Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

Mr. Lawson has created another great addition to ups and downs of the character Joe Demarco. Although the timeline within the series seems a bit odd.

Joe DeMarco is off the reservation in this newest entry in the popular series featuring the private fixer of the Speaker of the House, a foul-mouthed pol from Boston who doesn't usually let Joe follow his own instincts, especially when they have nothing to do with him. But he understands loyalty, so barely grumbles when Joe leaves Washington to investigated why and who killed a woman he once loved and still misses is killed in a Wyoming motel. Knowing Shannon as he does, or used to, he quickly figures out that her murder is connected to the story that brought her to Wyoming + the band of cowboys who got into an armed standoff with federal agents, and their leader, one Hiram Bunt. And the more secrets he uncovers about Bunt and his followers, the closest be comes to meeting the same bloody end Shannon did
It's interesting to encounter a favorite series hero in a new setting, but somehow rural Wyoming lacks the same pzazz as Washington . Or even Boston But if you love Joe there, you'll love him here too.
I

Even author Mike Lawson wants out of D.C.! House Standoff is set in small town Wyoming, where human weakness reigns. Bad guys and conflicted guys abound. DeMarco is onto a murder of a popular author and the story is told in Lawson's usual breezy style, meaning that it is a quick and entertaining read. While I might miss the Washington intrigue, we have plenty of drama here.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

An excellent thriller, gripping and entertaining.
Excellent plot and character development, the author is a talented storyteller
It's the first I read in this series and won't surely be the last.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Published by Atlantic Monthly Press on April 6, 2021

In an earlier Joe DeMarco novel, DeMarco had a fling with Shannon Doyle, who abandoned her earlier life to write a novel. DeMarco thought their relationship might turn into more than a fling, but Shannon was chasing her dream and the dream led her to the west coast. DeMarco works as a fixer for a congressman and has no idea what he would do if he left that job. Besides, he’s happy to have a job that lets him spend more time golfing than working. Leaving D.C. isn’t in his immediate future. That’s good news for DeMarco fans.

At the beginning of House Standoff, DeMarco reads in the newspaper that Shannon was murdered in Wyoming. He pulls some strings with Wyoming’s congressman and learns that the local Sheriff’s deputy investigating the death believes that Shannon was murdered by a random trucker who entered her motel room and stole her laptop. DeMarco regards that theory as unlikely. He travels to Wyoming to pursue an investigation of his own, or at least to make a nuisance of himself until the deputy tries harder to solve the crime.

House Standoff is a good book for whodunit fans. DeMarco develops several suspects who might have wanted Shannon dead. Shannon had been gossiping with locals to develop a sense of atmosphere for her new book. She learned about an affair that would be troublesome if it were exposed. A jealous wife suspects Shannon of having an affair with her husband. And Shannon knew the secret of a woman who lives across the street from the motel, a woman who claims to have witnessed a female entering Shannon’s room shortly before she was murdered.

Another plot thread involves a wealthy and influential rancher who is at war with the BLM because he shares the common belief that, as a member of the public, all public land belongs to him. He doesn’t believe he should be required to pay grazing fees when his cattle are on public land. Not long after the rancher and a BLM agent were in a standoff, the BLM agent was shot in the back. DeMarco uses his unconventional approach to problem solving to gather evidence against the killer. (That part of the story, Mike Lawson reveals in an afterword, was inspired by an actual armed standoff in Wyoming. The prevalence of libertarian characters who believe that problems are best solved with guns was probably inspired by Wyoming’s existence.)

The whodunit reads like a classic mystery. Lawson develops the suspects in a fair amount of depth, revealing their potential motives while giving the reader reason to question whether they are likely to have committed a murder. The solution is surprising, all the more so because for all of the nosing around that DeMarco does, he has little to do with solving the crime.

Most of the characters, including an FBI agent, view DeMarco as ruining lives by meddling in people’s secrets. DeMarco doesn’t have much sympathy for the lives he might have ruined, although he does try to mitigate the damage. I like DeMarco because he’s shady but fundamentally decent. The same could be said of most of the murder suspects, although they fall on various points along the continuum between purity and corruption.

Lawson has hit his stride with the recent DeMarco novels. House Standoff is the latest in his series of beach reads that have a deceptive amount of depth.

RECOMMENDED

If you love the Jack Reacher series, this book is for you! Joe reminds me of a modern day Jack Reacher - with a cell phone and home address but the same level of perseverance to solve a crime in the middle of nowhere.
Each character that was introduced in this small town had enough secrets and character flaws that any or all could have been involved in the crime. In a town where everyone knows everyone, how do you know who to trust?
I am looking forward to continuing with the series!

Thanks to Mr. Lawson and Grove Atlantic for permitting me to read this novel via NetGalley.

I’ve been a fan of Joe DeMarco over the years. I just listened to #14, House Privilege, to catch up before House Standoff. I am having some real issues with my buddy Joe. He was in full superhero mode in Privilege as he protected a young girl with some outrageous and illegal tactics. He has no problem bugging Speaker Mahoney about hanging onto his job so he can maintain his pension. And it sounds like a pretty cushy job, other than the moral ambiguity and lack of respect at being outed as the Speaker’s fixer. Maybe he shows up for 10 hours a week, except when he’s in the thick of things. He has plenty of time for golf. Must be unofficial government comp time.

In this book, he flies into Wyoming to find out why a friend was killed. He’s a literal bull in a china shop, which is his normal modus operandi. In this case, the ending is unexpected and shows Joe in a very dark light. He just leaves town and all the mess stays behind. He seems completely unaffected by his impact on other people, no matter their level of goodness, badness or culpability. In fact, he’s going to take some time off and play golf, making sure to avoid his boss so he doesn’t get any more work for a while.

Maybe I want to ask Joe: when the heck are you going to grow up? I sense a crisis is building. Can he go on doing this job year after year? At some point Mahoney is going to drop dead. Joe has been an appealing maverick. I hope he can learn some self-awareness. 3 stars.

Mike Lawson knows how to tell a good story, even when his main character, Joe DeMarco, is out of his milieu. Transporting the D.C. lawyer from the urban Eastern seaboard to the high desert of Wyoming adds some cross-cultural complications to this series.

Not to mention that politics in the Mountain West are a different game altogether, and his Congressional ID may be a drawback rather than a facilitator.

Don't expect pretty writing from Lawson. Unlike the fictional author in House Standoff, his writing isn't lyrical. He establishes a sense of place brutally, with a sentence or two using words like dead, dry and sagebrush.

But he's good with characters, knows how to pace his story and to layer the clues. I liked this book even more than the DeMarco stories set in the cities.

Thanks to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for an advance readers copy.

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Mike Lawson, and Grove Atlantic for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Returning with the fifteenth book in the Joe DeMarco series, Mike Lawson brings something new to the discussion to keep readers on their toes. While DeMarco has made a name for himself as the ‘fixer’ for Speaker of the House of Representatives, he disputes the title and the sentiment that he is under anyone’s thumb. After learning that a friend was murdered in rural Wyoming, DeMarco makes his way out there to do some investigating of his own. What he discovers is not as open and shut as some would believe. A great piece with just the right amount of grit to fit the DeMarco norm. Recommended to those who enjoy a looser crime thriller with a handful of potential suspects.

Joe DeMarco’s earned quite the reputation as a fixer for John Maloney, current Speaker of the House of Representatives. While the two men have worked together in the past, DeMarco does not want his reputation tainted, as many see the senior politician as troublesome. With the Speaker out of the country on official business, DeMarco hopes to be able to get some golf in and relax, enjoying the quiet.

However, he learns of the death of a long-ago friend, Shannon Doyle, in rural Wyoming. Doyle is a popular author who was said to be researching her latest novel when she was murdered in a robbery. The local authorities were convinced it was a trucker who might have been passing through and wanted to score something to pawn. DeMarco is not buying it and chooses to leave DC to begin an investigation of his own.

