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Jo Slater #2
One Dangerous Lady
In Barbados to enjoy her romance with a dashing English lord, Jo Slater is stunned by the disappearance of Russell Cole, a wealthy art collector, from his yacht, and, back in New York, Jo is confronted by the threat of someone from her own past and discovers that neither her urbane lord nor Russell's wife are what they appear to be. By the author of Social Crimes.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1990
33 people are currently reading
407 people want to read
About the author
Jane Stanton Hitchcock
14 books222 followersJane Stanton Hitchcock was an American author, playwright, and screenwriter. She wrote several plays but is known mostly for her mystery novels Trick of the Eye, The Witches' Hammer, Social Crimes, One Dangerous Lady, Mortal Friends, and Bluff, which was the winner of the 2019 Hammett Prize. Hitchcock also wrote the screenplays for Our Time and First Love.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
August 8, 2012
This story starts out with 2 filthy rich 50-something women nursing hangovers on the balcony of a villa in Barbados. The BFF's daughter is getting married and we hear the friend griping about the pain of destination weddings, visiting other filthy stinking rich people in their mansions, etc. Kind of an annoying story and I almost quit reading it.
Instead I flipped open to a random page where a woman was confiding to a journalist-friend of her past involvement in someone's death, details of blackmailing, etc. That was interesting. : ) So, I flipped back to the beginning and slogged through the first couple chapters until I got involved and interested in what would happen next.
Billionare Russell Cole disappears off his yacht and his wife and friends are stumped as to where or why. Is he dead? Accident or murdered? Just missing? Run away? There are lots of questions that take a good while to get answered. This book isn't so much of a "who-dunnit" as it is a "why-dunnit" and "How are you going to get away with it" type story. A lot of stuff can happen in almost 400 pages of story.
The back biting, snootiness, and cliques of New York high society got a little old, although I don't doubt the reality of it. It was not a complimentary view into the lives of the stinking rich. The BFF's swearing was crass and offensive, but as long as she wasn't in a scene you were safe. I wouldn't read the book again, but if you like suspense or mystery type stories, this was a clever story.
Instead I flipped open to a random page where a woman was confiding to a journalist-friend of her past involvement in someone's death, details of blackmailing, etc. That was interesting. : ) So, I flipped back to the beginning and slogged through the first couple chapters until I got involved and interested in what would happen next.
Billionare Russell Cole disappears off his yacht and his wife and friends are stumped as to where or why. Is he dead? Accident or murdered? Just missing? Run away? There are lots of questions that take a good while to get answered. This book isn't so much of a "who-dunnit" as it is a "why-dunnit" and "How are you going to get away with it" type story. A lot of stuff can happen in almost 400 pages of story.
The back biting, snootiness, and cliques of New York high society got a little old, although I don't doubt the reality of it. It was not a complimentary view into the lives of the stinking rich. The BFF's swearing was crass and offensive, but as long as she wasn't in a scene you were safe. I wouldn't read the book again, but if you like suspense or mystery type stories, this was a clever story.
March 4, 2014
Socialite Jo Slater is back in Jane Stanton-Hitchcock's follow up to 'SOCIAL CRIMES' and after falling from grace Jo once again reigns supreme over New York's social scene. However, once again Jo finds that someone else is vying for her spot amongst the social elite. This time it is the wife of missing billionaire Russell Cole.
On a trip to Barbados to attend his goddaughters wedding Russell Cole goes missing from his palatial yacht. Not wanting to declare him dead, wife, Carla uses Russell's abundant resources to climb her way up the exclusive social ladder. However, many of New York's social elite are not to happy about this, topping that list are Russell Cole's ex-wife and daughter, not to mention our heroine Jo Slater to whom it seems that Carla's rise to the top requires dethroning Jo herself.
As the pieces of the mystery of Russell's disappearance begin to come together Jo finds herself in a familiar situation where she is forced to fight against blackmail, murder, lies, deceit and social climbing. Jane Stanton-Hitchcock once again weaves an intriguing and glamorous mystery that is as engaging as it is fun to read!
