The Third Rule - The Complete Story

Eddie Collins #1

by Andrew Barrett

Crime Scene Investigator, Eddie Collins, always followed the evidence to the truth. Now, he’s running from justice, and running for his life.

Eddie Collins was a brilliant CSI who became an instant hero for tackling an armed robber. He almost died that night. And many times since then he wished he had.

Four years later, riots erupt as a new government unleashes a cruel and fallible death penalty known as The Rules. Meanwhile, a hit and run driver kills Eddie’s son. Eddie blames himself and his hero status dissolves into a drunken wreckage.

Though devastated, he is determined to find his son’s killer, and in a display of his former brilliance, discovers the driver’s identity. But he also uncovers so much more.

His only mistake is not keeping the evidence and his fury to himself.

Broadcast as a murderer and sentenced to a Rule Three death, Eddie must confront his past, chased by a government killer and by a detective who loves slaughtering criminals.

Can Eddie avenge his son, expose the government, and still save himself?

If you like fast-paced and gripping crime thrillers with a strong forensic element, you'll love Andrew Barrett's The Third Rule. It will appeal to fans of authors like Kathy Reichs, Robert Bryndza and Angela Marsons.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Crime, Mystery Thriller, Suspense

835 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 21, 2013

About the author

Hi everyone,

My name is Andrew Barrett and I live and work in West Yorkshire.

My CSI Eddie Collins and SOCO Roger Conniston books focus on the world of the crime scene investigator. I've been a CSI for over twenty-eight years, and try to inject an element of authenticity into each story.

And if you enjoy detectives with a difference, search out the new series featuring a sharp female lead character called DS Regan Carter.

Thanks for looking,

Andy

Reviews

[Berit☀️✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 CSI Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟

This book was a crime thriller with a dystopian twist... now as an American I had to actually google a few things because I have no idea if the death penalty is legal or not in England... I am also not very knowledgeable as to the EU and what leaving it entailed... so I am assuming there were a lot of political undercurrents throughout this book that I probably did not catch... but something I thought was interesting is here in the state of California we have a three strikes law... after your third felony conviction you are sentenced to life in prison... so not death, but you Will never get out... controversial and political as much of this book was....

Admittedly it took me a while to get into this book and the length was daunting... The beginning of this book was a bit all over the place.... there are a lot of characters an a lot of things going on... Eddie Collins himself wasn’t the most likable of characters... he has a serious drinking problem and for very personal reasons I have no sympathy or patients for that....

Please don’t get me wrong I enjoyed this book it was just dark and complex... my favorite parts involve the crime scene investigations they seemed so real and raw and not like those seen on TV... The author his background is in crime scene investigation and that really came through in this book, definitely the strength of the story! Also thought it was a bonus that Eddie Collins the main character was a crime scene investigator.... even though this book was nothing like I thought it was going to be when I picked it up it ended up being quite a compelling read... and I’m glad I didn’t know there was a dystopian element and that it was so political, so please don’t let that deter you because this is worth your time!

Recommend to fans of the crime thriller with a bit of a different twist... dad! This one’s for you🙂

*** many thanks to Bloodhound Books for my copy of this book ***

[David Staniforth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly, let me just say, this is a brilliant book. I want to see it made into a six or eight part TV Drama. It would make for fantastic viewing.

It’s been a long while since I finished a book, and then sat there for a few minutes reflecting on the story I’ve just read. My mind raced back to the beginning, which I found somewhat confusing at the time. That confusion perhaps came from the fact that so many threads and plot lines were being laid down. I carried on reading though, because I really liked Mr Barrett’s writing style. As I got to know the characters, and the threads of those plot lines began to make sense, they snared me and from half way in, right up to the end of the book, they just wouldn’t let go. So compelling. I struggled to put it down, and when the chance arose I just couldn’t wait to pick it up again.

The principle character is a Scene of Crime Officer, and so is the author. As a result, the incidences where evidence is taken and analysed, or discussed, come across as genuine and believable. There’s no glamorisation of the task here, but a genuine sense of realism that puts the reader into the mind of the officer performing that duty.

I felt I knew all of the characters by the end of the book so well that I could hear cadence in their voices as I read their dialogue. I can’t even say why, as no mention is made of tone of voice, very little is given in regard to a person’s appearance either. Excellent writing and gradual introduction of character put them squarely in my mind. The same goes for action: just enough is given to allow the reader to picture the scene.

I picked this book up for free on Amazon, but I will certainly be reading more of Mr Barrett’s novels, and I will gladly pay for them.

TV DRAMA, PLEASE. NOW!

