The Rule by David Jackson @Author_Dave @ViperBooks

Book Description:

MY DAD SAYS BAD THINGS
HAPPEN WHEN I BREAK IT…

Daniel is looking forward to his birthday. He wants fish and chips, a big chocolate cake, and a comic book starring his favourite superhero. And as long as he follows The Rule, nothing bad will happen. But Daniel has no idea that he’s about to kill a stranger.

Daniel’s parents know that their beloved and vulnerable son will be taken away. They know that Daniel didn’t mean to hurt anyone, he just doesn’t know his own strength. They dispose of the body. Isn’t that what any loving parent would do? But as forces on both sides of the law begin to close in on them, they realise they have no option but to finish what they started. Even if it means that others will have to die…

Because they’ll do anything to protect Daniel. Even murder.

My Thoughts:

Wow! What a book!

Daniel is a nearly 23 years old who has learning difficulties. Due to this he doesn’t realise his own strength so his parents have given him The Rule, to hopefully keep him out of any unwanted trouble. Sadly living in a rough estate, trouble never seems to be far away.

I absolutely adored Daniel’s character. He is so childlike and innocent and he will certainly tug on the readers heart strings. It’s definitely a story about how far you would go for your child. It leaves you with that burning question as to whether you would do the same as the characters within this story. I felt for Scott and Gemma, Daniel’s parents, more so as Scott’s decisions really aren’t the best which has them all facing danger.

Along with Daniel and his family, we have a detective working the case who is going through her own personal demons. It’s a good mix of good old detective work and a man doing his best to protect his family.

The Rule had me going through so many emotions of which by the end, I was a bit of an emotional wreck, which I wouldn’t have expected with this genre but Daniel really gets under your skin and you can’t help routing for him and his family. The story gets more tense as the danger to Daniel and his family ramp up. I can’t help but binge read this author’s books, they are so good and he has a great way of telling a story that grips hold and doesn’t let go. I thought The Rule was another enthralling and thrilling read that had me hanging off every word. Brilliant!

My thanks to Viper Books for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.

David Jackson is the author of nine crime novels, including the bestseller Cry Baby and the standalone The Resident. When not murdering fictional people, David spends his days as a university academic in his home city of Liverpool. He lives on the Wirral with his wife and two daughters. Find him @Author_Dave.