Upon his arrival in Wyoming, DeMarco realises that things are a lot different than in DC, with a slower pace and a greater deference for the law. DeMarco approaches the local FBI to explain his presence, as well as some of his sentiments, though he is stonewalled before he gets too far. It would seem the local authorities have their own ideas and do not want anyone from outside poking their heads around.

Once DeMarco gains access to Doyle’s cloud account, he discovers a journal that she’s been keeping about the locals, something that tells quite the story about all of them. It gives him a better idea as to who might have been ‘colouring outside the lines’ and what motives they may have to want her quieted. Working the angles as best he can, DeMarco hones in on a few possibles, only to uncover a larger crime. The murder of a Black Lives Matter protestor seems to have been neutralised, though Shannon Doyle had some proof that could upend things quite substantially.

DeMarco is not one to leave stones unturned and he goes blazing in, pointing fingers where he feels the need. The murderer is in town, of that DeMarco is sure, but trying to choose the correct person is important. It’s sure to cost him something or other, but one can only hope his life’s not in jeopardy.

I’ve been reading and enjoying Mike Lawson’s work for a number of years, always finding the mix of crime and politics to my liking. While Joe DeMarco does come across as a man who is happy to blur the lines, his dedication to justice cannot be disputed. DeMarco takes matters into his own hands with this piece, but is happy to fight for what he feels is right as he salvages the reputation of a woman for whom he cared a great deal.

Joe DeMarco is the perfect protagonist for this piece, mixing his gritty determination with strong sleuthing skills. His background with familial connections to the Italian community does not hurt his reputation, though he does not want to rely on it, as he tries to live the clean life. With a little backstory on his ties to Shannon Doyle, DeMarco’s character evolves slightly in the fight for justice. His investigative skills are on display throughout this piece, showing that a little attention to detail can go a long way, even if it causes some with the local police more than a few headaches.

Lawson creates some strong supporting characters for his protagonist as well. Moving the piece out to Wyoming, there are few recurring characters in the book, save for a few who receive passing mention, allowing DeMarco to rule the roost as it were. Those who help create the Wyoming flavouring to the story emerge throughout as key characters and ones that add depth to the story. The reader will likely enjoy this ‘small town’ feel, with locals who wish only to stick to what they have always known and frown on outsiders who try to poke their noses where they do not belong.

The story was well presented and left much of the politics out of the mix. This is more a crime thriller than anything political, allowing Lawson to expand his writing style. There is a little of everything in the piece, with some much needed humour to offset some of the darker revelations that come to the surface. Quick chapters balance nicely with a narrative that moves at a clipped pace. The reader is sure to get into the middle of the story with ease and find themselves devouring the book in short order. Who knows what’s next for Lawson and how he will approach the series. It’s done well for now, though I wonder if DeMarco is pining for more golf time than having to smash heads to get answers.

Kudos, Mr. Lawson, for another winner. I am glad to have found the series and an eager to see what’s to come!

Shannon Doyle has been murdered in a small Wyoming town where she was gathering information for her next book. To the public she was a rising star and her debut novel had received much acclaim. But for Joe DeMarco, a “fixer” for the Speaker of the House, Shannon was someone he once loved. Now he’s determined to see her killer brought to justice and the only way to do that is to go to Waverly, Wyoming and make sure the police are doing everything possible to close the case. But, when DeMarco is involved, nothing seems to go very smoothly.

House Standoff is Mike Lawson’s 15th book in the Joe DeMarco Thriller series. I always enjoy the time I spend with DeMarco, but this time the story felt a little flat. I missed the Washington, DC setting and I think Joe did too. He was somewhat out of his element in Wyoming. As for the various characters, none of them were very appealing or even very interesting. At times the story seemed to drag, the revelations were mediocre, and the suspense was minimal.

I’ve enjoyed the previous DeMarco books, so even though I was a bit disappointed with this latest story, I will definitely look forward to Joe’s next adventure. I just hope it’s back in Washington where he belongs.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for review.