On a trip to Barbados to attend his goddaughters wedding Russell Cole goes missing from his palatial yacht. Not wanting to declare him dead, wife, Carla uses Russell's abundant resources to climb her way up the exclusive social ladder. However, many of New York's social elite are not to happy about this, topping that list are Russell Cole's ex-wife and daughter, not to mention our heroine Jo Slater to whom it seems that Carla's rise to the top requires dethroning Jo herself.
As the pieces of the mystery of Russell's disappearance begin to come together Jo finds herself in a familiar situation where she is forced to fight against blackmail, murder, lies, deceit and social climbing. Jane Stanton-Hitchcock once again weaves an intriguing and glamorous mystery that is as engaging as it is fun to read!
July 2, 2014
I listened to the unabridged audiobook. After slogging through many chapters mostly devoted to a supposedly funny portrayal of NYC "high" society, I skipped chapters 22-34 and didn't feel as if I missed a thing. The only mystery in the novel was how long it would take the author to reveal the obvious. The only character I found interesting was unfortunately killed off. The reader, Barbara Rosenblat, however, was excellent, one of a very few I've heard who can do voices of the opposite gender credibly.
March 9, 2017
I listened to this audio for an Around the World challenge for the location of Barbados. It was a great look at the rich and powerful people in New York society and how they act. It was well-written and suspense-filled with plot twists and turns and a surprise ending. I found many of the characters quite humorous which made the book very entertaining. It has all the elements of a great summer beach read: murder, mystery, scandal and intrigue. I highly recommend this book to those who love light mystery with lots of humor.
November 5, 2021
One Dangerous Lady is a distressing book. It demonstrates what people will do including murder in order to have more than you. Money means everything to the people who occupy the world that Jo Slatter, the heroine, lives in. This book only received three stars because of the story--getting away with murder. The lifestyle depicted in this book is just morally disgusting.
August 10, 2019
Long, long listen. NY high society.
January 5, 2022
My least favorite by Stanton. I was done with the main character by this point. Not poorly written; I just didn't like the character.
May 21, 2023
One Dangerous Lady was a fantastic beach read. It follows where the Jo Slater series left off, and Jane Stanton Hitchcock provides her usual twists and turns, and amazing knack for narrative and character development.
I wanted to read this novel right when I finished Social Crimes, the last book ended on such a high note. The book continues in Jo Slater's household, where she is a wealthy New York City socialite once more and she is engaging in her usual gossiping and high society parties. Jane Stanton Hitchcock introduces more of Jo's friends into this novel, bringing to the forefront Betty, June, Larry Lockert, and Carla Cole. Olivia, Jo's nemesis from the previous novel, was a non-factor in this novel. In fact, aside from Jo's regular payments to Olivia for her misdeeds in the last novel, Jo has no dialogue and no interaction with her whatsoever.
One Dangerous Lady focuses on a new enemy, Carla Cole. Carla has been divorced twice, and her current husband is now missing. She is a social climber that takes the spotlight from Jo Slater; Carla is a friend of Jo's, but Jo doesn't trust her. Carla's husband goes missing, apparently a habit of his was to disassociate with severe amnesia and he disappears for months at a time. In the meantime, Carla is scheming to join the super-wealthy in New York City, spending her husband's money, donating her husband's art collection, throwing large parties, and buying her way into the posh social circles. Jo tries to oppose her and the tension keeps building. Jo refuses to help Carla buy into a 5th Avenue coop, and Carla sends her veiled threats. Jo tries to stop Carla from joining Board of her treasured art gallery, and Carla gets in anyway. Jo enlists her crime reporter friend Larry Lockert to find out the truth on Carla's husband, and Larry ends up dead. The two are in a vicious tug of war, and even Jo's new boyfriend Max Vermillion is now in Carla's hands.
The book wraps up tightly where Jo goes straight to the luxury boat where Carla's husband was seen last. She learns that he was in fact alive, and he was in an ongoing amnesia/lost person adventure for the last few months. When Jo tells Carla that she found him, Carla immediately seduces her husband back into her control, until Jo breaks down all of Carla's lies and deception. Jo throws Carla overboard after a catfight, and Carla's husband decides to go down with the ship.
