Electra McDonnell

Ashley Weaver: One Final Turn

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Electra McDonnell #5

This is the last instalment in Ashley Weaver’s series following the exploits of safecracker turned intelligence agent Electra McDonnell in 1940s London. She came to live there with her “locksmith” (and safecracker) uncle after both her parents died. Her cousins Colm and Toby are like brothers to her, but since the start of the war Toby has been missing, feared dead.

Electra has a real pall of gloom hanging over her in general – not only because of the war, but also because her last assignment with one Major Ramsey ended with him injured and her dismissed.  Realizing too late that she was actually in love with him, she’s trying mightily to forget the whole fiasco. When an assignment comes through via Archie Blandings, an underling of Ramsey’s, she’s off to Lisbon, hoping to locate her long lost cousin.  Much to Electra’s discomfort, it turns out that Ramsey is a part of the operation as well. read more

Ashley Weaver: Locked in Pursuit

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Electra McDonnell #4

I am a huge fan of this series, set in London during the blitz.  Safecracker Electra, working with her uncle Mick, was picked up by British intelligence in the first book for special “help” on a government job, and now four books in, she’s wanting to give up her former life of crime and is completely committed to government service.  Weaver also has the soul of a romance writer, and Electra has two possible and delightful beaus: Felix, whom she’s known since childhood, and the dashing Major Ramsey, her “handler”.  In the last book the two shared a passionate kiss but they now seem to be trying to forget about it.  However, the heart wants what the heart wants. read more

Ashley Weaver: Playing it Safe

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Electra McDonnell #3

If Nancy Drew had lived during WWII and had the skills of a safecracker, she might have grown up to be Ashley Weaver’s appealing Electra McDonnell.  Electra, or Ellie, has been trained by her safecracking uncle and in the first book is recruited by the government to put her skills to a more patriotic use.  While Ellie’s past is criminal, her present is in the service of her country, and as the book opens, she’s given an assignment with few details other than “get to know the locals.” read more