If you enjoy character-driven fiction, complex plotting, and a healthy dose of wit and humor, then the Long Con series is a must-read. "Long Con 3 Eve Sweet" is a great starting point, but I recommend reading the series in order to fully appreciate the character development and plot progression.
Given the lack of mainstream references, is almost certainly one of the following:
By validating the correct assumptions of other players and gently steering them away from her allies (or her own hidden agenda), she built a reservoir of "social credit." In the world of deception, being "useful" is often a better disguise than being "quiet." Eve provided value, offering analysis that seemed impartial but was subtly curated to protect her long-term interests.