The Inside Ring

A Novel

By: Michael Lawson

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 10 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

From a bluff overlooking Georgia's untamed Chattooga River, an assassin fires three shots. The President of the United States is wounded; his best friend and a Secret Service agent are killed. Two days later, a man in Landover, Maryland, commits suicide, and in the man's home is overwhelming evidence that he was responsible for the assassination attempt.

General Andy Banks, the Secretary of Homeland Security, is nursing a guilty conscience. Only days before the assassination attempt on the President, Banks had received a note with a dire warning: "Eagle One is in danger. Cancel Chattooga River. The inside ring has been compromised. This is not a joke." The message, on Secret Service stationery, was signed "An agent in the wrong place". Banks immediately passed the note on to Secret Service Director Patrick Donnelly, who proceeded to ignore it.

Even after the assassin is found dead, Banks is determined to dig a little deeper. He turns to Speaker of the House John Fitzgerald Mahoney. The Speaker has a guy, an under-the-radar, go-to guy he uses for things like this, things he can't afford to have connected to his office. The guy is Joe DeMarco, an honest lawyer with a sordid family history.

After one meeting with Banks, DeMarco realizes he's in way over his head. But Mahoney finds the prospect of taking down Donnelly irresistible and sets DeMarco on a trail that twists through the Secret Service, the FBI, and the Department of Homeland Security and snakes all the way back to one of the more enduring mysteries of the 20th century.

Brimming with suspense, authenticity, and wit, The Inside Ring marks the debut of a major new talent and introduces a cast of intriguing characters with many more cases ahead.

©2005 Michael Lawson (P)2005 Books on Tape, Inc.

Critic reviews

"This is high-level entertainment from a writer who could soon rise to the top of the thriller heap." (Publishers Weekly)

DeMarco Fan

I have enjoyed all of Michael Lawson’s political thrillers wit Joe DeMarco as the lead. The plot often goes in many directions and the endings are never what you expect. In fact The Inside Ring seemed to come to a conclusion at several points only to find out there was more to come. As I have read from other reviewers this series does not need to be read in order as each novel stands on its own.

could have been great

This story line is interesting and the twist in the conclusion was generally foreseeable, although not specifically predictable because not all the information was provided to you. The main character is interesting enough to where you want to know what happens to him. The first part of the book is excellent, but the second half spends way too much time with violence and brutality that goes on and on after awhile, does not add any more to the story. The book gets better again at the end but you have endure a lot of gratuitous violence to get there.
Overall, this book was above average for the genre but there are plenty of better choices.

Good, not great

Lawson has some great characters in both this book and teh sequel, but the storiues are just so so.
I think , as he keeps writing these, they will get better.
The stories are decent, just not really new ideas.
Scott Brick makes it as good as it can be.

M

I'm a fan

Mr. Lawson writes a good book with an interesting story. Scott made it even better. Thanks to you both for an enjoyable book.

Audible recommended this book and they were right

This book is very engaging. A new author for me and a new series to listen to. I was never bored and the story was very exciting. The narration is from one of the best in the business. When I finished this book I immediately bought the next in the series and started listening. Excited to see where this series goes.

The Foul Language Ring

I purchased this book and decided to listen to it while driving to a destination that took 8 hours to reach. I thought it would be a good book for my 15 yr old son, myself, and my two 75 yr old grandparents to listen to. Boy was I shocked, disappointed, and embarrassed at the constant use of hard core foul language and the over-use of the "F" bomb (I didn't realize that there was explicit language that could be used that is worst then the "F" bomb but the author proved me wrong) that is used continously as well as unnecessary use of graphic language that the author uses to push the story line through. I stopped the book (of course) but I can tell you playing the "name that car" game with a 15 yr old and two grumpy 75 year old grandparents who are "lost in time" for 7 hours was painful beyond explanation! This book would have been great if the author would have written it with PG-13 language.

Maybe Audible can establish a rating system for the books that are sold on their site.

"Not a sermon - just a thought..."

Good characters and solid action throughout

Narration is great. Story is strong and the characters develop well. Really enjoyed every part of it.

A great Story and performance

I enjoyed this book very much. Good perspective of all the Sherlock Holmes characters. Great narrator

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.

I wouldn’t mind having a beer with Joe DeMarco!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes I would. The story is plausible and well written.

What did you like best about this story?

Joe DeMarco of course!

Would you listen to another book narrated by Scott Brick?

Actually Scott’s narration was the only fault I found with this audio book--it didn’t work for me!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Emma ate Donnelly's lunch near the end. I loved they way she owned the guy, is was perfection!

Any additional comments?

I’ve been listening this series out of order...turns out that was an ok idea. Joe is Joe regardless of where you meet him!