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Joe DeMarco #5
House Justice
In his thrillers starring Joe DeMarco, Mike Lawson has made a name for himself as one of the most entertaining and insightful writers focusing on the dirty games played in our nation’s capital. In House Justice, an American defense contractor goes to Iran to sell missile technology, and the CIA knows all about it thanks to a spy in Tehran. But the story is leaked to an ambitious journalist and the spy is burned, brutally tortured, and executed. The director of the CIA isn’t about to let the callous sacrifice of his valuable spy go unpunished. DeMarco’s boss, Speaker of the House John Fitzpatrick Mahoney has his own reasons to get to the bottom of the leak: he once had a fling with the journalist, and now that she’s in jail for refusing to reveal her source, she is threatening to tell all unless he helps get her out. DeMarco and the CIA aren’t the only ones looking for the source of the leak. Someone else wants to avenge the spy’s death, and is tailing DeMarco hoping he’ll lead him to his prey. House Justice is classic Mike Lawson—fascinating characters, inside-the-beltway intrigue, and a gripping plot packed with surprises.
388 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2010
About the author
Mike Lawson
48 books388 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Pen name: M.A Lawson
Michael Lawson was raised in Pueblo, Colorado and attended college at Seattle University, receiving a degree in engineering. On leaving college he went to work for the US Navy as a nuclear engineer, spending approximately thirty years working for the Navy's nuclear power program. Some of this time was spent in Washington D.C. but most was spent at a large naval shipyard in Bremerton, Washington.
At the shipyard he managed a number of different organizations related to overhauling nuclear powered submarines, cruisers, and aircraft carriers, ending up as a member of the government’s Senior Executive Service
To date he has published 12 books starring Joe DeMarco, a fixer for a corrupt politician and three books in his Kay Hamilton series under the name of M. A. Lawson: He has won the Friend of Mystery Award twice and is a five time nominee for the Barry Award.
He lives in the Pacific Northwest.
Pen name: M.A Lawson
Michael Lawson was raised in Pueblo, Colorado and attended college at Seattle University, receiving a degree in engineering. On leaving college he went to work for the US Navy as a nuclear engineer, spending approximately thirty years working for the Navy's nuclear power program. Some of this time was spent in Washington D.C. but most was spent at a large naval shipyard in Bremerton, Washington.
At the shipyard he managed a number of different organizations related to overhauling nuclear powered submarines, cruisers, and aircraft carriers, ending up as a member of the government’s Senior Executive Service
To date he has published 12 books starring Joe DeMarco, a fixer for a corrupt politician and three books in his Kay Hamilton series under the name of M. A. Lawson: He has won the Friend of Mystery Award twice and is a five time nominee for the Barry Award.
He lives in the Pacific Northwest.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
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January 15, 2017
I have made the same mistake, again. I chose to read this book, Joe DeMarco #5 - House Justice, immediately after completing book #4. I really must stop doing this, but because I have 200+ audio books loaded on my iPod at any given time, it is often too much of a temptation to hit go on the next book in a series if I have enjoyed the previous one. In this case I still enjoyed book #5 but probably not quite as much as book #4.
There seemed to be a lot more characters in House Justice and the plot became a bit confused, to me anyway, but overall it was a good read/listen and earns a 3.5 out of 5.0, rounded down to 3.0 for GR.
It doesn't help that I quite often fall asleep listening to an audio book, wake up with all sorts of inane chatter in my ears, wonder what the hell I was dreaming about, pull out the earphones and fall back asleep. When I awaken, I have to spend time trying to find the last bits of the book I remember listening to - you know the problem.
There seemed to be a lot more characters in House Justice and the plot became a bit confused, to me anyway, but overall it was a good read/listen and earns a 3.5 out of 5.0, rounded down to 3.0 for GR.
It doesn't help that I quite often fall asleep listening to an audio book, wake up with all sorts of inane chatter in my ears, wonder what the hell I was dreaming about, pull out the earphones and fall back asleep. When I awaken, I have to spend time trying to find the last bits of the book I remember listening to - you know the problem.
June 21, 2015
I liked this installment in the Joe DeMarco series by Mike Lawson. I've read a few of these books very recently and this one was not my favorite. Even with that being said, I still liked it. I guess for being an author in this particular genre, he does so many things well and hardly anything that really irks me. So that is always a plus.
The one thing I like the most is the emphasis placed on the characters. Mike Lawson's books are about the people and not so much on the other details, even though the characters are wrapped nicely in a solid plot.
The one thing I like the most is the emphasis placed on the characters. Mike Lawson's books are about the people and not so much on the other details, even though the characters are wrapped nicely in a solid plot.
April 29, 2018
Very interesting and lots of excitement to hold the reader to the story. Also talks about CIA and illegal phone tapping in the USA and questionable Senator actions...so pretty fictitious wouldn't you say? Pick up the book and read it...
November 26, 2020
This was such a tight installment. It just kept going and it was complicated but it was never convoluted I could not pull my head away from it. I found myself waking up in the middle of the night to keep reading. Once again Joe DieMarco is just someone trying to survive and figure out what’s going on. Lawson never makes him super bad-ass and that is what makes it work for me. The crime makes everyone angry and I completely understood everyone’s reaction to it. Despite that, there are some truly hilarious moments. The shootout in the parking lot...just right!
I was truly and completely satisfied with the conclusion of this mystery.
I was truly and completely satisfied with the conclusion of this mystery.
March 3, 2020
This is the 5th book in Lawson’s Joe DeMarco series. Joe DeMarco is the “fixer” for Speaker of the House John Mahoney. When a CIA spy is brutally murdered in Iran, Mahoney suspects that the leak that exposed her came from a member of his party in the Congress, while the director of the CIA is fixed on bringing the individual who exposed his agent to justice. The journalist who printed the story isn’t willing to disclose her source, so DeMarco is tasked with uncovering the truth, and he is paired with a CIA agent, Angela DeCapria, to get to the bottom of the story. What they discover is a complex plot that not only involves a member of Congress but also some wealthy businessmen, some small time Russian gangsters looking to expand, and a man operating on his own who seems to be one step,ahead of everyone else. This is also the fifth book I have read in the series, but not in order. This is the first one I’ve read that I didn’t feel like reading the series in order would be best. Lawson writes a good thriller, with plenty of action, a likable protagonist, and a story that keeps your interest from beginning to end.
November 23, 2011
Mike Lawson's "Joe DeMarco" books just keep getting better. DeMarco works well as the flawed "congressional fixer," son of a deceased Mafia hit man unable to get a job as a lawyer because of his pedigree. And Mahoney is, as always, perfect as the Tip O'Neil-like Speaker of the House who uses and abuses DeMarco, but is, at heart, one of the good guys. Lawson makes it impossible not to like these guys, warts and all. Start at the beginning with Inside Ring and read the whole series.
May 15, 2014
Lawson just keeps on putting out great stories. I am not going to tell you anything about this story other than the fact that I could not put the book down.
Joe DeMarco continues to be the super hero without a cape.
Looking for the next book
Joe DeMarco continues to be the super hero without a cape.
Looking for the next book
October 27, 2014
Another fine entry in this series featuring Joe DeMarco the fixer for the Speaker of the House. The plot in this book was fairly complex with the CIA playing a major role but the pacing never faltered and I enjoyed the narration of Joe Barrett on the audio version.
February 22, 2023
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.
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.
April 2, 2022
Joe DeMarco is a fixer for Congressman Mahoney. He is a lawyer who never practiced. He got his off the books job because Mahoney owed somebody a favor.
In this novel Mahada, a CIA spy in Iran, was tortured, raped and murdered as she attempted to flee Iran because her cover was blown by reporter Sandra Whitmore.
Whitmore is jailed by judge because she won’t reveal her source. This is a career making story for an aging reporter who hasn’t had a big story in awhile. She has three major weaknesses 1. Claustrophobics 2. Nicotine addict 3. Pain meds addiction from old back injury.
Whitmore is 5’4, chunky, brassy red pepper and gray hair.
She has some dirt on Mahoney so she asks for his help in getting her released from jail. Mahoney calls DeMarco for help.
