House Divided

A Joe DeMarco Thriller

By: Mike Lawson

Narrated by: Joe Barrett

Length: 9 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

House Divided is inspired and compelling, a strong addition to this celebrated series.

When the National Security Agency is caught wiretapping US citizens without the proper warrants, a political scandal erupts, and the secret program comes to a screeching halt. But Dillon Crane, the NSA genius who spearheaded the most sophisticated eavesdropping operation in history, isn’t about to sit idly by while spineless politicians sleepwalk the country into another 9/11—and Crane cleverly moves his illegal eavesdropping program into the shadows.

But operating in the shadows can cause complications. When the NSA illegally records what appears to be a rogue military group killing two American citizens, Crane can’t simply walk over to the Pentagon and ask what’s going on—and before long, the largest intelligence agency in the country is locked into a deadly battle with a four-star army general who is just as capable and just as committed as Dillon Crane.

Caught in the middle of all this is Joe DeMarco. One of the civilians killed was his cousin, and all DeMarco is trying to do is bury the poor guy and settle his estate—but DeMarco soon finds himself being used as a sacrificial pawn in a lethal game between a master spy and a powerful general. Although a man with many flaws, DeMarco ultimately decides that he’s not going to be anyone’s pawn, no matter how powerful his opponents may be.

Take another thrill ride with Joe DeMarco.

©2011 Mike Lawson (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Lawson’s House Divided is a nonstop thrill ride. The author has created a disturbingly real Washington, DC, and peopled it with eerily familiar characters. He writes with wit and verve and displays a shrewd understanding of bureaucratic irony. Thoroughly enjoyable. The political thriller of the year.” (John Lutz, New York Times best-selling author)

Good story

Grest story line. Quite intriguing. Makes you wonder about the government and Big Brother watching you.

this should be made into a movie

As a former Nuclear navy officer, like Mike Lawson, I applaud patriotism running throughout the story line. Every character in the book loved the USA and wanted to protect the country, even the general who went outlaw. More stories like this should be written to inspire the next generation.

The characters are believable and well-developed and the writing superb. I highly recommend the DeMarco series to anyone who loves a great mystery book. And, someday it may become as popular as Sherlock Holmes series.

The Best Book So Far in the Joe Demarco Series

The narrator is excellent and capable of switching voice for each character and to me this is more like a one mqn theatre show.
The timing of my reading this book was, well let's just say in the middle part pf the book it was January 6, 2021 the day Congress convened to certify the electoral college votes and a coup attempt was made at our Country's Capitol and failed. It was certified that on January 20, 2021 Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will be our Pressident and Vice President. On January 12, 2021 due to the insurrection and other factors the Joint Chiefs of Staff issued an unprecedented letter to the Joint Force reiterating their mission and in that letter the words "insurrection" and "sedition" are used. President-elect Biden will become the 46th Commander in Chief.
House Divided I finished listening to on January 12, 2021 and was struck was awe struck. Mike Lawson researches factual information expertly and is masterful at weaving said information into plots that are realistic enough to be fact.

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.

Excellent!

As usual the author delivers a book you cannot put down. There are great characters. You want to know more!

Amazing Narration!

I loved how Joe Barrett narrated this story. The story is very clever and somewhat tongue-in-cheek, and Barrett’s narration was perfect.

Tightly weaved story

This was my escape each day from a boring life to one of intrigue. The character development was enhanced greatly by the narrator. Barrett is the best narrator I have ever heard and, frankly, I search books he has read before I see who is the author or the subject.

Endings

I love how this author completes the circle with his endings. By doing this it answers those questions that you normally ask yourself after completing the book.

Disjointed story

too many characters introduced too fast. no discernable plot as of chapter 6. lost interest at that point. narrator was good.

Radioactive Clubs and Stones

I have listened out of order and glad l did as l started with book 5 and this book is the last listen in this series for me. If l had listened in order, l may not have stayed with it. I love narrator Joe Barrett in Brian Haig Sean Drummond series so this series was a good follow up if l wanted more of Joe’s great narrations, l got it with this series. I love the John Mahoney character and he is not in this novel! Nor is Emma. Not the same tempo without those characters! Like book 12, Joe has very little focus until after ch 14. Usually there are plenty reviews before mine. Not with this book! The real action does not really start until ch 14 hence my title and the number of stars l gave. So if you skip around like l do in a series, do not start with this book. This story is almost the 2nd half of book 5 as author Refered to last CIA director, Jake La Fountaine. It was like author wanted to continue on that vain with this book. I had to go back and re listened to chapter 1&2 of this book when l got to ch 14 as l felt l missed the author’s intention.
The publisher’s summary is SPOT ON so no need to add to it.
The author wanted to make some political statements and does it in most of the relevant chapters. After finishing, I realize the fans of Joe Barrett did not want to bash this book. I can tell you this book was like an editorial for which I can get much from the nightly news. If author had added his humorous spin on this novel all would have been duly noted and as fans, got his message. Instead with no humor and very little sarcastic wit, the book was dry and not worth my listening time.
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