Cartel Wives: A True Story of Deadly Decisions, Steadfast Love, and Bringing Down El Chapo

by Mia Flores, Olivia Flores, Joy Nash (Narrator)

Olivia and Mia Flores are married to the highest level drug traffickers ever to become US informants. Their husbands worked with--and then brought down--El Chapo, as well as dozens of high-level members of the Mexican cartels. They had everything money could buy: luxury cars, huge houses, and expensive jewelry--but they chose to give it all up when they cooperated with the US government. They knew that life was about more than wealth; it was about love, family, and doing what's right. Cartel Wives is a love story, a "Married to the Mob" story, an insider's look into the terrifying but high-flying empire of the new world of drugs, and, finally, the story of a major DEA and FBI operation.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Memoir, Crime, History, Audiobook

Audio CD

Published June 20, 2017

Reviews

[Bren fall in love with the sea. · Rating 3 out of 5]

"To our kids' friends, we're just average soccer moms.

In truth, we're the wives of identical twin brothers who are almost single-handedly responsible for
the meteoric rise of narcotics in the United States over the last two decades".

Cartel Wives: A True Story of Deadly Decisions, Steadfast Love, and Bringing Down El Chapo by Mia Flores & Olivia Flores



Wow. I sure learned more then I really wanted to know about the drug smuggling trade. This book, Cartel Wives, was written by the wives of two members of the cartel that brought down El Chapo. It was an intriguing read I will say that much. I have very mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, these women were brave to even write this book. But on the other hand, they do seem to attempt to justify an awful lot.

To be honest, it got a bit tedious after awhile. You'd think a book on this subject matter would be, at the very least, unputdownable but it wasn't. That doesn't mean I regret reading it.

I really got a look into this subculture and was a little freaked out at some of it. While not my favorite book, it is interesting and for fans of non fiction, it maybe appealing. I also read this while on vacation so I really did not give it as much time and thought as I would have, had I been in other circumstances when I read it.

I would still give it a solid 3 rating but it's a tough read.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mia Flores and Olivia Flores now live under assumed names. To their neighbours, they are typical single mothers, their days filled with school runs and PTA meetings. However, they are anything but ordinary. They live in fear, hiding from a past which brought unimagined wealth but, ultimately, equally unimagined danger. They are married to Chicago-born twin brothers “Junior” (Margarito, Jr) and “Peter” (Pedro) Flores, the highest level American drug traffickers ever to become US informants and who are now serving prison sentences, not due to be released until 2021. These men first worked with and then brought down, dozens of high-level members of the Mexican cartels, most significantly the notorious kingpin Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman.
Although the brothers and their wives had everything money could buy they eventually realised that the vast wealth accompanying cartel life came with an ever-present threat of kidnapping, death or imprisonment. Choosing their families over money, they decided to give it all up and cooperate with the US government. From behind the cloak of witness protection Olivia and Mia share their story and offer an intimate insight into the dangerous and murky world of a drug empire, the federal government operation to bring down one of the most feared man in that world and the effects on their own families.
There were many ways in which I found certain aspects of this book fascinating and certainly learnt a lot about the extent of the Mexican drugs cartels and the ways in which the Federal Government operation to bring down such notorious criminals was, ultimately, successful. However, I have to admit that I also felt distinctly uncomfortable reading about these lives which, in so many ways, were based on such obscene excess. The families enjoyed all the trappings of a level of wealth which is unimaginable to most people, with apparently no regard to the levels of misery being experienced by those who were taking the drugs the Flores brothers were importing into the USA. Whilst countless people were living in poverty and misery and thousands were dying as a result, the Flores families were living celebrity life-styles, buying properties, cars, jewellery and planes – even their pets were pampered, with dogs’ claws being painted! In the book Mia refers to the fact that there was so much money available that she became virtually oblivious to it. As much as $3 million was kept in bundles at home so when she needed money she would just grab two or three when she needed cash – a bit different to the limits imposed by the cash machine withdrawals most of us have to rely on!
I know that Mia and Olivia claim that the story is meant as a cautionary tale but I find it impossible to in any way identify with people who, for so many years, were able to turn a blind-eye to so much whilst they enjoyed such a luxurious life-style. They were able to rationalise any awareness of the “dirty” aspects of their husbands’ activities on the basis that the men were caring, loving husbands and fathers and were also good to the extended family. I got the feeling that as a reader I was expected to believe that because they eventually decided to help the government, they had now become the “good guys”. I simply cannot see them in that light, although I can feel pleased that their decision has probably saved lots of lives. The fact is that the primary motivation for their decision was because they were scared that they and their families would be killed in a drugs war and so chose to help the government. Although that is understandable, it doesn’t make them either heroes or martyrs, or deserving of sympathy. Living out the rest of their lives in the knowledge that if their new identities are revealed their lives will be in danger from members of the drugs cartels is in no way an enviable way to live. However, all actions have consequences and this is the price they will have to pay for their criminal activities in the past. I hope they all find a way to create a better future for themselves and their children.
Although there were many ways in which I found this a disturbing and disagreeable story (hence my low rating) it would certainly provide a wide range of themes for any reading group to discuss – debate would, I’m sure, be lively!
My thanks to Readers First and Atlantic Books for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Ashley Fernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

