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kaisersozee's review
5.0
I really liked the CSI hero of this series and recommend every book!! Eddie Collins is a great character and Andrew Barrett is a great writer, quite a logical result!!
sony08's review
5.0
More reviews at: https://noemptyshelveshere.blogspot.co.uk/
This is the first in Eddie Collins series and what a start. I have actually already had the pleasure to meet Eddie in Ledston Luck and actually liked his unlikable character. But The Third Rule has given me a fab insight into why Eddie can be such an ungentlemanly character.
At first I was confused and slightly afraid of the amount of characters that were being thrown at me for the first quarter of the book, but Andy has a great way of marrying up the story of each and every person and it all just slots together beautifully.
The overarching theme of this novel is the idea of ultimate punishment. The Rules should provide the country with a legal way of cleansing society of dark characters that are not allowing the ‘normal’ law-abiding members of public to live their lives to the full as they hide behind closed doors afraid of being burgled, attacked, killed etc. On the surface, the idea is excellent. You commit a crime; you get rule one. You recommit, you get rule three. And well, if that doesn’t stop you then the bullet of rule three will.
However, what happens when the rules are used for someone’s own gain of power. Let’s say a police officer just wants that promotion and will convict the easy target for a quick conviction, even though the evidence points the other way. Or if a high-power politician uses the rules to cover up tracks from his own crimes.
It’s a superb question of morals and it’s so well written, it keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time you read it. Eddie is a very unlikely hero and that’s what’s most attractive about him, because underneath all the darkness, he is a good, fair character that will do anything to stop injustice.
This is the first in Eddie Collins series and what a start. I have actually already had the pleasure to meet Eddie in Ledston Luck and actually liked his unlikable character. But The Third Rule has given me a fab insight into why Eddie can be such an ungentlemanly character.
At first I was confused and slightly afraid of the amount of characters that were being thrown at me for the first quarter of the book, but Andy has a great way of marrying up the story of each and every person and it all just slots together beautifully.
The overarching theme of this novel is the idea of ultimate punishment. The Rules should provide the country with a legal way of cleansing society of dark characters that are not allowing the ‘normal’ law-abiding members of public to live their lives to the full as they hide behind closed doors afraid of being burgled, attacked, killed etc. On the surface, the idea is excellent. You commit a crime; you get rule one. You recommit, you get rule three. And well, if that doesn’t stop you then the bullet of rule three will.
However, what happens when the rules are used for someone’s own gain of power. Let’s say a police officer just wants that promotion and will convict the easy target for a quick conviction, even though the evidence points the other way. Or if a high-power politician uses the rules to cover up tracks from his own crimes.
It’s a superb question of morals and it’s so well written, it keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time you read it. Eddie is a very unlikely hero and that’s what’s most attractive about him, because underneath all the darkness, he is a good, fair character that will do anything to stop injustice.
btpbookclub's review
4.0
The Third Rule is book number one in the upcoming Eddie Collins series. Now I must admit at just over 600 pages long it felt a little daunting as I don’t usually read thick books due to not much time. However, it didn’t take me as long as I thought to finish it.
Firstly, I found the opening to the story very rushed, introducing all the characters and their stories all at once which was a bit overwhelming at first. However, the story then slows into each characters story making it clearer for the reader to understand.
The Third Rule is action packed with drugs, crime, politics and death. I found myself slowly getting absorbed into the story and I was hooked after a while. I raced through it. In the end I enjoyed the story and look forward to the rest of this series.
This is a book that will most likely split the readers views about ‘the third rule’. I do understand the concept of the third rule but I wouldn’t say I was for it as many people can be framed for crime and killings leading to false imprisonment. On the other hand I do believe it would work for certain types of criminals, would deter criminals and as a result we would see the level of crime drop drastically.
I awarded a fair four stars and would highly recommend this book! But I did warn you it was a long book.. Other than that a perfect story I was caught up in. Bring on book two!
Firstly, I found the opening to the story very rushed, introducing all the characters and their stories all at once which was a bit overwhelming at first. However, the story then slows into each characters story making it clearer for the reader to understand.
The Third Rule is action packed with drugs, crime, politics and death. I found myself slowly getting absorbed into the story and I was hooked after a while. I raced through it. In the end I enjoyed the story and look forward to the rest of this series.
This is a book that will most likely split the readers views about ‘the third rule’. I do understand the concept of the third rule but I wouldn’t say I was for it as many people can be framed for crime and killings leading to false imprisonment. On the other hand I do believe it would work for certain types of criminals, would deter criminals and as a result we would see the level of crime drop drastically.
I awarded a fair four stars and would highly recommend this book! But I did warn you it was a long book.. Other than that a perfect story I was caught up in. Bring on book two!
cassiecat's review
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.25
Gore score 3/5
Available on KU
A new series with CSI Jack Riley
The first thing to say it’s not an Eddie Collins book, it’s a standalone. Secondly you are in for a marathon, not a sprint with this long book, but not in the ultra marathon realm of JK Rowling.
This one is Speculative fiction. A new death penalty known as the Rules has been introduced. Jack Riley’s son is killed. Jack is devastated, he investigates only to find himself listed as a rule three violator wanted for murder a target of both a government assassin and a ruthless detective. I found the premise of this book fascinating. I love a bit of speculative fiction.
It lacks a strong opening hook, it’s a slower introduction to the various characters. It took awhile to settle into as there are several threads and characters plus it jumps around. But then I was well hooked. Once you’re on board with all the characters it’s easy to keep track.
It’s fairly politically driven due to the nature of the plot. There’s a few non PC references.
I like that Mick and Sam provide the people in the streets opposing views on the Rules,it certainly makes the reader question what is and isn’t acceptable to them. It would be a good book to read in a book club to promote discussions.
It’s very character driven. There are such a range of characters, nasty power hungry self obsessed characters, some with problems just trying to cope with the harsh realities of life,and others thinking they are entitled to take what they want.
They all evoked varying emotional reactions from me. This is interspersed with snippets of humour, and bits that are just gross, I do like a bit of gore!
I liked Jack and Mick despite of, or perhaps because of their many faults with the way they bounce off each other with dark sarky humour. Lisa, I just loved her.
There’s more CSI technique descriptions in this book. It’s also got a good plot complexity with various sub plots.
I thoroughly enjoyed it, the premise is brilliant, however it’s too long (which draws it out) for me to get a coveted 5⭐️
coffeedogsbooks's review
5.0
I loved reading about Eddie in The Note. In the Third Rule we learn more about Eddie and his past.
** spoilers to follow**
The rules were put in place to deter crime but all they have done is corrupt. Three crimes, executed. Commit murder, execution. While this seems good in theory, what happens when an innocent man is given a “rule three”.
Christian isnt a bad man. He isn’t a great one either but he’s no murderer. When he gets picked up on a rule three for the murder of his girlfriend the police just want to wrap the case up. After all who cares if some thief goes down for the murder of his junkie girlfriend?
Then we have Eddie. Good guy, decent crime scene investigator, major alcoholic. After a horrific event he spirals even more downhill.
But wait! The two events are tied together! When Eddie gets his own rule three warrant can he prove his innocence and still save another innocent man?
** spoilers to follow**
The rules were put in place to deter crime but all they have done is corrupt. Three crimes, executed. Commit murder, execution. While this seems good in theory, what happens when an innocent man is given a “rule three”.
Christian isnt a bad man. He isn’t a great one either but he’s no murderer. When he gets picked up on a rule three for the murder of his girlfriend the police just want to wrap the case up. After all who cares if some thief goes down for the murder of his junkie girlfriend?
Then we have Eddie. Good guy, decent crime scene investigator, major alcoholic. After a horrific event he spirals even more downhill.
But wait! The two events are tied together! When Eddie gets his own rule three warrant can he prove his innocence and still save another innocent man?
avidreadergirl1's review
3.0
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for a review. The story was a bit too long and there were one too many subplots which made it confusing. This was not my first read of a book by this author but the first I could not wait to finish because it was tenuous.
jresendez610's review
3.0
My main grievance with this book was that it took way too long to get anywhere. I had seen in previous reviews that this was the case, so I wanted to be patient as advised, and see if the book was worth it. Unfortunately, it was just okay. The beginning was all over the place. There were different characters and threads that the author began, but they didn't seem to connect in any way or have any tie to the plot. (It wasn't until about 35% of the way in, which in this 670 page book is about 250 pages!!) that things started coming together. That's almost a whole (small) book of randomness, which is just not my thing. That being sad, the plot of the book is good. It really makes you think, and I found myself often wondering how I'd feel about The Rules. I don't think I will continue the series, because I don't think the writing style is for me, but I would recommend to people who enjoy the very slow build of a book and have more patience for the plot to develop.
claudia_is_reading's review
5.0
Wow! Seriously, this is the kind of book that will keep you reading all night without even noticing. Complex, with a perfectly woven plot, and a main character with whom you'll easily sympathize, this book also present very serious questions about crime and capital punishment.
As always with this author, the writing is superb and so detailed that you can lose yourself in the worlds he creates. A very recommended read.
As always with this author, the writing is superb and so detailed that you can lose yourself in the worlds he creates. A very recommended read.
lagadema's review
5.0
This is the first book that I've read by Andrew Barrett and I will definitely read the next one.
This book is gripping your attention and keeps you glued until the end.
It is a bit dystopian book that is about England in near future where government corruption is not a stranger and police cases are not always solved as it should but some people are getting third rule death sentence. In the start there are too many characters and lot to details to catch but later it is getting better and better. Main character Eddie Collins is a father that is dealing with loss of his son that makes his life very hard. He is driven apart from his wife, he is drinking a lot and only thing that is keeping him alive is his job, but when he is suspected for murdering a colleague he needs to clear his name before he gets third rule sentence.
It is a little longish book but I enjoyed it reading it...
This book is gripping your attention and keeps you glued until the end.
It is a bit dystopian book that is about England in near future where government corruption is not a stranger and police cases are not always solved as it should but some people are getting third rule death sentence. In the start there are too many characters and lot to details to catch but later it is getting better and better. Main character Eddie Collins is a father that is dealing with loss of his son that makes his life very hard. He is driven apart from his wife, he is drinking a lot and only thing that is keeping him alive is his job, but when he is suspected for murdering a colleague he needs to clear his name before he gets third rule sentence.
It is a little longish book but I enjoyed it reading it...
susanabra's review
5.0
I began by disliking most of the characters, progressed to wondering whether I could tackle the emotional effect - disgust, anger and sorrow - the book was having on me and finally grew to appreciate the writing, the intensity and the uncompromising honesty so much, that I now have a new favorite thriller writer. Hats off and hands in the air for Andrew Barett and Eddie Collins!