The Second Perimeter by Mike Lawson

"Mike Lawson brings back Joe DeMarco, the son of a mob enforcer turned 'fixer' for the Speaker of the House. Joe has a friend, Emma, enigmatic with a past. Emma worked for DIA (Defense Intelligence Agency) and has skills and access to people who know how to do things just this side of the law. Emma is also older than Joe, retired and gay. The Secretary of the Navy gets word from his sister that her son, a trainer at the Bremerton Naval Yard thinks something is not quite right with a contract awarded to assess the training of nuclear technicians on submarines. The Secretary thinks his nephew is 'dramatic' but doesn't want to ignore his sister and asks Joe to look into it. Emma goes along so she can accompany her love interest, a young, gorgeous cello player. Bodies pile up, security is threatened and Joe and Emma come face to face with someone from her past ..." "There is an authenticity about this book that will appeal to readers who enjoy the intricacies of espionage. Demarco is a believable, brave, fallible protagonist, and the touches of humor throughout the novel are a welcome surprise ..."

  장편이지만 비교적 무난한 문장이고 구성이 쉽게 되어 있어서 읽기에 쉬운 작품이다. 내용도 미국 중국 스파이들의 싸움이다. 이 작가와의 만남은 'The Inside Ring' 이후로 두 번째이다. 참 재밌게 쓰는 작가인 거 같고 영화나 드라마로 만들어도 좋지 않을까 하는 생각을 하면서 읽었다. 주인공은 Joe DeMarco라는 사람이지만 이 작품에서는 다른 인물들이 더 비중 있게 다루어지는 거 같다. 특히 은퇴한 전직 DIA(Defense Intelligence Agency) 요원인 Emma 나 복수에 불타는 중국 여자 스파이, 가족을 위해서 국가를 배신하는 전직 특수부대원 등 전형적인 액션 장르의 공식을 따르고 있는 작품이다.