Thank you to Minotaur Books for my advanced electronic copy via NetGalley. My opinions are my own.

This fourth book in the Electra McDonnell series was just as atmospheric and tension-filled as the previous three. We join safecracker Electra, whose day job is working in her uncle's locksmith business, and whose side hustle is now helping with the war effort in home-front London. Ever since they teamed up with Major Ramsey of the British government, they have set aside their thieving ways and committed to the straight and narrow. But will that dedication put Electra's life--and heart--in real danger, as her growing attraction to rule-following Major Ramsey and her propensity to value instinct over rules in her espionage work may be leading her down a road that has no return.

Weaver picks up with the shocking revelation at the end of the last book in the series. She is able to write emotionally fraught relationships with an element of distrust or distance very well. Also the heartbreaking consequences that can result from poor decisions. And cliffhanger endings! I have to admit that I had hoped for better in the relationship department by now, though--I appreciate the "will they or won't they" tension as much as the next reader, but at this point I just feel like I'm getting jerked around. I'm hoping the next book in the series has more resolution in that area. But boy, what wouldn't I give to have Electra's preternatural ability to read people's feelings and minds! I'm hooked and can't wait to see what's next.

Triggers: torture

This series is delightful. Great chemistry between Electra and Ramsey. Electra's family history as thieves is a fun twist that makes this series feel unique. Can't wait for the next book.

WW2, historical-novel, historical-places-events, historical-research, suspense, safecrackers, mystery, espionage, lies, secrets, spies, women-sleuths, relationships, relationship-issues, relatives, picklock, witty, 1940, London, family-business, family-dynamics, family-history, theft, riveting, unputdownable, cryptography, burglary, romantic, urgent*****

The stiff toff is a gentleman, a major, and a spymaster. The lady has dodgy family connections and is a safecracker, among other things, and has worked with him in the past.
Ellie starts the adventure off when she finds an article in the newspaper and goes to the Major about it. That starts a deep investigation into spies local and on the continent with plenty of danger and suspense. Her other quest is to find out more about her parents and that, too, becomes a real mess.
I really don't want to say any more, so I don't get into spoiler territory. I loved the others on the series, too, and this one has even more diabolical twists.
I requested and received an EARC from St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

Book Title: Locked in Pursuit
Author: Ashley Weaver
Series: Electra McDonnel #4
Publisher: Saint Martin’s Press-Minotaur Books
Genre: Historical Fiction -Mystery
Pub Date: May 14, 2024
My Rating: 3.7 rounded up
Pages 272

Who is a big fan of Ashley Weaver? That would be Me!!
I loved the Amory Ames Mystery series. When I read the first book in the Electra McDonnell series " A Peculiar Combination"- I thought - this is going to be fun.
This is #4 in this series and my fourth as well! Oh Yes - they are fun!

My comment in Book #3 was
The attraction between Ellie and the Major certainly seems to be blooming. Looking forward to Book #4!

In this story Ellie (Electra) McDonnell hasn’t seen Major Ramsey since their mission together three months ago, but when she hears about a suspicious robbery in London she feels she needs to reach out to him
Together they discover that a rash of burglaries in the city all lead back to spies in Lisbon, Portugal, and an unknown object brought to London by a mysterious courier.

Quick read – enjoyed finding out more about Major Gabriel Ramsay. However, as I mentioned when I finished Book #3 I was hoping for more Ellie and Major- Soooo that is now my wish in Book #5!

Want to thank NetGalley and Saint Martin’s Press- Minotaur Books for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for May 14,, 2024

This 4th installment was so good! Ellie is feeling lost since her last case a few months ago, & she hasn’t heard from Major Ramsay since then. So she takes it upon herself to call on him with something she saw in the papers. After an awkward meeting, the next day the Major hires Ellie to work a case about some questionable robberies that have taken place. German spies? Ellie also still has questions about her parents, will she be one step closer? The main question is: will Ellie and the Major finally express their feelings?? Read this in one sitting, it was a page turner. I really liked that we found out more about Gabriel Ramsay. He’s not such a man cloaked in mystery in this story. I do hope that the next book will find them further along with some romance.

The latest Electra McDonnell book is a roller coaster ride. Electra is bored waiting to be called in on another adventure by Major Ramsey. Ramsey is still recovered from being shot and Electra is still recovering from the kiss he gave her. Book four. In the series features a high stakes switcheroo job and the on again off agin romantic triangle with Felix, Ellie and Ramsey. It seems things will be settled by the end of the book but Ellie’s secret actions make Ramsey doubt he can trust her. Then a last minute twist throws Ramsey and Ellie together again! Weaver creates another cliff hanger ending that will have you salivating for the next book.

Locked in Pursuit is another enchanting story of Ellie the criminal safecracker turned vigilante for the War effort. It’s important to note that we finish Playing it Safe (Book 3), with Ellie unveiling another secret of her parents that continues to haunt her in this book. Without giving anything away, Ellie finds out something about her past that may jeopardize her safety today. But what I love most about Ellie is that she is relentless in the pursuit of the truth and her love for her family, above all else.