Joe DeMarco is a fixer for the Speaker of the House, but in this he goes off-piste when an author friend of his is murdered in a small Wyoming town. DeMarco feels the need to go to the town and see if the investigation is being taken seriously. Sadly this is a town with strong characters and hidden agendas.
What I loved was this was typical Jack Reacher territory, upset the locals, beat lots of people up and root out the secrets. But no, this is Mike Lawson. As DeMarco investigates, he kind of blunders into things without realising and causes ripples within the community. As a disruptive influence he changes the dynamics within the town while thinking he is doing a good thing and honouring the memory of his friend.
The author has a true skill of putting you in the heads of his characters so you feel their motivations and agendas, but he does so with gentle humour and observation.
This is a more than welcome addition to the series and I am grateful to the publishers and Net Galley for the opportunity to read it.

Joe DeMarco leaves his responsibilities as a fixer for the Speaker of the House to investigate the death of a close friend of his. Bunt, a rancher seems to have a number of politicians in his pocket and the deputy in charge has secrets he does not want uncovered. DeMarco wants to be sure the investigation uncovers the truth. Lawson did a good job of developing DeMarco's character and his involvement with all of the people of Waverly, Wyoming. Many of the characters were viewed as suspects at one time or another. I was disappointed to discover the actual killer since little was shared about this person. Lawson is one of my favorite mystery writers and other books I have read are more suspenseful.

I have read House Standoff by Mike Lawson, it's the 15th Joe DeMarco adventure. Boy is this good writing. I first tried one of these with the previous book and I was not sure if I would continue reading them. Then, thanks to #AtlanticMonthlyPress #GroveAtlantic and #Netgalley I got this arc and thought I would read one more and I am so glad that I did. Now the only problem is that I feel the need, the need to read. All the previous 13 books. I really recommend this series. In this book our hero finds that an old flame has been murdered in a small town in Wyoming and he feels that he needs to go there and figure out who did it. What a mess it will turn out to be....

I welcomed Joe DeMarco back in Mike Lawson’s latest book of the House series. The story focuses on the murder of Joe’s “one that got away” taking place not in DC, but in a Wyoming community. As usual, Joe’s arrival in the small town brings disruption along with answers. Joe also manages to bring back his former cop pal, Tommy, to help find the murder (another treat).

This was a fast-paced story, with lots of character engagement and people I could relate to. I highly recommend this book and the Mike Lawson House series. You won’t be disappointed.

Thank you to Net Galley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I've read all of the books in the series and I greatly enjoyed this one. It was an interesting twist to see how little involvement that Mahoney had and how Joe was able to accomplish his purpose. Looking forward to the next installment.

This is another great installment in the Joe DeMarco series. I have read many of them and this one was good. Joe old girlfriend is murdered, and he wants to find the killer. If you have read other books in the series, you will know Joe really loved her and thought of her as the one who got away. The murder takes place in a small town in Wyoming. So off Joe goes.

He gets in the middle of it. Causing all sort of mayhem. I did miss all the recurring people who help him out - though he did bring in Tommy, ex-cop to help.

I really like the way Mike Lawson writes and was happy to read this advance copy from Net Galley for an honest review. I highly recommend this book and all the others in the series.

Masterful development of characters and subject matter. I’ve read all of Mike Lawson‘s books, and know I can count on him For a good read.

Joe DeMarco takes off on his own in this adventure instead of handling the dirty work of House Speaker Mahoney. When he arrives in Wyoming his goal is to find out who killed his former girlfriend. Along the way he make life miserable for anyone who gets in his way—and plenty do. Secrets abound that keep the reader guessing.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from “House Stand-off” since it takes the main character, Joe Demarco, out of his normal DC habitat. Joe has travelled out West to solve the murder of a former love. Part of the reason Inlove the Demarco series is the interaction between him and his boss John Mahoney the Speaker of the House of Representatives. “House Standoff” includes little of Mahoney or any of the other characters in previous books.

Having said all that, I really liked the book. It felt like a stand-alone book and we get to see another side of Demarco! Two thumbs up to Mike Lawson!