What do you think?
Rate this book
Joe DeMarco #2
The Second Perimeter
When the Secretary of the Navy's nephew says he believes that two colleagues at a U.S. naval base may be committing fraud, his uncle is skeptical. Reluctant to launch an official investigation based on a relative's vague suspicions, the secretary asks House Speaker John Mahoney to send his troubleshooter, DeMarco, to check out the story. As DeMarco and his friend Emma, a retired DIA agent, begin to investigate what they think is a low-stakes government swindle, they come to the terrifying realization that an espionage ring has infiltrated the naval base.
The leader of the espionage cell is a woman with whom Emma has a history that goes back to the cold war. Their encounter destroyed the woman's once promising career and turned her into a ruthless operative who cares about only one thing: destroying Emma, the person responsible for her shame, dishonor, and shattered life. DeMarco has never been near a spy in his life - at least not that he knew of - and now he's dealing with a foreign agent who is more deadly than anyone he's ever encountered.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
389 people are currently reading
668 people want to read
About the author
Mike Lawson
25 books439 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
May 31, 2020
Book 2 of this series and it gets better and better. I read Book 1 and decided to quickly read Book 2 to see if I had a One Hit Wonder or not. Well, in my opinion this is no One Hit Wonder. GREAT JOB, MIKE!! Really enjoyed this book and the cast of characters that accompany our protagonist, Joe DeMarco. Lots of interesting naval details here but unlike to many others, Lawson does not get bogged down in the detail, he has a plot and he sticks to it. So darn happy I now have all 14 of his books!!! Well written, well plotted and it is filled with characters you will love, you will hate, you will love to hate and hate to love!!! Top Notch!
July 11, 2022
За съжаление, нивото пада малко в тази втора книга от серията.
Шпионска афера, но някак доста нереална ми се видя. И това недостоверно съжаление към враговете, с които си се клел да се бориш без милост и които няма да ти простят, ако им паднеш ти, съвсем разваля иначе приличния замисъл на романа.
Моята оценка - 2,5*.
Шпионска афера, но някак доста нереална ми се видя. И това недостоверно съжаление към враговете, с които си се клел да се бориш без милост и които няма да ти простят, ако им паднеш ти, съвсем разваля иначе приличния замисъл на романа.
Моята оценка - 2,5*.
April 3, 2025
Solid, but a bit too much brutality.
July 23, 2021
The second perimeter by Mike lawson is like the first one a bit slow and unsteady. This time Joe Demarco is tasked with looking into the alleged spying at Bremerton Navy base. This turns out to be a rather complicated affair and it actually goes back in time twenty years. It was fun getting some back story on Emma but the book is not really up there like the last two in the series. I will try some more and see if I can get through them all.
April 8, 2012
I waited a while before doing a review--sometimes my mind changes when everything settles. In this case, it didn't
I liked the book but it was not as good as the first of the Joe DeMarco series.
I don't "do" plot synopsis--you can get that from Amazon or Goodreads or the back of the book.
I still like the characters (Joe as well as the recurring ones). The plotting was good as well. So, why did I give it 3 stars instead of 5?
The book was too inconsistent. There were times that everything churned along so quickly, I couldn't put it down. The dialogue was believable and the scene exciting. Then, from nowhere, the story would "mush" down into some dullness that I could only read 2 or 3 pages before I had to stop, having been worn down by Lawson's writing.
The "long mystery" (as opposed to the short one that is wrapped up early in the book) requires so much backstory telling that, after a while, you just don't want to read about it any more.
I do intend to read the 3rd installment, I refuse to give up on DeMarco now. I'm just hoping for better.
I liked the book but it was not as good as the first of the Joe DeMarco series.
I don't "do" plot synopsis--you can get that from Amazon or Goodreads or the back of the book.
I still like the characters (Joe as well as the recurring ones). The plotting was good as well. So, why did I give it 3 stars instead of 5?
The book was too inconsistent. There were times that everything churned along so quickly, I couldn't put it down. The dialogue was believable and the scene exciting. Then, from nowhere, the story would "mush" down into some dullness that I could only read 2 or 3 pages before I had to stop, having been worn down by Lawson's writing.
The "long mystery" (as opposed to the short one that is wrapped up early in the book) requires so much backstory telling that, after a while, you just don't want to read about it any more.
I do intend to read the 3rd installment, I refuse to give up on DeMarco now. I'm just hoping for better.