Overall, the story worked, and it was a nice social thriller. The webs of lies and deception between Carla and Jo were good, but Jane Stanton Hitchcock tries to introduce Carla's boyfriend Max Vermillion as yet another deceptive puppetmaster was just too much. It's an idea fit for a sequel, but I don't feel like there will be one.
The story was very enjoyable to read, but Social Crimes was much better. In Social Crimes, Jo Slater spends several years living like "the other half" and she has to work and plot a way to get back her wealth. There were more humanizing moments, and the rags to riches part was very original. In One Dangerous Lady, Jo Slater is noticeably older, and the bickering between her and yet-another deceptive socialite is not as big a deal.
I would take anyone who challenges Jane Stanton Hitchcock's literary abilities to consider some of her character development and emotional heightening:
"Death is a grand silence. That evening, I sat alone in my library, paralyzed with despair, dreading the coming weeks and months and years without the company of my dear friend. Even during those periods when I didn't see or speak to Larry very much, there was a great comfort in knowing he was there, and that we woudl take up exactly where we left off. As one gets older, one's personal landscape vanishes bit by bit. Those people who have been a part of one's landscape for a long time are like those old oak trees that anchor a country scene. When they are cut down, the view changes, becoming sparser and more desolate. No matter what happened now, Carla Cole had won. There was nothing I could do to bring Larry back, and no way I could prove that she had killed him..." (p. 289)
Overall, it's another great book by Jane Stanton Hitchcock, but it doesn't have the same firepower that Social Crimes did. One Dangerous Lady was good, but not as exciting.
4 Stars
I wanted to read this novel right when I finished Social Crimes, the last book ended on such a high note. The book continues in Jo Slater's household, where she is a wealthy New York City socialite once more and she is engaging in her usual gossiping and high society parties. Jane Stanton Hitchcock introduces more of Jo's friends into this novel, bringing to the forefront Betty, June, Larry Lockert, and Carla Cole. Olivia, Jo's nemesis from the previous novel, was a non-factor in this novel. In fact, aside from Jo's regular payments to Olivia for her misdeeds in the last novel, Jo has no dialogue and no interaction with her whatsoever.
One Dangerous Lady focuses on a new enemy, Carla Cole. Carla has been divorced twice, and her current husband is now missing. She is a social climber that takes the spotlight from Jo Slater; Carla is a friend of Jo's, but Jo doesn't trust her. Carla's husband goes missing, apparently a habit of his was to disassociate with severe amnesia and he disappears for months at a time. In the meantime, Carla is scheming to join the super-wealthy in New York City, spending her husband's money, donating her husband's art collection, throwing large parties, and buying her way into the posh social circles. Jo tries to oppose her and the tension keeps building. Jo refuses to help Carla buy into a 5th Avenue coop, and Carla sends her veiled threats. Jo tries to stop Carla from joining Board of her treasured art gallery, and Carla gets in anyway. Jo enlists her crime reporter friend Larry Lockert to find out the truth on Carla's husband, and Larry ends up dead. The two are in a vicious tug of war, and even Jo's new boyfriend Max Vermillion is now in Carla's hands.
The book wraps up tightly where Jo goes straight to the luxury boat where Carla's husband was seen last. She learns that he was in fact alive, and he was in an ongoing amnesia/lost person adventure for the last few months. When Jo tells Carla that she found him, Carla immediately seduces her husband back into her control, until Jo breaks down all of Carla's lies and deception. Jo throws Carla overboard after a catfight, and Carla's husband decides to go down with the ship.
Overall, the story worked, and it was a nice social thriller. The webs of lies and deception between Carla and Jo were good, but Jane Stanton Hitchcock tries to introduce Carla's boyfriend Max Vermillion as yet another deceptive puppetmaster was just too much. It's an idea fit for a sequel, but I don't feel like there will be one.
