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Joe DeMarco #10
House Secrets: A Joe DeMarco Thriller
Mike Lawson’s previous novels starring Joe DeMarco, fixed for the Speaker of the House have earned him a loyal following from thriller aficionados and a place among the most talented and captivating thriller writers focusing on the dangerous games of our nation’s capital.
In House Secrets , DeMarco is sent to investigate the death of a reporter, the son of one of his boss’s old colleagues, even though it appears to be nothing more than an unfortunate accident. He soon learns that the reporter was on the trail of Senator Paul Morelli, a rising star considered a shoe-in for his party’s presidential nomination. Some politicians are lucky, and Morelli has been luckier than most, but his past has already been thoroughly scrutinized and he looks clean. But then, why is DeMarco being followed by a pair of rogue agents who freelance for the CIA?
Dirty secrets, beltway politics, and divided loyalties threaten as DeMarco’s investigation spirals dangerously out of control. Filled with surprising twists, a captivating plot, and excellent characters both old and new, House Secrets is Lawson’s best book yet.
In House Secrets , DeMarco is sent to investigate the death of a reporter, the son of one of his boss’s old colleagues, even though it appears to be nothing more than an unfortunate accident. He soon learns that the reporter was on the trail of Senator Paul Morelli, a rising star considered a shoe-in for his party’s presidential nomination. Some politicians are lucky, and Morelli has been luckier than most, but his past has already been thoroughly scrutinized and he looks clean. But then, why is DeMarco being followed by a pair of rogue agents who freelance for the CIA?
Dirty secrets, beltway politics, and divided loyalties threaten as DeMarco’s investigation spirals dangerously out of control. Filled with surprising twists, a captivating plot, and excellent characters both old and new, House Secrets is Lawson’s best book yet.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published July 7, 2015
197 people are currently reading
330 people want to read
About the author
Mike Lawson
51 books437 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Pen name: M.A Lawson
Michael Lawson was raised in Pueblo, Colorado and attended college at Seattle University, receiving a degree in engineering. On leaving college he went to work for the US Navy as a nuclear engineer, spending approximately thirty years working for the Navy's nuclear power program. Some of this time was spent in Washington D.C. but most was spent at a large naval shipyard in Bremerton, Washington.
At the shipyard he managed a number of different organizations related to overhauling nuclear powered submarines, cruisers, and aircraft carriers, ending up as a member of the government’s Senior Executive Service
To date he has published 12 books starring Joe DeMarco, a fixer for a corrupt politician and three books in his Kay Hamilton series under the name of M. A. Lawson: He has won the Friend of Mystery Award twice and is a five time nominee for the Barry Award.
He lives in the Pacific Northwest.
Pen name: M.A Lawson
Michael Lawson was raised in Pueblo, Colorado and attended college at Seattle University, receiving a degree in engineering. On leaving college he went to work for the US Navy as a nuclear engineer, spending approximately thirty years working for the Navy's nuclear power program. Some of this time was spent in Washington D.C. but most was spent at a large naval shipyard in Bremerton, Washington.
At the shipyard he managed a number of different organizations related to overhauling nuclear powered submarines, cruisers, and aircraft carriers, ending up as a member of the government’s Senior Executive Service
To date he has published 12 books starring Joe DeMarco, a fixer for a corrupt politician and three books in his Kay Hamilton series under the name of M. A. Lawson: He has won the Friend of Mystery Award twice and is a five time nominee for the Barry Award.
He lives in the Pacific Northwest.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
November 28, 2020
It’s the summer of 2017 and I needed a break from the constant flow of news about misuse of power and lies and government corruption. So I chose another in the series of political thrillers involving Joe DeMarco, the guy who “doesn’t work for the former Speaker of the House.” And, of course the plot includes the misuse of power and lies and government corruption.
Some have called Joe a “fixer.” I believe he would consider himself a non-voluntary problem solver. He is officially on the House of Representatives payroll with an office in one of the lowest level basements of a House Office Building where he gets to ponder his growing older and his lack of a career when he isn’t doing “Speaker” Mahoney’s little chores. Those chores can range from getting one of the Speaker’s relatives out of hot water to collecting what might be an embarrassing “campaign contribution” from someone who doesn’t want their name to appear on the official rolls.
