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kelly_e's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Title: A Peculiar Combination
Author: Ashley Weaver
Series: Electra McDonnell, #1
Genre: Historical Mystery
Rating: 3.5
Pub Date: May 25, 2021
Thanks to Minotaur Books for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
T H R E E • W O R D S
Historical • Sassy • Engaging
📖 S Y N O P S I S
A Peculiar Combination is the first book in a brand new historical mystery series from Ashley Weaver. Set in 1940s London, against the backdrop of the war, this novel introduces Electra McDonnell, who knows her family's way of earning a living is outside the law. When Uncle Mick receives a tip about a safe of jewels, this is a heist they cannot resist. When the two are caught red-handed, the expect to be taken straight to prison. However, the end up in the hands of Major Ramsey who has a proposition for them. With really only one option, they agree to help the British war effort. Ellie and Major Ramsey will be forced to put aside their differences as they work to stop allied forces plans from falling into German hands.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Being the first book in a series, this one packs a lot of punch! Equal parts mysterious and clever, with espionage vibes, a historical atmosphere and an unconventional protagonist, Weaver delivers an entertaining start to a brand new series. The writing is polished and well paced, and there are just the right amount of twists and turns. It does introduce a lot of characters setting the groundwork for the series, but at times it's difficult to keep them straight. Ellie is a feisty heroine you cannot help but root for. The humour and touch of romance don't detract from the suspense of the plot, but add another dimension to the story.
While I won't be racing out to pick up the next book in the series on release day, this was a solid start to a fun series, and it's something I would definitely pick up in the future.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• fans of Rhys Bowen
• historical mystery enthusiasts
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"I couldn't fully explain it to myself. I only knew that, until I had met Major Ramsey, there was a void in my life I had tried to fill with the thrill of theft. And I had justified it by telling myself I was flouting the laws that had taken my mother unjustly.
'I steal because it's the only life I know,' I said. 'And as for my mother, there's nothing that can be done about it now, so there's no use in discussing it. It doesn't matter.'"
Author: Ashley Weaver
Series: Electra McDonnell, #1
Genre: Historical Mystery
Rating: 3.5
Pub Date: May 25, 2021
Thanks to Minotaur Books for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
T H R E E • W O R D S
Historical • Sassy • Engaging
📖 S Y N O P S I S
A Peculiar Combination is the first book in a brand new historical mystery series from Ashley Weaver. Set in 1940s London, against the backdrop of the war, this novel introduces Electra McDonnell, who knows her family's way of earning a living is outside the law. When Uncle Mick receives a tip about a safe of jewels, this is a heist they cannot resist. When the two are caught red-handed, the expect to be taken straight to prison. However, the end up in the hands of Major Ramsey who has a proposition for them. With really only one option, they agree to help the British war effort. Ellie and Major Ramsey will be forced to put aside their differences as they work to stop allied forces plans from falling into German hands.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Being the first book in a series, this one packs a lot of punch! Equal parts mysterious and clever, with espionage vibes, a historical atmosphere and an unconventional protagonist, Weaver delivers an entertaining start to a brand new series. The writing is polished and well paced, and there are just the right amount of twists and turns. It does introduce a lot of characters setting the groundwork for the series, but at times it's difficult to keep them straight. Ellie is a feisty heroine you cannot help but root for. The humour and touch of romance don't detract from the suspense of the plot, but add another dimension to the story.
While I won't be racing out to pick up the next book in the series on release day, this was a solid start to a fun series, and it's something I would definitely pick up in the future.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• fans of Rhys Bowen
• historical mystery enthusiasts
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"I couldn't fully explain it to myself. I only knew that, until I had met Major Ramsey, there was a void in my life I had tried to fill with the thrill of theft. And I had justified it by telling myself I was flouting the laws that had taken my mother unjustly.
'I steal because it's the only life I know,' I said. 'And as for my mother, there's nothing that can be done about it now, so there's no use in discussing it. It doesn't matter.'"
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Violence, Murder, and Sexism
Minor: Death of parent
wordsareworlds's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I thoroughly enjoyed the Amory Ames series, so have been looking forward to reading the start of a new series by Weaver. It did not disappoint, although it does contain one of my least favorite tropes, a love triangle.
The plot is well-paced and Ellie is a delight. I love a capable heroine, and Weaver delivered very well here, while also giving Ellie believable flaws. The mystery takes a backseat to a spy adventure vibe, but the twist at the end was satisfying - not completely telegraphed but not so much of a surprise that it felt like it came out of nowhere. The events are rather fantastic, but that's a positive for me. I definitely did not come to this book for a realistic portrayal of clandestine WW2 activities, and I liked the lighter tone coupled with high-ish stakes.
There were a couple of things that grated a bit, and hope to see change in the next book. Ellie has one brief interrogation of someone she calls a casual friend, but beyond that she seems to have no women friends at all. In fact, as far as this book is concerned she doesn't know anyone outside of her family except that one woman and Felix. And that leads to my next quibble - there is a love triangle here between Ellie, the Major and Felix and unless things take a drastic turn its obvious she's going to end up with the Major. Not only do I dislike love triangles as a rule, but the Major spends a great portion of the book being a bit of an ass, and honestly I am tired of these setups where it's presented as more desirable to be with someone who has to be convinced to treat the heroine well than the person who respects her from the start.
Overall, this was a fun, quick read and I'll definitely pick up the next, and I recommend them to readers looking for a WW2 spy story with strong cozy vibes.
The plot is well-paced and Ellie is a delight. I love a capable heroine, and Weaver delivered very well here, while also giving Ellie believable flaws. The mystery takes a backseat to a spy adventure vibe, but the twist at the end was satisfying - not completely telegraphed but not so much of a surprise that it felt like it came out of nowhere. The events are rather fantastic, but that's a positive for me. I definitely did not come to this book for a realistic portrayal of clandestine WW2 activities, and I liked the lighter tone coupled with high-ish stakes.
There were a couple of things that grated a bit, and hope to see change in the next book. Ellie has one brief interrogation of someone she calls a casual friend, but beyond that she seems to have no women friends at all. In fact, as far as this book is concerned she doesn't know anyone outside of her family except that one woman and Felix. And that leads to my next quibble - there is a love triangle here between Ellie, the Major and Felix and unless things take a drastic turn its obvious she's going to end up with the Major. Not only do I dislike love triangles as a rule, but the Major spends a great portion of the book being a bit of an ass, and honestly I am tired of these setups where it's presented as more desirable to be with someone who has to be convinced to treat the heroine well than the person who respects her from the start.
Overall, this was a fun, quick read and I'll definitely pick up the next, and I recommend them to readers looking for a WW2 spy story with strong cozy vibes.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Sexism
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