The second in the series, this book follows the exploits of Ethel and her cousin Jesse along with a few of the characters from the first book. I enjoyed the pacing and the scenario. I didn't know who the bad guy was until the end, which is always a good thing.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for a review, but all opinions are my own.

I have never been disappointed by a book written by Mark de Castrique, and this continues to hold true for the second book in his new Secret Lives series, Dangerous Women. This is a fast-paced, intelligent political thriller filled with wit and a cast that makes me smile.

76-year-old Ethel Fiona Crestwater is the landlady of young FBI agents, and she has fierce maternal instincts when it comes to each and every one of her boarders. She swears by Ruth Bader Ginsberg's workout, and there's no end to the high-level contacts she's made over the years. In truth, she's a legend to people in the know. I'd say that Ethel's forgotten more than most of the current FBI agents will ever know... except that I don't think she's ever forgotten one single thing. Watching her work, and watching young Jesse learn from her, is a delight.

The environmental conundrum behind Dangerous Women is thought-provoking. "What environmental price do we pay to save the environment? What people do we harm in the process?" It is a question we inhabitants of Planet Earth will be forced to answer over and over again.

If you're in the mood for fast-paced excitement spear-headed by a brilliant mind, pick up Dangerous Women. I recommend reading the first book in the series, Secret Lives, because of the characters, but it's not strictly necessary in order for you to enjoy this second book.

A day later I still don't really know how I feel about this book. It feels like a 2.75 star read, but I rounded up to three stars. The book is the second book in a series, but can be read as a standalone.

It started off as a fun read with an elderly lady, who's an ex-FBI-agent and her double-first-cousin-twice-removed (I'm not gonna explain that, it is done several times in the book). I am really digging this trend of old people solving murders, so when I started this I really thought that nothing could go wrong.

Sadly, after the 30% mark the story started to feel a bit boring and slow up until the 50% mark. After that it picked up again, but it just wasn't the same as the first few chapters. What did not work for me were the many names and institutions, it was all a bit much, and not one of the characters was developed completly, they were all there and mentioned, but they did not feel like real characters. Also most of them just had little parts in the storytelling, yet were so important for the plot.

Also by the time we came towards the ending there was not really a big dramatic ending, it was written in a way that makes me feel like the ending should have surprised me, yet it didn't. It just had become predictable and also jumped a bit through the story to a sudden finale.

REVIEW
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”
👵🏻👮🏼‍♀️
A book with an unconventional FMC; Ethel Crestwater is a seasoned retired FBI agent who has not lost any of her skills. She's like a female James Bond, but older. Ethel was a one of a kind character. Although she's retired, she's got her hand in almost all law enforcement agencies and not afraid to make new connections. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the different agencies and how they solved the case with the help of Ethel
👮🏼‍♀️👵🏻
In terms of detecting and solving the mystery, the author(and Ethel) did a great job. Although it's completely different from the crime thriller I read, I still enjoyed the unfolding of the conspiracy and everyone involved. I also enjoyed learning Lithium Mining and the safest way to do so.
👵🏻👮🏼‍♀️
This book was so good in terms of storylines and amazing characters. I definitely hope this is a series, and there's more of Ethel Fiona Crestwater.
It was so nice to read a book like this.

Writing senior protagonists is quite the challenge. Too often we see authors take too little advantage of the uniqueness of the elderly as characters. When written well, these characters are not “just like anyone else”. The best senior characters, in my opinion, have specializations. They know what they’re good at, and they have deep reserves of skill and connection that they can draw on to achieve goals. It’s not that they can’t grow and change - but the best senior characters start from a place of greater self-awareness than your average teen protagonist.

At the same time, they often have deeply rooted flaws; there’s a Goldilocks zone of competence to keep the story interesting. And a well-written senior protagonist often features younger foils, highlighting what makes their approach unique. These younger foils also often ground the protagonists, give them something to care about - because motivation matters.

I was nervous, then, to read the latest in Mark de Castrique’s Ethel Crestwater series. The first entry, Secret Lives, veered a little too far into “magically awesome old protagonist”, with Ethel making almost no mistakes. Still, there was some promise, particularly in the relationship between Ethel and her double-first cousin once removed, Jesse. And there was something endearing about the members of Ethel’s Army - I just wanted to know them a bit better - so I was willing to give the series another try.

Inside a Government Scandal

Dangerous Women, the follow-up to Secret Lives, picks up with a hit. Two Supreme Court law clerks run into trouble - and one happens to board with Ethel, who immediately goes on the case. As she and Jesse dig deeper, they quickly realize they need to protect the Chief Justice. Action ensues, drama happens, traps spring… And a Big Ol Government Conspiracy comes to light.

To be clear, this is a book with a bit of a puzzle and a LOT of action. Ethel and Jesse spend as much time running or shooting or protecting people as they do actually solving the puzzle. The puzzle itself is - fine. It’s a bit guessable, but de Castrique lays out all the pieces and there’s some cleverness to piecing them together.

As you may be able to tell, I just don’t love government conspiracies. (I’m more West Wing that House of Cards in my proclivities.) I found myself rushing through the action scenes trying to get to the detective bits. These were spread a bit too far apart for me - but if you like a government conspiracy story, this may be up your alley.

…with an increased character focus

Of course, frequent readers of this blog know that I particularly care about character writing. I find it impossible to get invested in a plot that doesn’t make me care about the characters - not just the main protagonist, but the supporting cast. de Castrique spends a lot more time developing this cast, and I cared a lot more about Ethel’s success.

This change is twofold. First - Ethel seems a lot more like a person in this book. In Secret Lives, she came off as almost hyper-competent. Here, it’s clear that she cares for people, that she can be funny, that she’s willing to walk into danger. There’s a bit less snarky guessing of outcomes and a bit more character activity.

The second change is in the development of the Chief Justice. De Castrique actually takes the time to develop her outside of her interactions with Ethel, and we learn to like and respect her individually first. Not only that, but she keeps demonstrating a Very Likable spine. This added depth to a “minor” protagonist makes the whole story more readable, as Ethel’s motivation moves from theoretical to very practical grounds. You don’t want to see the Chief Justice fall to political machinations, and you also don’t want to see Clarissa harmed.

Reader's notes & rating (⭐⭐⭐)

I am so glad that Dangerous Women is such an improvement over Secret Lives, really coming into its own. I personally still can’t get over the Grisham-ness of it - the idea that so much of DC is so tightly connected, and a significant number of Powerful People are out to take advantage. But I can see others enjoying it, particularly if they enjoy spending time with a quick-witted and surprising protagonist like Ethel and her Cousin Jesse. Three stars.

Read this if...

You enjoy stories of Little Old Ladies with surprising impact

You love a good government conspiracy story

Skip this if...

You’re not in the mood for a conspiracy…

…or in the mood for the results of violence

You want to know the ins and outs of characters’ processes

Dangerous Women will be published on October 24, 2023.

Dangerous Women is book #2 in the Secret Lives series starring Ethel Fiona Crestwater and her double first cousin twice removed Jesse Cooper (don't ask!). Ethel is a seventy something retired FBI agent who hasn't slowed down during her retirement. Having read the first installment of the series I found this novel a bit darker. The Supreme Court is getting ready to rule on a difficult case involving lithium mining. Each side of the debate offers pros and cons which make a decision extremely hard to decide. When two of the court's law clerks are attacked, one left dead and the other in a coma, Ethel and Jesse try to solve the case. Further complications arise when the Chief Justice is also placed in danger. This thriller addresses difficult environmental issues, double dealing and criminal lobbyists to name a few themes. The afterward by the author also emphasizes the complex situation we face relating to lithium mining. Mark de Castrique has written a thought provoking mystery this time. May the series continue!

Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press (Sourcebooks, Inc.) for the early read.

