House Rules: A Joe DeMarco Thriller (The Joe DeMarco Thrillers) - Softcover

Lawson, Mike

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0802144195 ISBN 13: 9780802144195

Publisher: Grove Press, 2009

Synopsis

“Lawson’s engaging characters, with DeMarco leading the pack, come across as seriously flawed individuals trying to navigate a political world of high demands and constant distractions. Full of insider information, this novel reinforces Lawson’s place in the upper rank of Washington thriller specialists.” ―Publishers Weekly

Selected as a July ’08 Indie Next List title (formerly Book Sense)

In House Rules, two foiled terrorist attacks and a law targeting Muslim Americans send Joe DeMarco on a dangerous mission among mobsters, meth dealers, and the Washington political elite.

First there was the bomb meant for the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel, then a private plane headed straight for the White House is shot down. An atmosphere of fear and panic overruns the country, and when a senator proposes to run extensive background checks on all Muslims and deport any who aren’t citizens, his bill gains surprising traction. John Mahoney, the larger-than-life Speaker of the House, is not pleased. But Mahoney has a connection to one of the attackers, one he wants kept a secret. So he calls DeMarco, who attempts to get to the bottom of the attacks, and to pacify his difficult, yet charismatic boss in this riveting installment in the series.

About this title

About the Author:

MIKE LAWSON, a former senior civilian executive for the U.S. Navy, is the author of two previous novels starring Joe DeMarco. His first book, The Inside Ring, was rated by the Seattle Times as one of the top ten thrillers of 2005 and nominated for a Barry Award.

Review:

“Lawson’s engaging characters, with DeMarco leading the pack, come across as seriously flawed individuals trying to navigate a political world of high demands and constant distractions. Full of insider information, this novel reinforces Lawson’s place in the upper rank of Washington thriller specialists.” ―Publishers Weekly

“Continuing the adventures of legislative fixer Joe DeMarco, Lawson pits his hero against an unholy alliance of meth manufacturers and politicians. He’s following orders from his boss, the Speaker of the House, a shrewd, bourbon-swilling philanderer who, except for his political affiliation, could not be less like Nancy Pelosi. A pragmatic Boston Irishman with an eye for the ladies, Speaker Mahoney is a latter-day Tip O’Neill, wielding the levers of power like so many draught beer handles. He keeps DeMarco on a fat salary but hides him in the Capitol basement until he’s needed to handle those special errands such as the delivery of cash envelopes and the deconstruction of conspiracies, the latter being the task at hand. . . . [House Rules is] a pleasantly relaxed thriller.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“Snappy third thriller starring congressional snoop Joe DeMarco . . . Full of insider information, this novel reinforces Lawson’s place in the upper rank of Washington thriller specialists.” ―Publishers Weekly

“Lawson fleshes out his characters while developing a plausible and increasingly tense plot. Just enough uncertainty in the satisfying conclusion hints that another series entry is likely. Highly recommended.” ―Andrew Smith, Library Journal

“House Rules continues the adventures of Joe DeMarco, a pretty regular guy who happens to be a clandestine fixer for a powerful congressman. DeMarco has to figure out, in an overheated and panicky D.C., what connects several deaths with a proposed law to curtail the rights of Muslim Americans. He enlists the help of a few friends, notably his enigmatic ex-spook friend Emma.” ―Adam Woog, Seattle Times

“One of the most frightening thrillers of 2008. . . . I have enjoyed Lawson’s The Inside Ring and The Second Perimeter, and, not to take anything away from these political thrillers, House Rules exceeds the suspense and originality of his prior works. . . . I know its cliché, but House Rules is a page turner that can’t be put down! Lawson, I hate you―I got very little sleep while trying to keep up with DeMarco. Now what am I going to do for the rest of 2008 while waiting for your fourth installment?” ―Paul Anik, I Love a Mystery

“A lot of the hours when I’m not reading are spent searching for thrillers that I might want to read. What I am looking for are those with a smooth writing style, a complex yet fast-paced plot, and a likable hero. So I was absolutely delighted to finally discover Mike Lawson. . . . The 3rd in his series about Joe DeMarco is House Rules, and it’s an entertaining read. . . . This smart political thriller offers readers both a wild ride and thought-provoking issues. In many ways, House Rules reminded me of the novels of the late Ross Thomas; this, from me, is high praise, indeed.” ―Nancy Pearl, Pearl’s Picks

“A wild romp through the nation’s capital and into the mean streets of New York, as well as the backwoods of Virginia, the beaches of Key west, and Montana’s wide open spaces. We encounter mob bosses, meth kings, hired assassins, lobbyists, cynical politicians, disenchanted bureaucrats, disenchanted Muslims, disenchanted security guards, and a cute schoolteacher. . . . I’d have no hesitation in recommending this book as a terrific beach read this summer.” ―Barbara Lloyd McMichael, Kitsap Sun

“Lawson’s political thrillers [have] a very real feel.” ―Bill Mickelson, North Kitsap Herald

“House Rules has it all: a lightning-paced plot, a quirky cast of players, and best of all, one of the most engaging heroes I’ve ever encountered. In Joe DeMarco, Mike Lawson has created a charmingly likable character whom I’ll happily follow for many books to come.” ―Tess Gerritsen, author of The Bone Garden

“Mike Lawson’s The Inside Ring is one of the most assured first novels I’ve ever read. His next one, The Second Perimeter, continued in the voice of a master story-teller. His third, the forthcoming House Rules is, in my opinion, a knockout. Relaxed, slightly droll, yet in total command of a complicated plot, you have to believe this guy has been telling tales for a lot of years, but just recently started writing them down.” ―Bill Farley, Seattle Mystery Bookshop

“The kind of whodunit thriller you can’t stop thinking about while you’re reading and can’t stop talking about once you’re done. Smart, original, crafted with true insider knowledge, brimming with vivid characters, and a forward drive that just won’t quit. . . . I couldn’t put it down.” ―Vince Flynn on The Inside Ring

About this edition

• Publisher: Grove Press
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0802144195
• ISBN 13: 9780802144195
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 400