Here is a bit of his conversation with an FBI agent who realized the clout that DeMarco brings:
“…And then my boss will have to convince Mahoney and Mahoney will probably ask you if I’ve done everything I can. So I want you to know that I’m busting my ass on this case, but at some point you and Mahoney may have to accept the fact that I can’t find the evidence need to convict someone. I also want you to know it really pisses me off that I have to satisfy you that I’m doing my job.”
“Sorry, Agent,” DeMarco said, not sound sorry at all. “By the way, are you ever going to tell me your first name so I don’t have to keep calling you Agent? With all this clout you seem to think I have, I can probably find out on my own if you won’t tell me.”
“My name is Bertha. Okay? Are you satisfied? And if you ever call me Bertha, I’ll shoot you.”
“So what do your friends call you?”
“You’re not my friend, DeMarco.”
If there was a “typical” assignment for DeMarco, it would not be the one that leads off this book’s plot. Mahoney has heard from a Vietnam buddy who is concerned about his granddaughter. She is an activist who blogs about the Dakota/Montana environmental scene. As she sees it, there have been plenty of instances where industrialists with substantial land interests have been able to convince the “greener” state legislators to do an about face. She has been focusing on one of those, a big-time guy in the fracking business named Curtis and her grandfather tells Mahoney about the threats, both written and physical, that she had received recently. Because the grandfather saved Mahoney’s life in Vietnam, there was little doubt that DeMarco would be sent to see what he could do. Fortunately, DeMarco is as clueless about life on the prairie and local politics as most of us are so we get up to speed as he does.
“You know anything about state government in Montana or the Dakotas?”
“No”
“Yeah, well, the chances are if you lived in one of those states, you still wouldn’t know anything. People pay attention to national politics because that’s mostly what’s on the news. They know if the President’s thinking about bombing Iran or screwing with Social Security, but they don’t have a clue what’s happening in their own state legislature. To find out what’s going on in a state legislature you have to really want to know. You have to watch some little local channel that nobody watches and that’s drier than dirt. You have to read bills that are written in some language other than English. So nobody pays a lot of attention to what’s going on in Helena, Pierre or Bismarck, but that’s where the action really is. If a state can pass a law that’s not covered by federal law, they can make anything happen. Hell, the states can even pass laws that go against federal law and sometimes the federal government can’t do anything to stop them. To use a simple example, it’s like in Washington and Colorado where they passed laws legalizing pot even though the feds say pot’s illegal…
“The other thing you need to understand…is that the people elected to state legislatures are paid hardly anything. They barely make minimum wage. In South Dakota, a legislator is paid twelve thousand dollars a year and gets a hundred and ten dollars a day in per diem when the legislature is in session. If you do the math, that’s less than eighteen grand if you don’t take special session into account. And it’s about the same in Montana and North Dakota. What that means is that these legislators, unless they’re rich or retired with pensions, all have other jobs. They’re ranchers and farmers and salesmen and teachers. Hell, half of them take the job because they need the lousy salary it pays. The other thing is, a lot of times they’ll run unopposed because who else wants a job that pays so little?
“So what I’m trying to tell you is if you want to control what happens in a state, you don’t waste your money bribing Montana’s only congressman in the U.S. House of Representatives. What you do in introduce a bill in the Montana statehouse that does what you want, and if you need the votes, you pay off these part-time politicians who need the money.”
This is a good example of what I like about Mike Lawson’s writing. He knows his venues, his agencies and his industries. He makes his situations plausible and his characters interesting enough…even when they are just supporting the plot. Along with a top-notch thriller, we get a convincing plot involving current issues. If the ending is just a little convenient, I would still say my satisfaction reaches 4.5 stars. It’s one of his best.
Some have called Joe a “fixer.” I believe he would consider himself a non-voluntary problem solver. He is officially on the House of Representatives payroll with an office in one of the lowest level basements of a House Office Building where he gets to ponder his growing older and his lack of a career when he isn’t doing “Speaker” Mahoney’s little chores. Those chores can range from getting one of the Speaker’s relatives out of hot water to collecting what might be an embarrassing “campaign contribution” from someone who doesn’t want their name to appear on the official rolls.
Here is a bit of his conversation with an FBI agent who realized the clout that DeMarco brings:
“…And then my boss will have to convince Mahoney and Mahoney will probably ask you if I’ve done everything I can. So I want you to know that I’m busting my ass on this case, but at some point you and Mahoney may have to accept the fact that I can’t find the evidence need to convict someone. I also want you to know it really pisses me off that I have to satisfy you that I’m doing my job.”
“Sorry, Agent,” DeMarco said, not sound sorry at all. “By the way, are you ever going to tell me your first name so I don’t have to keep calling you Agent? With all this clout you seem to think I have, I can probably find out on my own if you won’t tell me.”
“My name is Bertha. Okay? Are you satisfied? And if you ever call me Bertha, I’ll shoot you.”
“So what do your friends call you?”
“You’re not my friend, DeMarco.”
If there was a “typical” assignment for DeMarco, it would not be the one that leads off this book’s plot. Mahoney has heard from a Vietnam buddy who is concerned about his granddaughter. She is an activist who blogs about the Dakota/Montana environmental scene. As she sees it, there have been plenty of instances where industrialists with substantial land interests have been able to convince the “greener” state legislators to do an about face. She has been focusing on one of those, a big-time guy in the fracking business named Curtis and her grandfather tells Mahoney about the threats, both written and physical, that she had received recently. Because the grandfather saved Mahoney’s life in Vietnam, there was little doubt that DeMarco would be sent to see what he could do. Fortunately, DeMarco is as clueless about life on the prairie and local politics as most of us are so we get up to speed as he does.
“You know anything about state government in Montana or the Dakotas?”
“No”
“Yeah, well, the chances are if you lived in one of those states, you still wouldn’t know anything. People pay attention to national politics because that’s mostly what’s on the news. They know if the President’s thinking about bombing Iran or screwing with Social Security, but they don’t have a clue what’s happening in their own state legislature. To find out what’s going on in a state legislature you have to really want to know. You have to watch some little local channel that nobody watches and that’s drier than dirt. You have to read bills that are written in some language other than English. So nobody pays a lot of attention to what’s going on in Helena, Pierre or Bismarck, but that’s where the action really is. If a state can pass a law that’s not covered by federal law, they can make anything happen. Hell, the states can even pass laws that go against federal law and sometimes the federal government can’t do anything to stop them. To use a simple example, it’s like in Washington and Colorado where they passed laws legalizing pot even though the feds say pot’s illegal…
“The other thing you need to understand…is that the people elected to state legislatures are paid hardly anything. They barely make minimum wage. In South Dakota, a legislator is paid twelve thousand dollars a year and gets a hundred and ten dollars a day in per diem when the legislature is in session. If you do the math, that’s less than eighteen grand if you don’t take special session into account. And it’s about the same in Montana and North Dakota. What that means is that these legislators, unless they’re rich or retired with pensions, all have other jobs. They’re ranchers and farmers and salesmen and teachers. Hell, half of them take the job because they need the lousy salary it pays. The other thing is, a lot of times they’ll run unopposed because who else wants a job that pays so little?
“So what I’m trying to tell you is if you want to control what happens in a state, you don’t waste your money bribing Montana’s only congressman in the U.S. House of Representatives. What you do in introduce a bill in the Montana statehouse that does what you want, and if you need the votes, you pay off these part-time politicians who need the money.”
This is a good example of what I like about Mike Lawson’s writing. He knows his venues, his agencies and his industries. He makes his situations plausible and his characters interesting enough…even when they are just supporting the plot. Along with a top-notch thriller, we get a convincing plot involving current issues. If the ending is just a little convenient, I would still say my satisfaction reaches 4.5 stars. It’s one of his best.
