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nevclue's review
3.0
This should have been more my jam--I had a ball with the first one--but the pacing felt off. I'll still read the next one, but I hope it doesn't drag as this one did in parts.
bonniereads777's review against another edition
5.0
Fantastic audio narration of a great series. The Key to Deceit is the second book in the Electra McDonnell series, and it does not disappoint. Expanded review to come later. I received a free copy of this audiobook via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.
bonniereads777's review
5.0
In London, 1940, Electra “Ellie” McDonnell is still adapting to a life without crime. She has turned from criminal safecracker to spy, helping the British government during World War II. In this second installment of the Electra McDonnell series, Ellie helps Major Ramsey by opening a mysterious bracelet locked on the arm of a dead woman. This reveals another clue and begins an investigation into a ring of spies that may be working for the Nazis. While assisting the major, Ellie is also trying to answer questions about her parents’ past, helped by her sometimes love interest Felix.
I love the premise of this series, and the characters all shine. Ellie can go from street criminal to high society in a flash. Uncle Mick is a wily thief who nonetheless lives by a certain moral code. Major Ramsey is seemingly emotionless and down to business, but sometimes shows a soft spot for Ellie. Others from London’s criminal underbelly are also introduced from time to time. I liked the fact that most of London’s somewhat shadier elements in this novel have decided to ignore whatever beef they might otherwise have with the government and help them fight the Nazis. There is a second mystery woven into the story, and it involves Ellie’s late mother. This is a slow-burning addition that adds another layer to the novel and the series. You will find yourself rooting for the formerly thieving McDonnells as they use their talents to try and keep their country safe during the war. There is a realization while reading this captivating novel that spies and criminals really have a lot in common. If you love history and mystery combined with a bit of irony and wry humor, you will enjoy this book
I received a free copy of this book from the publishers via the Historical Novel Society. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.
I love the premise of this series, and the characters all shine. Ellie can go from street criminal to high society in a flash. Uncle Mick is a wily thief who nonetheless lives by a certain moral code. Major Ramsey is seemingly emotionless and down to business, but sometimes shows a soft spot for Ellie. Others from London’s criminal underbelly are also introduced from time to time. I liked the fact that most of London’s somewhat shadier elements in this novel have decided to ignore whatever beef they might otherwise have with the government and help them fight the Nazis. There is a second mystery woven into the story, and it involves Ellie’s late mother. This is a slow-burning addition that adds another layer to the novel and the series. You will find yourself rooting for the formerly thieving McDonnells as they use their talents to try and keep their country safe during the war. There is a realization while reading this captivating novel that spies and criminals really have a lot in common. If you love history and mystery combined with a bit of irony and wry humor, you will enjoy this book
I received a free copy of this book from the publishers via the Historical Novel Society. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.
elise_is_reading's review
adventurous
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Even better than book one. It starts off with a similar level of excitement as the first book in the series, but reaches a new climax rather suddenly. I enjoyed seeing further development of Ellie and Felix’s relationship as well as the introduction of new side characters!
eleana_p's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
thxlbx's review
5.0
A delightful mystery/spy thriller. WWII England, what more could you ask for? A quick read, but with good plot, dialogue. Gonna have to read the rest of the series now!
andrea_lievertz's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-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
4.25
stephisbooked's review against another edition
3.0
This was a fun historical fiction murder mystery. This is the second book in the Electra McDonnell series but I didn’t read the first and could easily follow along. I really liked Ellie’s character and found her tenacious and sassy. The relationship between Major Ramsey and Ellie is enjoyable and I’m sure is developed more in the first book which I’ll check out. I was really hoping for a romantic connection there but, alas, that was not where the story went. I liked that part of the story unfolded as air raids were happening in London, true to the actual time period.
incandescentreads's review against another edition
2.0
Rating : 2 ⭐
The mystery felt similar to the first book, but I still mostly enjoyed it. The love triangle was irritating, I hope it gets resolved in the next book.
The mystery felt similar to the first book, but I still mostly enjoyed it. The love triangle was irritating, I hope it gets resolved in the next book.
laurenreadssometimes's review
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
3.0
I enjoyed this book, but I found it more disjointed than the first (which I already felt didn't quite meld mystery, intrigue, and romance particularly well). I actually liked the plot a lot more than I did in the first book. The way the villains used locks and keys was really interesting, and I continue to like Ellie as a character. Without giving anything away, one of the things that I've continued to appreciate about her character is that she actually seems to respect people's right to privacy. It is annoyingly clear how a character's secret is going to be a plot point later on, but it is really refreshing to see a mystery heroine be curious without feeling entitled to every detail of her friend's life.
However, a lot of this plot is dedicated to Ellie beginning to investigate what happened with her mother, and it led to the book feeling jerky to me. In some ways it felt like filler, because Ellie seemed to completely drop her interest in it whenever she wasn't actively pursuing it. The same can be said for the case. The same can be said for the romantic elements. And while I don't expect a character to be constantly thinking about the other things going on in their life in every scene, it did draw me out. I just felt like I saw the mechanics of the writing more than I would have liked.
Also, while I did appreciate that the author brought in some of the actual danger of living in London during WWII, it felt a little too much like a plot device. Personally, I think it would have been much more compelling if it had hindered their plans instead of helped it (and then conveniently stopped mattering for the rest of the story).
Will I read the next book in the series? Maybe. I read the first two back-to-back, and I know I don't want to read the third installment right this second. If I do continue, it will likely be on a whim or because a particular fancy strikes. But these books have been the definition of like-don't-love for me.
However, a lot of this plot is dedicated to Ellie beginning to investigate what happened with her mother, and it led to the book feeling jerky to me. In some ways it felt like filler, because Ellie seemed to completely drop her interest in it whenever she wasn't actively pursuing it. The same can be said for the case. The same can be said for the romantic elements. And while I don't expect a character to be constantly thinking about the other things going on in their life in every scene, it did draw me out. I just felt like I saw the mechanics of the writing more than I would have liked.
Also, while I did appreciate that the author brought in some of the actual danger of living in London during WWII, it felt a little too much like a plot device. Personally, I think it would have been much more compelling if it had hindered their plans instead of helped it (and then conveniently stopped mattering for the rest of the story).
Will I read the next book in the series? Maybe. I read the first two back-to-back, and I know I don't want to read the third installment right this second. If I do continue, it will likely be on a whim or because a particular fancy strikes. But these books have been the definition of like-don't-love for me.