Book Review: House Rules
Julie Robison
Issue date: 11/5/09 Section: Arts
The only rule in the House of Representatives is that there no rules - at least, none that directly apply to Joe DeMarco.
In Mike Lawson's third Joe DeMarco thriller, "House Rules," Lawson does not disappoint. The book contains an abundance of believable, flawed characters responding to the extraordinary situations only the District of Columbia enjoys providing on a regular basis.
Joe DeMarco works off-the-books for Speaker of the House John Mahoney, who is contacted by a childhood friend whose son just happened to hijack a plane and aim it at the White House. It's certainly not the conventional way to make friends in D.C., but it does make a statement, which is what The Client - this book's mystery villain - is trying to do. A plane flying into the White House, however, is the least of DeMarco's worries. More bold and catastrophically destructive acts (including a bomb planted for him in a government building) are to follow DeMarco as he races through the pages to uncover who is behind the calamities shaking the Beltway and rattling the country.
He must do this, of course, without landing in jail. DeMarco may work for Mahoney, but if anyone asks, he doesn't - which often puts him in awkward predicaments which come with lacking proper government protection.
"House Rules" is an entertaining read. Each short chapter provides more information and moves easily from Capitol Hill office scenes to drug dealing scenarios, persuading the reader to piece clues together, wanting to help DeMarco before the next calamity or a call from his ex-wife. Lawson tackles racial profiling, gender relations, Muslims in a post-Sept. 11 America, relationships, religious fanaticism, networking in the Beltway and the dangers of assumption, clever ditties notwithstanding.
Those familiar with the District will enjoy the way Lawson name-drops: a drive-by scene, featuring the National Archives, where "What Is Past Is Prologue" is etched; an active interest in the country's worst baseball team, the Washington Nationals; Georgetown's poor parking situation; the ever-popular Hawk and Dove, a bar near the Capitol, which quenches the thirst of senators and students alike.
If fast-paced action scenes, multiple plots and snappy comebacks do not sound intriguing, the reader would do better to sidestep this thrilling political read of conspiracy theories, beautiful killers-for-hire, lecherous but well-meaning politicians, forgiveness laced with expletives and plenty of on-the-job drinking.
Lawson's prose may not be sophisticated, but his strength lies in making his readers think. "House Rules" shows readers a perception of humanity that is not bleak as it is burgeoning; one better understand the world and all its complex idiosyncrasies, as well as the motivation behind the people who make it move, throughout this engaging volume. The role the reader holds throughout the book may change, but the rules of engagement never do - and when Joe DeMarco gets involved, all bets are off.
House Rules
By Mike Lawson Atlantic Monthly Press, $23.00, 368 pages
In Mike Lawson's third Joe DeMarco thriller, "House Rules," Lawson does not disappoint. The book contains an abundance of believable, flawed characters responding to the extraordinary situations only the District of Columbia enjoys providing on a regular basis.
Joe DeMarco works off-the-books for Speaker of the House John Mahoney, who is contacted by a childhood friend whose son just happened to hijack a plane and aim it at the White House. It's certainly not the conventional way to make friends in D.C., but it does make a statement, which is what The Client - this book's mystery villain - is trying to do. A plane flying into the White House, however, is the least of DeMarco's worries. More bold and catastrophically destructive acts (including a bomb planted for him in a government building) are to follow DeMarco as he races through the pages to uncover who is behind the calamities shaking the Beltway and rattling the country.
He must do this, of course, without landing in jail. DeMarco may work for Mahoney, but if anyone asks, he doesn't - which often puts him in awkward predicaments which come with lacking proper government protection.
"House Rules" is an entertaining read. Each short chapter provides more information and moves easily from Capitol Hill office scenes to drug dealing scenarios, persuading the reader to piece clues together, wanting to help DeMarco before the next calamity or a call from his ex-wife. Lawson tackles racial profiling, gender relations, Muslims in a post-Sept. 11 America, relationships, religious fanaticism, networking in the Beltway and the dangers of assumption, clever ditties notwithstanding.
Those familiar with the District will enjoy the way Lawson name-drops: a drive-by scene, featuring the National Archives, where "What Is Past Is Prologue" is etched; an active interest in the country's worst baseball team, the Washington Nationals; Georgetown's poor parking situation; the ever-popular Hawk and Dove, a bar near the Capitol, which quenches the thirst of senators and students alike.
If fast-paced action scenes, multiple plots and snappy comebacks do not sound intriguing, the reader would do better to sidestep this thrilling political read of conspiracy theories, beautiful killers-for-hire, lecherous but well-meaning politicians, forgiveness laced with expletives and plenty of on-the-job drinking.
Lawson's prose may not be sophisticated, but his strength lies in making his readers think. "House Rules" shows readers a perception of humanity that is not bleak as it is burgeoning; one better understand the world and all its complex idiosyncrasies, as well as the motivation behind the people who make it move, throughout this engaging volume. The role the reader holds throughout the book may change, but the rules of engagement never do - and when Joe DeMarco gets involved, all bets are off.
House Rules
By Mike Lawson Atlantic Monthly Press, $23.00, 368 pages
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