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

What happens when the death penalty s brought back into the British justice system? Andrew Barrett will tell you.

This is an interesting read with some very good characters, it is over 600 pages long though and it did feel long winded at times.

Overall, an intriguing concept that kept me turning the pages.

Three stars.

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an incredible thriller. Slightly dystopian, but totally plausible (maybe even probable considering Britain's recent vote to leave the EU!)

This book grabbed me from page 1 and I could easily read 100+ pages at a sitting. Mr Barrett is definitely an author to keep an eye on!

This book imagines a world where the UK is not only out of the EU but has changed governments and re-instituted the death penalty. Not only that, but it somehow is executing criminals in less time than the State of Texas!

The author did a great job creating an environment where this could happen and also explained how it would work. He also showed how easily it could be corrupted and taken advantage of by the system.

I loved this book and the characters, and the action scenes were very believable. Wonderful! Can't wait to read another book by this author.

[8stitches 9lives · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first time reading an Andrew Barrett book but I have actually got a few more in the series to read having absolutely devoured this one. Honestly, from the first couple of pages you can just tell that this is going to be a brilliant read - it certainly didn't disappoint!

The government is "forced" to introduce a severe code of capital punishment after a wave of terrible atrocities. They designed The Rules to make England crime-free but they didn't have the desired or predicted effect. They claimed The Rules to be infallible, but they lied. Meanwhile, an innocent man, Christian Ledger, is charged with stabbing a victim to death. As his pleas continue to fall on deaf ears, his final destination is the slaughterhouse. Is the secret he carries enough to save his life? CSI Eddie Collins is no stranger to a dark and difficult life - he has tried to commit suicide but failed. When he is tracked down by the police for allegedly shooting one of his colleagues, he suddenly has a change of heart and wants to live. Now he's on the governments list too, and he's running. But they're are not far behind him... can he outrun them?

"The Third Rule" is a long read at 600+ pages but it didn't feel as substantial as that. I simply couldn't put it down! Everything worked well for me - the story is original and exciting, the characters realistic with flawed personalities and the dry wit throughout the book was another great element. The basis of story highlights the danger in allowing a particular set of people to have great power that goes unchallenged. As here, it frequently leads to abuse of power which is a very scary concept, especially in terms of a government. It's essential that those with power or in powerful positions can be challenged by others and this in turn makes abuse-of-power less likely.

All in all, this is a thriller with elements of politics added in for good measure. it's easy-to-read and engage with and the writing is solid. A well-thought out plot that intertwines and a story in which the characterisation is vivid and appealing. Highly recommended for all crime buffs - this is a thriller that is well worth the time investment.

Many thanks to Bloodhound Books for an ARC. I was not required to post a review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

[Sean Peters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank You to Andrew Barrett for making this book available to my whole group "A Good Thriller" on goodreads.com for our June 2016 Read a long.

Many members are still reading this book, and it's a big book at 624 pages.

When you're accused of murder, you'd better hide, run, or fight.
The Third Rule is England's new infallible capital punishment. But absolute proof of guilt is no longer required, so there’s a queue at the Slaughter House doors.
CSI Eddie Collins hasn't killed anyone, but he knows who has. That’s why he’s on the Slaughter House list, and when a government hunter tracks him down, Eddie has to fight or die.
“If you want to kill serious crime, you have to kill serious criminals.”
Sir George Deacon, Minster of Justice.

This book to me consists of 3 books all in one, lots of multiple story lines and plots lots of characters to remember and keep up with, lots of excitement, action and tension and a slow burning plot that builds to a conclusion that leaves you shocked and exhausted.

The premise is excellent and is something we've all thought about at some point - re-instatement of the death penalty, and you asked yourself "Do You Believe In The Death Penalty".

Rather difficult book to rate, gripping and very well written, very clever, but overlong, a marathon of a book, that sometimes was a struggle, that at other times was fast and gripping.

Took me two weeks to read, one due to size of book, but also periods where I had to urgently fly to away due to family issues, which I believe slowed the momentum for me of course not the authors fault.

4 stars for a unique and clever story. one star less as too long and took a while to come together.