The story was very enjoyable to read, but Social Crimes was much better. In Social Crimes, Jo Slater spends several years living like "the other half" and she has to work and plot a way to get back her wealth. There were more humanizing moments, and the rags to riches part was very original. In One Dangerous Lady, Jo Slater is noticeably older, and the bickering between her and yet-another deceptive socialite is not as big a deal.
I would take anyone who challenges Jane Stanton Hitchcock's literary abilities to consider some of her character development and emotional heightening:
"Death is a grand silence. That evening, I sat alone in my library, paralyzed with despair, dreading the coming weeks and months and years without the company of my dear friend. Even during those periods when I didn't see or speak to Larry very much, there was a great comfort in knowing he was there, and that we woudl take up exactly where we left off. As one gets older, one's personal landscape vanishes bit by bit. Those people who have been a part of one's landscape for a long time are like those old oak trees that anchor a country scene. When they are cut down, the view changes, becoming sparser and more desolate. No matter what happened now, Carla Cole had won. There was nothing I could do to bring Larry back, and no way I could prove that she had killed him..." (p. 289)
Overall, it's another great book by Jane Stanton Hitchcock, but it doesn't have the same firepower that Social Crimes did. One Dangerous Lady was good, but not as exciting.
4 Stars
May 26, 2021
Everyone's got a secret and a rather tawdry back story, but the blots on the old escutcheon are all smudged tastefully into impressionistic acceptability by applying ample amounts of prep school manners, a sense of place in the rarefied atmosphere of wealthy New Yorkers, a sprinkling of British titles, and money. Lots and lots of money.
Jane Stanton Hitchcock performs the neat trick of writing rich people with the kind of humanity that makes them sympathetic - as opposed to contemptible - whiners. You know, those people who make a scene if their latte foam is too loose. Not that there aren't such people in "Lady." Oh, yes, there are, but they tend to be the kick that gets the story moving and not the mud that slows things down.
Murder? Yep, in fact, there are quite a few. But what makes this book special is the overriding sense of menace from a sociopath who is totally without mercy - but who always knows the right set of diamonds to wear at a party. And specializes, not just in not getting caught, but committing crimes without leaving a trace.
Never has homicide, blackmail, arson and forgery been so well-dressed - and civilized.
Jane Stanton Hitchcock performs the neat trick of writing rich people with the kind of humanity that makes them sympathetic - as opposed to contemptible - whiners. You know, those people who make a scene if their latte foam is too loose. Not that there aren't such people in "Lady." Oh, yes, there are, but they tend to be the kick that gets the story moving and not the mud that slows things down.
Murder? Yep, in fact, there are quite a few. But what makes this book special is the overriding sense of menace from a sociopath who is totally without mercy - but who always knows the right set of diamonds to wear at a party. And specializes, not just in not getting caught, but committing crimes without leaving a trace.
Never has homicide, blackmail, arson and forgery been so well-dressed - and civilized.
September 3, 2024
I love this audiobook. The narrator is completely delightful and has such a snobbish air about her characters when it's needed! She is a Great storyteller as she winds a tale about high society and murder. People die in this book that I just couldn't believe should die and false accusations fly and hurt beloved characters left and right. Much praise to Jane Hitchcock for her tale. It's so nice not being rich and just living through the characters days. And mad props to Barbara Rosenblat for her talented voice. I will be checking out this audiobook again in the future as I really can't get enough of it!
March 6, 2020
A 3 1/2. This is the third book I’ve read by this author and I really enjoyed this book as well. Jo Slater a wealthy widow in her 50’s living in New York gets involved with the disappearance of her good friend’s and recently remarried ex husband. Did his current wife kill him to get to his fortune or is he alive somewhere as he is prone to disappear due to his psychological disorder? Every one in this novel is ridiculously wealthy and there first world problems are fun to read about. Not a must but a really fun read.
August 5, 2025
"Russell is gone. We found his scull floating in the water." "His SKULL?" So this book starts out with a little silliness, a Cary Grant romance perhaps, but with more cusswords. It slides into Hitchcock (Alfred, not Jane, who has recently died). Short chapters, quick read, Upper East Side society, ending in a shaky boat over a trench in the Atlantic Ocean. Perfect for when "the travails of the rich are far more fun to contemplate than the real threats of life".