SUPER interesting. But a little over the top at times how much they are trying to validate their actions and feelings for others approval. A really good, easy, captivating read!

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very disappointing. The writing style was nothing special. I found it hard to read over and over again that they were good people. Good people are not ones who provide drugs that kill. The money thrown around and the life style were ridiculous. I gave it two stars only because I did learn unbelievable information about how drugs are transported. Feel so sorry for the parents of these two women.

[Christina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sooo...I just couldn’t get past the limited view these women had on their lives. They felt that because they were good husbands and fathers and treated their employees well and were amazing businessmen, it was no big deal that they were major leaders in a drug cartel. Obviously that must change down the line in the book, because they do turn themselves in and give the police a ton intel. These women came from good families, and that broke my heart too. Anyway, I decided to put it down and read something more interesting, well-written and inspiring.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Poorly written. The construction of the memoir did not flow well. Furthermore, the content was garbage. It was unreal the disconnect both of the women felt from what their husbands did to their own associates. They set up people UNDER them and then their wives have the nerve to complain the bad treatment their husbands received? Now they write a book and will make money on it. Don't buy it. If you're inclined to read it, get it from the library.

[Marva Tutt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fear for their lives

The more and more I read, the more I feared for their lives. All the details, names, husbands becoming informants and they named all the players. Even if they changed the names, the drug game knows who they are. I really hope witness protection for them is good because I fear for their lives.

[Shaun Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

GLAMORIZING Their Lives

They seem to think that their drug dealing husbands are heroes. They spend most of the book glorifying their lifestyle only to apologize for it in the last two pages. The wives try to make it seem like their children are the !pat important things to them, yet one ditched their son and ran off to live a life in Mexico

[Lacy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The two women that tell this story are disgusting human beings.

[Kanieszna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jak spaść z wysokiego konia. Życie wśród diamentów, drogich samochodów, pięknych rezydencji i milionów takich, że są nie do wydania jest super, ale bardzo, bardzo krótkie. I niebezpieczne. Żyjesz jak królowa przez 5 lat, a później jest nic, czarna otchłań i odwracanie się za siebie przez całe życie. Oczywiście, jeżeli przeżyjesz.

[Debbie Vaughan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was very interesting especially being from Chicago. The topic is fascinating and it keeps you wanting to see what happens next. But the writing was just ok and it was a bit aggravating how the wives tried to come off as innocent and just wanting a quiet, wonderful family life when it was drugs, which ruin families, paying for their lavish lifestyles.

[Marjorie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is quite a hard book to review as I did find myself frequently questioning the veracity of the information - I am an eternal sceptic it must be said. I just kept wondering if the Flores Twins had decided to become informants because they knew the net was closing in on them and this was the only way they could protect their families or if they really had experienced some sort of Damascene moment. Whichever way it happened they did become informants and their respective wives wholeheartedly believe that it was an altruistic act.

Olivia and Mia Flores certainly do not shy away from showing themselves in a less than flattering light in sections of the book. They both know that they have made bad choices in the past and they both seem to believe that Peter and Junior have been their salvations to a better life. Not a wealthier life as this has all been lost or clawed back by the Federal Government as it was all proceeds of crime but a spiritually better life.

I would be very interested to read the accounts of Peter and Junior about these years in their lives and compare and contrast with their wife's impressions. The twins are almost sanctified by their wives and it is very hard for someone from a country not torn apart by drug wars and cartels to rationalise the situations they were all in. Yes, a lot of these situations could have been avoided by making better decisions but they didn't so here they find themselves and I do wonder if some sort of gloss has been put on the story, a patina to show two (extremely) high ranking drug dealers as loving family men in the run up to their release from jail in the early 2020s.

