Devi Nair
I picked up Secret Lives hoping for a cozy mystery with a strong, memorable lead, and Ethel Crestwater did not disappoint. She’s a 75-year-old retired FBI agent with no-nonsense attitude and a backbone of steel. From her razor-sharp comebacks to the way she wades through government secrets and suspicious boarders, Ethel is the life of every page. She never tries to soften herself for anyone, and that stubborn, dry wit totally won me over. The scenes with her are powered by this quirky, irresistible energy that made me wish I could pull up a seat in her living room.
But here’s the thing: while Ethel’s storyline is punchy and memorable, the actual mystery never quite pulled me in. The plot, full of political layers and Capitol Hill secrets, was interesting enough, but there was something hazy about the emotional punch. Maybe it was the pacing or the way things wrapped up, but I finished the book feeling content but not entirely eager for round two. Sometimes a story and a reader just don’t click, and that’s okay.
On the audiobook side, Patrick Lawlor’s narration is a total highlight. I honestly didn’t realize a man was voicing Ethel until after the fact. He slips into her no-nonsense tone and sly humor with complete ease. Lawlor gives Ethel the right blend of warmth and steel, adding another layer of enjoyment.
Originally posted at viewsshewrites.wordpress.com.
I picked up Secret Lives hoping for a cozy mystery with a strong, memorable lead, and Ethel Crestwater did not disappoint. She’s a 75-year-old retired FBI agent with no-nonsense attitude and a backbone of steel. From her razor-sharp comebacks to the way she wades through government secrets and suspicious boarders, Ethel is the life of every page. She never tries to soften herself for anyone, and that stubborn, dry wit totally won me over. The scenes with her are powered by this quirky, irresistible energy that made me wish I could pull up a seat in her living room.
But here’s the thing: while Ethel’s storyline is punchy and memorable, the actual mystery never quite pulled me in. The plot, full of political layers and Capitol Hill secrets, was interesting enough, but there was something hazy about the emotional punch. Maybe it was the pacing or the way things wrapped up, but I finished the book feeling content but not entirely eager for round two. Sometimes a story and a reader just don’t click, and that’s okay.
On the audiobook side, Patrick Lawlor’s narration is a total highlight. I honestly didn’t realize a man was voicing Ethel until after the fact. He slips into her no-nonsense tone and sly humor with complete ease. Lawlor gives Ethel the right blend of warmth and steel, adding another layer of enjoyment.
Originally posted at viewsshewrites.wordpress.com.