October 7, 2015
Lawson returns with a tenth "House" series novel, in which he treats readers to a politically charged thriller with a fresh approach. Joe DeMarco has played the role of political fixer for many years. while under the employ of former House Speaker John Mahoney,. After being summoned to see Mahoney, DeMarco is sent to Montana to meet with the congressman's long-time friend. From there, DeMarco finds himself in North Dakota to protect a blogger with a chip on her shoulder and billionaire Leonard Curtis in her sights. Sarah Johnson has been documenting all the underhanded dealings Curtis has had, making money off the natural gas reserves in the state, while greasing the wheels of political and judicial actors to ensure his success. She has no proof, which does not sit well with DeMarco, but the tides soon turn, the more Johnson is able to share. DeMarco knows all about the role of middlemen in political schemes and is certain Curtis has a local crew dealing with the minitiae to ensure success. Working closely together, DeMarco and Johnson engage the FBI to help with the bribery allegations, which only paints a larger target on both their backs. These middlemen will stop at nothing to protect their boss and ensure they, too, are left alone, going so far as to orchestrate an elimination protocol. Once DeMarco sees the results of their blowback, he finds himself more invested than ever in the case and vows to uphold Johnson's memory while bringing Curtis down. Using his quick wit and sleuthing abilities, DeMarco tries to bring Curtis' antics to light and quashing these brokers once and for all. As the drama escalates, Lawson keeps the reader on the edge of their seats in this high-impact thriller.
Lawson effectively combines politics with a thriller novel to keep a large audience happy as they make their way from the corners of Washington's elite to the back alleys of America. His core set of characters allow the stories to branch off in many directions with few impediments, or character expectations to weigh down the narrative. DeMarco's easy going attitude allows him to work effectively, even in the barren wastelands of the Dakotas (I grew up North of there, so no need to toss evil glares). Lawson handles the story well, the characters effectively, and opens a fresh approach to the plot, which sets him apart from many of the other authors who have a firm grasp of the genre.
Kudos Mr. Lawson for a wonderful addition to the series and the genre. I look forward to the next instalment and other new ideas you bring to the table.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Lawson effectively combines politics with a thriller novel to keep a large audience happy as they make their way from the corners of Washington's elite to the back alleys of America. His core set of characters allow the stories to branch off in many directions with few impediments, or character expectations to weigh down the narrative. DeMarco's easy going attitude allows him to work effectively, even in the barren wastelands of the Dakotas (I grew up North of there, so no need to toss evil glares). Lawson handles the story well, the characters effectively, and opens a fresh approach to the plot, which sets him apart from many of the other authors who have a firm grasp of the genre.
Kudos Mr. Lawson for a wonderful addition to the series and the genre. I look forward to the next instalment and other new ideas you bring to the table.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
November 14, 2020
A good solid read. Lots of interesting twists and turns but mostly straight forward. You don't need to read the other 9 books to get a good read out of this one.
December 3, 2020
This was really classic DeMarco, good, bad, angry and lazy. He’s a horn dog, a barracuda, weasel, and an attack dog.
The opening and closing scenes are for me truly open mouth hilarious!
The opening and closing scenes are for me truly open mouth hilarious!
July 19, 2015
I have read all 10 books in this series and have enjoyed them.
June 26, 2019
Former Speaker of the House, John Mahoney, sends his guy, Joe DeMarco, to Montana to find out why a young woman is being targeted. Sarah's grandfather saved Mahoney's life in Vietnam and Mahoney knows he can never repay that service. Joe arrives and as he begins to investigate he uncovers a conspiracy that reaches across the entire state of Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota. It seems as though an oil and gas man from Houston is complicit in bribing judges and state representatives to fuel his take-over of the oil and gas business across the Northwest. Bodies begin to fall, beginning with Sarah's and Joe is going to find out who killed an innocent young woman and why. Lawson is always an entertaining read.
April 11, 2020
This one is a political thriller that shows the dark corrupt side of politics, power and wealth. Joe Demarco works for a high ranking Washington DC politician fixing problems for his boss and having access to use any federal resource he needs such as the FBI and the IRS. I have read several of the Joe Demarco series and really like the this author. Very realistic, unfortunately. Recommend this author and you will end up liking Joe D too.