The story starts with Ellie noticing a suspicious burglary in the morning newspaper and deciding to contact Major Ramsey. They haven’t seen each other in over 3 months since their tumultuous mission in Sunderland. Of course, Ellie’s intuition is on-point, and she and Major Ramsey start in their quest. It’s soon discovered that, there are multiple burglaries- all linked back to a spy-ring out of Portugal. Time is of the essence for Major Ramsey and Ellie as they hunt down a mysterious object brought to London before the spies get their hands on it (and try not to get killed in the process.)

Throughout the novel, I loved the winter scene Ashley Weaver paints for the reader (both literally and figuratively.) We are constantly reminded that it is one of the coldest winters Ellie can remember living in England and also of the War that continues to drag on. With unfortunately, no end in sight, and seems to be consuming everyone she loves.

In this book, we meet so many new and fun characters. Including, Major Ramsay’s twin sister, Noelle. Some are good, some are bad, most are morally grey (just how we like them!)

And of course, the romance between Major Ramsay and Ellie is as slow a burn as the one between Mr. D’Arcy and Elizabeth Bennett. “We were ill-suited in almost every conceivable way” -Ellie reminds the reader. I, for one, and hoping for the same outcome as those beloved characters in Pride and Prejudice. But only time will tell! Truth be told, I am very much looking forward to the next adventure Ellie is set to embark on regardless of what happens between her and the Major.

I’ve enjoyed each book of the Electra McDonnell series by Ashley Weaver and have been looking forward to the next in the series, Locked In Pursuit. Needless to say I was delighted when I came across it on Netgalley as a Read Now. So yes, I immediately downloaded and began to read it.

This fourth outing finds Electra, aka Ellie, working with Major Ramsey again on a top secret case with spies and intrigue. Throughout it all is an under current of what lies beneath Ellie and Major Ramsey’s professional relationship.

I loved seeing Ellie work through her feelings for both Felix and Major Ramsey while also staying true to who she was. The ending was bittersweet but left on a bit of a cliffhanger. And really I’m not ready to wait another year to find out how it turns out!

Needless to say this was a hit for me and I’m excited to see what is in store for Ellie, Felix, and Major Ramsey. Thank you Netgalley and Minotaur Books for my DRC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Electra "Ellie" McDonnell has been on a series-long redemption arc. We met her as a member of a family of thieves who are locksmiths by day and safe-crackers by night. They are asked to assist intelligence agents in thwarting German spies in that first book and they retired their criminal ways for the next three books. In this fourth book in the series, Ellie has her feet in both worlds again, working for the government, but also doing illegal jobs. It's a fascinating development that was unexpected, but understandable.

There's a lot of WW2 fiction out there, but this story is unique and interesting because we have some morally gray, but immensely likeable characters. It's also interesting to ponder how often the government enlisted the aid of criminals to do what their own agents weren't able to do (yet).

The romantic subplot of this series is great and also shows Ellie with her feet in two worlds, though there's a clear first choice in her heart. It's hard to make a "will-they-won't-they" relationship continue after the characters reveal their feelings, but indecision is still an issue here...and it's delicious if you enjoy angst!

This series just keeps getting better than better. The writing is tight and compelling, so it makes for great marathon material if someone wants to start from the beginning before reading this (though it isn't necessary).

This new installment in the Electra McDonnell series does not disappoint. When thieves rob a society dinner party something seems off to Ellie. She shares her concern with Major Ramsey and a case ensues. The case is intriguing. What are the "thieves" after? The side plots concerning the murder of Ellie's father and the attraction between Ellie and Major Ramsey move along nicely.

Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Ashley Weaver for this digital ARC.

I recently found this series, and devoured the books within a week. Book 4 did not disappoint... Electra McDonnell is a thief living in London during the WWII Blitz. Since she and her family's interesting skillset came to the attention of the British government, she has been working with Major Ramsey to use her unique skills to help defeat the Germans.

This time, Electra comes to the Major with a suspicion that a recent robbery is about more than meets the eye. This plunges her headfirst into another case, and she is trying to stop a mysterious object brought into London getting into the wrong hands. The tension between Electra, Felix, and the Major comes to a head... leaving me eagerly awating news of book 5. I would not recommend reading this series out of order - go get book one today!

My favorite of the series!

Electra Mcdonald is using her criminal skills for the good in World War II London.
She is now involved in finding documents for the British cause.
The atmospehere of wartime London is depicted well, and the characters she encounters are intriguing.
The romance has a Cinderella touch, but Electra is a far tougher and resourceful heroine than the fairy tale character.
The series does not bog diwn, and at the conclusion, Electra is poised for new adventures abroad.
Enjoy!

Locked in Pursuit is the 4th book in this series and it just keeps getting better as I could hardly put it aside. Ellie McDonnell continues to use her safecracking and sleuthing skills during this period piece set in WWII London.
It's been a while since Major Ramsey has contacted her for assistance and when she comes across news of a bold robbery that strikes her as suspicious, she goes to him with her concerns. Ramsey has news of his own and so with connections made, they work with familiar characters from previous books as well as interact with new characters both good and bad to solve the latest race to gather information crucial to the Allied success.
In the middle of this, Ellie continues to seek answers surrounding her parents whom she never knew.
Weaver creates an engaging story that provides opportunities for growth in both Ellie and Ramsey as they continue to figure out their relationship.

