Weaver’s historical novel, A Peculiar Combination, set in London shortly after the beginning of World War II. The characters are quirky and likable, so much so that I’m going to be looking for the next book in Ms. Weaver’s Electra McDonnell series, of which A Peculiar Combination is the first.

My only quibble, the one bit that stopped me for a second or so, was the use of an anachronistic phrase by one of the characters: “…lose your cool…”, an expression dating to 1966, long after the period of A Peculiar Combination. Most readers won’t notice it. Picky of me? Yes. Make that, “very picky”. I like historical novels but I’m quite often annoyed by a clunky phrase or historical inaccuracy even in novels I otherwise enjoy. Clearly, Ms. Weaver has done a good job of research as well as of plotting and writing.
A Peculiar Combination should appeal to anyone who likes Jacqueline Winspear’s Maisie Dobbs novels. Ms. Weaver’s book is lighter in tone but sometimes one wants dessert, and this is it.

A Peculiar Combination will be released on May 11, 2021. I received an ARC from Netgalley for an unbiased review.

To have the ears of a CEO and the fingertips of an angel is the dream of any safecracker. Producing product is the ultimate goal.

Electra "Ellie" McDonnell has been groomed by the best. Uncle Mick is an Irish locksmith who's been working the streets of London for many years leading up to August of 1940. But his talents often lead him to the backstreets as well. It's wartime in England and there's many an abandoned house of the wealthy with a safe behind a cultured work of art.

Ellie is a crackerjack when it comes to listening carefully to the clicks in her ear. Within seconds, she can pop open the highest grade locks. And someone has been listening to the movements of Ellie and Mick this very night. They're loaded into a black car and taken to a secret location. And a deal is made to avoid prison. Ellie and Mick will cooperate with Major Gabriel Ramsey and his crew of the British government. Sworn to secrecy, they will use their street-wise talents to serve as agents acquiring documents stored in a safe. Easy enough? Not quite so fast.

Major Ramsey suspects that the Germans have been assisted by Londoners themselves........high ranking Londoners. Ellie will serve as a ficticious society woman to gain the trust of these infiltrators. And our girl Ellie is good at what she does. But as the circle of contacts widens, who exactly can Ellie trust as she enters deeper into this pit of vipers?

A Peculiar Combination is quite the creative and original read. Who better than criminals themselves to break through the complexities of what lies behind that aforementioned artwork? Ashley Weaver incorporates the reality of Nazi sympathizers gaining ground in London about this time. Many were Chamberlain appeasers in regard to Germany who didn't like Churchill at all.

I see that Ashley Weaver has her eyes set on a series involving Ellie McDonnell. To be sure, it beckons the reader to a bright future involving espionage and regular people with finely tuned talents of the criminal persuasion. Cat burglars who are destined to catch their mouse.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to St. Martin's Press and to Ashley Weaver for the opportunity.

A Peculiar Combination is one of the best first in series books I have read in a long time! I am a fan of Ashley Weaver's Avery Ames series which is why I requested to read the book, but Electra McDonnell is just an amazing character! Thanks to a unique story line, fascinating characters, and interesting plot twists I read this book in one sitting. I loved Uncle Mick right away while Major Ramsay and Felix are excellent foils for one another. I look forward to more of Ellie's adventures in the future! Thank you to #NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of #APeculiarCombination.

Slightly humorous WWII mystery with slightly crazy characters. What's not to like? I hope this is the first in a new series.

LOVED IT! A Peculiar Combination, Ashley Weaver's new series-opener, is superb! The mystery is tightly plotted--no spoilers here, but Weaver takes the reader for quite a ride through London during WWII. I loved the setting details. There's an innovative cast of characters--starting with the spunky Electra, her uncle Mick, and the tall, dark, and handsome Major Ramsey. Even better, Weaver sneaks in SO many teasers about the characters' pasts that I am totally hooked. Brava!

I'm not quite sure what this is missing, but it is missing something.
The concept is promising, but just did not quite meet expectations. I wanted more action, more intrigue, more romance, but it all just kind of fell flat. I guessed who the spy was immediately and the rest of the story just felt drawn out and very anticlimactic.
I did enjoy the characters and their dynamics, but it just needed more oomph.

This premise is contrived, and I can’t get past it in order to keep going. THe writing is pedestrian, nd that doesn’t help either.

An excellent but all-too-short start to a new historical fiction series set at the start of WWII by Ashley Weaver. Electra "Ellie" McDonnell is a thief/housebreaker turned spy and what follows is a race to prevent sensitive documents from getting into the hands of the Germans, along with the hint of a love triangle thrown in.

I can't wait for the second installment of this series...this was definitely a teaser and taste of what could be next to come! I want to thank St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to provide review this ARC.

3.5 stars rounded up. An intriguing concept with a family of patriotic safecrackers/thieves in early WWII London. The story has a good set-up for the next volume in the series.

I found this a light, cozy style of mystery although there is some violence and suspense. With touches of budding romance, society and class differences, we meet a young woman looking for her place in a changing world.

The author's previous series did not draw me in, but I would try the next story about Ellie.

Thank you Netgalley for allowingme to review this book

So wow, a new series by an established author that I like and follow. You know I had to read this book.

A Peculiar Combination is the first book in a new series by Ashley Weaver (the Amory Ames novels). The book features Ellie (Electra) McDonnel and Major Ramsey, who together must flesh out a german spy ring in London set in WWII.