January 31, 2021
Love this series. Joe DeMarco is asked by his boss, Congressman Mahoney, to go help the granddaughter of a war buddy. This takes DeMarco far away from his normal area of operations. He travels to Montana and North Dakota. The young woman, Sarah Johnson, is investigating a tycoon who she believes is involved in bribing lots of officials to get what he wants, and he wants lots of money. The tycoon is getting sick of Sarah writing all her accusations and wants her to go away. She has no proof and DeMarco tells her she need to chill a bit. She is then killed and he feels guilty. He decides it isn't a robbery gone bad and that it was a hit so he starts investigating. He gets her grandfather to help him along the way.
There are two people that appear to be 'fixers' like Joe who work for the tycoon and DeMarco homes in on them. He believes they have something to do with Sarah's death. He is also able to get Mahoney to get an FBI agent involved and she assists though grudgingly. There is also a hit man involved and it is hard for anyone to figure out who he is. Sarah wanted to do the right thing by exposing all the wrongdoings but couldn't convince anyone and with her death the insuing investigation is finally able to expose things she had been saying all along.
Story moved along at a good pace, love the DeMarco character, he is not perfect and is a bit lazy and doesn't always like what Mahoney asks him to do but he gets things done and does have a conscious. Interesting discussion about how things get done in the political system with all the background dealings and you can totally believe there is bribery happening.
There are two people that appear to be 'fixers' like Joe who work for the tycoon and DeMarco homes in on them. He believes they have something to do with Sarah's death. He is also able to get Mahoney to get an FBI agent involved and she assists though grudgingly. There is also a hit man involved and it is hard for anyone to figure out who he is. Sarah wanted to do the right thing by exposing all the wrongdoings but couldn't convince anyone and with her death the insuing investigation is finally able to expose things she had been saying all along.
Story moved along at a good pace, love the DeMarco character, he is not perfect and is a bit lazy and doesn't always like what Mahoney asks him to do but he gets things done and does have a conscious. Interesting discussion about how things get done in the political system with all the background dealings and you can totally believe there is bribery happening.
August 2, 2015
Joe DeMarco is back! I was so excited to read this as soon as it was released and I was not disappointed. This is the 10th book in the series. Joe is a "fix-it" guy for Mahoney, a congressman who used to be the speaker of the house. An old friend of the congressman calls and asks for his help saying his daughter has been attacked and threatened. Mahoney sends DeMarco to find out what happened. This is one of the first books where DeMarco is working primarily by himself. In earlier books, he worked closely with his friend Emma and she always seemed to be more of the "brains" behind the operation. In this story, DeMarco shows exactly how smart he is and how he can manipulate people to get what he wants - and in this case it's justice. Mahoney finally pulls in the FBI, and DeMarco works really well with the agent assigned. The banter between the two of them provides good comic relief. This story has a lot of conniving characters that makes it a suspenseful read. I love the character of DeMarco and the personality that Mike Lawson has given him. Another great book!
May 16, 2021
If you are fond of political/crime (they go together so naturally, don't you think?) novels with a well-drawn hero, this is a series for you. I've read them all and while a few are a tad predictable, Joe deMarco manages to get into some wonderful scrapes. The Speaker is the quintessential pol, his wife the ideal feisty helpmeet. And Emma is properly mysterious! Read them all! In order would be good but not really essential.
February 22, 2023
Plot. Joe DeMarco, a guy in his late 30s, has a law degree but cannot find a job because he is the son of a deceased mafia hitman. Joe has never been involved with the mob in any way; he's never even owned a gun. Joe gets a job working in the Capitol. Seems the Speaker of the House had an affair with Joe's aunt and she calls in a favor. Joe is a decent guy, divorced, a bit of a horn dog, lazy, and would rather be playing golf. Speaker of the House John Mahone is a demanding alcoholic, a womanizer, as crooked as all politicians, feared by everyone who knows him - except his wife - a gal everyone adores. Mahone has a few redeeming traits, like a love of the veteran. There is another character of interest. Emma is a woman of high moral standards, a retired deep black ops gal that knows everyone and everything. She hates Mahone because she knows he's a typically devious politician but treats Joe as an annoying younger brother.
The series consists of several full-length novels - each with a beginning - middle - end, meaning you don't have to start with book one, The Inside Ring - but it will help with continuity. Bribing for votes, blackmail, dirty politicians and cops from the FBI to local police, heroic war veterans, and many good guys. From the basement of the capitol to alligator swamps, the series contains a wide range of plots. Narration is fine - Scott Brick does the first two books, Joe Barrett the remainder - no issues with either.
The Joe DeMarco Series is written by Michael Lawson, each book in the area of 10 hours of listening in unabridged audiobook format, released starting in 2005 through today by Random House and Blackstone Publishing.
Entertaining.
The series consists of several full-length novels - each with a beginning - middle - end, meaning you don't have to start with book one, The Inside Ring - but it will help with continuity. Bribing for votes, blackmail, dirty politicians and cops from the FBI to local police, heroic war veterans, and many good guys. From the basement of the capitol to alligator swamps, the series contains a wide range of plots. Narration is fine - Scott Brick does the first two books, Joe Barrett the remainder - no issues with either.
The Joe DeMarco Series is written by Michael Lawson, each book in the area of 10 hours of listening in unabridged audiobook format, released starting in 2005 through today by Random House and Blackstone Publishing.
Entertaining.
May 15, 2024
Spoilers ahead:
As this is a long series, I won't be explaining the characters each time in each review. Please read the blurbs for an explanation of who the characters.
More justice porn. Sarah Johnson, an activist in Montana and the Dakotas has been investigating kickbacks to legislators and judges in return for passing laws and judgements to favor an oil and gas drilling baron (Curtis). For her troubles she had been warned and attacked. Her grandfather (Thorpe) was a friend of Mahoney's from Vietnam, so he calls up Mahoney who sends DeMarco to investigate.
This book goes into a little detail of gas and drilling in those 3 states and the lobbyists who work the legislators and court system. We kind of already know a little of how these things work (especially in Washington DC) because the protagonists of this series, DeMarco's boss Mahoney (and others) are depicted shamelessly doing the same things.
Anyway Sarah is murdered and the rest of the book is DeMarco avenging her. This is a fairly common DeMarco book theme, similar plots, just different settings and characters. The writing is easy to read and follow. I just didn't like the alternating POVs. I read the first few but it got repetitive and I ended up skipping them about 1/3 through. Overall not a bad book.
As this is a long series, I won't be explaining the characters each time in each review. Please read the blurbs for an explanation of who the characters.
More justice porn. Sarah Johnson, an activist in Montana and the Dakotas has been investigating kickbacks to legislators and judges in return for passing laws and judgements to favor an oil and gas drilling baron (Curtis). For her troubles she had been warned and attacked. Her grandfather (Thorpe) was a friend of Mahoney's from Vietnam, so he calls up Mahoney who sends DeMarco to investigate.
This book goes into a little detail of gas and drilling in those 3 states and the lobbyists who work the legislators and court system. We kind of already know a little of how these things work (especially in Washington DC) because the protagonists of this series, DeMarco's boss Mahoney (and others) are depicted shamelessly doing the same things.
Anyway Sarah is murdered and the rest of the book is DeMarco avenging her. This is a fairly common DeMarco book theme, similar plots, just different settings and characters. The writing is easy to read and follow. I just didn't like the alternating POVs. I read the first few but it got repetitive and I ended up skipping them about 1/3 through. Overall not a bad book.
March 11, 2019
As a Washington, D.C. fixer, Joe DeMarco has found himself in plenty of unexpected situations, but none takes him further out of his element than the one early in House Rivals, the latest book in Mike Lawson’s award-winning series: a three-day road trip through Montana and the Dakotas with a twenty-two-year-old firebrand blogger.
His young companion is Sarah Johnson, whose grandfather saved the life of DeMarco’s boss, Congressman John Mahoney, in Vietnam. It has fallen to DeMarco to protect Sarah in her crusade against a billionaire oil tycoon who has profited handsomely from the booming "Kuwait on the Prairie"—and who has been bribing small-time politicians and judges to keep things in his favor. Though she has no hard evidence against the man, Sarah has been receiving death threats for her meddling. DeMarco, given his years of experience bending the rules in D.C., is suspicious that there is someone like him pulling strings for the tycoon. And when the situation takes a violent turn, DeMarco quickly realizes that he has more of a stake in this young woman’s mission than he thought. The situation turns into a battle of who can outwit whom as more than one life becomes endangered.