Locked in Pursuit is book 4 in An Electra McDonnell series by Ashley Weaver.
Ok, so this was a remarkable historical cozy mystery.
This is a WWII-era series that takes place in London.
The mystery is excellently plotted and the book is well-written and perfectly paced.
It has all the feels of a cozy mystery.. there’s intrigue along with slowly dialed up tension.
I am so invested in these characters. They are just the best!
The character cast is complex, intriguing, and likable.
Locked in Pursuit is a cozy historical mystery that kept me turning pages. It had Ashley Weaver’s typical attention to historical detail with a beautiful layer of mystery and intrigue.
I enjoyed the murder/mystery plot, pacing, direction of the narrative, characters, and I am excited to read more in the future.
If you’re interested in starting a series that is entertaining + fun with a great historical mystery to solve. This is the fourth book in a great series for Ashley.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read this ahead of its publication date in return for my honest review.

Another wonderful story in one of the best historical mystery/thriller series out there! I usually describe this series as Foyle's War combined with a spy movie. Featuring quick moving plot; great characters; a greater long-term mystery; and a will they/won't romance between Ellie and Major Ramsay, reading these books is like eating the best chocolate cake ever. It's smooth and tasty and before you know it, you've eaten it all. *sigh* The worst thing about these books is that they all end with a very strong "to be continued" and, as usual, I want the next book now!

What a ride this book was! I have fallen in love with this series & hope every time I see an ARC available that I'll have the honor of being selected because I just can't wait to read the next book. I really enjoy the unique take on the WWII cozy mystery this series has. There is some great character growth & emotional scenes in this installment. Ellie really shows some growth from the first books & we get to meet Major Ramsey's sister. We are back in London with Uncle Mick & Nacy a few months after the events in Sunderland. The repercussions of that case are felt throughout this book. The last few chapters really put you on an emotional roller coaster, and as usual I am now impatiently waiting for the next book! Write like the wind, Ashley!

A huge thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

I recently discovered this series and read the first three books in a week. I jumped at the chance for an ARC of the fourth book.

Ellie McDonnell and Major Ramsey are back, trying to thwart the Germans. This time it was Ellie who came to the major after reading something in the paper that made her suspicious.

**Possible Spoilers**
She is warring with herself, feeling the adrenaline rush aiding the war effort that she used to feel while committing crimes. But favors are asked that could jeopardize her new resolve.

While the culprit wasn't easy to spot in the first three books, it was still possible. It's much more difficult in this one, but I don't think it was an important part of the story. This story seemed more focused on Ellie's involvement (not just in the war effort) and how it could affect her future.

First, isn’t this cover gorgeous? I love the safe inserted into the title- perfect!

Electra McDonnell comes from a family of thieves. The murder of her father and subsequent conviction of her mother for the crime shaped young Ellie’s life. She lives with her safecracking uncle and male cousins, learning all that they know about the ‘business’. When a burglary goes wrong, Ellie is arrested and earns her freedom by agreeing to help the handsome and aloof Major Ramsey in the war effort.

In this instalment of the popular series, Ellie reads of a suspicious robbery at a fancy London soiree and takes her misgivings to the major, who is still in recovery from four gunshot wounds from their last mission. A passionate kiss in their past creates an awkward distance between them and Ellie must argue for her place in the investigation.

A rash of burglaries traced back to a missing map and a woman’s murder forces the major to set his personal feelings aside to call in Ellie and her uncle to find the map before the Germans get hold of the critical information.

It was difficult sometimes, this job. It’s easy to think of the enemy as a shadowy figure until he’s a man bleeding on a cellar floor.
Locked in Pursuit- Ashley Weaver

There is an underlying storyline to this series that is masterfully doled out to keep the reader hooked, and it works! lol. Ellie has a bone-deep feeling there is more to the death of her father than she’s been told. There are too many aspects of the case, and a remembered devotion between her parents, for Ellie to believe her mother brutally killed her husband. The truth seemed to die with her in prison until things come to light that changes everything.

I can’t wait for book five!

“I voluntarily read an ARC of this book which was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.”

In this 4th book in the series Ellie and her handler, Major Ramsey, set out to find an item they believe was smuggled out from Lisbon. The skills she learned as a thief again come in handy. At the same time she is trying to discover who killed her father before she was born. And ,yes she does have feelings for the Major. A delightful book

This ended Way too soon!! I even got to read an early copy, but I want more!! I guess this is the drama of a series and there’s still plenty of story to tell.

Electra makes some impulsive decisions, (but then, does she make any decisions that aren’t impulsive? Maybe that is one reason I like her so much!). But she does some things she regrets and they cause results she wasn’t prepared for and reveal things she wasn’t ready to face. Read the book to find out more 😉.

I’m really enjoying this series!

Huge thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!!