The book started out slow for me.... Very slow... but then more than half way through it really picked up and totally blindsided me with who the spy was - I did not see that coming. In all honestly, I was so into the book and following the story line, that I did not once stop to think who else might be the culprit. This little part, made this a 4 star book (up to that point it was a happy 3 stars).

The story plot was good and intriguing - again, it picks up midway through so please be patient.

Sidenote, I was so used to this author and her heroine Amory Ames, that it took me a while to warm up to Ellie - but I'm glad I did. This book promises to be a great series. I would love to know what you all think.

I picked up this book wondering if it would be just as excellent as Ms. Weaver’s Amory Ames series. I’m excited to tell you that it is.

Set during World War II just before The Blitz, a mystery unfolds. The Germans are on the offensive, and London is a hotbed of uncertainty. Electra McDonnell is our heroine and for lack of a better word a thief. Caught in the act of stealing jewelry, she is pressed into government service by Major Ramsey. They must usurp a spy ring and keep allied information from reaching axis powers. At first, the two rub off of each other the wrong way, one arrogant and one suspicious of the other. But eventually, they must come together for King and Country to save many lives and even all of Britain.

What I loved:
I was actually reading another book when I started this one. I read APC in one sitting. The pacing is excellent and, you’re transported right into the adventure. And I have to say Electra is such a ballsy heroine. When she was truly needed she was there for her friends and her family. Also, love the name by the way (It fits her to a “T”.) Major Ramsey is my favorite! He is mysterious, dependable, kind, and very very YUMMY! I love it! Ms. Weaver always makes them delicious and very Manly. I’m hoping he’ll end up being our love interest in this series. He’d defiantly make an excellent one. I can’t wait to see his character develop in the coming books.

What I didn’t like:
Honestly, the only thing I didn’t like was that I’ll have to wait for the next installment. So, I will utilize my patience.

For those of you who love World War II fiction and adventure, you’ve just hit the jackpot. It’s a beautiful start to a new series, and I believe Ms. Weaver has entered a new and higher level with her fiction. I’m so excited to see where this series goes.

A Peculiar Combination is a twisty and delightful book, with a great plot, and wonderful characters. I enjoyed all aspects of it. This novel had it all. It’s extremely well written with lots of historical detail, mystery, intrigue, and romance! I found myself wanting to read more and more and finished this wonderfully entertaining book in one sitting.

Very entertaining. It has a little bit of everything- spies, murder, and a slow burn romance. I look forward to getting to know more about the main character- Ellie in the upcoming books in this series. Maybe then I can understand more why she has led a life of breaking into homes and stealing because I do like her. It was touched upon in this book but I wasn't satisfied. How do you justify that lifestyle especially during a war? Don't get me wrong, Ellie does show some remorse. I just want to understand her more.

What a great book! Ashley Weaver is a new author to me and she did not disappoint. I very much enjoyed the characters and the storyline. The author weaves a great tale and leaves us wanting more. Much more! This book has mystery, intrigue, comedy, and romance. I am truly looking forward to the next books in this series.
Sincere thanks to NetGalley and the publisher St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read this wonderful book.

4 Oh So Right Stars
* * * *
This was just right. It starts a new series by Ashley Weaver and was something new to me. It took a den of thieves and has them caught only to have them work to fight the Nazis...Perfect.

I’m a superfan of Ashley Weaver’s other mystery series. I had some trepidations going into this one because how can any new series compare with Amory and Milo? But this was a delightful first in a series! I loved Ellie!

This is everything I love about Ashley Weaver’s writing: pithy writing, interesting and dynamic characters, a mystery that is well plotted and sucks you in completely, and a setting that allows a fun escape for a few hours.

Cheers to Ms. Weaver on another series that I will become obsessed with!

Thank you to Minotaur and Netgalley for my complimentary digital copy. All opinions are my own.

I finished this book. I WANT THE NEXT BOOK. This is brilliant. Great characters, great plot, great writing, great setting and an ongoing mystery and a love triangle that will take you throughout multiple books. Bravo, Weaver, bravo.

A new historical mystery series featuring an independent and intelligent female lead - why of course I can’t help but request it!

Set in 1940 England, we meet Electra (Ellie) McDonnell and her Uncle Mick, safecracker extraordinaire, who end up assisting in the war effort to stop the Nazis. What ensues is a mystery filled with spies, secret codes, and double dealings. Of course, it also has a dash of romance.

I loved Ellie and her ability to not only clearly see situations but remain calm in the midst of a storm. She is a smart, wise, and realistic - a fabulous character to root for. Her family, while technically on the wrong side of the law, are charming and clearly love her. And the major - oh the major - without a doubt there is more in store for them.

I am excited by the start of this series and am very much looking forward to reading about more Ellie and her motley crew!

Set in London in WW2, this is the first of a wonderful new series. Electra McDonnell and her uncle Mick are doing what they usually do best, robbing safes, although they’re caught red headed this time. But instead of being sent to jail they’re coerced into helping Major Ramsey with espionage. Great plot, and characters, I can’t wait to read the next installment! Another great series by Ashley Weaver.

This is a fast paced, fun read with a cast of interesting characters. When Ellie and her Uncle Mick are caught attempting to rob a safe they are forced into government service during WWII. What starts out as a one time job to recover stolen plans turns into a romp through London and Ellie wondering which man in her life she wants more. The premise seems unlikely but who knows what tactics the "spies" used during the War. Ellie is a fun character to follow as she is smart and brave but also has moments where she questions what she got herself into. You won't necessarily learn anything but reading this book will make you smile and leave you with a happy ending. I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley and the publisher St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review.