[Kathi Defranc · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent read, it makes you think about the laws in our society and who makes them. A brilliant plot, the story is long and takes a bit of reading, but the action and characters keep your interest throughout.
The new 'Rules' promote a 'you are guilty until you can prove your innocence' approach rather than you are innocent until proven guilty! There are three strikes, and at the third rule you are sent to death! Such discussion of the death penalty that we all still argue today, the different storylines are separate to each character but all come together spectacularly in the end.
An exciting book, filled with suspense,slow-building action which has you holding your breathe, on the edge of your seat until a wild end where all stories merge and you crawl out of the fray finally at peace...Time to rest...
I received an ARC of this new edition from the author Andrew Barrett, who I thank and now put my thoughts in this review. A very special story that keeps you very involved with the characters, right beside our friend Eddie Collins as he is all of a sudden looking at the Third Rule after being blamed for a co-worker's death! Breathe deeply before you start to read, as you will be holding your breath for quite some time while the action explodes all around you!!

[Mick Dubois · Rating 5 out of 5]

“If you want to kill serious crimes, you have to kill serious criminals”
“Keep taking an eye for an eye, and the world will go blind”

After reading the ‘Conniston trilogy’ and ‘the death of Jessica Ripley, I try to make good on my promise to read this series in the right order. It’s a heavy starter. I mean this in volume (it was first published as a serial in 3 parts) as well as in its contents. It has serious political and ethical content and I’m certain that many people will not agree with the author’s views or those hold by me.

After a series a violent knife and gun crimes in the UK and even bombings, the new G-bip party wins the elections. Its first action is to withdraw from the EU and the second is to enforce a very tough policy on crimes. We speak of mandatory sterilisation of criminals, prisons with regimes that remind of the middle ages but the most controversial is the return of capital punishment by ‘the Third Rule’. Any criminal that’s caught 3 times will be automatically executed and murderers from the first time. Despite widespread support for this policy, there’s more than enough protest as well. ID-cards are also mandatory. (Now that’s something that would cause a massive outcry in real life.)
Eddie Collins, a SOCO (scene of crime officer or CSI for Americans) is separated from his wife because of his drinking habit. When his son is killed by a speeding green jaguar, he blames himself and so does his estranged wife.
The reader knows that this speedster, who also knocked a tramp under a bus just prior to the accident is, in fact, the son of Secretary for Justice Sir George Dracon. He finds out about this and decides to shelter and aid his son and to hide the evidence.
We also have the story about Christopher, a brilliant painter and small-time shoplifter and burglar, and his junkie girlfriend Alice. They get caught up in the other story-threads and things get ugly for them. They’re the so-called enemy criminals. But their tale is captured with so much empathy that you feel sorry for them and they certainly do not deserve the fate that awaits them.
Remember than in books by Andrew Barrett there’s no guaranteed HEA and that good or likeable people are just as likely to die as the nasty ones. This creates suspense of an even higher order.

About the details concerning police work, research, or technical CSI work, I don’t have a doubt that they’re correct and accurate. This author does know what he writes about. But this story is far more than a technical CSI action thriller. It does address serious moral and political issues.
With his G-bip party and their policies, Barrett skirts the edges of reality. In 2012 when this was written, there were but few who saw Brexit become a reality. I’ll sorely miss you, guys and I’m certain that many of you feel that way as well. Maybe for the best that U-kip collapsed and never got the opportunity to endorse –who know which- even stranger ideas.
If the death penalty would work its magic in the fashion that its advocates claim, wouldn’t the crimes have stopped in those USA states that endorse it? Rather the opposite is what we see. A criminal that knows that he’ll be killed instead of facing jail-time, will react much more violent to escape that fate! Apart from this notion, there’s also a moral dilemma; if society reacts by choosing to kill a person who’s convicted of killing, it does exactly that what it condemns. On top of that, there’s also the fact of repeated and serious miscarriages of justice where people spent sometimes years in prison before they’re proved to be innocent. It’s a bit harder to make them alive again when you’ve killed them. And no, I don’t think that criminals should be treated with satin gloves on and get a cushy, pleasant time in prison where they only learn how to become better criminals and avoid being captured the next time. And I even think that it may be better and safer for society to castrate serious sex-offenders, not so they can’t have children but so they can’t have erections and prey on the innocent. But even in those cases, false reports are sometimes filed. I understand the public outcry that CERTAIN monsters should never see sunlight again and aren’t worth to be kept alive. I agree that there are those that are incurable and unredeemable, but killing them only answers the need for REVENGE and not the right for JUSTICE. Two wrongs do not make a right! And I hope that I’ll never be in the position that my moral view will be tested but in this book, Eddie Collins is in this position.
Don’t be mistaken, Eddie is not a sympathetic or loveable character. He’s a struggling but functioning alcoholic. He’s one of the best in his line of work and it’s his work and also co-worker and friend Ros that keep him upright at times.
The drawing of the characters is extremely well done, almost cinematic as if you see them on movie-screen. I wish that someone would make this in a movie or a whole series as there are more than enough threads going on throughout the book. I could kick Stuart in the nuts, the first time I met him.
This is much more than a mere crime-story, or even a political thriller. This is literature as far as I’m concerned. Mr Barrett has such an incredible way with words and a masterly command of the English language that it’s a real pleasure to read his elaborate wordplay. Every book by him that I read so far is completely different from the others, there’s no template or standard outline that he follows. This is pure fresh imagination, every time again. Work of this quality deserves much more publicity than it has now; it needs a worldwide audience and should be translated.
We also come across a chillingly accurate psychic or medium. Eddie’s wife gets entangled with one and he’s –of course- convinced that it’s all mental tricks or pure fraud. I wish to keep an open mind on this subject. I’m as good as certain that I saw a ghost once and more and more evidence turns up pointing in the direction that there’s more between heaven and earth than we can rationally explain.
It’s a shame that I can’t give more than 5 stars. I admit; I’m a fan. And I’ve heard earlier today that there’s a new book coming out soon.

