Ethel Crestwater, often underestimated as just a harmless little old lady, is in fact a no-nonsense retired FBI agent with plenty of skills, smarts, and a speed dial full of important law enforcement connections. Woe to the person who commits a crime in her orbit. Together with her young and tech-savvy distant cousin, Jesse, she investigates the killing of a law clerk while trying to prevent harm to Chief Justice Clarissa Baxter of the Supreme Court. The court’s latest high-stakes case makes for a number of suspects with interests in the outcome, making this story a sort of gentler political thriller. I loved Secret Lives, and I’m a big fan of Ethel and her entourage. I didn’t find this second book quite as much fun as the first, but it still rates a solid four stars. Looking forward to Ethel's next adventures.

Thanks to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for a digital advance review copy.

Dangerous Women by Mark de Castrique (Secret Lives Mystery #2) 4 stars

This is the second entry in a series featuring Ethel Fiona Crestwater, a long retired FBI agent and a legend at the agency. In her “golden years” she runs a kind of boarding house for law enforcement officers of all stripes – local and federal and others who work in the government. Among her former boarders are high ranking officials at the FBI, Secret Service, a several other alphabet agencies. In this second novel, she gets involved because one of her boarders is shot. After a few inquiries, it turns out the motive is a conspiracy involving a threat to a Supreme Court Justice. Ethel’s involvement turns into a caper bent on stopping the conspirators from getting their way.

As a sophomore entry into this series, it was a fun read, but not as exciting as the first book. I hope that this series will continue in the future.

Thank you Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

"Dangerous Women" by Mark de Castrique is a riveting addition to the Secret Lives series that masterfully blends the charm of a cozy mystery with the sharpness of a political thriller. Set against the backdrop of a high-stakes legal battle over the future of clean energy, the novel introduces us to a cast of characters as complex as the issues they grapple with.

At the heart of the story is Ethel Fiona Crestwater, a retired FBI agent turned boardinghouse landlady. Despite her advanced years, Ethel is far from your typical sleuth. With a mind as sharp as her instincts, she embodies the cunning and resourcefulness of a seasoned spy, reminiscent of the protagonists in Thomas Perry's "The Old Man" and the vibrant assassins in "Killers of a Certain Age."

The narrative kicks off with a botched attack on two law clerks, spiraling into a deadly cover-up that leaves a trail of bodies and a web of intrigue. As the plot thickens, Ethel, along with her tech-savvy sidekick Jesse Cooper, navigates through a labyrinth of political sycophants, lobbyists, and an assassin with a vendetta against the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

De Castrique's writing is both clever and urgent, propelling the reader through a story that is as timely as it is timeless. The novel's pacing is impeccable, balancing the tension of a thriller with the introspection of a detective novel. The author's ability to weave complex narratives with ease is on full display, as he takes the reader on a journey through the murky waters of politics and power.

"Dangerous Women" is not just a title; it's a statement on the underestimated strength and intellect of women, particularly those like Ethel, who defy expectations at every turn. This book is a testament to the genre's evolution, offering a fresh perspective on what it means to be a 'dangerous' woman in a world that often overlooks them.

"Dangerous Women" is a must-read for fans of mysteries and thrillers alike. It's a book that keeps you guessing until the very end and leaves you pondering the intricate dance of justice and the law long after you've finished reading.

I found this book to be a typical mystery book to start in terms of plot, placing, and exposition. As the novel went on, though, the book never stopped its over-explanatory tone, which is something I don’t appreciate in mystery novels. Some of the book should remain secretive, but I found that this book told me much more than I wanted.

Thank you to Netgally, the publishers, and Mark de Castrique

When I requested this book I was unaware that it was apart of a series, one that requires you to read the previous books for this one to make sense. I am unable to read all the previous books along with this one before the publish date. Therefore, I will rate this a fair 3/5 stars and will adjust the rating and review when I am able to read all the books in the series along with this one.

Ethel Fiona Crestwater is in her seventies, the landlady of a boarding house, and seemingly a clichéd little old lady. She’s anything but. The boarders in her house are generally FBI agents. Ethel used to be one herself. She still has the ability to think on her feet, plan ahead for contingencies, and she knows everyone who is anyone. Calling in a favor sometimes is as simple as reminding someone she knew them when.

Her double first cousin twice-removed Jesse Cooper acts as her sidekick, leg man, and computer geek. He had no idea about Ethel’s past until that first unfortunate case they were involved in. That’s when he saw her transform from a cousinly landlady to a skilled agent.