You can't help but compare this to the accounts authored by Nicholas Pileggi of the New York Mafia. Unfortunately, this volume comes off less well against that comparison and I cannot really pout my finger on why. They are both tales of extreme violence juxtaposed with a strong moral code when it comes to interpersonal relationships and family. Somehow we can inhabit Pileggi's world in a way that we cannot with this more modern telling from the Flores ladies.

I have ended up feeling somehow ambivalent about this book.

I RECEIVED A FREE COPY OF THIS BOOK FROM READERS FIRST IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.

[Angela L · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone who's watched The Wire, and seen accounts of drug raddled neighbourhoods in Baltimore, I thought I had a handle of the level of the drug issue in the USA.
Reading this book though, I now realise I had no idea of the sheer scale of drugs being moved around and the staggering amount of cash changing hands.
This book follows the life of the Flores twins, Junior and Peter, who were major drug traffickers in Chicago. They marry Olivia and Mia and all enjoy the benefits of the high rolling life for a while. However, as they find themselves deeper in the pockets of Mexican drug cartels they realise that they are either stuck in that violent life forever or they have to bring the whole lot crashing down by testifying against the drug barons.
They choose the latter and a life of wires, prison and witness protection begins.
It's hard to feel much sympathy for any of them - they chose that life after all. If being kidnapped, constantly under threat of death and living the rest of their years looking over their shoulder are the consequences of obscene wealth for a while then I'll stick to an ordinary level of income thanks!

[Pamela Higgins · Rating 2 out of 5]

I listened to this book for a book club. There is no way I would have finished it if I read it. I found the authors (who in effect are criminals for their involvement) tone deaf. Sure, their husbands turned on the cartel but only after years of distributing drugs that probably killed and/or ruined thousands and thousands of lives.

[GRACIE HAWKINS · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best memoir I have ever read. What a roller coaster ride. Coming from Chicago it definitely hits home.

[Pauline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Horrible writing. Horrible editing. This is a hard book to rate because even given the poor writing I did find it interesting while also being completely disgusted by it. I don't have a problem reading difficult content. Instead, what disgusted me is how completely ignorant and out of touch these wives are. They were so completely over the top about what great guys their husbands are, without taking ownership for the many lives lost at the hands of their husbands due to the massive amounts of drugs they trafficked.

Clearly they are not honest women given what has come out about them in recent years well after the book was released. They've pled guilty for money laundering and kept aside millions when they claim in the book that they turned over all their money. They wrote that they were happier without the money. Of course in the book, there is no mention of them ever getting jobs so of course it makes sense they didn't turn over all the cash as they claimed. They are proven liars so it's hard to know how much of this book is believable.

I was so turned off by the many ways they spoke out of both sides of their mouths.
- Angry that El Chapo was considered a celebrity yet essentially repeating over and over how famous their husbands are. I got so tired of hearing how they were "the most significant drug informants in US history." We get it already, you don't need to repeat that 5,000 times!
- They didn't initially want to be in the Witness Protection Program, yet complain about how the Feds weren't properly protecting them.
- They kept repeating how their husbands put all their lives at risk by turning informants. Who are they kidding? They turned into informants because their lives were in danger by the business they were in. They barely survived multiple kidnappings! It's like they felt the US Government owe'd them the world. Absolutely out of touch and crazy.

It also truly made me laugh when one of the wives was going on and on about how "genius" the twins are and that they could have been CEOs of huge corporations. The example she used of their "genius" was how they copied McDonald's practice of having employees focus on only one thing (like making fries OR being a cashier) and they built their whole trafficking business on the same concept.

I was so turned off by how foolish these women were, yet at the same time found reading the book (knowing there are probably multiple lies in it) quite interesting.

I feel so bad for both women's parents - they each have hard working Chicago policeman for fathers. How embarrassing for their dads. And although they grew up in honest, hardworking families they claim that turning to drugs was the only way to get ahead for people like them in Chicago. Give me a break.

[Scott Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Audiobook) I might have rated this higher, if not for looking up the fates of the two wives in question. Perhaps being in the drug business, it was inevitable that they would get into legal trouble, especially where money is concerned. Anyway, the work is an interesting perspective of those deep in the world of the Mexican Cartels, especially when it came to those closes to El Chapo, arguably the most powerful cartel lord in Mexico before his 2016 arrest/extradition. The women, Mia and Olivia Flores, came from fairly solid families in Chicago, but they fell prey to their environment, and eventually, found themselves in love with twins that excelled in the drug business. Sometimes, the work doesn’t always seem to be true, that the love aspects and the generally over-the-top positive impressions of their husbands can seem a bit of a put-on. That this is a memoir, such attitudes are not shocking. Yet the insight into the Mexican cartels and what that life is like for those high up in the food chain, is fascinating to read.

