|
[ Home ]
[ About | Reviews | Search | Submit ]
The Joe DeMarco series are political thrillers with a difference. The protagonist is a lawyer who works in Congress at the will of the Speaker of the House, John Fitzpatrick Mahoney. DeMarco serves as a "fixer," the person who smooths things over that are about to cause trouble. He doesn't officially show as reporting to Mahoney; he has some small measure of independence that leaves folks guessing about who is calling the shots. Joe isn't your standard political hack; he has a sense of humor and a cynical attitude that keeps things real. DeMarco's latest assignment is to work with ex-Congressman Dick Finley whose reporter son has died in what Finley feels are suspicious circumstances. Terry Finley was no Bob Woodward, but it appeared he had the lead on a story about a political scandal involving golden boy Senator Paul Morelli who it is widely assumed will be the next presidential candidate. Upon meeting Morelli, DeMarco is taken by his passion and ethics and feels that Finley had been following the wrong trail. But then he finds himself being tailed by some CIA freelancers and wonders what is really going on. What's really going on is a startling tale, with twists and turns galore. Morelli has been raked over the coals in the past and always come up clean. His alcoholic wife is among his biggest detractors—why does she have it in for her gifted husband? Lawson has created an engrossing plot, full of sinister characters from both sides of the law. The dirty secrets that he uncovers feel like they've been ripped from today's headlines. HOUSE SECRETS is the fourth in the Joe DeMarco series, which is rapidly becoming a favorite for me. The characterization is excellent, starting with the protagonist and stretching to the secondary players, who exemplify good and evil in all its guises. The look at the various political machinations from one who is in the midst of the politicians is fascinating. This is an excellent political thriller, and I highly recommend it.
Reviewed by Maddy Van Hertbruggen, October 2009
[ Top ]
QUICK SEARCH:
Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
[ About | Reviews | Search | Submit ]
[ Home ]
| 