The Florist - An assassin, age 53, who has owned a flower shop for 16 years. He’s finally unearthing a box of weapons and false papers that he buried when he bought the flower-shop. He tells Marta Silverman, in her 50s, his unwitting employee of nine years, that he is leaving the shop in her hands while he is away attending to his sick brother. His brother is actually dead.
The florist meets a guard from where the reporter is jailed. He bribes him with $500 to report on any activity related to the reporter.
LaFontaine - Director of the CIA who is determined to find out who leaked the outted his spy to the reporter causing her to be murdered.
There are a lot of killings, a lot of twists and turns and a little sex on the side.
In this novel Mahada, a CIA spy in Iran, was tortured, raped and murdered as she attempted to flee Iran because her cover was blown by reporter Sandra Whitmore.
Whitmore is jailed by judge because she won’t reveal her source. This is a career making story for an aging reporter who hasn’t had a big story in awhile. She has three major weaknesses 1. Claustrophobics 2. Nicotine addict 3. Pain meds addiction from old back injury.
Whitmore is 5’4, chunky, brassy red pepper and gray hair.
She has some dirt on Mahoney so she asks for his help in getting her released from jail. Mahoney calls DeMarco for help.
The Florist - An assassin, age 53, who has owned a flower shop for 16 years. He’s finally unearthing a box of weapons and false papers that he buried when he bought the flower-shop. He tells Marta Silverman, in her 50s, his unwitting employee of nine years, that he is leaving the shop in her hands while he is away attending to his sick brother. His brother is actually dead.
The florist meets a guard from where the reporter is jailed. He bribes him with $500 to report on any activity related to the reporter.
LaFontaine - Director of the CIA who is determined to find out who leaked the outted his spy to the reporter causing her to be murdered.
There are a lot of killings, a lot of twists and turns and a little sex on the side.
January 30, 2017
"That's the problem working with politicians, they all lie.."
He was the guy you read about in spy novels, except the job was a lot less glamorous and a lot more dangerous. DeMarco really gets into it in this book. He has to bite the bullet when he's tied into a huge scheme knowing that bodies are going to drop. And that's exactly what the CIA is hoping for but DeMarco just doesn't sit right with this picture. Knowing he will be the fall guy if it all plays out wrong(which Mahoney agreed to), hangs in there. I missed Emma, ex DIA, typical badass, in this one. I loved how she let Joe know just how deep her emotion ran for this case & did not want anything to do with it. Mahoney may be an old, cheating drunk, but he is also a character you learn to respect in his decision making. Emma, as I imagine suffers from RBF & Joe Demarco, who all I can picture as Sonny Corleone make a pretty good team. It's pretty important when a book allows you to be able to bring the story and characters alive with imagination.
Lawson's books never fail, with unexpected turns and unpredictable endings. He has an intelligent mind but has such a laid back writing style that is somehow intense and just pulls you in.
He was the guy you read about in spy novels, except the job was a lot less glamorous and a lot more dangerous. DeMarco really gets into it in this book. He has to bite the bullet when he's tied into a huge scheme knowing that bodies are going to drop. And that's exactly what the CIA is hoping for but DeMarco just doesn't sit right with this picture. Knowing he will be the fall guy if it all plays out wrong(which Mahoney agreed to), hangs in there. I missed Emma, ex DIA, typical badass, in this one. I loved how she let Joe know just how deep her emotion ran for this case & did not want anything to do with it. Mahoney may be an old, cheating drunk, but he is also a character you learn to respect in his decision making. Emma, as I imagine suffers from RBF & Joe Demarco, who all I can picture as Sonny Corleone make a pretty good team. It's pretty important when a book allows you to be able to bring the story and characters alive with imagination.
Lawson's books never fail, with unexpected turns and unpredictable endings. He has an intelligent mind but has such a laid back writing style that is somehow intense and just pulls you in.
May 16, 2024
Spoilers ahead.
This book is part of the DeMarco series. I will not explain the background here as it's best for the reader to start from book 1. If not, the blurbs should explain the setting.
There are almost 2 plots here which are intertwined. In plot 1, a deep cover CIA spy in Tehran has been outed by a US journalist and is tortured and killed. Mahoney puts DeMarco on the case to find out where the leak comes from. At the same time, on hearing the same news, an unknown operative in the US discards his long time cover to do the same thing, but his purpose is to avenge the killing.
In plot 2, a technology start up goes public and the founder becomes a billionaire. He makes some bad hires including an executive who falls under the clutches of an ex-Russian Mafia thug who then starts to control the founder as well. This company comes to the attention of the unknown operative as well because the company had tried to sell missile technology to Iran.
Eventually both plots converge and meet. The plot device is a Lawson favorite, we get a long background story on the antagonists, something happens and DeMarco is put on the case. The writing was easy to read and follow if a bit gory.
This book is part of the DeMarco series. I will not explain the background here as it's best for the reader to start from book 1. If not, the blurbs should explain the setting.
There are almost 2 plots here which are intertwined. In plot 1, a deep cover CIA spy in Tehran has been outed by a US journalist and is tortured and killed. Mahoney puts DeMarco on the case to find out where the leak comes from. At the same time, on hearing the same news, an unknown operative in the US discards his long time cover to do the same thing, but his purpose is to avenge the killing.
In plot 2, a technology start up goes public and the founder becomes a billionaire. He makes some bad hires including an executive who falls under the clutches of an ex-Russian Mafia thug who then starts to control the founder as well. This company comes to the attention of the unknown operative as well because the company had tried to sell missile technology to Iran.
Eventually both plots converge and meet. The plot device is a Lawson favorite, we get a long background story on the antagonists, something happens and DeMarco is put on the case. The writing was easy to read and follow if a bit gory.
April 11, 2018
A spy is dead because a newspaper story leaked her identity. The leak probably came from someone in Congress. Speaker of the House, John Mahoney, needs the leaked plugged and calls in his go-to-guy, Joe DeMarco. And we're off to the races. Except, we're not.
This is the second book I've read in the DeMarco series and it does the same slow burn that I found in the first one, The Inside Ring. It's more suspense than thriller. This time around we spend more time with the other characters in this intricate plot than with DeMarco. That's mostly okay because these other characters are the ones that are making things happen. Joe is just fumbling along, trying to make sense of it. It's a little amazing that he's able to keep up at all with the few resources he has at his disposal.
Eventually, the story picks up steam and we start getting answers. But we also start racking up dead bodies. And then we're finished with a reasonably satisfying ending. It's not a bad read. It touches on some interesting points about politics and morality and spies. I just think it could have been tighter and stronger.
This is the second book I've read in the DeMarco series and it does the same slow burn that I found in the first one, The Inside Ring. It's more suspense than thriller. This time around we spend more time with the other characters in this intricate plot than with DeMarco. That's mostly okay because these other characters are the ones that are making things happen. Joe is just fumbling along, trying to make sense of it. It's a little amazing that he's able to keep up at all with the few resources he has at his disposal.
Eventually, the story picks up steam and we start getting answers. But we also start racking up dead bodies. And then we're finished with a reasonably satisfying ending. It's not a bad read. It touches on some interesting points about politics and morality and spies. I just think it could have been tighter and stronger.
April 20, 2020
This was a Good Read and it has my GoodRead stamp of approval. It was a bit long and there are quite a few characters to keep track up. I found myself thumbing back through to find out who was Uncle Lev again and who was this person or that. But That's what you get in a 600 page novel. But I thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end. I just look forward to DeMarco connecting with Angela.
This took me a little more than a month to read...and considering that I only read about a page or two per day, that shows that I put a little more effort into it, and in fact, I should say that it was effortless. The book is exactly what I would like to read, when I pick up a new novel.
If you like political thrillers or if you like the kind of book that keeps you wanting to know what's going to happen next, this is the book for you. Read it and let me know what you think.
This took me a little more than a month to read...and considering that I only read about a page or two per day, that shows that I put a little more effort into it, and in fact, I should say that it was effortless. The book is exactly what I would like to read, when I pick up a new novel.
If you like political thrillers or if you like the kind of book that keeps you wanting to know what's going to happen next, this is the book for you. Read it and let me know what you think.