September 25, 2025
Notes mostly for myself.
I enjoyed this story—part mystery, part high society expose. A good follow up to the first Jo Slater book, although I read this one first. That may have made this book better since I had more to figure out, although it spoiled reading book 1 which I did later. Anyway, a fun romp through high society New Yorkmcity and all the social climbing and intrigue (and crime) that having/gaining/losing money can engender.
I enjoyed this story—part mystery, part high society expose. A good follow up to the first Jo Slater book, although I read this one first. That may have made this book better since I had more to figure out, although it spoiled reading book 1 which I did later. Anyway, a fun romp through high society New Yorkmcity and all the social climbing and intrigue (and crime) that having/gaining/losing money can engender.
March 4, 2018
I found in this book that there were too many descriptive paragraphs, meaning you could easily follow the story line by reading the first and last sentence of each paragraph and still keep up without feeling like you have missed anything.
Plus I felt the story line was predictable, therefore not really keeping you interested.
Plus I felt the story line was predictable, therefore not really keeping you interested.
August 1, 2018
I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed this book! It’s been a long time since I stayed up to 12:40 a.m. to finish a book. I love the characters, the angst, the imagination of the author. I would love to have the author over for dinner one night. I think we could be great friends. Highly recommend, but you need to read Social Crimes first.
November 1, 2019
It's amazing how many people Jo Slater can kill and still be a likable character. I did feel this story was very similar to the first book, because once again there is a "dangerous lady" making Jo's life difficult and trying to take over New York society. But I still enjoyed it and would read another book in this series if she wrote one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2021
A fun little mystery with a lush setting, JSH spins a frothy tale. This was a welcome relief after some heavier go’s with Nordic noir. Does the real villain suffer in the end? Jo Slater is likable as protagonists go. As someone else said, not a must-read, but a fun read if you enjoy descriptions of art, couture, design, decor and money gone wrong. Or just need a break from the intense.
June 24, 2025
Solid 3 1/2 stars. These books are fluff, but they have some intrigue when you get deep enough into them, you just have to stay through the fluff. This books gets good about 250 pages in. But it is an odd look at the uber-rich and a fun little "getaway" book for when you have been reading too many heavy mysteries!
July 14, 2018
I absolutely loved this enthralling thriller with so many twists and turns! There was so much to the story. It wasn't an easily predictable murder plot, but had an ending that no one could see coming.
January 1, 2019
Book #2 in the Jo Slater series is another winner! I literally could not put this book down. Just when you thought the privileged set could not possibly get any crazier, they take it up another notch. Can't wait for Book #3!!
April 27, 2020
A comeback story worth reading if social crimes got under your skin like it did mine
Just fun reading and not so far off from the truth of high society nyc and Europe —maybe even a little toned down ! Mystery for the summer
Just fun reading and not so far off from the truth of high society nyc and Europe —maybe even a little toned down ! Mystery for the summer
April 8, 2022
I love Jane Stanton Hitchcock's books. They shine a light on New York high society, where often the wicked seem to prevail . . . until they don't. This was something that if I had the time, i would have read in one fell swoop.
May 18, 2022
I will confess to staying up late to finish this book because it was entertaining. I found it really unbelievable though hence the three stars. Carla would have had to be a genius to have known and planned all of those things.
April 5, 2025
Not a big fan of this type of mystery. Too many super rich folks cavorting around the world and committing crimes. Wanted to quit half-way through but kept at it waiting to see if the vilainess would be caught out....wont' spoil the ending but it did have a few twists to it.
January 25, 2018
New York society, money, scandal and murder. What more does a story need?
March 29, 2018
Rich and famous of New York society. Carla Cole seems to get everything she wants...but is she a murderer? Cute mystery. 3.5
May 3, 2019
2nd in this series about a NYC socialite who keeps getting involved inmurder
September 14, 2019
Second in a series, which I did not realize so I didnt understand some references.
January 14, 2021
Very enjoyable.....I really liked it -
January 19, 2021
The first one was better. Dragged on longer than it needed to.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews