The Third Rule
Formats: E-Book, Paperback
Ages: 18+
If they brought back the death penalty for serious crime, would you support it? Would you still support it if they charged the wrong man?
"I always root for the underdog and was willing him to succeed as the story approached its exciting climax."
Crime Scene Investigator Jack Riley was a hero for bringing down an armed robber.
Four years later, against a backdrop of riots opposed to the new and brutal death penalty known as The Rules, Jack is shattered when his son is killed in a hit and run.
Fuelled by desperation, Jack embarks on a mission to find his son's killer and in a display of his former brilliance, unravels a much darker truth. But when he exposes it, the government declare him a Rule Three violator – wanted for murder. He becomes the target of a relentless government assassin and a detective who enjoys executing criminals whether they’re innocent or not.
Now Jack is running for his life, determined to avenge his son, expose the truth, and stay alive. Can he do it before justice catches him?
Reviews
The Third Rule is a tangled, twisted, startling tale of "law and order" - or at least some version of it. Its premise is frightening because one can see it being actual headlines without much difficulty. Most of the story has to do with a plan to overhaul the justice system in the UK by implementing "the third rule". (It's a bit like the U. S.'s 3rd strike rules for repeat offenders, only far less lenient and far more permanent.) It all sounds good on the face of it, but when unrelated bodies turn up, a bit of digging by CSI Jack Riley and a reporter find they are all actually connected by a fine thread that leads to some aspect of "the third rule", its proponents and its architect, most of whom are very high up in the government. But what happens when some of those in charge decide that there are rules for one set of people and another set of rules for others? The story is fast paced and well written. The characters are all people you'd recognize in a similar setting. As always, Barrett weaves several off-shoot stories together and makes them fit like a finely crafted jigsaw puzzle. I'm probably not doing it justice in this description, but believe me, it is a worthy read.
An excellent read, loved it. If you’ve read any other Andrew Barrett books don’t leave this one out. It is brilliant. He has become my favourite author.
I read this after reading the Roger Coniston and Eddie Collins books and wasn't sure what to expect from a one off story,but was not disappointed. The story is so well written it takes you along at a rapid pace with different individual stories all coming together at the end. With hindsight I should have read this book first as you can see both Roger and Eddie in Jack's character but this is only a personal opinion and really the book is excellent as a stand alone thriller. If you haven't read the Roger and Eddie books don't hesitate,they too are excellent and highly readable! Enjoy!
