Category: Historical Mystery

One Final Turn by Ashley Weaver

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Historical Mystery, Part of a Series, World War II Era (1939-1945)Leave a comment

One Final Turn (Electra McDonnell, #5)

Barbara’s rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Series: Electra McDonnell #5
Publication Date: 6/3/25
Period: WWII
Number of Pages: 304

I know everyone is eager to read this exciting wrap-up to the series, but we’re also saddened by the series’ end. However, if the series had to end, this book was the perfect story for it. All of the characters get their happy endings, and the readers get an exciting, poignant, bittersweet tale of intrigue, betrayal, and espionage in the exotic city of Lisbon, Portugal. What more could we ask for – other than more books in the series?

Electra and Major Ramsey are still estranged after their previous argument when he fired her. However, Electra is determined to do everything possible to find her cousin Toby, who was a German POW but has escaped. Captain Billingsly offers Electra a chance to be a part of his mission to Lisbon, where they hope to trace the escape route POWs are using to make their way out of Germany. Captain Billingsly’s mission is to trace the route and then put measures in place to fortify the route so the crossings are safer for the POWs. Electra’s mission is to help Captain Billingsly and to discover and rescue Toby. Did I mention that Major Ramsey is also assigned to the same mission? Yep – Electra and Ramsey have to suck it up and learn to play nice.

Lisbon, Portugal, is everything London is not, and that intrigues, unnerves, and perplexes Electra. She loves how exciting and lively the city is, but can’t help compare it to London’s bomb pocked streets, the complete blackouts at night, and the general melancholy of its citizens. Of course, Lisbon is also full of spies, so it isn’t safe to trust anyone, and soon the body count begins to rise as they make contacts and ask questions. Will all of them make it through the mission? Will they complete the mission and find Toby? Will Electra and Ramsey finally allow their true feelings to surface? You’ll just have to read the book to find out the answers.

If you haven’t read the earlier books in the series, I highly recommend you do so because they are great. I also think reading those would make this book even more enjoyable because you’ll understand the characters’ histories and how it all came to be. Each book in the series is interesting, exciting, and filled with wonderful characters with whom you’d love to sit and chat. This final book in the series wraps up all of the loose ends and provides an intriguing, exciting mystery to boot.

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

View all my reviews

Betrayal from Beyond by Deb Marlowe

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Historical Mystery, Part of a Series, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

Betrayal from Beyond (The Kier and Levett Mystery, #6)Barbara’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars
Series: The Kier and Levett Mystery #6
Publication Date: 4/14/25
Period: Victorian
Number of Pages: 276

After their honeymoon trip on the continent, Kara and Niall have finally returned to London. They loved their relaxing days filled with love and laughter, but – AH! Being home is exquisite. There is nothing like the comfort, safety, and love surrounding them at home with their ‘found’ family. However, they’d hardly gotten their bags into the house before real life intruded – in the form of archvillain Petra Scot.

Petra is out for revenge against Kara and Niall, and she wants them to suffer unimaginably before she finally puts them to death in the most awful way possible. Petra will happily hurt, maim, and murder all they hold dear before bringing them down – and at the same time, she’s going to bring England to its knees. YIKES!!!

Petra tauntingly stays just out of reach as Kara and Niall dash around London trying to find her and unravel the mystery. Everyone is involved in this fast-paced story with Stayme, Turner, Gyda, and even little Henry contributing their talents to the search. As bodies keep turning up, and the danger circles closer and closer, Kara and Niall begin to wonder if they’ll ever prevail. However, they are as skilled and determined as Petra is – more!

These stories are always interesting and entertaining. They’ll make you hold your breath – and then let it out slowly. The Kara and Niall world is wonderfully developed with endearing characters and wonderful mysteries. If you enjoy a fast-paced mystery with unique protagonists and vile villains, you’ll want to try this book.

View all my reviews