An excellent read reminiscent of the Kinsey Millhone series. Ethel is a badass and her adventures are wild and addictive to read! I can’t wait to read more of her adventures!
Thank you to the publisher for this opportunity to read Desperate Spies. All opinions are my own.

Not bad but it like bite. There was nothing particularly unique about this story and it ended just about how you would expect it to. Everything followed a stereotypical pattern. Wished there had been more twists and turn thatI didn’t see coming.

If you enjoy a fast, smart read, featuring a "retired" protagonist in her seventies with a prior career in law enforcement and the ability to solve complex crimes better than state and federal authorities, Desperate Spies is for you. This is the third installment in this series, and while the first two book establish well the believability of protagonist Ethel's skill set, this book puts her skills into action full force, causing the pages to turn themselves. Mark de Castrique is an experienced writer who keeps the action moving, wasting few words, and honoring the fact readers are smart and will keep up. To get the full emotional benefit of Ethel's relationships with her law enforcement friends and her second cousin twice removed, I recommend reading these books in order. I have enjoyed all three books. More please!

Such a great book. I read this in one weekend because I couldn’t put it down (but still had responsibilities lol!). I cannot wait to see what is next in store from this author. On my auto buy list for sure!!!

Desperate Spies by Mark de Castrique continues the adventures of 75-year-old Ethel Crestwater, a former FBI agent who runs a boarding house for government agents and law enforcement employees in Arlington, Virginia, near Washington, DC. Petite Ethel, who retired 18 years ago--we learn the reason for her early retirement in this book--is still formidable. She isn't afraid to make use of her contacts on both sides of the law when necessary, as she gets pulled into some dangerous situations because of her impressive experience and her still-sharp analytical and strategic skills.

After a mob-related attorney informant is killed as he is about to divulge classified activities and information that are sought by more than one source, Ethel finds herself involved in efforts to dismantle a conspiracy that revolves around quantum computing advances that could be used for nefarious purposes. At her side, as usual, is her engaging college-age cousin, Jesse.

f know nothing about quantum anything, and although it was explained briefly, I would have appreciated a theme that was a bit easier to digest. In addition, I missed the element of human interest that was present in Secret Lives and Dangerous Women, the two previous books in the series. The prose is dense (although the book is short), and everything that happens is explained in excruciating detail, step by step, which I found to be somewhat tedious. I did enjoy the references to the UFOs (United Flying Octogenarians) that provide assistance to Ethel when needed. This is a story where violence cannot be avoided, but it is mostly non-graphic, except for one memorable scene. I'm hoping for more of a return to what made the previous books so entertaining in future series entries.

My thanks to Severn House and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

This was my first read of the Ethel Fiona Crestwater series and I enjoyed this mystery featuring an older protagonist. Her time spent ‘around the block’ has equipped her with wisdom, contacts, and connections that prove invaluable to her ability to solve this case. However, there is a lot going on with a cast of characters from various walks of life–her tenant/distant relative, his tech savvy girlfriend, local law enforcement, the FBI, a Senator, his staffers, federal intelligence, Russian oligarchs, and the local mob. I may have skimmed some parts, but all in all thought it was a decent read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I love this series and was anxiously awaiting a new installment so very grateful for the ARC!

Ethel & her army are back and are thrown into another international conspiracy. While the subject matter of this one wasn't my favorite mystery (quantum computers really go far above my head) the cast of characters more than made up for where my intellect had gaps.

Fans of the Thursday Murder Club should definitely be reading this series as well!

Desperate Spies by Mark de Castrique is the third in the Secret Lives series featuring retired bad-ass FBI agent Ethel Crestwater. Ethel is 75 years old and still active in fight crime with her sidekick and renter, Jesse, who is college age. Ethel uses her age to sneak about since everyone underestimates older people, especially women. And Ethel knows everyone in law enforcement, and all of them think she is the ultimate in solving problems.
In Desperate Spies a former FBI colleague asks Ethel for help, and she gets herself and Jesse involved in the selling of state secrets. There is the mob, US Senators and staff, police from every branch of government and Ethel, all tangled up in a mess of a conspiracy.
I have read Mark de Castrique’s Sam Blackman series before and liked it. So, I decided to try this series about an older woman – it seems everyone is trying to get in on the Thursday Murder Club mystery sensation by starring an older woman who catches the crooks.
I do like Ethel; she is a bad-ass. Probably too much of one. Many of the scenes are not believable. And while reality is not actually the goal with this new sub-genre of “Older Women Mysteries,” I do think that there must be some degree of authenticity with the older characters. I didn’t mind Ethel being so smart and figuring out all the clues – but I did object to all the law enforcement people expecting her to do so and applauding her every other page. The truth is I am not a cozy mystery lover, so that explains part of my concern.
I also have a pet peeve which is important in all mysteries but failed here. Instead of showing us the characters in action, the author instead told us in dialogue about the action. Almost all of this book is dialogue telling us what happened or is going to happen. I will probably check the other books in the series to see if that is the case for all of them. The concept was fun, but the delivery left me wanting more action in the writing.
My rating: 3 of 5
This ARC title was provided by Netgalley.com at no cost, and I am providing an unbiased review. Desperate Spies will be published on November 4, 2025.

A seventy-five-year-old former FBI agent, Ethel Fiona Crestwater, is the star of the book. She can command the Directors of multiple federal agencies and police departments, dictate what information is being shared and break the law without any consequences. She performs the perfect night flight without any prior training and bounces back after being shot without an issue.
The truth is that the main character is unrealistic, and the others are not developed enough to offer anything to the story.
The book had an uneven pacing; some parts of the story were moving super fast, while others were enriched with tons of details while made it hard to enjoy.

When a case from Ethel's past comes back to haunt her it may be more than just her own life on the line. Eighteen years ago Ethel was injured on the job, forcing her into early retirement. Now the perpetrator is out and looking for revenge. Ethel is up to the task, a force to be reckoned with, as always. This third in the series brings back our favorites, Ethel's network of officials, spies, and friends. I'm still loving this series and can't wait to see what Ethel is up to next!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Ethel Fiona Crestwater Is Back and Better Than Ever

If you thought retirement meant slowing down, clearly you haven’t met Ethel Fiona Crestwater the 75-year-old former FBI agent who makes James Bond look like he needs a nap. Desperate Spies, the third book in Mark de Castrique’s Secret Lives series, is a razor-sharp and is hilarious

Loved the espionage-level tension with humor and warmth mixed in The plot twists are clever without feeling implausible and the pacing never lets up. it’s one of the smartest, most engaging mystery-thriller series out there, period. Reminded me of Killers of a Certain Age but better!

Another winner in this great series! I was happy to read this latest installment and learn more about Ethel’s adventures, thanks to the publisher and NetGalley. This series has become one of my new favorites. I’m sure it enhances the reader’s experience to read all the books in the series in order. The story is suspenseful and is related to a botched FBI mission years ago and its repercussions now. There are many twists and turns, and I loved Ethel’s network of friends and colleagues and her strategic use of their help. Very highly recommended!

A fun new installment in the Secret Lives series. I would recommend reading the series in full and in order here.

Unfortunately the writing style proved to be too difficult for me to gel with, so I didn’t wish to finish the book as it became a task rather than enjoyable. The chapters switch between different characters, however it’s not just a dual perspective, but many perspectives of different events, so that as a reader I just couldn’t find flow in the novel. I’m sure the overall story would’ve been interesting, however due to the writing style I couldn’t get into the storyline as I felt like I was flicking through several different stories for the first part of the book

I read all three books in this series over a vacation and all three were perfect vacation fare. I was charmed by Ethel and her crew and loved the twisty fun of the mysteries. A new favorite series!

Seventy-five-year-old former FBI agent Ethel Fiona Crestwater,makes for an interesting lead character as she helps out a current FBI agent in a series of murders and attempts at the same. A variety of characters are created in Desperate Spies by author Mark de Castrique. He shows a definite talent in doing so. Credit is also due for the interesting events and the way he has the characters interact/ Well done!
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.