The Key to Deceit: An Electra McDonnell Novel

by Ashley Weaver

London, 1940. After years of stealing from the rich and giving to the poor-well, to themselves, anyway-Ellie McDonnell and her family have turned over a new leaf as they help the government's war effort. It's true that the straight-laced Major Ramsey didn't give them much choice, but still, Ellie must admit she doesn't miss breaking and entering as much as she might have thought. What she does miss is the challenge of unlocking an impossible code and the adrenaline rush that comes from being somewhere she shouldn't.

So when Major Ramsey turns up unannounced with another job, she can't say no. A woman's body has been found floating in the Thames, with a bracelet locked onto her wrist, and a cameo locket attached to it. It's clear this woman was involved in espionage, but whose side was she on? Who was she reporting to? And who wanted her dead?

• ISBN10: 1250780500
• ISBN13: 9781250780508
• Publish Date: 21 June 2022
• Publish Status: Active
• Out of Print: 5 April 2024
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: St Martin's Press
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 272
• Language: English

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

The Key to Deceit is a WW2 British espionage mystery and the second book in the Electra McDonnell mysteries by Ashley Weaver. Due out 21st June 2022 from Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 272 pages and will be available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This series is delightfully distinct from the author's other works and written to a very high standard. The titular protagonist is intelligent, strong, independent, and pragmatic. The background story, of a safe-cracker and locksmith from a questionable family, who is prevailed upon to use her considerable talents in service of king and country, engaged me from the first chapter. Although this is the second book in the series, the mystery is self contained, and the backstory is provided, so readers won't be lost or confused. There are, however, some spoilers from the resolution of the first book contained in this one, so it's a good idea to read them in order.

The plotting and characterizations are well and precisely engineered, the clues fitting together into an exciting climax and satisfying denouement and resolution. There *is* an element of romance, but it's not an overpowering or distracting and can safely be ignored.

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 8 hours and 4 minutes and is beautifully narrated by Alison Larkin. She manages to read clearly and well and imbue all the characters with distinct voices and personalities. I'm always impressed by very talented narrators' ability to imbue each voice with its own timbre and tone, especially in rapid dialogue. She is quite talented and pleasant to listen to. The book contains characters from several different areas in England, different countries, a wide range of ages and both men and women and she manages flawlessly. The sound and production quality is very high throughout.

Four and a half stars. It's a diverting read/listen.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.