Now the stakes are even higher. A law clerk has died; another is in a coma. The issue is how will a Supreme Court Justice vote on a case before the court? With the answer unknown, it puts Ethel and Jesse between the target and a killer who has a reputation to maintain and a paycheck to collect.

To say much more would give away too much of the well-executed plot and building tension as you turn the pages. This is one of those books where you want to know what happens but don’t want the book to end. Ethel is someone you’d want for a friend, especially if you’re ever in trouble. Jesse adapted well to her secret life once he recovered from the initial shock. He is a computer whiz with an out-of-the-country girlfriend who is equally nerdy and helpful.

This is book two in the series—book one, Secret Lives, was reviewed in KRL. It’s a series I hope has, like Ethel, a long, eventful life.

A great political thriller that made me really want to read the first book. I loved the fact this was a senior protagonist and the HUMANITY the characters were granted.

Thank you to NetGalley for the free ARC. All opinions are my own.

I didn't realize that this book was a sequel to Secret Lives. Some parts did not register with me since I hadn't read the first book. I'll probably borrow the first book, then come back to reread this book at some time. But here are my current thoughts on "Dangerous Women": Intelligent to the core!

Had a hard time following in the first part, but somehow I got immersed during the last half of the book. Although I felt overwhelmed by the bunch of facts and name drop, which then affected my final rating on the book, I still think that this is recommendable for those who enjoy fast-paced but complex world-building in political thrillers.

Thank you, NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press. For the opportunity to read the book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this cast of characters and Ethel was a force to be reckoned with. The plot was engaging and had some humor.
Many thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

An important Supreme Court decision is pending, and one of the Court clerks is killed and another seriously injured. Then the chief of the Court police is killed. Could the Chief Justice be next?

This book begins with tense and suspenseful events, and there are many twists and turns and action-packed moments. There is a strong environmental theme and a great deal of focus on political corruption. There are many talking points here, and some of the information was new to me (the impact of mining lithium for batteries for electric vehicles, for example). I really enjoyed the mystery and Ethel Crestwater is a great character, but I admit to being a bit bored at times. I think this would make a great movie, and all the explanation was necessary to make sense of the motives of the "villains", but it slowed down the action. Sometimes the politics overwhelmed the action. I liked it, but I just didn't love it.

The ever intrepid, and dangerous, Ethel Crestwater is back, with her double-first-cousin-twice-removed Jesse. They're investigating an attack against two law clerks, one of whom is the niece of Frank Mancini, police detective and former boarder of Ethel's.

All they know is there's a homeless man involved, and one of the Chief Justice Clarissa Baxter's law clerks is dead and his bag containing papers for an upcoming Supreme Court decision is missing.

Ethel pulls in her contacts ("Ethel's Army") to help her investigate the murders, and protect the Chief Justice. A hit man is also at play, eliminating people, and headed for Baxter.

This was another exciting, dangerous and frequently funny instalment in the "Secret Lives Mysteries" series. The plot was nicely complex and fast-moving, illuminating issues surrounding energy generation, while also including political corruption, and land use and environmental degradation.

Ethel remains charming, resourceful, funny and lethal, while Jesse is maturing into a skilled, and quick-thinking sidekick.

I thoroughly enjoyed this entry in the series, and really can't wait to read the next so I can see what new ways Ethel outsmarts bad guys.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC in exchange for my review.

What a fun book!! A different view on mysteries featuring a retired FBI agent who now runs a boarding house for current FBI/CIA agents.

There is nothing I love more than elders solving mysteries, Ethel is a 73 years old retired FBI Agent, but retired only in paper because her skills are more active than ever, I LOVED her.

I don´t know if this genre existes but I will call a "cozy thriller" because that´s exactly what it was, it keep´s you guessing along the whole story and is an amazing page-turner.

I didn´t even noticed that there was o book one, but I´m definitley going to read after this!!

Thank you Netgalley for the Arc!!

When a Supreme Court clerk is murdered and another is left in a coma who better to help then retired FBI agent turned landlady Ethel Clearwater and her double-first-cousin-twice-removed Jesse Cooper. This fast-paced political thriller follows Ethel and Jessie to the top of DC society on a quest to see who is trying to overturn the Supreme Court. How deep does the corruption run?

I really enjoyed this murder mystery/thriller vibe. It was really awesome to see the story coming together piece by piece, and really interesting to see who would be one step ahead of the other. Awesome work!

Thank you to netgalley and the author for sending me the book in exchange for an honest review

Another great Ethel Crestwater saga!

Ethel & Jesse are back when another one of their boarding house guests is part of a murder investigation. This time its young Brooke, a clerk at the Supreme Court who also happens to be Detective Frank Mancini's niece. Her and another clerk are mugged on their way home one night and work documents are stolen, kicking off an investigation into a conspiracy surrounding one of the contentious cases the Court has on its docket.

The investigation will involve several familiar faces, including the Director of the FBI and several other members of "Ethel's army". Whip smart, incredibly relevant, and somehow manages to perfectly blend a fast paced thriller with a cozy mystery vibe. Love these characters hope this series has many more books in the works!

Ethel is 73 years old. She can play the senior citizen card when needed but there is so much more to this vibrant woman. Ethel has retired from the FBI but her quick brain, skills, and schemes are as fresh and effective as ever. Get to know her in this enjoyable mystery/caper about murders and shenanigans affecting the Supreme Court.

The author juggles a lot in terms of a complicated scheme in which it takes a little while for readers to figure out what is going on. There are senators, supreme court justices and their clerks, the FBI, Ethel’s relative and friends along with all living in a DC that comes to life here. There is a serious issue underpinning the story that has to do with a Supreme Court’s pending decision on precious metals and mining. The issue feels quite timely.

Those who enjoy cozy thrillers (is there such a thing?) are certain to want to read this one. There is an earlier title in the series as well and I hope that there will be a third to come.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

I loved every second of this book. I didn’t realize going in that this was the second book in a series, but I feel like I was still able to understand everything that was going on. Ethel was such a unique character and I loved following her fbi expertise in this novel.

Ethel Crestwater is back in the is sequel to Secret Lives, and the retired FBI agent (now landlady) is formidable and cunning as ever. When one of Ethel's boarders is a victim in an attack on a Chief Justice's aid Ethel goes into sleuthing mode as she calls on her contacts for information. Recently appointed Chief Justice Clarissa Baxter could be the next target and Ethel is taking no chances in protecting her. Teaming up once again with her double-first-cousin-twice-removed (and college student) Jesse, the two are a fearsome duo.

The sequel was as delightful as the first, and I hope there are many more to come!

Book: 4.5⭐
Audio Narration: 3.5⭐

A botched mugging leaves one Supreme Court law clerk dead and another seriously injured. The murdered law clerk Robert Finley had been working for Supreme Court Chief Justice Clarissa Baxter who is scheduled to cast the deciding vote for the verdict in a controversial lithium mining case that has several influential people desperate to protect their own interests. Missing from the scene of the crime was Robert’s backpack with important notes on the case. The injured law clerk Brooke Chaplin is the niece of Detective Frank Mancini of the Arlington Police Department and a tenant at the boardinghouse for government employees run by Former FBI Agent Ethel Fiona Crestwater in Arlington, Virginia. Frank is a former boarder and friend of Ethel’s which prompts her to offer to help in the investigation. Joining Ethel in her efforts is her double-first-cousin-twice-removed, Jesse, who also resides in the same boarding house and is a university student.

Though retired, seventy-five-year-old Ethel is sharp and maintains a strong network of past and present highly ranked officers from different branches of law enforcement ( “Ethel’s Army” ). As the bodies continue to pile up, Ethel suspects that not only are people within the system involved, but also the Chief Justice just might be the next target. What follows is a complex web of murder, corruption and conspiracy and Ethel will leave no stone unturned to help unravel the mystery behind the attack and murder and identify the person/people who are targeting the Chief Justice.

With its interesting cast of characters, well-structured plot and plenty of humor, Dangerous Women by Mark de Castrique is an intriguing and entertaining read. I loved Ethel and her resourcefulness. Though there are several characters in the story, the plot is not difficult to follow and at no point did I lose interest. The author incorporates several relevant themes such as political corruption, climate change, clean energy, environmental protection and preservation of land into a tightly woven plot. The pacing does falter in parts but not so much that detracts from the overall reading experience. If you don’t mind a little suspension of disbelief, this is a thoroughly enjoyable read.

Overall, I thought this was a worthy addition to the Secret Lives Mysteries series. I can’t wait for the next in the series!

I combined my reading with the audiobook narrated by Patrick Lawlor, which made for a decent immersion reading experience. Given the large cast of characters, I did feel that the audio experience could have been enhanced had there been more than one narrator.

Please note that though this book is the second in a series, it can be read and enjoyed as a standalone.

Many thanks to Poisoned Pen Press, Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the digital copy and ALC of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.