Book Review: A Peculiar Combination by Ashley Weaver

A Peculiar Combination (Electra McDonnell #1)

by Ashley Weaver

🔓🔓🔓 (three stars as rated in locks picked by deft hands and finely honed skills)

Electra McDonnell does her best to avoid attention —as a career thief and a lock-pick, her livelihood depends on it. It’s not the ideal profession, but with World War II raging around her and most of her family off fighting the Germans, Electra is left with few other options. While following a tip about an unguarded safe in the heart of London, Electra and her Uncle Mick are caught in the act by the authorities. Electra is given a choice; aid the British war effort on one mission as a lock-pick or rot indefinitely in jail for her crimes. Electra may be a thief, but she’s also loyal to crown and country. After all, it’s just one mission…

“The constant goodbyes were the one part of war I knew I could never get used to.”

Ashley Weaver, A Peculiar Combination

Ashley Weaver is a real favorite of mine. I love her Amory Ames series. This one fell a bit flat for me, however. I was invested in Electra herself, but the story was rather convoluted. Also, there was so very little relationship development. The interactions between romantic partners is what I so loved about her Amory Ames books. I realize that this is a different series but… I guess I was just missing that bit. Hopefully we shall see things progress in book two? All in all, this was a quick and easy cozy mystery and if that’s what you’re looking for then you’d probably be keen on the twists and turns Weaver maps out in A Peculiar Combination.

_{I was given a free review copy of this book by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.}

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✨ Rep in this book: n/a

✨ Content warnings for this book: themes of war and battle, kidnapping, murder, blood, death of a family member

About the Author: Ashley Weaver

ASHLEY WEAVER is the Technical Services Coordinator for the Allen Parish Libraries in Louisiana. Weaver has worked in libraries since she was 14; she was a page and then a clerk before obtaining her MLIS from Louisiana State University. She lives in Oakdale, Louisiana. (Copied from the author’s personal website.)

Thanks so much for reading my review, everyone! You can get your copy of A Peculiar Combination when it is released on May 11, 2021!

Best,

Sarah