House Reckoning

A Joe DeMarco Thriller, Book 9

By: Mike Lawson

Narrated by: Joe Barrett

The ninth installment in Mike Lawson's Washington, DC, political thriller series takes listeners back into Joe DeMarco's past - to the murder of his father, which was never investigated, let alone solved.

DeMarco always knew that his father, Gino, had a shady job for a local mafioso, but he didn't understand that Gino had been a hit man until he was murdered. Now, nearly 20 years later, one of Gino's former mob associates is dying of lung cancer, and he wants to get something off his chest before retiring to his grave: the truth about Gino's killer. The shocking information, and the powerful position the killer now occupies, sends DeMarco on a mission of revenge with terrible consequences. Now that the secret has been kept for so long, DeMarco has to rush to do something about it because the killer is on the brink of taking a job in Washington, DC, that will leave him untouchable.

With his job, his morals, and his very life on the line, DeMarco must ask himself: How far will he go for revenge?

©2014 Mike Lawson (P)2014 Blackstone Audiobooks

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 ever

This is one of Mike Lawson's best books. I have listened to 9 of his books and this is the best so far.

Great story

I've listened to 9 DeMarco books in order through Audible. Mr. Lawson's characters are so well developed and I feel that I have actually met each one personally. Can't wait to listen to #10.

Love this guy

Just came upon these books. Have listened to several and enjoy them very much. He is a very dedicated man to his work enjoyed the twist in this plot. Really liked the ending.

New Mike Lawson/Joe DeMarco Fan

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes. This is a good fast paced book with enough suspense to keep you on the edge.

What does Joe Barrett bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Joe Barrett's performance is Excellent! He brings such life to each of the characters. I thoroughly enjoy listening to his narration of the Joe DeMarco books and don't think I would enjoy them as much if I were reading them myself.

Any additional comments?

I have had the first two books in this series in my wish list forever and was on the fence thinking they might be OK. They were Much MORE then OK! I have just finished listening to ALL 9 books in a row! All of the books are Wonderful! I just can't say enough about this series. Each one can be read/listened to as a stand alone, in or out of order but I really enjoyed listening to them as one Very long book :) This one is the last in the series so far but may be the best. After hearing about Joe DeMarco's hit man father in the previous 8 books this one finally details how he became a hit man and why. This book is about who murdered him and why and who he is now and DeMarco's quest to stop the man before he becomes a (more) powerful man then he already is. His internal conflict over avenging his father and becoming the same kind of man his father was is almost palpable. But then Ta Da here come Emma to the rescue. The final assassination scene with the Russian assassin is a jaw dropper. This was one of those scenes I had to mull over just because it made me realize just how gifted of an author Mike Lawson really is. I am impressed and I don't say that too often. I Highly RECOMMEND this book and the previous books in this series.