[Jonathan Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the Third Rule trilogy after downloading the three component parts. The different books are not stand-alone pieces and should be read one after the other. Alternatively, readers can now download the Third Rule as a complete story.

Set in a Britain where the death penalty has been brought back, this epic story grabs you by the throat from the off and refuses to let go until the very last page. The writing is top-notch and further proof that independent publishers can more than match traditionally-published books.

Our leading character is Eddie Collins, a flawed man who is drinking himself into an early grave. He is a Scenes of Crime Officer and, over the trilogy, we are given an interesting insight into the job. Early on, Eddie experiences an unbearable loss and his life spirals downwards. Over the course of the books, he must face his own demons as well as uncover the truth in a society where corruption is rife right up to the very top.

The writing itself is high quality and never less than thrilling and atmospheric. I loved the slow-mo detail that vividly painted certain events. A memorable school incident early on in the trilogy is described over pages when in actual fact the incident takes mere seconds to occur. The result is breathtaking and still makes me shudder even now. The author can write wonderfully descriptive prose that puts you right in the middle of a scene. I can picture now the beauty of Christian's paintings and hear the rain lashing the windscreen of Eddie's car. But when there is need for action, the author can write to grip you and make you tense. Towards the end of the last book, chapters are noticeably shorter and sharper. It is fitting as the different threads all race to their conclusions.

There is a whole bunch of nasty characters here. Very few have redeeming qualities, but those who do elicit our sympathy. Eddie, Mick, Ros and Christian all were compelling characters with goodness in them and I was rooting for them to triumph against the odds. Despite the nastiness on display in other characters, it is testament to the author's writing that I wanted to be with all the characters throughout the entire trilogy.

There are many strands to this trilogy and it does become quite complex but never too difficult to follow. It is fascinating to see the story unfold and link all the different characters. The Third Rule is a highly intelligent and gripping thriller. There are some books I don't hesitate even for a second to award five stars to; this is one such book.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm finally getting almost up-to-date with my reviews and I've certainly read some impressive books lately. This was no exception.

This was a pretty epic book. It was also very long. The story itself is set in a (future?) slightly dystopian Britain where the death penalty has been re-introduced. Basically murderers get swiftly dispatched and for the rest - three strikes and you're out. Literally.

There are many characters in this story and, for a while, its a bit tricky to keep track of them all but as it progresses this gets easier. One of the main characters is Eddie Collins, a gun SOCO who, after a personal tragedy, is an alcoholic mess. Through a series of unfortunate incidents he is suspected of murder and has a potential rule three hanging over his head. Another character, a drifter called Christian who is also an accomplished artist, is also in trouble with the law through little fault of his own. These two are on the run. Christian to save his life and Eddie to clear his name.

You can see where this is going. And the book accomplishes what it sets out to do (at least I think there was an ulterior motive) which is to make you question the rights and wrongs of having a death penalty in a civilised society. In many elections (including in the story) candidates stand on a law and order platform and promise to stamp out crime. This book highlights the dangers of being over zealous in this regard. The Philippines anyone?