May 19, 2017
A very decent but not necessarily always believable Washington, DC book that intertwines Capitol Hill, government contractors, and various government agencies. The main character, Joe Demarco, is just enough of an ethical badass (but not really either ethical or a badass) to make things interesting. It didn't rate four stars because it didn't make me burn the midnight oil, yet I looked forward to reading it each day. It is more entertaining than suspenseful, which can be OK, just as long as you understand that going in.
April 14, 2018
Get ready for a new author that you are going to absolutely love! While in Virginia my granddaughter selected a few books for me to read from her Mom’s stockpile of reading material including the Smithsonian Magazine. She put them on my reading stand by the bed. I decided after reading the first page of ‘House Justice’ and not being able to put the book down Mike Lawson was the new author I had been looking for. I loved the book and have downloaded the 2nd in this series already.
January 7, 2020
This book in the series dealt with some sticky issues of the CIA operating in the US...Joe got caught in the middle between governmental agencies and truly bad guys. New love interest for Joe with more possible staying power. I didn't like the way the agencies played "god" in deciding outcomes for people's lives and the "greater good" mentality, but the story as always moved quickly.
May 11, 2021
I discovered this author about a year ago. I've read all but two of the Demarco series. House Justice was a good read but not nearly as good as others in the series. There are a lot of characters in this book and, at times, I found the storyline to be rather confusing. Regardless, I will finish the remaining Demarco books.
May 7, 2022
This is not my usual genre but I am out of Audible credits at the moment and this was included in the subscription. It was good. I listen to audiobooks to fall asleep and this one was easy to follow despite a fairly complicated plot. The narrator is very likable. The characters were a little interchangeable — all the thugs were thuggish in the same way — but overall it was fun.
July 4, 2022
I think I exhausted my will to read about unlikely espionage stories. I like the crime-thriller aspect of the series but not the grandiose-spy part of it. I may take a break before attempting to read #6, and it has to be during a vacation by the beach, with the sun melting my brain.
I enjoy the series but this book was not of the kind I like.
I enjoy the series but this book was not of the kind I like.
January 25, 2024
I enjoyed this one a lot. The antagonists were all interesting. The mystery was much lower stakes and I think that allowed the author to take a more whimsical approach towards this Thriller. I also like that Demarcus mob past is becoming less something that’s talked about and more something that’s explored.
March 12, 2018
Joe DeMarco and team are trying to get to the triluthbof a leak to a reporter which ended up killing a US Spy in Iran. A variety of characters involved. Mahony who Joe works for is protecting his political interests as always.
October 13, 2020
Another great one!
Mike Lawson writes terrific books. I enjoy all of them because they include humor, interesting characters and twisted plots. This book is no exception. They are always a treat!
Mike Lawson writes terrific books. I enjoy all of them because they include humor, interesting characters and twisted plots. This book is no exception. They are always a treat!
July 2, 2021
Great Series!
The Joe DeMarco series is great! It always contains unexpected twists and turns. I also enjoy the fact that Joe Demarco isn’t a super hero and that he has a conscience. It is believable that people like him do work for the government.
The Joe DeMarco series is great! It always contains unexpected twists and turns. I also enjoy the fact that Joe Demarco isn’t a super hero and that he has a conscience. It is believable that people like him do work for the government.
September 11, 2024
While this is fiction, I would have no problem accepting that things like this really do happen. A nice mix of espionage and the good ol’ Russian mob. I do find what happened because of that mob very disturbing since it seems to be a recurring part of so many novels of this type that I’ve read.
November 2, 2016
Classic Mike Lawson
Intrigue, politic affairs, spies. The roles and characters are very good described.
Lawson use very realistic sources. I enjoy his books.
Intrigue, politic affairs, spies. The roles and characters are very good described.
Lawson use very realistic sources. I enjoy his books.
June 3, 2018
This is the first I have read of this offer. Will try another one
July 3, 2019
I've enjoyed the series. This one wasn't my favorite, but Mike Lawson does an excellent job of painting the picture in my mind with words on the page.
December 27, 2019
Enjoyable political thriller. Just the distraction I needed during the Christmas season.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews