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Joe DeMarco #4
House Secrets
"It all begins with an assignment from the Speaker, John Fitzpatrick Mahoney, Joe DeMarco's wily hard-drinking boss. One of Mahoney's old colleagues has doubts about the accidental death of his son, a mediocre newspaper reporter who, in the days before his death, had claimed that he had a lead on the biggest political scandal since Watergate. But he always said things like that and nothing ever panned out. To appease his old friend, Mahoney wants DeMarco to turn over some rocks around Washington and see what crawls out from under them." "It turns out the reporter was on the trail of Senator Paul Morelli, the handsome and gifted rising star from New York, considered a shoo-in for his party's presidential nomination. Some politicians are lucky, and Morelli has been luckier than most, but his past has already been scrutinized and he looks clean. It seems like there's nothing for DeMarco to do. But then, why is he being followed by a pair of thugs who freelance for the CIA?" Dirty secrets, beltway politics, and divided loyalties threaten as DeMarco's investigation spirals dangerously out of control. Intelligence operatives, a sinister chief of staff, mobsters, and characters from DeMarco's past all play a role as he tries to find out the truth and do the right thing.
387 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 8, 2009
215 people are currently reading
518 people want to read
About the author
Mike Lawson
39books412followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
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 122 reviews
June 11, 2021
Another winner by author Mike Lawson in his Joe DeMarco political thriller series. Lawson gets better and better, in my opinion, and this book requires DeMarco to use any and all sources to try and stop a serial killer. But here the serial killer, usually does not do the killing! No we have Senator Paul Morelli, who is being groomed to run for President, and DeMarco is sent to investigate the death of a rather hum drum journalist who refuses to believe the autopsy results and in sure something criminal happened to the young man. But when DeMarco investigates there is no evidence of wrong doing, but he does find a small slip of paper that contains a few names and dates, and also some indications that the journalist was investigating the Senator. But when tracking down these names he finds two women who refuse to talk about the Senator, any anyone else whose name is on the list has died. All of those individuals had somehow been political opponents of Morelli. But someone is killing them, and it appears that there is a powerful figure lurking in the background who somehow can assist Morelli. Lots of murders in this book, lots of twists and turns, and DeMarco involves the Mafia, the Texas Senator who will be Morelli's opponent in the next Presidential elections, as well as his good friend Emma (a retired espionage agent who knows everyone and everything). Well paced, with believable characters, including two blundering CIA assets (Carl and Jerry) who try to follow DeMarco and provide some laugh out loud humor along the way. Everything is well plotted and we wonder if it is realistic, but nonetheless it is super enjoyable and gives us a wild ending to the book. Cannot wait to start his next book. Always fun, always well written, and always politically believable.
July 1, 2024
До тук, това определено е най-плътната и интересна история за Джо Демарко.
Уверено плуващ сред политическата мърсотия на Вашингтон, дори и той е поразен от събитията, които го изпраща да разследва неговия шеф.
Едно уж самоубийство, се оказва пътечка водеща към невероятен заговор, излизащ извън рамките на познатото и директно към позицията най-могъщ човек в света.
Моята оценка - 4,5*.
Уверено плуващ сред политическата мърсотия на Вашингтон, дори и той е поразен от събитията, които го изпраща да разследва неговия шеф.
Едно уж самоубийство, се оказва пътечка водеща към невероятен заговор, излизащ извън рамките на познатото и директно към позицията най-могъщ човек в света.
Моята оценка - 4,5*.
March 12, 2017
While the bad guy got what he deserved in the end, too many lives were damaged or destroyed in the process. 4 of 10 stars
August 11, 2012
First, let me say Mike Lawson is a flawless, smooth writer. You start one of his novels and the pages just speed by you effortlessly. Let me also say that the main character in the novel, Joe DeMarco, is a dichotomy of viewpoints for me. On one hand you kinda like the guy. His job is interesting and he's got an interesting personality. But only up to a point. On the other hand, for a 'fixer' for the Speaker of the House (doing the dirty work for the Speaker of the Hous) the man should have more of an 'edge.' He doesn't. And that's irritating.
Still, if you're looking for an excellent read from a master storyteller, you can't go wrong with a Lawson novel. I would recommend all of the Joe DeMarco novels.
Still, if you're looking for an excellent read from a master storyteller, you can't go wrong with a Lawson novel. I would recommend all of the Joe DeMarco novels.
January 11, 2017
5 Stars, as usual. I'm always impressed with Mike Lawson's books. That is why I just can not stop reading them one after the other. His stories really give the definition of political thriller.
Joe DeMarco, who has a law degree, but because his father was tied to the mob, he couldn't get a job anywhere. Lucky enough, thanks to old affairs, gets "employed" from the Speaker of the House, John Mahoney. Secretly.
Mahoney sends him out to an old friend whose son has died. He wants DeMarco to look around and see if anything doesn't sit right.
DeMarco goes on the ride of his life, figuratively and literally. A small known reporters death connects to some of the most higher up people. Who would have thought that DeMarco's hidden family ties could have actually helped in a very political situation.
I don't want to spoil too much, but this story was particularly good for me!
Joe DeMarco, who has a law degree, but because his father was tied to the mob, he couldn't get a job anywhere. Lucky enough, thanks to old affairs, gets "employed" from the Speaker of the House, John Mahoney. Secretly.
Mahoney sends him out to an old friend whose son has died. He wants DeMarco to look around and see if anything doesn't sit right.
DeMarco goes on the ride of his life, figuratively and literally. A small known reporters death connects to some of the most higher up people. Who would have thought that DeMarco's hidden family ties could have actually helped in a very political situation.
I don't want to spoil too much, but this story was particularly good for me!
November 25, 2020
I’ve been trying to figure out why I’m enjoying this series so much. I think it’s because Joe DeMarco is completely and totally normal. At no time is he more brilliant, more of a ladies man, slicker or even cooler than any other guy. He gets lazy just like the rest of us and sometimes he doesn’t even know how much hot water or what crap he stepped into any given day. I absolutely am committed to this series. Emma makes me proud. The speaker of the house is a marvelous portrayal of all that’s good and bad in politics. Luckily for me when push comes to shove of he steps to the side of right.
I’d like to ask Mike Lawson to stop having his male characters over thirty calling most female characters ‘gals�. its galling. If that’s all I have to complain about I’m happy.
I’d like to ask Mike Lawson to stop having his male characters over thirty calling most female characters ‘gals�. its galling. If that’s all I have to complain about I’m happy.
March 19, 2022
This almost made 5 stars from me. It is, in my humble but infallible opinion the best Lawson book I've read to date. What? Do I hear snickering from the back row! For shame! Of course my opinion is inflatable. INFALLIBLE! I meant infallible! Damned autocorrect!!!
But on a more serious note: One would not have argued with the premise that a sex scandal of a highly placed individual would ruin their chances of political glory. Come 2018 and Trump proved us wrong.
In spite of this error of reality this is a thumping good read. Intrigue of the highest order, whether that order is on the home front, the halls of Congress or organized crime. There is mayhem and deaths aplenty.
And the ending is substantially eerie and quite the twist. Don't jump ahead and read that ending. One; you'll not understand it and two; that's just not the way to read a book of action and mystery.
Lawson showed his best talent in this book and I'm anxious to read more from him.
But on a more serious note: One would not have argued with the premise that a sex scandal of a highly placed individual would ruin their chances of political glory. Come 2018 and Trump proved us wrong.
In spite of this error of reality this is a thumping good read. Intrigue of the highest order, whether that order is on the home front, the halls of Congress or organized crime. There is mayhem and deaths aplenty.
And the ending is substantially eerie and quite the twist. Don't jump ahead and read that ending. One; you'll not understand it and two; that's just not the way to read a book of action and mystery.
Lawson showed his best talent in this book and I'm anxious to read more from him.
December 14, 2020
I liked this less than the previous one. Also, DeMarco annoyed me.
March 30, 2014
PROTAGONIST: Joe DeMarco
SETTING: Washington, DC
RATING: 4.5
SERIES: # 4 of 4
The Joe DeMarco series are political thrillers with a difference. The protagonist is a lawyer who works in Congress at the will of the Speaker of the House, John Fitzpatrick Mahoney. DeMarco serves as a “fixer�, the person who smooths things over that are about to cause trouble. He doesn’t officially show as reporting to Mahoney; he has some small measure of independence that leaves folks guessing about who is calling the shots. Joe isn’t your standard political hack; he has a sense of humor and a cynical attitude that keeps things real.
DeMarco’s latest assignment is to work with ex-Congressman Dick Finley whose reporter son has died in what Finley feels are suspicious circumstances. Terry Finley was no Bob Woodward, but it appeared he had the lead on a story about a political scandal involving golden boy Senator Paul Morelli who it is widely assumed will be the next presidential candidate. Upon meeting Morelli, DeMarco is taken by his passion and ethics and feels that Finley had been following the wrong trail. But then he finds himself being tailed by some CIA freelancers and wonders what is really going on.
What’s really going on is a startling tale, with twists and turns galore. Morelli has been raked over the coals in the past and always come up clean. His alcoholic wife is among his biggest detractors—why does she have it in for her gifted husband? Lawson has created an engrossing plot, full of sinister characters from both sides of the law. The dirty secrets that he uncovers feel like they’ve been ripped from today’s headlines.
HOUSE SECRETS is the fourth in the Joe DeMarco series, which is rapidly becoming a favorite for me. The characterization is excellent, starting with the protagonist and stretching to the secondary players, who exemplify good and evil in all its guises. The look at the various political machinations from one who is in the midst of the politicians is fascinating. This is an excellent political thriller, and I highly recommend it.
SETTING: Washington, DC
RATING: 4.5
SERIES: # 4 of 4
The Joe DeMarco series are political thrillers with a difference. The protagonist is a lawyer who works in Congress at the will of the Speaker of the House, John Fitzpatrick Mahoney. DeMarco serves as a “fixer�, the person who smooths things over that are about to cause trouble. He doesn’t officially show as reporting to Mahoney; he has some small measure of independence that leaves folks guessing about who is calling the shots. Joe isn’t your standard political hack; he has a sense of humor and a cynical attitude that keeps things real.
DeMarco’s latest assignment is to work with ex-Congressman Dick Finley whose reporter son has died in what Finley feels are suspicious circumstances. Terry Finley was no Bob Woodward, but it appeared he had the lead on a story about a political scandal involving golden boy Senator Paul Morelli who it is widely assumed will be the next presidential candidate. Upon meeting Morelli, DeMarco is taken by his passion and ethics and feels that Finley had been following the wrong trail. But then he finds himself being tailed by some CIA freelancers and wonders what is really going on.
What’s really going on is a startling tale, with twists and turns galore. Morelli has been raked over the coals in the past and always come up clean. His alcoholic wife is among his biggest detractors—why does she have it in for her gifted husband? Lawson has created an engrossing plot, full of sinister characters from both sides of the law. The dirty secrets that he uncovers feel like they’ve been ripped from today’s headlines.
HOUSE SECRETS is the fourth in the Joe DeMarco series, which is rapidly becoming a favorite for me. The characterization is excellent, starting with the protagonist and stretching to the secondary players, who exemplify good and evil in all its guises. The look at the various political machinations from one who is in the midst of the politicians is fascinating. This is an excellent political thriller, and I highly recommend it.
January 18, 2018
A very insightful book and full of conspiracy theories and lots of interesting and easy reading when it comes to Joe DeMarco. Something that we all can relate to having watched TV or see what is going on in the US Politics in 2018.
January 2, 2025
*spoiler warning*
This is my favorite book in the series so far.
The speaker lends Dimarco out to an aging politician whose son just died. The son, a reporter from the Washington Post, was found in Lake Anna, drunk, floating next to a kayak. It seems straightforward, but the old man won't let go. He said his son hadn't touched the kayak in years. He was found with a list of names. The dead reporter turned out to be a bit of a professional failure. The names are linked to a young, charismatic senator who is going to be the next president.
***Spoilers coming!!***
DiMarco thinks there's nothing to it.... that the failed reporter was retreading worn out ground... until the senator's wife contacts him with insane allegations about the senator being a sexual predator. The wife is a drunk. The allegations are easy enough to dismiss.... until the wife is murdered. Then the brother of the man who killed her turns up dead.
DiMarco eventually ties the senator to an organized crime boss. The mafia don was the biological father of the senator's wife. The senator molested his stepdaughter. The wife was going to tell. The senator murdered his wife. Then DiMarco gets the senator to confess to him (the senator thinks he's about to kill DiMarco). The mafia don warns DiMarco to never talk about what happened and lets him leave. The senator wakes up in a sealed room with the skeleton of Jimmy Hoffa.
This is my favorite book in the series so far.
The speaker lends Dimarco out to an aging politician whose son just died. The son, a reporter from the Washington Post, was found in Lake Anna, drunk, floating next to a kayak. It seems straightforward, but the old man won't let go. He said his son hadn't touched the kayak in years. He was found with a list of names. The dead reporter turned out to be a bit of a professional failure. The names are linked to a young, charismatic senator who is going to be the next president.
***Spoilers coming!!***
DiMarco thinks there's nothing to it.... that the failed reporter was retreading worn out ground... until the senator's wife contacts him with insane allegations about the senator being a sexual predator. The wife is a drunk. The allegations are easy enough to dismiss.... until the wife is murdered. Then the brother of the man who killed her turns up dead.
DiMarco eventually ties the senator to an organized crime boss. The mafia don was the biological father of the senator's wife. The senator molested his stepdaughter. The wife was going to tell. The senator murdered his wife. Then DiMarco gets the senator to confess to him (the senator thinks he's about to kill DiMarco). The mafia don warns DiMarco to never talk about what happened and lets him leave. The senator wakes up in a sealed room with the skeleton of Jimmy Hoffa.
December 17, 2024
Let me say upfront that I look forward to reading the entire Joe DeMarco series.
If I have to mention a problem then it would have to be the number of characters. I have solved this by returning to my high school English class roots: maintaining a notebook.
There are the repeating characters:
Joe DeMarco
Senator Mahoney and his wife Mary Pat
Emma and her girlfriend Christine
Neil, the computer hacker
Mahoney always gives DeMarco a really complicated situation to unravel and then the fun starts.
On the last page of the novel Mike Lawson tossed in a a kicker that will leave you grinning.
Right now I’m happily beginning Book 5.
If I have to mention a problem then it would have to be the number of characters. I have solved this by returning to my high school English class roots: maintaining a notebook.
There are the repeating characters:
Joe DeMarco
Senator Mahoney and his wife Mary Pat
Emma and her girlfriend Christine
Neil, the computer hacker
Mahoney always gives DeMarco a really complicated situation to unravel and then the fun starts.
On the last page of the novel Mike Lawson tossed in a a kicker that will leave you grinning.
Right now I’m happily beginning Book 5.
Currently reading
March 17, 2014TWO THINGS I ENJOY OR APPRECIATE
-Even though this book is fiction, it was very realistic and easy to believe that it could happen in real life.
-There weren't any dull moments in this book, it kept the reader engaged.
ONE LITERARY ASPECT
-The book is told from a third person omniscient point of view. This lets the reader piece together parts of the story that the protagonist doesn't yet know.
ONE DRAMATIC ASPECT
-The author describes everything form the setting to the characters in vivid detail. I can clearly picture what each character looks like, where they are, and what they are doing.
ONE CINEMATIC ASPECT
-This book is split up into over sixty chapters but each one is only a few pages long. This would be easy to make into a film because each chapter could be one scene. The setting is in various cities across the United States in present time so filming would be extremely easy.
MY PREDICTION FOR THE ENDING
-I don't have a prediction because i finished reading the book.
-Even though this book is fiction, it was very realistic and easy to believe that it could happen in real life.
-There weren't any dull moments in this book, it kept the reader engaged.
ONE LITERARY ASPECT
-The book is told from a third person omniscient point of view. This lets the reader piece together parts of the story that the protagonist doesn't yet know.
ONE DRAMATIC ASPECT
-The author describes everything form the setting to the characters in vivid detail. I can clearly picture what each character looks like, where they are, and what they are doing.
ONE CINEMATIC ASPECT
-This book is split up into over sixty chapters but each one is only a few pages long. This would be easy to make into a film because each chapter could be one scene. The setting is in various cities across the United States in present time so filming would be extremely easy.
MY PREDICTION FOR THE ENDING
-I don't have a prediction because i finished reading the book.
July 28, 2011
I quite enjoyed this book, as the DeMarco series progresses. I am sure that Lawson is coming up with new and exciting ways for Joe to delve into his past and pull out some great adventures.
While Lawson sdoes base his novels on true political evenbts, however vague they may be, he does individualise the entire plot and makes it come to life. I am never sure what waits around the corner and really look forward to things progressing.
I am almost caught up to his book series, but always want more Lawson. Addictive for sure.
While Lawson sdoes base his novels on true political evenbts, however vague they may be, he does individualise the entire plot and makes it come to life. I am never sure what waits around the corner and really look forward to things progressing.
I am almost caught up to his book series, but always want more Lawson. Addictive for sure.
June 12, 2015
I have enjoyed this series by Mike Lawson (the Joe DeMarco series). He writes solid thriller type books. I love his characters. They are well drawn and they all serve a purpose. I always hate it when the sole purpose of all the other characters is to stroke the ego of the MC and to make the MC look the best thing out there. Thankfully, Mike Lawson doesn't fall into that trap.
He also writes great stories that are creative. I've read a few books in this series and have enjoyed them all.
He also writes great stories that are creative. I've read a few books in this series and have enjoyed them all.
March 24, 2010
Fun and thought provoking political thriller. Was definetely rooting for
Joe DeMarco. Brought a lot of thoughts on the current political situation. Didn't realize this was part of series by the author. It
would have been nice to work from the first book to the current one. One
can read this one though without having read the others.
Joe DeMarco. Brought a lot of thoughts on the current political situation. Didn't realize this was part of series by the author. It
would have been nice to work from the first book to the current one. One
can read this one though without having read the others.
January 3, 2015
This is the first book in the Joe DeMarco series that I have read, and I really enjoyed it! I'm a fan of political thrillers and Lawson does not disappoint. House Rules is multi-layered with interesting characters coming in and out of the story, it wasn't until the very end that it finally came together for me. I love books that keep you guessing!
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November 29, 2016
Interesting and intriguing political and criminal drama. An enjoyable and easy to finish novel, well narrated by Joe Barrett, with an under-hyped and credible Joe DeMarco as the main protagonist.
Recommended. 4.0 out of 5.0 stars.
Recommended. 4.0 out of 5.0 stars.
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.
June 15, 2020
There are many, many crime and mystery authors where you have to pay attention; where plot points and clues are dropped in surreptitiously. At the resolution, you have to admit that you missed all those clues, and cheers to author for slipping them by you.
There are other authors whose prose is a delight to read, regardless of what you think of the plot.
There are yet other authors who richly describe with deft prose memorable characters.
Mr Lawson cannot claim to be a member of any of those circles. I shall have to give it to the author: his prose is very readable. Nothing subtle or cryptic about Mr Lawson. That it makes it all the easier to skip the many paragraphs and pages where he repeats himself and pads the story.
The plot is trite, and unbelievable. Sure, many of the great writers produce unbelievable plots, but Mr Lawson's unbelievablility is banal.
This would be an excellent book for people with impaired mental facilities, such as those recovering from a severe illness. The reader never has to think, just consume. Everything is spelled out repeatedly. Miss a chapter or two after dozing off? You have missed nothing.
There are other authors whose prose is a delight to read, regardless of what you think of the plot.
There are yet other authors who richly describe with deft prose memorable characters.
Mr Lawson cannot claim to be a member of any of those circles. I shall have to give it to the author: his prose is very readable. Nothing subtle or cryptic about Mr Lawson. That it makes it all the easier to skip the many paragraphs and pages where he repeats himself and pads the story.
The plot is trite, and unbelievable. Sure, many of the great writers produce unbelievable plots, but Mr Lawson's unbelievablility is banal.
This would be an excellent book for people with impaired mental facilities, such as those recovering from a severe illness. The reader never has to think, just consume. Everything is spelled out repeatedly. Miss a chapter or two after dozing off? You have missed nothing.
July 21, 2024
I've read the entire De Marco series, mostly out of order. They are not great mystery or detective books. They're more like drama with a bit of murder thrown in. De Marco is a fixer for Mahoney, the Speaker of the House. He's supposed to be the one picking up dirty money for the Congressman but I haven't actually seen him do much of that. Instead, Mahoney uses him as a private private investigator, paid for by taxpayer money.
In this book, De Marco looks into the death of a journalist, who was looking into political misdeeds. This is actually one a common theme, used I think in 3 of the novels. There's a lot of bribery, corruption, you scratch my back and I scratch yours going behind the scenes in Congress, usually how things get done but occasionally someone will look into it too deeply and get whacked. This is usually an overreaction as the journalist will usually find out this is just normal.
I like the series not for the mystery but for the setting and characters. The writing is also easy to read and follow. I tried some of Lawson's other series but only liked this one.
In this book, De Marco looks into the death of a journalist, who was looking into political misdeeds. This is actually one a common theme, used I think in 3 of the novels. There's a lot of bribery, corruption, you scratch my back and I scratch yours going behind the scenes in Congress, usually how things get done but occasionally someone will look into it too deeply and get whacked. This is usually an overreaction as the journalist will usually find out this is just normal.
I like the series not for the mystery but for the setting and characters. The writing is also easy to read and follow. I tried some of Lawson's other series but only liked this one.
January 14, 2018
A highly entertaining, fast paced thriller with a complex plot, mix of nice and not so not characters that ebb and flow around the not so heroic lead character Joe DeMarco. Joe is an investigator for the Speaker of the House and investigates and sorts problems that arise for politicians on Capitol Hill. Joe is sent to investigate the death of a reporter which leads him to look into Senator Paul Morelli, up and coming rising star and possible future president. Joe discovers that evil lurks under the senator's charismatic facade.
This is #4 in the series, I am going back to fill in the gaps as this was an entertaining and engaging read and I am looking forward to reading more of Lawson's down too earth and laid-backed investigator.
This is #4 in the series, I am going back to fill in the gaps as this was an entertaining and engaging read and I am looking forward to reading more of Lawson's down too earth and laid-backed investigator.
June 15, 2023
I thought parts of this book were very entertaining. There was some humor and Joe was a likable character who tries to do what is right. The conspiracy and scheming and conniving described may be extreme here, but unfortunately there are those in our government that will do anything to hold on to power, just as some of these characters.
I was tired of it by the end. The guy got away with way too much before he was finally brought down. The lack of public knowledge of his downfall was a disappointment. Although public knowledge of misdeeds doesn’t really mean much today as the politician and his cronies will just yell “witch hunt�.
I was tired of it by the end. The guy got away with way too much before he was finally brought down. The lack of public knowledge of his downfall was a disappointment. Although public knowledge of misdeeds doesn’t really mean much today as the politician and his cronies will just yell “witch hunt�.
March 27, 2021
First off, this book is 513 pages, so I must have selected the wrong version. Also, Lawson has a new book that just hit the streets. So, I am looking forward to reading it. As for this book, House Secrets is as good as any other book Lawson has written. Each of his books are page turners and I have always rated his stories as entertaining as anything John Grisham as written. In fact, I discovered Lawson while taking a break from Grisham and was delightfully pleased. This was definitely a Good Read! Thank you Mike Lawson.
October 25, 2024
finished 22nd october 2024 good read three stars i liked it kindle library loaner and i've now read maybe five...or is it six from lawson all joe demarco stories. entertaining stories, demarco is a character easy to like, he plays the rube well, he gets results, he's not so into himself that it is a distraction and dislike. have another open and ready to go and will continue reading the stories until no more are available. this one has a protagonist (or two, or three) who is so into himself and he too gets results some open and known others not so.
November 11, 2016
It was a smooth reading with clear writings.. but somehow the story was not that much appealing to me, but having read it with the elections of USA 2016 happening in parallel ( President Trump elected on 9 of Nov ) , it made me think more of the powers of the President. . and it felt scary.. it gave me a lot of thoughts. .but well the ending was still satisfying( what I needed!! because of all the frustration I've built for the Senator Morelli ).
May 19, 2017
I'm on a roll reading Wash, DC based spy/thriller books. We're all being bombarded with all kinds of unsettling news from DC, so why not escape sideways a bit into real fiction land? (Or is it...? Hard to discern nowadays between fact and fiction...) But - take heart - this nifty, easy on the brain series is big on Just Desserts, and the hero, Joe DeMarco, is refreshingly human in a likable sort of way. I grew up in the DC area so any book that takes place there is like visiting home.
March 30, 2023
I love this series. I love the characters. I love the investigations Joe gets involved in. As most of his cases it starts as a favor by his boss, the Speaker of the House. At first it seems like a random murder by a smartass reporter but digging deeper it 'seems' to involve a up and coming Senator and nobody wants his trajectory 'harmed'. We see more of Joe's background in NY as he refuses to just let this go. A fun read!
January 25, 2024
First book in the series to feel like a full on political thriller. I wasn’t sure about starting this one because a stopped reading the previous one, but I don’t feel like a missed anything. This is also the first novel where it feels like the protagonist takes an active role in the mystery solving. It’s fun but not sophisticated.
January 20, 2020
Liked this one....not all goes well as they find a senator with presidential ambitions who is really an obsessed man with 'the ends justify the means' mentality. It almost cost Joe and Emma their lives in many ways.
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