A very clever mystery thriller! Someone is willing to kill-and does-for information on how the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court will rule on a case. Unfortunately for that villain, he also hurts Brooke, who not only rooms with Ethel but is also the niece of an Arlington County detective. And who is Ethel? She's a 75 year old dynamo with contacts all throughout law enforcement in DC thanks to many many years in the FBI and the fact that she's always rented rooms to young federal officers. Ethel, along with her double first cousin Jesse, sets out to identify and stop the bad guys from killing again, especially from killing the Chief Justice. She can't protect everyone but she does her best. This is a twisty one that rides not on the usual political conspiracy and which demands that you pay attention to small details. DeCastrique clearly knows DC - not only the interagency things but also the little stuff like the Mandarin Oriental (now the Salamander). He's created believable and entertaining characters and a plot that pops along. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I enjoyed this a great deal.

This is the second title in the Secret Lives series by Mark de Castrique and it was brilliant!

The protagonist was once again septuagenarian Ethel Clearwater and her much younger ‘second-second cousin twice removed’ Jesse. The plot concerned a controversial case before the US Supreme Court involving lithium mining and the murder and machination’s surrounding their ruling.

The gang were back from the first book Secret Lives. So we once again crossed paces with Rudy the FBI Director and Frank a DC detective as well as former Air Force serviceman Curt. We were also introduced to Clarissa the new Chief Justice and Alan the head of Defence Intelligence.

The plot was great as always but it’s the strength of the characterisation that really elevates this to a 5* read in my opinion. The heroes were funny and smart without either flashes of unreasonable brilliance or being too stupid to live. The villains were intelligent adversaries, ruthless but not unrealistically evil in the context of the story.

I would certainly recommend this to anyone looking for a well written crime novel that will keep you engaged to the end.

*** Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher ***

Heroine Ethel Crestwater may be 75, but she's no creaky, meddling old lady. She's a retired FBI agent still revered by colleagues and still sharper than the average cop. Personal ties get her involved in solving an attack on two young Supreme Court law clerks. Set in the DC area, the story revolves around a major environmental issue under consideration by SCOTUS -- a decision that some people will kill to swing their way. The stakes are high, with the threat extending to the Chief Justice, and Ethel is relentless in her pursuit of the guilty. Dangerous Women is a delight from start to finish.

OMG. Mark de Castrique's new thriller, Dangerous Women, is a compelling and absorbing read. Please see my complete review at www.reviewingtheevidence.com.

Book two in the Secret Lives Mysteries series, this sophomore book was full of intrigue and amazing cast of characters.

Ethel (former FBI agent), and her double-first-cousin-twice-removed Jesse (computer genius), are tasked to help solved a crime when two law clerks were brutally attacked, leading to one murder and the other in a coma. In addition to the attack, court documents were stolen from the murder victim. This is attack is personal to Ethel, since the one in a coma rents a room from her.

As the plot thickens you get an insight on how much D.C. is about who can you backstab before they stab you. You are introduced to an array of higher-up government officials who absolutely attest one another and at what cost they'll go to to make sure they're agendas get passed through the Supreme Court.

I really enjoyed this book and it was a quick read! I loved Ethel and how her mind worked. In a world full of technology, sometimes old school methods are what will save the day.

The return of the always resourceful and astute Ethel Fiona Crestwater and her loyal double-first-cousin-twice-removed, Jesse Cooper. After two clerks to the Supreme Court are attacked, one who is related to dear friend Detective Mancini, Ethel is drawn into a widespread conspiracy involving powerful political figures.

Whilst I enjoyed the first book (which I speedily read after being approved), I found this book to be a huge improvement as the plot was more intriguing, the characters more interesting and the mysteries more captivating!

Similar to the first novel, the author keeps the plot topical by writing about climate change and sustainability and the challenges the transition presents in terms of self-sufficiency and national security. I don't know what his background is, but he clearly does his research and does it well.

I'd recommend this book to anyone and everyone. A thrilling, comforting and gripping political thriller. Can't wait for the next one to see what's next for Ethel and her army.

Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Bound to stress you out as the who hates who and sabotage scenarios keep coming page after page. Bound to be made into a political thriller, Dangerous Women Places well-seasoned women at the core of the spy front in this suspense read from an author who dots every I and crosses every T.
The slowest the plot ever goes is when Chief Baxter moves off the grid in hopes of being safer. But did it work?
Reminiscent of great espionage movies such as the OO7 franchise and Alex Cross, or Stephanie Plumb..

Ethel, a retired FBI agent, takes a interest in a murder and near murder. She manipulates everyone she comes in contact with to reach her outcome. She does the unexpected to reach her conclusions. A delightful murder mystery involving the Supreme, Court, the FBI, Senators and Lobbiests.

I liked this a lot, the characters and the plot was just amazing. and the mystery? yummmm
thank you netgalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review

I am just delighted with this series! Installment #2 was just as fun as #1, with a new mystery and a good mix of new and returning characters. We're back with Ethel and her web of contacts, trying to figure out who wants information on an upcoming Supreme Court case and why. If you enjoyed Secret Lives, you'll like this one too. It's a political myster/thriller that isn't too intense and kind of feels like a cozy with a twist. I hope there's another installment coming!

Thank you to #NetGalley and #PoisonedPenPress for a free copy of Dangerous Women by Mark de Castrique. All opinions are my own.

DANGEROUS WOMEN by Mark de Castrique is the latest from a prolific author whose work I have been recommending for years. This mystery is the second in the Secret Lives series and features a retired and extremely well-connected former FBI agent named Ethel Fiona Crestwater. She, along with her much younger cousin, Jesse Cooper, become emmeshed in a botched robbery that leads to two deaths and may be evidence of an attack on the Supreme Court's integrity and confidentiality. De Castrique cleverly ties in a number of prominent suspects, including a couple of US Senators as well as a lobbyist, and employees of the Department of Defense and the Supreme Court. In his author's note de Castrique writes, "the existential threat of our time is climate change. In response, the effort to convert vehicles from fossil fuels to batteries has become a national priority." His characters recognize that rare earth elements like lithium are becoming the new oil with attendant national security concerns. DANGEROUS WOMEN offers a timely, complicated puzzle and received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Library Journal ("Ethel's adventures will appeal to fans of Richard Osman's Thursday Murder Club series and Deanna Raybourn's Killers of a Certain Age"). We also listened to the audiobook and Patrick Lawlor's narration was excellent. Enjoy!

4.5⭐️

This is the second book in a series, but my first book by Castrique. It definitely works well as a stand-alone story. My main takeaway: I LOVED Ethel! A septuagenarian woman who’s former-FBI but still bad-@ss enough to show everyone else in any law enforcement role up? She was perfect, and the whole plot entertaining and filled with suspense and political intrigue. What a fun, quick read! I will definitely look forward to following along with Ethel’s future adventures.

Thank you Mark De Castrique, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

Secret Lives was a favorite book of 2022 for me, and I was thrilled to get the chance to read the sequel. DANGEROUS WOMEN has everything in it that I enjoyed in the first book: twisty plot, political intrigue, and a septuagenarian heroine how knows how to get sh*t done.

I'd call this a "cozy political thriller" - nothing overly violent (there are some deaths, though), and there's also a strong community element that's reminiscent of traditional cozy mysteries. Ethel and Jesse make a fantastic duo, and they're supported by a great cast of characters, likable and unlikeable.

The political mystery is incredibly well-done, with so many elements to keep you guessing. Like book one, the politics tie into real-life issues so it feels very realistic and thoughtfully-written. There is an author's note at the back that address this topic.

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

My only problem with this book is it was a bit slow at first. There was a lot of set-up before you actually got to the main meat of the story, and I can’t say every reader would be willing to sit through that.