[Todd Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant, I loved it. Andrew Barrett has done a wonderful job of incorporating some very interesting and diverse characters, into an intriguing and thoroughly entertaining story. I’ve read a few of his books now, and I’ve loved each one of them. The standout for me is the detail and background he puts into each of the characters. The main character Eddie Collins is a complete train wreck, but this is one of the many things that make this story such a great read.
Eddie Collins just can’t catch a break. His world has turned into a bit of a nightmare, and it isn’t helping that he’s drinking his body weight in alcohol. It all started when he decided to be a hero and help a woman out who was being attacked. His downward spiral started at that point, and nothing had improved since. So, it was no surprise when his wife Jill kicked him out of their house, as she didn’t want their son Sam to see what his father was turning into. His only saving grace is a work colleague Ros, who continually bales him out of trouble. The English public have had enough of the rampart crime on the streets, and they are surprised when the Government come up with a radical new plan on how to tackle it. Bringing in rules one, two and three should certainly help as a deterrent to criminals. Especially considering the Third Rule means death. Overall this is an exceptional read that I thoroughly enjoyed, and It’s definitely a book worth reading.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thankyou to #TBConFB for giving me the opportunity to read this book and provide an honest unbiased review.

It took me a little time to get into this book, beginning as it does by introducing a number of characters, but for any reader like me who struggled at first to get a handle on who's who, I'd stay stick with it....it will be well worth it. The author has very cleverly woven together the storylines and the connections between the characters are gradually revealed. There were complex, flawed, and troubled characters, some likeable, some not, and some eliciting sympathy. The story is set mainly in West Yorkshire, in what I would say is the not too distant future where capital punishment has been reinstated. I found that my personal views on the death penalty were challenged as I read the book. The author draws on his experience as a crime scene investigator to add a slightly different perspective to crime fiction. The version of Britain which exists in 'The Third Rule' is not too far-fetched and seems feasible....a scary thought! Definitely a five star read!

[Colette Lamberth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is definitely a book that you finish, take a deep breath and say 'Wow, what a ride'. From the start I thought I would enjoy it but I did need to settle into the format with the story being told from the perspective of the different characters. The skill of the author is that the different threads are all woven together the further you read. There is no filler and every page has something to add to the overall story. I didn't always like Eddie Collins but I suppose that made him more real and he certainly has some challenges to face. I highly recommend this book and as soon as I finished this I bought book 2 of the series.

I received a free copy of The Third Rule in return for an honest review and I must thank Andrew Barrett for that.

[The Cats’ Mother · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent police procedural style thriller about a damaged CSI from Leeds (England) which reminded me (in a good way) of the Harry Hole books, by Jo Nesbo, with political conspiracies, police corruption, nasty bad guys, set in the seedy underbelly of a grim city - but set in an alternate reality of a borderline dystopian Britain that did not feel implausible at all.

Originally three short books, this has been re-published as one complete, and therefore fairly long, novel, but this was not a problem as I was rapidly gripped. At the beginning is a link to a free short story called The Note, which is well worth a read - it was initially unclear to me whether this was set before or after the events of this book - it actually doesn’t matter as there are no significant spoilers, but for the record, The Note is set after this book. If you are hesitant about reading the full book, the novella would be a good introduction to Barrett’s writing, and Eddie’s character.

Eddie Collins had a happy life with his wife and child, and a satisfying career as a CSI with the Yorkshire police, until one night when he intervened in a mugging, and sustained an injury and loss of confidence which turned him into a raging alcoholic, cynically enabled by his journalist friend Mick. Barely hanging on to his job, mostly thanks to his colleague Ros, and estranged from his wife Jilly, he lives in a squalid flat and drinks himself to oblivion every night.

Exhausted by endlessly rising crime and the feeling that the villains have all the rights, Britain has exited the EU and elected a hard right Nationalist government who have introduced “The Rules” - the death sentence for third criminal convictions or straight off for murder, and draconian other measures to bring criminals to heel. What’s clever about this book is that initially, a lot of what they propose makes sense - it’s the implementation that becomes seriously wrong.

Henry Deacon is the spoiled middle aged son of a senior government minister, while Christian Ledger is an artist living in a squat with his junkie girlfriend. Their separate stories, and those of other random characters, take a while to intersect, but the threads are gradually weaved into a complex plot. There is a bit too much coincidence linking Eddie to different events, but I can forgive this.

Eddie is a tough protagonist to like - bitter, antagonistic and self-destructive, and exploiting the goodwill of his friends, but gradually he does actually become a hero and is determined to do his job and see right prevail. I enjoyed the scientific details of CSI procedures, which added authenticity without holding up the plot. It’s pretty grim, with a high body count, but a satisfying ending, leaving things open for the rest of the series, which I will definitely be continuing.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bloodhound Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Third Rule I believe was originally a trilogy which has now been combined into one novel.

At 626 pages for the kindle edition, it certainly isn't a quick read.

I have to be totally honest as to start with I really struggled with the book. The story is all over the place, swapping back and forth quite quickly between different characters and I was finding it hard to keep up. Even the characters just didn't appeal to me and reading of grown men getting so drunk that they weren't capable of controlling their own bodily functions, I really didn't think this was going to be a book for me. BUT I stuck with it and by the end I'm glad I had.

The story is nearly all set in Leeds, which living in Leeds myself, I could easily visualise the names of the areas that were often mentioned throughout the novel.

Eddie Collins I very much had a love hate relationship with. Don't get me wrong this guy truly gets put through the mill. One particular incident that happens to Eddie and his family was quite literally heartbreaking. The chapters to do with it, I found to be really raw in the way it had been written and quite often I would find tears streaming down my face.

It is obvious that Eddie is quite a drinker and to be fair I couldn't blame him for wanting to blot out certain parts of his life and that is why I think it took me awhile to take to Eddie as well as his friend Mick. Both have serious drinking issues and it's very obvious that they are both set to go down a path of self destruction in their working lives as well as their personal ones.

The actual third rule storyline I thought was a really clever idea and through Eddie, Mick and Ros, we see why even though it seems a great idea, in practice it's anything but.

Eddie and Mick actually grew on me the further I got into the story. Theirs is far from the perfect friendship and to be honest I don't think they are good for each other but by the end they had me won over.

The Third Rule may have taken me a while to get into but overall it is a hard hitting crime thriller that I enjoyed.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

At 600 + pages this is a really meaty read. I confess that I was slightly daunted by the number of characters early in the book but Andrew Barrett picks up all the different threads, and weaves them into a cracking, well paced political thriller which I literally couldn't put down.

There were some fabulous characters, some likeable, some irritating and some truly loathsome but all well written and all relevant. The things I particularly liked were; the SOCO angle of the stories, Eddie's turbulent personal life and relationships, and the politics .. what the electing of an anti-European, corrupt, right wing government could bring - truly chilling as it doesn't seem that far fetched from reality. I also loved the honest, straightforward writing style.

If you fancy a quick easy read then move along but if you want something to really get your teeth into which will totally engross you then I'd highly recommend that you set aside some quality reading time and read this fab book. 4.5 stars Highly recommended, I will be reading the next in the series very soon!

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

With thanks to TBC and Andrew Barrett for allowing me to read this in return for an honest review.

This is a tome of a book, a whopping 626 pages but it is worth every single page. A complicated tale of three main characters whose lives are forever changed when The Rules become law. The Rules are the new laws governing Britain which allow the death penalty, put very simply it's three strikes and you're out, but this is far more complex than that. The three main characters are all so very different and yet their lives are interwoven in what is a strikingly good Police procedural.

I admit that the beginning was pretty complicated and I wasn't sure I'd be able to finish it, the characters are well written and believable but it did to my mind seem to take a while to get to grips with them all. It seemed a little disjointed but then when it all started to become clear I couldn't stop reading. I will certainly be buying the next in the series. Andrew Barrett, you have a new fan

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well written book where the death penalty is back in Britain. The story of Eddie Collins the main man a Soco man who has his own problems mainly being a drunk who suffers a personnel loss . A book about corruption at a high level . A fast paced book . Quite a long book book so perfect for a long flight or beach . Thanks to TBC for giving me an ARC copy of this book . Loved it . 5 stars from me

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

One from my massive library. This is the first time I have read a book by this author and it will definitely not be the last. I was hooked from the first to the last page. I could not put this book down. This is a thriller that is fast paced and does not slow down. The premise is to get rid of serious crime you have to get rid of serious criminals. This was a scary read and could this ever be a reality? I loved this book and a real rollercoaster of a thriller.

[Kate Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A meaty read that will feed any hunger for gritty crime literature for several days. A feast of good paced action. The first book I have read by Andrew Barrett. The first 600 + page novel I have ever read -this fact is testimony to The Third Rule being a worthy plot to keep my interest.

[Betsy Hetzel · Rating 4 out of 5]

SPOILERS ! This book made me work a little at first. The beginning had many storylines, but Barrett is one helluva writer, and the plot that he created came together so convincingly; it was so believable, so real! Barrett himself is a senior CSI so he writes about what he knows and it is evident.
The plot is straightforward. Great Britain's Dept. of Justice has put into law The Third Rule: criminals will be shot after committing three crimes. I could get into the pros/cons of this controversial punishment, but it was the IMPACT that this rule had on the characters' lives that made this SUCH a compelling book for me!
I LOVE how Barrett portrays/develops his characters. I do have a soft-spot for main character Eddie Collins, a Scenes of Crime Officer who has undergone an unthinkable personal tragedy, drinks himself into oblivion to forget, yet works hard to unearth the corruption in the highest places of gov't.; he's the good guy to whom bad things happen. I like the two completely different women in his life: Jilly, his wife, who blames Eddie for their son's death, throws him out of their house and, unfortunately, she comes to a tragic end. Ros is his steadfast, compassionate partner who helps Eddie while he's in the depths of his despair, who sees the best in Eddie and is willing to wait until he comes out of his downward spiral; she helps w/ his redemption. I really identified w/ Eddie's drinking buddy Mick, the journalist, who wrote the piece which toppled the corrupt politician at the top and sadly gave his life for his work. The banter between these two friends is just so funny and breaks a lot of the tension.
But the story that captivated me most was the relationship between Alice, the pathetic, drug addict and her boyfriend Christian, the Robin Hood type burglar who steals from the rich to provide for her "needs", who later is betrayed by her, selling his exquisite paintings for drug money, causing a situation in which he is arrested for robbery/murder and putting him in the The Third Rule category, although he is innocent. There is a part of their story, involving a baby, that broke my heart.
Although a tad overlong for me, it did keep my interest/attention as the story worked toward a predictable, IMO, resolution. And although I am more into psych. thrillers, not political crime or crime thrillers, this one worked for me. Great job, Andrew Barrett !!

[Kath Middleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now it’s possible to have this very long story all in one book. Despite the fact that I have all three on my kindle and have read them several times, I have bought the complete volume so I don’t have to shuffle about through my kindle (it never gets shoved into archives!) in order to continue reading.

Eddie Collins, Scenes of Crime officer, has hit rock bottom. Thanks to an act of sacrificial heroism, he is haunted by nightmares and has taken to drinking. His wife Jilly has thrown him out and he spends time with his alcoholic friend and old fashioned journalist, Mick. That’s bad enough. It gets worse. There’s a new Justice Act and it brings the death penalty back for those who transgress The Rules three times. If you’re the son of the justice minister though, you can get away, literally, with murder. Eddie, through his search for justice for his own son, becomes a Third Rule criminal. He and Mick take it upon themselves to bring this corruption to an end.

The story is tightly written and packed with strong characters who will bring out your emotions, both good and bad! The author’s writing style is wonderful and he can take you from laughter to a lump in the throat in a very short space. There’s a lot of black humour here, there’s despair but there’s a strong sense of natural justice and Andrew Barrett’s deep understanding of human nature. A wonderful book.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Third Rule is the first in the Eddie Collins series.
CSI Eddie Collins is a real gritty guy, on a downward spiral of destructive self abuse. He flaunts the rules, has no apparent respect for authority, and nothing to live for. His son is dead, something he blames himself for, and his wife has thrown him out.
Government have brought in the Third Rule, so petty criminals get a couple of strikes (chances to reform) before capital punishment is administered. Murder will see you instantly on the Third Rule. As with most, there's corruption in high places, and certain characters believe they are above the law.
I loved the descriptive dialogue, scene setting was believable and painted a very clear picture. This was an interesting read for me because it could've easily been two stories, but the way they were intertwined was genius. I don't want to give too much away. I recommend reading it!

Many thanks to Author Andrew Barrett for a copy, received via THE Book Club on Facebook, in exchange for a honest and unbiased review.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Andrew Barrett and TBC for a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review. Six hundred pages just fly bye it's such a gripping and different read and I can't possibly do the book justice in a short review. It makes you want to get the characters by the throat and strangle them and that's just the good guys. The British judicial system needs a complete overhaul as prisoners seem to be treated better than their victims but is The Third Rule a step too far ? Its open to corruption and the power of being able to end life after three crimes or in the case of murder go straight to The Slaughter House as the place of execution is called is making a hero out of the politician who thought up and implemented the concept but someone with such power needs to be squeaky clean. It soon becomes apparent that's not the case as Eddie Collins who works for West Yorkshire police and his journalist drinking buddy find out.

[Rudi Pan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The essence of a good writer is to captivate his/her readers and this is where Andrew Barrett succeeds like no other. You're sucked right in from page one all the way through to the last page. Then you read 'The End' and you can't help but gasp "Please sir, I want some more". SOCO Eddie Collins's life is turned upside down. He suffers loss after loss and he's about to throw in the towel. To make matters even worse, Eddie's been framed and he's on the run from the law. Will he succumb to his loss or fight for his life? Andrew Barrett knows how to write a realistic thriller with a host of great characters -some lovable, others downright despicable. Intertwined with nail-biting action and humor, this is a thriller like no other. No thriller fan's book collection should be without this book. I give it 10 stars!

[Susan Hampson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now although this is the first book in the CSI Eddie Collins series I have read a couple of the later books already but whoa this book is where his essence is really created. Eddie Collins is a pretty mixed up bloke, seen too much in his line of work as a CSI and spent too little time with his family. A drunk, most of the time, that only feels better when he can’t remember. He is at rock bottom, as you could say where he thinks things can’t get any worse but they do. When his drinking is the cause of being an hour late picking up his 12-year-old son for his birthday outing, from his estranged wife, terrible events take what is left of the bottom out of Eddie’s already crumbling world.

Eddie Collins isn’t the easiest man to like at the start of this book but really he does grow on you as the story goes on and believe me it is a massive a story of over 600 pages but don’t let put you off. This is one of those books that you find yourself picking up every minute that you have spare to the point of you are making time to read and working round that.


There is a pretty cool twist to this story as the crime in the UK rockets, serious measures have to be considered and so the death penalty is brought back with a three strike rule for some crimes like burglary. It’s a fool-proof system, they say. Well not quite if someone is determined to pin something on you it isn’t. There are a few story lines going on to begin with but they all tie together and become relevant as events come to a close. A real ripple effect through the classes from a young troubled girl with a drug problem and mental health issues, to a top politician.

There is every kind of character that you could imagine in this story from the arrogant and untouchable people who think they are above the law to the ones that know no-one wants to listen to them. Eddie Collins seems to be in the thick of it for the most of the story being both the hunted and the hunter. I went from not really like him to weeping for the man, well after 600 pages I had developed quite a connection with him.

A belting story. If you like me have jumped in to the series further down the line do come back to the roots. I feel I really understand Eddie Collins now. If you haven’t read any of this series then it is the perfect chance to start.

[Jim Ody · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Eddie Collins series. I’d read others but this truly gives you a great insight into the way he is in later books.

This is a meaty book in size, but in content it’s truly outstanding. Andy Barrett introduces us to an ambitious, but totally plausible, new legal ruling called The Third Rule. It essentially means when you’re sentenced to the third rule, you are sentenced to death. The idea is that it saves the country £30k per annum per prisoner, but more importantly it stops them being released to reoffend, or spread their seeds to raise a new generation of criminals.

This, when you think about it, is fascinating stuff. It pulls on financial and practical gain, and hits head-on with a moral dilemma of choosing to end a life. I think the introduction of a committee to look over each case is a wonderful idea to help soften the right-to-live arguments. Only the worst criminals should receive this sentence.

Woven around this ruling is a tale of murder, friendship and tragedy, all picked up and thrown into a blender of corruption and lies. This book had me hooked from the beginning, and I loved how Eddie is as likeable as he is the stubborn drunk, and we root for him throughout. His friendship with Mike, his hatred for his colleague Stuart, and the breakdown in his marriage give you so much to ponder whilst turnng the pages. I want to say more, but I don’t want to spoil anything.

All I’ll say is, The Third Rule is my favourite book of the year so far. Great work, Andy! Keep them coming.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was certainly a book with plenty of meat to get your teeth into. The Third Rule was a long read at 624 pages, but I just couldn't put it down. CSI Eddie Collins and his journalist buddy Michael (MIck) Lyndon are up against a corrupt government minister for justice who brought about new reforms Rule One full term sentence with no parole for a first offence, Rule Two a longer sentence for a repeat offence, and Rule Three is death sentence for a third offence or first offence of a more serious crime.
Eddie and a young lad called Christian Ledger are both facing trumped up rule 3 charges and it is down to Eddie and Mick to get to the truth past a brick wall of corruption from the justice minister to senior police officers who zealously want to be top of the rankings in subjecting suspects to Rule Three whether there is hard evidence or not.
All sounds a bit weighty but the narrative is laced with dry wit from both Christian and Mick, budding alcoholics, and fellow CSI Ros who is the long-suffering voice of reason for Eddie and keeps his head above water and refuses to let him drown.
I didn't like this book, I loved it, and a big thank you to Bloodhound Books and Netgalley for letting me have an advance review copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Marija · Rating 5 out of 5]

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...

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an absolute blinder of a read. It teases you in from the very first page. As the story line progresses the characters become very real as does their plight for justice. It seems that no one can escape the new criminal justice system, although some think otherwise. Crime must be reduced, whatever it takes, people of the country need to feel safe again... by what better method than to have three simple rules. Afterall, no one wants to be in the queue for the Slaughter house... A very thought provoking book and quite irresistably disturbing. It certainly was a heart pounding read for me. Highly recommended and I am in no doubt that I will be reading more books by Andrew Barrett.