The work was published in 2017-18, so there are some years/time to account for. Unfortunately, the women at the center of this account couldn’t resist the temptations of money, especially that funding stored from the various drug smuggling schemes, and both were sentenced to jail time for money laundering in 2022. Still, the work is a solid read, but just don’t buy too much into the women’s viewpoints, as they are far from impartial observers here.

[The Little Bookie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this week to be quite easy reading, likely due to the fact the whole thing was written in section jumping back and forth between Mia and Olivias POV. I found some of their story very interesting but I also found myself doubting the authenticity of the information so many times throughout. I also felt like the tone of the whole book was very poor me poor I, I chose to turn a blind eye but I am not a bad person. It isn't until the very end when they actually talk about guilt for what their husband's had done and they had been involved and aided in. I am sure in a cartel infested country there would have been little choice in alot of things especially wheb the twins whole family were brought up like this but it's sad it took that long to get to that conclusion. As it says in the book they now live a life sentence always looking over their shoulder which is sad, I hope they get to live out the little quiet life in peace. I probably wouldn't read this again but if you liked things like Queen of the South and Narcos then you would likely enjoy this book.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting, keep you on the edge of your seat, true story.
I found it started out a little slow as you were going through the history of younger lives but soon enough the book picked up some speed and got going. Life went from middle class to high class when the women met their to be husbands.
Eventually a move to Mexico needed to be made and things jumped from their high class to being next in line under El Chapo who was a top of the line Drug Lord. In order to step out of the game that the men had known their entire lives they needed to turn themselves in and become informants to ultimately gain their freedom.
Freedom, of course comes with a cost to them and their families. Set to be released in 2021 they will all spend the rest of their lives looking over their shoulders and aren't guaranteed any modicum of safety that the rest of us take for granted.
I would recommend this book as it is an interesting look into the Cartels and the drug trade that exists all over the world.

[Kerry Henderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mia and Olivia Flores tell the story of their husbands and their decision to turn in some of biggest names in the Mexican drug trade.

This was an interesting read and had some really dramatic moments. It's very clear that it's written from the wives pov but it's very real at the same time. I'd love to see this same story told from their husbands pov to compare. The ending was still slightly open as of course this is still on going. It was good to see that the men did hold their hands up and admit they were guilty. My feelings flickered through the story as to whether they should get a long sentence or not. The hardest bit was seeing what it did to their children at times it was hard not to wonder why they chose to have children but it was clear they loved them very much and out them first.

An interesting gritty true story.

[Julie Mrs Always Reading Something · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cartel Wives
By Mia Flores and Olivia Flores
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

I don’t usually give a star dating to memoirs. But this isn’t really the same type of memoir…

This was the true story of the two men -twins- who were huge in the drug trafficking world, working as informants to bring down El Chapo, told in tandem by their wives.

I learned a lot about the inner workings of cartel life… but, honesty, as a retired law enforcement officer, I am annoyed at the justifications these sisters-in-law tried to peddle.

I think I need to sit with my thoughts a bit because my gut reaction after finishing is negative. It was also a lot to slog through at the end.

The story itself was interesting but the whining and complaining was a bit much. And knowing that these entitled women are living off the US Government in the Witness Protection Program rubs me the wrong way.

[Readerready · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant; This book was brilliant, an interesting read that I couldn’t put down. A well wrote true story from the wives of twin US informants who helped the US government, bring down the notorious El Chapo and other significant members of the cartel, telling their story for the first time. I really enjoyed it, maybe because It was different to most other crime writing, and this book showed a family’s point of view in a world of crime. I would definitely recommend it to friends, it captured the emotions of the authors and where they were at during the time, I could picture what they were saying. I had not known anything before about the Flores family, and only heard bits about El Chapo, but this book has changed that.

[Hazel Tyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a life they have have all led!
Drugs, danger and a lot of dosh!
Olivia and Mia have told their story in such a perfect way, managing to capture the real dangers that they faced from not only their point of view but also from their husbands. The build up to the ultimate betrayal of getting El Chapo arrested was amazing. What the Flores Twins put themselves through and still managed to carry on it truely astonishing. To think that this is a true story, it's definitely go tthe makings of a great movie!
The downside to the story is that forever more they will all have to look over their shoulders all the time, just in case someone from their pasts become part of the present....for all of the wrong reasons. I hope the kids do not follow in their fathers and mothers footsteps.

[Orláith · Rating 2 out of 5]

I entered a draw to win a copy of this book as I thought the synopsis sounded quite interesting and as I've just recently finished watching a fictional show about drug lords and drug runners in the US and Mexico, Cartel Wives certainly piqued my interest.

Sadly, it did not live up to my expectations. While the overall storyline was exactly what I was looking for in terms of drama and suspense, the actual writing of the book left me struggling to get through it in its entirety.

I can't help but feel that had the authors employed a talented writer to ghostwrite their memoirs for them, I would have enjoyed their story so much more.

As it stands I feel that I cannot recommend this book, although everyone's tastes are different so I'm sure other readers will enjoy what I have not.

[D.T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly worth a read. Shows some insight into the Mexican cartel and some cold hard facts to some young people that romanticize the drug-dealing world and the consequences of being romantically involved with someone in that lifestyle. Of course, while interesting there are definitely times I was bored with unexciting details. Inadvertently, the glorification of riches and dirty money is present, but I suppose that comes with the territory. Pumping drugs into communities just has never sat right with me, but that's another topic.

now, this is real life, and no one's perfect but...Mia and Olivia made some bird-ish decisions. I just have to be honest. Some of it I don't even understand.

[Yuli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting. I think they tried to justify there actions a little to much. They are trying to show how good there husbands really are but never mentioned how there jobs negatively impacted so many lives. I feel bad for Olivia and Mia. I hope there kids get to see there fathers again.. I'm glad Junior and Peter took responsibility for there actions. I feel bad that there dad got kidnapped and killed because of this. Olivia was very dominant and I feel that she chose her husband over her first child many times like leaving Xavier with her parents. Mia was suppose to be a good girl but they both spent so much money knowing it was dirty. I applaud Mia and Olivia for being brave and telling there story. They knew it was bad.

[Kylie Luciano · Rating 3 out of 5]

Soooo interesting!!!!! The cartel business is a whole other world. How terrifying. It kind of got me thinking at the end how the girls share their perspective of El Chapo and how others react to him- making memes, t-shirts, and dressing up as him for Halloween. Makes you become more aware of how that can be taken as offensive. Just like some people dress up as serial killers like Jeffrey Dahmer or John Wayne Gacy… it’s really sick!!! Ugh I also went on a deep dive on the internet looking up the cartel, more books I can read and documentaries I can watch. lol.

I rated 3.5 because part of the story at the end makes it seem like the girls did nothing wrong. Idk how to describe it but… Mia Flores has been found guilty in 2023 of a money laundering scheme… sooo… 🐸 ☕️ 💅

[ANITA · Rating 3 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down. I initially picked this book up for research, but found myself drawn into the realm. It is definitely something I only want to read about.
There seemed to be a few contractions and I couldn't help but to believe Olivia was running things as well, but her husband made sure she was not charged. The kidnappings also had me wondering where was their security. You can't be doing that much without security. They would have the readers to believe they were innocent and looking out for their emplyees but towards the end they turn on their loyal workers. SMH on most parts, but it definitely kept my attention.

[Gabrielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two wives whose husband's lead the biggest cartel movements between the US and Mexico write a story on what they experienced.

I havent read a memoir in a while but this was eye opening. I cannot believe how much drugs is trafficked. They prefer cocaine and meth over weed. They told the story of their husband's turning themselves in and taking down El Chapo. The Flores brothers will be released 2021. That's so soon! They've experienced kidnappings and wealth like no one ever had before. Now they have nothing but love and family.

[Cony · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dos testimonios de lo que es ser esposas de narcotraficantes. Una historia muy romantizada, a veces cargada de victimismo y supuesto desconocimiento de lo que hacían los hermanos Flores (los jóvenes narcos de los que se enamoran Olivia y Mia). Lo valioso del libro es, para quienes no conocemos mucho ese mundo, entender las redes de poder y dinero que se tejen, los grandes volúmenes de dinero e influencia que traspasan todos los ámbitos y colores sociales. Es de lectura rápida, pero a ratos es tedioso leer tanta defensa férrea contra dos, finalmente, criminales.