Mark de Castrique grew up in the mountains of western North Carolina where many of his novels are set. He's a veteran of the television and film production industry, has served as an adjunct professor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte teaching The American Mystery, and he's a frequent speaker and workshop leader. He and his wife, Linda, live in Charlotte, North Carolina. www.markdecastrique.com
"""A high energy foray into cryptocurrency and government corruption. Yes, wise-cracking Ethel is highly entertaining, but to de Castrique's credit, she's no cutesy stereotype of a gun-wielding grandma. She's got her own story, and it's a complex one. "" -- First Clue ""Add another wise, experienced senior sleuth to a group that includes Richard Osman's ""Thursday Murder Club"" series and even Miss Marple. De Castrique's quirky characters and offbeat twists will appeal to Osman's readers."" -- Library Journal ""De Castrique's uber-twisty narrative consistently entertains...A taut and crisply told thriller whose charmingly shady protagonist triumphs over a labyrinthine plot."" -- Kirkus Reviews ""Mark de Castrique's Secret Lives is a fictitious tale worthy of your time...the complex plot involves a 75-year-old landlady-turned-retired FBI agent with an outstanding network of political connections, a baffling murder, a suitcase containing wallets storing thousands of dollars' worth of cryptocurrency, and the distinct odor of corruption in government."" -- blockchainreporter.com ""Of-the-moment thriller, featuring an elderly detective and her younger sidekick grappling not only with interagency shenanigans but also the very modern complications brought about by the rise of cryptocurrency."" -- Criminal Element"