March 22, 2017
Took some time to get going but it came out very good. When a book finishes too fast you know there are some missing components. In my mind, Emma could be a great character to go back in time and develop her and see how she got to where she is at today. DeMarco is not that thrilling of a guy...I know, it's a book...yes! Exactly!! I don't want to read about just "ordinary" ...I am ordinary! I want someone with some thought and macho..so Mike Lawson, start thinking....
August 1, 2021
I cane across Lawson as MA Lawson writing the Kay Hamilton trilogy starting with Rosarito Beach. I liked that and am disappointed that he didn't continue with Ms. Hamilton. But he did give us Joe and Emma and Tip O'Neill . . . excuse me, I mean Mahoney. You have to forgive me for confusing the two; O'Neill who served as Speaker of the House of Representatives from Boston in real life and John Mahoney, Lawson's creation who is Speaker and also from Boston. There may be a few other reasonable comparisons also. To see what I mean you have to READ THE BOOK.
There are 15 books in the series and I have 13 to go if I'm going to finish it, and that's if Mr. Lawson doesn't pen more, which I hope he does.
Joe is a trouble shooter for Mahoney. Emma is Joe's friend and casual partner in arms.
Lawson's stories are filled with action, danger and not a little though subtle humor. The plots are well constructed and realistic. I like this guy Lawson. I like him a lot.
There are 15 books in the series and I have 13 to go if I'm going to finish it, and that's if Mr. Lawson doesn't pen more, which I hope he does.
Joe is a trouble shooter for Mahoney. Emma is Joe's friend and casual partner in arms.
Lawson's stories are filled with action, danger and not a little though subtle humor. The plots are well constructed and realistic. I like this guy Lawson. I like him a lot.
April 15, 2010
I have now read all of the Joe DeMarco thrillers by Mike Lawson and cannot wait to read the new one, due out in October.
This one was a page-turner just like all of Lawson's others, and kept me guessing to the end. I love the fast pace that keeps me turning pages late into the night!
Lawson's stories are (mostly) believable and have enough detail so that the reader knows that this is an author who knows what he is writing about. I could do without his slight amount of editorializing, but try not to let it spoil the ride for me.
This one was a page-turner just like all of Lawson's others, and kept me guessing to the end. I love the fast pace that keeps me turning pages late into the night!
Lawson's stories are (mostly) believable and have enough detail so that the reader knows that this is an author who knows what he is writing about. I could do without his slight amount of editorializing, but try not to let it spoil the ride for me.
July 28, 2011
Lawson writes another great novel, using a great mix of characters, including Joe DeMarco, to bring this political thriller to life.
I enjoyed the underlying themes of the book and it ran ong quite well, at least until the last quarter, where I found that things starte dragging, through a tangential storyline.
I have come to like DeMarco and will keep reading the books, but hope that Lawson injects more thriller and politics into the next in the series.
I enjoyed the underlying themes of the book and it ran ong quite well, at least until the last quarter, where I found that things starte dragging, through a tangential storyline.
I have come to like DeMarco and will keep reading the books, but hope that Lawson injects more thriller and politics into the next in the series.
January 12, 2016
What a blast. Easy to read and great humor.
November 21, 2020
I am really enjoying this series. I’m calling this a historical because it takes place around 1994 and I enjoy the way Mike Lawson uses what’s actually going on while building this mystery. I guess I should admit I’m back into mysteries. Who knew?
October 28, 2017
I really enjoy his books. Full of mystery and government intrigue and suspense. Ready for the next installment in this series.
June 25, 2022
Шпионски трилър, който е повече трилър, отколкото шпионски. В тази част няма елемент на загадка, но въпреки това е интересно. Доближава се до типа трилър, който харесвам - по-малко грандиозен, с поне някакви елементи на реализъм, макар и не големи.
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.
February 17, 2018
This is the 2nd in the series about Joe DeMarco. He has an office in the sub-basement of the White House, with a job title no one knows and he works exclusively for the speaker of the house, John Mohaney. When Mohaney has a "friend" that needs help with something, he sends Joe to invesitage. Usually it is for members of the house, senate, or the divisions in the White House. This one is a favor for the Secretary of the Navy..His nephew, who is in the Navy, says something is not right in the department he works in and thinks fraud is being committed..This is wher Joe steps in with his friend, Emma..You gotta love Emma who is an ex-DIA agent and one more strong woman.
While investigating this case, Emma finds that one of the Chinese agents that she killed, has returned. But how? Emma had killed the agent's boyfriend and now the woman agent has returned to kill Emma and get her revenge.
You know what I like about Joe..I like that he isn't one of these super man type that can do everything and avoid bullets. He doesn't know how to take the safety off of a Uzi, he doesn't have a gun, but with his wits, he seems to make it through.
I loved the scene with Mahoney and being kidnapped by the Vietnamese teenagers..You have to love this character. Great book and now I am on to read the 3rd in the series.
While investigating this case, Emma finds that one of the Chinese agents that she killed, has returned. But how? Emma had killed the agent's boyfriend and now the woman agent has returned to kill Emma and get her revenge.
You know what I like about Joe..I like that he isn't one of these super man type that can do everything and avoid bullets. He doesn't know how to take the safety off of a Uzi, he doesn't have a gun, but with his wits, he seems to make it through.
I loved the scene with Mahoney and being kidnapped by the Vietnamese teenagers..You have to love this character. Great book and now I am on to read the 3rd in the series.
August 9, 2017
A solid popcorn thriller for a weekend read. Ive become a fan of Lawson and his DeMarco character after taking a shot in the dark stab at his first novel in the series and book #2 was a good follow up. Nothing really groundbreaking here, but that doesn't discount the fun that I experienced reading it. Mystery, chases, action, betrayal etc. Fans of a military/spy setting will take joy in reading this. For the most part, the reader will not need to read book 1 but there are some subtle nuances that you may not get. Strap in though, it does move fast and as for me, it worked out well to break up the fantasy novels that I typically read. Recommended!
May 3, 2024
(2 1/2). Round two with Joe DeMarco for me. He is a fairly interesting guy, but Lawson does a good job of letting the story be told, and he is a good storyteller. I liked this one because it heavily features DeMarco's sidekick Emma, a former bigwig spook who is a really interesting character. The plot here is not quite as solid as the first in this series, but it moves nicely, has plenty of action, some decent twists and turns and a just a small sap factor. I will continue for a while. Pretty good stuff.
July 12, 2018
[library audiobook]
Strong female protagonist, Emma, although she's not the named hero. Several lesbian characters. Involvement of Speaker of the House (seems to be a democrat) is over the top. How the nemesis kills all those people never really explained.
I expect I will read another by Lawson when it comes up on the library list.
Strong female protagonist, Emma, although she's not the named hero. Several lesbian characters. Involvement of Speaker of the House (seems to be a democrat) is over the top. How the nemesis kills all those people never really explained.
I expect I will read another by Lawson when it comes up on the library list.
January 16, 2020
I am not a fan of espionage books but read this one because of the reviews. It was a terrific book. The characters were well developed and believable. The story line was also believable and didn't have the omnipresent villain watching every move. It was so enjoyable that I am putting books one and three on my reading list.
December 31, 2021
This is a good read
This is my first Lawson book and I'll probably pick up another one. I liked the characters and the story line. However, there were a couple of the characters that I thought were much more interesting than DeMarco, Emma, for example. I'd
like to see her backstory as well as Li Mei. I do think, if you like this genre, you'll like this book.
This is my first Lawson book and I'll probably pick up another one. I liked the characters and the story line. However, there were a couple of the characters that I thought were much more interesting than DeMarco, Emma, for example. I'd
like to see her backstory as well as Li Mei. I do think, if you like this genre, you'll like this book.
March 21, 2023
This is a great series and I don't know how I MISSED it! In this outing, Joe is sent to Seattle as a favor to the Navy to check out a rumor. He can't find evidence that the rumor is true but his gut tells him SOMETHING is going on. And something is. Something big. He calls in his friends, quits his job when the Speaker tries to stop him and .... fast paced and a great story.
July 18, 2019
Should have ended at page 200
I enjoyed the first half of the book and 2nd Joe
Demarco
However the last half became implausible in many ways and story could have come to conclusion in about 10 pages
I enjoyed the first Demarco book but now am wondering if I will continue the series
I enjoyed the first half of the book and 2nd Joe
Demarco
However the last half became implausible in many ways and story could have come to conclusion in about 10 pages
I enjoyed the first Demarco book but now am wondering if I will continue the series
November 28, 2017
I think Scott Brick (narrator) is the only reason I'm going to consider the third book in the series.
February 5, 2019
Better than the first in the series, and much more engaging storywise. The prose is still flat and utilitarian, though.
March 14, 2021
My first book by this author.
As with many books of the genre, the author spins a good tale but the ending seems hurried and contrived.
A little too unbelievable for my taste.
As with many books of the genre, the author spins a good tale but the ending seems hurried and contrived.
A little too unbelievable for my taste.
August 11, 2021
Very, extremely, laboriously slow moving!
Read
May 26, 2023Lots of stuff happened--it should have been good, but I just couldn't get into it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews