House Blood

A Joe DeMarco Thriller, Book 7

By: Mike Lawson

Narrated by: Joe Barrett

Length: 12 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

With his series of thrillers starring congressional fixer Joe DeMarco, Mike Lawson has earned a reputation as a master of political intrigue and one of the best writers focusing on the behind-the-scenes action of our nation’s capital.

In House Blood, Lawson introduces us to Orson Mulray, CEO of Mulray Pharma, a cold and calculating man obsessed with profit and prestige. Mulray believes he has discovered a drug that could prevent a previously incurable disease. It could be the salvation of millions of people and earn him billions of dollars. But the drug needs to be tested on human subjects, and Mulray needs more than blood samples - he needs autopsy results.

When DeMarco is asked to look into the murder conviction of a lobbyist, he has other worries on his mind: His boss is no longer Speaker, his girlfriend has left him, and his friend Emma may be dying. DeMarco doesn’t expect to free the lobbyist - much less become the target of two of the most callous killers he and Emma have ever encountered.

The seventh book in this celebrated series is a rollicking ride to Uganda, Peru, and beyond. Lawson expertly commands Washington politics, mercenaries, and the pharmaceutical industry for a juicy story full of lifelike characters and thrilling action.

Mike Lawson,a former senior civilian executive for the US Navy, is the author of six novels starring Joe DeMarco. His first book, The Inside Ring, was rated by the Seattle Times as one of the top 10 thrillers of 2005 and was nominated for a Barry Award.

©2012 Mike Lawson (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"While Lawson provides a vivid picture of what it takes to get a drug approved and how high the stakes can be both politically and financially, the book’s main appeal is everyman DeMarco, who’d rather watch college basketball on TV than work. As ever, he’s good at tracking the bad guys - and it’s fun to watch him at it." ( Publishers Weekly)

"The plot and pace are relentless, and the milieus of Congress, DC, and disaster relief seem knowingly presented. But character creation is Lawson’s greatest talent, and Fiona, her supersoldiers, and of course, the ever-cranky cynic DeMarco, will rivet readers’ attention. A host of lesser characters are nearly as engaging. House Blood is so good it will move long-time political-thriller readers to recall the memorable characters and style of the late, great Ross Thomas." ( Booklist)

"A what-happens-next, edge-of-your-seat thriller, told with the author’s clear prose and storytelling skills. I know that Mike Lawson has methodically grown a loyal base of fans, but I think that his consistent excellence needs to be more universally acknowledged." ( Deadly Pleasures)

Awesome

Great story. Good attention to details and a very good reader. Awesome to listen to.

Wonderful Complexity

With each of Lawson's books, his plot and character development improve nicely! Also, voicing for each character is performed well by Joe Barrett. Having spent a career in the pharmaceutical industry, I could poke minor holes in the accuracy of the drug development subplot, but VERY minor. Lawson did very effective research to make the story plausible.

Another slow start

Almost gave up after slogging through the beginning. Story did improve and I was glad I hung in there. The only problem I had with the story was that the Delta Force soldiers were really big and tall. I have been under the impression that Delta Force soldiers were supposed to be unremarkable size to fit in better in foreign countries. Narrator Joe Barrett was excellent as usual.

Interesting timing Read this January of 2021

Another well written plot. The narrator does a great job of shifting between characters in a fashion that projects emotion anf true feelings.

The plot does raise some questions about morality and ethics where pharmaceutical companies trust drugs. It is, of course, up to the reader to decide individually if there is any wrongdoings morally or ethically on the industry.

GTG start the next book in the series now

Finally a good one

I don’t normally like Joe Barrett as a narrator but he was enjoyable in this because the plot was so good and believable. Cudos to the author.

House Blood--Sure Hit!

This is my second Mike Lawson book. And he gets better and better. Joe DiMarco, our hero, is definitely flawed...he works for an U.S. Congressman, an Irish Catholic one, to boot. Bad characters, yup, a number of evil villainous folks, who kill other folks! And Big Pharma and drug testing...you know they must be bad because I called B.P. are up to evil deeds and sneaking. So, yes, bad guys don't reach the back cover. Joe Barrett brings this great story to life; with his outstanding voice, his timing, his Irish accent‐spot on! Mike and Joe are an excellent team. I highly recommend House Blood!

The best so far...

I have listened to almost all Joe DeMarco books. Lawson's storytelling is awesome and Joe Barrett delivers masterfully.
I have enjoyed them all.
But for me, this is the BEST story yet. The characters were well developed and the story pulled me in to a storyline that could be ripped from the business headlines.
Time well spent - although Demarco was not as prominent - our flawed hero comes through in typical devil may care form.

Finally - A book I can write a positive review for

I think forever ago I read one of Mike Lawson's first or second books & it was o.k but not memorable... I looked through all the reviews and decided to give book # 7 a chance. I'm glad I did. I like Joe Barrett and am most familiar with his work as the narrator for Brian Freeman's books. I think I enjoyed the book mostly for it's plausible story line & The fact that it did not have some over the top action hero doing things beyond their means. It's the very reason I like Joe DeMarco. I do wish Joe was a little more everything though... I wish Mike Lawson didn't paint him as some bumbling half lawyer skating by. I am listening to book 8 based off my experience with # 7 and Joe tried to pronounce anaphylatic shock and bumbled his way through the word and it surprised me that I could say it if not spell it & I am just a pool guy from Florida.. I'd really like to see a Joe DeMarco pick up where his dad left off and make him a hit man of sorts. Anyway - I liked the ending a lot and it brought the whole book together nicely. Audio books are one of the ways I cope with the daily grind & I am glad to have found this book in amoungst the pile of bad books I listened to lately.

For what it's worth.... J

Joe DeMarco Series

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.

Best DeMarco so far

This was my 7th Joe DeMarco story and maybe "the best". I am already sad that there are only two more in the series. Mike Lawson, I hope you are hard at work on #10.

This one did not focus so much on "The Speaker's" corruptness. I hear enough about corrupt politicians in the daily news. I don't need more proof in my recreational reading.

I suppose this series can be picked up at any point, but I chose to read them in order. Among my favorite Audible series along with Harlon Coben's Myron Bolitor, Brett Battles' Jonathan Quinn and Connolley's Bosch and Mickey Haller.