Oh I absolutely enjoyed the second book in this series! I started this read with out realizing it was the second in a series. I had no issues with getting into the plot with out reading the first book. I felt like it was a strong book on it’s own.

I enjoyed the mystery elements and the characters so much. They felt fully fleshed out and developed. The dynamic between Electra and Major Ramsey was fun. The mystery was strong and easy to follow along to. I also enjoyed the spy elements, and the historical elements in this story.

What I loved:
-the pacing was excellent. I enjoyed all the twists that kept me guessing through out the story
-the setting was interesting! I am always a sucker for a historical setting.
-the touch of romance! Everyone needs a little romance sprinkled through a plot.

I highly recommend this series to anyone who is a fan of historical fiction or mysteries. 4 stars out of 5.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

Ellie McDonnell is half annoyed, half thrilled when Major Ramsey asks for her help again. Challenge thrills her; Ramsey annoys her. Yet she feels a little buzz of something exciting when he's around. To complicate things she is getting that same feeling whenever her old friend Felix visits. Nazi spies are photographing targets around London and it is essential to find them and confiscate the rolls of film before they can be passed along. The war has finally reached England and the nightly bombings have begun in earnest. Ellie and family are ready to step up and do whatever is necessary to help their country. Ellie is trying to analyze her feelings towards Ramsey and Felix, do her job, and investigate her mother's case that led to her imprisonment. This is another fascinating, fast moving story!

This is the Book #2 in the Electra McDonnell series. I read and enjoyed “A Peculiar Combination” which was the first in this series. I have been a big fan of Ms. Weaver and her Amory Ames Mystery series. I have read all seven and now am looking forward to number eight.

Setting: 1940 London, England ~ WWII.
Electra’s Uncle Mick is a locksmith using his locksmith talents ~ he can break into homes and pick the locks to their safes. Electra ~ aka Ellie has an amazing ear and can hear the clicks to enable her to be an excellent safecracker and a great assistant to Uncle Mick. Now she and her family are helping
Major Gabriel Ramsey in the war effort well it was either serving as a spies or they were going to be turned over to the police.

These characters are great and I am looking forward to Book #3 in this series.

Want to thank NetGalley and Saint Martin’s Press ~ Minotaur Books for this eGalley. This file has been made available to me before publication in an early form for an honest professional review.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for May 10, 2022

I was thrilled to receive the ARC for the second book in Ashley Weaver's Electra McDonnell series from NetGalley.

I enjoyed more of the adventures of Electra and Major Ramsey, with Felix added in as well. The Blitz is starting as they all try to solve and break up a spy ring, making for a tense time. It was a race to stay alive while solving the mystery and Ashley Weaver does a great job in keeping up the tension and pacing. I still don't know where the romantic interest is going between Felix and Major Ramsey, so can't wait to read the next installment.

A solid second entry in the series. Ellie gets involved in another operation with the Major, while also growing closer with Felix, just as the Blitz begins in London.

The second installment of the Electra McDonnell series is as delightful as the first, setting up a satisfying heist adventure! With spies! Ellie, our young 1940s heroine, is now using her safe-cracking skills to help England defeat the Nazi. This book sets up a heist adventure which is quite satisfying. The heroine and the other female characters are not relegated to the role of damsels in distress. There is danger, subterfuge, and skullduggery, and Ellie relishes it. London during the early years of WWII is recreated persuasively, in a way that evokes the moment without veering into a history lesson. I also enjoyed the romantic element. While this isn't a romance novel, Ellie has two potential love interests, and the tension with the tightly-wound Major Ramsey continues to sizzle (albeit on the back burner). If you liked Weaver's earlier series with Amory Ames, this one is better--it has more momentum, more liveliness, an interesting cast of characters, with the heroine's professional skills and atypical values (she's not fully committed to being a good citizen) as the icing on the cake.

Best things:
- Fast-moving, compelling plot
- Competent heroine
- The plot is NOT driven by the main characters doing ridiculously out-of-character things
- Period-appropriate writing (so no wincing over glaring anachronisms, at least not that I noticed)
- Nice romantic tension

Things I didn't love
- Typecasting of "Irishness" with the heroine and her family.
- The second love interest (he's somehow a bit blah, which is disappointing in an injured war veteran/forger)

I thank NetGalley and the author Ashley Weaver and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for access to this ARC. I enjoyed the debut of our heroine in “A Peculiar Combination” and my anticipation of the sequel was rewarded. The characters continue to develop during wartime London. In Ms. Weaver’s capable hands we enjoy the sparks between Ellie and her developing suitors.

These cozy stories keep most violence offstage, but this story featured some creative and macabre scenes. Ellie keeps her head during stressful situations with an amusing twist of moral ambiguity, as a second-generation thief turning her skills to support the war effort.

The developing mystery about her parents and their relationship will be a plot device over several books, apparently.

This novel was a satisfying confection and I give it 4 stars like the first book in the series. I will read the next one when it is available.

One word- Fantastic! What a Great story. The characters are well thought out and the historical settings are compelling and keep the story moving. There is a great carryover from of the characters and plot line from the first book which makes the reader feel comfortable with the cast of characters in continuing the story. Ms. Weaver thanks for a great read. Please let me know when your next book in this series is available.

4.25 stars - just short of rounding up to 5 stars. In The Key to Deceit, Ellie and her team (including the Major) are investigating another German spy ring in London. This time, they are trying to stop a hand-off of hundreds of photos taken of sensitive locations in London which would give the Germans insight into prime bombing targets. After one of the female spies in the ring ends up dead in the Thames, Ellie and the Major go undercover again to trace the woman's contacts and find her handler. The stakes of their investigation are raised even further as the German blitz on London starts in earnest, and the reality of war starts to set in for Ellie.

The love triangle that was set up in book 1 with Ellie, the Major and Felix continues to develop here. Ellie's long history with Felix allows her to overlook some of his questionable business, but given her newfound desire to use her skills for good instead of selfish gains, she starts to have doubts. Felix also plays an instrumental role in helping Ellie uncover the truth about her mother's wrongful conviction, which adds an interesting subplot here. The Major continues to be a bit of a mystery with his aristocratic background and failed engagement. However, it is clear (to the reader at least) that he has strong feelings for Ellie, though he hides them behind his stern facade.

I really enjoy this series and its unique set of characters. Even if this was not quite on the same level as book 1 -- more time is spent planning and observing than carrying out exciting heists -- it is still well written and lays the groundwork for even more interesting adventures and character development as the series continues. Looking forward to reading what comes next!

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

This is the second book in the series, and it's made better than the first by the excellent crafting of plot and characters laid out in that first book (A Peculiar Combination, Electra McDonnell, #1)..

The World War II setting grows even more tense, and the challenge facing the main characters is even greater. Author Weaver does an excellent job engaging the reader even more deeply, and the series is increasingly compelling. I cannot wait for the next book in the series!

Great appreciation to NetGalley and publisher St Martin's Press / Minotaur for the chance to read an advance copy. Pub Date: 21 Jun 2022

This might be the easiest review I’ll write all year: READ THIS BOOK.
I enjoyed Weaver’s earlier Amory Ames books, but with her new series, featuring Electra McDonnell, she has outdone herself. Set in WWII London, Ellie and her safe-cracking, jewel-stealing family get roped into helping the British war effort. In The Key to Deceit, the second in the series, Ellie and Major Ramsey investigate the death of a spy. Beautifully detailed setting. Fun characters. Tight plot with a whiz-bang (seriously) conclusion.
READ THIS BOOK.
Thanks to @netgalley for an early read.

The McDonnell family lives in London’s East End and is well known for locksmithing. They also do a little safe-cracking on the side when economic circumstances require it. The only girl in the family, Electra, grew up learning locksmithing at her Uncle Mick’s knee and is an expert.

But as a woman in the WWII era, Electra is usually laughed at by prospective customers until she proves what she can do. Uncle Mick and her cousins, Colm and Toby, have no such reservations, and Electra is a welcome part of the safe-cracking side of the business. In the previous book, His Majesty’s Government, in the form of the upright and reserved Major Ramsey, offers the McDonnell family an offer they can’t refuse; forgiveness for previous crimes in exchange for help with the War effort. Part of the deal is the cessation of all illegal activities. The McDonnells agree as they are patriots; besides, England is in the “phony war,” waiting for Germany’s inevitable attack.

Electra proved her mettle in her first case, A Peculiar Combination, so it is no surprise when Major Ramsey has a new investigation for her. A girl has turned up drowned in the Thames wearing a bracelet adorned with a unique locket. When Electra opens the locket, it has microfilm inside. The young woman was involved with espionage, but why and who would kill her? She appeared a regular country girl who was looking for a new life in London in all respects. This investigation will take Electra and Major Ramsey into perilous territory as the Blitz finally arrives. The descriptions of those first nights of the bombing are riveting.

The Key to Deceit is another enjoyable entry in the series, combining a puzzle to solve, adventure, suspense, with a light touch of romance. Will she or won’t she, and if so, with whom? A secondary, important mystery is Electra’s quest to find out more about her mother, who died in prison after giving birth to her. She supposedly killed Electra’s father but always denied it and was believed by many. Electra’s Uncle Mick was her father’s brother and took her in, raising her as one of his own. Not surprisingly, it was never discussed in his household. Readers of cozy historical mysteries should enjoy the Electra McDonnell series immensely.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Minotaur for an advance digital copy. The opinions are my own. See also at www.mysteryandsuspensemagazine.com.

Electra McDonnell is a locksmith in her uncles Mick’s shop. They used to lead a life of illegal activity and were accustomed to taking what they wanted to make a living, then they started helping the government. Now Major Ramsey needs their help again. Along with her friend Felix, Ellie is hoping to stop a German spy ring before they get their hands on secret info. At the same time, Ellie is searching for the truth about her mother. Will she be able to prove her innocence after all this time?

This is book 2 in the Electra McDonnell series. I haven’t read the first book but had no problem jumping right into this series. There’s mystery and a bit of romance along with action. I’m looking forward to reading book 1 and I’m excited for the upcoming installments.

Thanks to the author, Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

This iwas an entertaining historical mystery that continued some of the valuable aspects of book #1 (complex characters including an independent heroine, great historical details about London on the brink of WWII). But for whatever reason, the plot didn't feel as interesting as book #1 and the characters didn't really progress past the changes that occurred in the first novel.

"The Key to Deceit" was a fitting addition to the series. Ellie has another opportunity to team up with Major Ramsey to expose and stop a Nazi spy ring. While Uncle Mick and Nacy encourage a relationship with Major Ramsey that does not exist, Ellie's relationship with Felix progresses. A development that seems to bother Major Ramsey more than it should. The story also involves Ellie learning new information about her mother, including a lead that I am sure will be pursued in a future book.

My favorite part of this book was the addition of some of the McDonnell family's less-than-law-abiding acquaintances. Solving the mystery and exposing the spy ring requires access to information that Major Ramsey and his government resources cannot easily obtain (much to his chagrin) and requires skills and resources that the McDonnell's do not have or where they know they have better qualified associates. Therefore, the reader is introduced to antique shop owner Monsieur LaFleur, pawnbroker Sooty Smythe, and the best new character of them all, explosives expert Merriweather Hastings.

I received a copy of the e-book via NetGalley in exchange for a review.

A cleverly plotted mystery set during WWII as the blitz is starting in London. This is the second Electra (Ellie) McDonnell mystery, in which Ellie and her family have been “persuaded” to use their locksmith skills—which during peacetime sometimes were used for the occasional burglary-- to help the war effort. Working with Major Ramsey, this latest investigation focuses on suspected espionage to provide the Germans with details about high value bombing targets. It starts with a dead girl who drowned in the Thames with a pouch hidden in the lining of her coat containing jewels and the key to clock.

While working on the war-related mission, Ellie also continues to work on unraveling a personal mystery: whether her late mother, who was convicted of killing her father, was actually guilty. With a cast of likable characters during a fascinating period of history, it all adds up to a winning second entry in the series. To fully understand the context of the characters, I’d recommend also reading the first book, A Peculiar Combination.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress for an advance copy.

A real palette cleanser — light, fun, non-standard characters, the closure of a good mystery, and some historical context. The second in the Electra McDonnell series (I have not yet read the first), the semi-reformed Ellie (her family was happily living on the wrong side of the law) teams up again with the well-bred and straight-laced Major Ramsey to break up a spy ring in London, 1940. Some very likable thieves and forgers, a pleasant clash or classes, and a background mystery concerning Ellie’s own (long deceased) mother all make this a great read in the cacophonous world of today!

I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series and am happy that the second lived up to its predecessor. The wartime atmosphere again is well done, with the added drama in this version of the Battle of Britain looming. Ellie and her family and friends are again brought into one of the Major’s missions, and the story is a fantastic blend is espionage, family drama rooted in Ellie’s past, and developing relationships.

I thought the potential romantic relationships were nicely and realistically handled, though I hope the next book doesn’t string out the love triangle that appears to be developing here.

The second in the Electra McDonnell series is an entertaining read. A few weeks have passed since Ellie McDonnell, a professional thief, finished her first work with the British government when Major Ramsey of British intelligence needs her help again. A woman has been found dead and the Major needs Ellie to remove an odd bracelet from the woman's wrist. This leads to Ellie, her family of criminals, possible love interest Felix and others to help round up an espionage ring. There is a subplot that deals with Ellie's mother that I imagine this will continue to emerge in subsequent books. The main plot of The Key to Deceit is rather simplistic but the characters are fun. I think I am not alone in hoping that Ellie ends up with the Major. Try to read the first book before this one. Both are fast reads.

This follow-up to A Peculiar Combination, which I really enjoyed, is even better. As in book one, Ellie teams up with Major Ramsey once again, this time to try to crack a ring of German spies operating in London at the start of WWII. I really enjoyed their dynamic, as well as Ellie's pull towards her childhood friend Felix. Weaver makes a believable case for either partnership growing into a romantic relationship, while not making that the main focus of these cozy mysteries. Ellie seems very real and relatable to me; I love her feistiness and insistence on being treated as an equal to the men. This book is full of well-drawn characters and an interesting mystery to solve. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for a digital review copy.