His young companion is Sarah Johnson, whose grandfather saved the life of DeMarco’s boss, Congressman John Mahoney, in Vietnam. It has fallen to DeMarco to protect Sarah in her crusade against a billionaire oil tycoon who has profited handsomely from the booming "Kuwait on the Prairie"—and who has been bribing small-time politicians and judges to keep things in his favor. Though she has no hard evidence against the man, Sarah has been receiving death threats for her meddling. DeMarco, given his years of experience bending the rules in D.C., is suspicious that there is someone like him pulling strings for the tycoon. And when the situation takes a violent turn, DeMarco quickly realizes that he has more of a stake in this young woman’s mission than he thought. The situation turns into a battle of who can outwit whom as more than one life becomes endangered.
January 5, 2025
Well, well, well. Finally the action takes place away from Wash, DC and New York City. I swear, if I was a person who lived their entire life in another country, i would swear that the United States had inly a few major cities: New York, DC, Miami and Hollywood.
As a lifelong midwesterner I learned about some cities of Dakota and Montana including one that sounded like it belonged in Scotland.
A former fellow serviceman calls Senator Mahoney for a favor. Their friendship goes back to their shared time in Vietnam. The granddaughter of Mahoney’s friend is stirring up a lot of trouble with her blog that exposes corruption. She is kidnapped as she left a restaurant and threatened to be raped and murdered if she doesn’t quit writing but she is more determined than ever and that worries her grandad and thus the story begins.
I enjoyed the novel although from the others I’ve read in the series, it lacks the nail biting action of some of the others.
As a lifelong midwesterner I learned about some cities of Dakota and Montana including one that sounded like it belonged in Scotland.
A former fellow serviceman calls Senator Mahoney for a favor. Their friendship goes back to their shared time in Vietnam. The granddaughter of Mahoney’s friend is stirring up a lot of trouble with her blog that exposes corruption. She is kidnapped as she left a restaurant and threatened to be raped and murdered if she doesn’t quit writing but she is more determined than ever and that worries her grandad and thus the story begins.
I enjoyed the novel although from the others I’ve read in the series, it lacks the nail biting action of some of the others.
June 15, 2021
Sadly, many writers birth their first novel and it is stupendous. Then they follow up by writing ten more so-so entries; mailing it in rather than doing the work.
Happily, Mike Lawson isn't among those. He started out producing a pretty good yarn and has continued to improve his craftsmanship, giving us better value with each outing.
On the back of the dust jacket there is a blurb from "Booklist" comparing Lawson to "the great Ross Thomas". And indeed Thomas was a superb writer; his books always hit the spot, especially after he retired from his day job. Lawson's take on politics and the crooked ways of legislatures, judges and lobbyists is full of humor and truth. You will never hear DeMarco falling for the bunk of MAGA. The plot here twists a bit, offering plenty of room for second-guessing how things will end up. Quite well, I'd say.
Recommended
Happily, Mike Lawson isn't among those. He started out producing a pretty good yarn and has continued to improve his craftsmanship, giving us better value with each outing.
On the back of the dust jacket there is a blurb from "Booklist" comparing Lawson to "the great Ross Thomas". And indeed Thomas was a superb writer; his books always hit the spot, especially after he retired from his day job. Lawson's take on politics and the crooked ways of legislatures, judges and lobbyists is full of humor and truth. You will never hear DeMarco falling for the bunk of MAGA. The plot here twists a bit, offering plenty of room for second-guessing how things will end up. Quite well, I'd say.
Recommended
July 6, 2024
I'm at book 10 of the series. And Lawson's Joe DeMarco suffers from Robert B. Parker's Spenser Syndrome. He doesn't grow and change as a character, he stays the same. He doesn't even try to change.
This makes the series kind of boring after a while, especially since some of the supporting characters like Neil change (he got a girlfriend which he married).
I rather prefer a character who changes over the years like John Sandford's Lucas Davenport and Virgil Flowers.
The case was bland and all the details about the initial case were over the top. Less is more sometimes. I prefer to have cases that happen in the District and show the shady side of D.C.
Its time that DeMarco grows and either find another job or another politician who treats him better.
This makes the series kind of boring after a while, especially since some of the supporting characters like Neil change (he got a girlfriend which he married).
I rather prefer a character who changes over the years like John Sandford's Lucas Davenport and Virgil Flowers.
The case was bland and all the details about the initial case were over the top. Less is more sometimes. I prefer to have cases that happen in the District and show the shady side of D.C.
Its time that DeMarco grows and either find another job or another politician who treats him better.
February 25, 2018
Great Book
I love Joe DeMarco. He is so funny with the way he whines and lies. The outcome of the cases involved is satisfying and with the exception of one incident things are more believable than the endings of most books. I even like Mahoney, old reprobate that he is. It's nice to have a corrupt Democrat for a change. I picture him looking just like Ted Kennedy. I'm glad this series is continuing.
I love Joe DeMarco. He is so funny with the way he whines and lies. The outcome of the cases involved is satisfying and with the exception of one incident things are more believable than the endings of most books. I even like Mahoney, old reprobate that he is. It's nice to have a corrupt Democrat for a change. I picture him looking just like Ted Kennedy. I'm glad this series is continuing.
October 30, 2020
A hard to believe story with an impossible to believe ending. Despite this, the book is enjoyable as Lawson has an entertaining way of writing. In addition, he has taken the classic good guy vs bad guy from the 1950's and 60's and applied it to present day. There are no Native Americans in the book and if there were they would be the good guys as Lawson always sides with the people who were wronged. It is easy to silently cheer for good over evil and that is the backbone to this book.
January 25, 2024
Fun to see Demarco out of his home territory. Emma isn’t present but the story is compelling enough that she isn’t missed. I enjoyed the Frisky FBI agent who this time doesn’t serve as a romantic interest. The antagonists who often drive these novels are less interesting than usual but somehow I didn’t miss that in this novel.
January 14, 2018
the 10th book in the Joe Demarco series. enjoyable, quick read mystery, this time with Demarco going to South Dakota to help solve the murder of Mahoney's friend granddaughter. his usual helpers aren't present in this book. the book is on par with most of the rest of the series
March 11, 2018
Joe DeMarco may have met his match in this book he is pitted with political fixers like himself. Going out to the Dakota’s to help out an old friend of Speaker Mahoney’s he finds himself investigating a billionaire and his political fixers.
May 5, 2018
Anxiously awaiting the arrival of the new 2018 Joe DeMarco book from my library to finish the series. This has been a thrilling, intense, and outstanding series of political life. Thanks, Mike Lawson!
December 26, 2018
The usual fare one expects from a Joe DeMarco mystery: missed opportunities, incompetence, droll craven idiots, and everyday mundanity crafted into an orchestra of outstanding weirdness. I will surely read the next in the series.
March 19, 2020
March 2020. I have returned to Joe DeMarco stories just as the corona virus outbreak turned full force. I have five at my bedside and am rather quickly plowing through them. I enjoyed the change of venue to Montana and that part of the country. Good story!
September 7, 2020
Terrific Read!
Loved this book. I always enjoy reading about Joe Demarco's jobs. This had a great plot and excellent character development. Can't wait for my next venture into Joe's work assignments.
Loved this book. I always enjoy reading about Joe Demarco's jobs. This had a great plot and excellent character development. Can't wait for my next venture into Joe's work assignments.
October 9, 2020
I'm delighted to have found this author and this series. The story is entertaining with well developed characters and an intriguing plot. I have added Joe DeMarco to my list of favorite good bad guys.
January 9, 2023
Another good book about Joe DeMarco from Mike Lawson. It dragged along for awhile in the middle, but then picked up speed again to end with a bang. A couple of the characters could have been developed a little more.
April 3, 2025
An interesting variation. Joe is away from DC and doing a favor for his boss. Some humor along the way.
A little slow getting started due to creating the storyline, but, once the details were established- it was another great read.
A little slow getting started due to creating the storyline, but, once the details were established- it was another great read.
May 8, 2017
Another entertaining Joe D story
June 4, 2017
I will always give this man 5 stars for his enthralling work. This read was alittle sad, with a great storyline and a good ending. DeMarco is a character from heart!
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