I absolutely loved The Resident last year so when given the opportunity to read an early copy of David Jackson’s new stand-alone novel, The Rule, I jumped at the chance. It is another clever, funny but dark thriller where you find yourself cheering on then unexpected. In a way you want them to get away with it.

Daniel is a 23 year old man with the mind of a child and the strength of an ox. He ihas a rule with his parents of no touching to protect everyone. But an incident in the lift in his block of flats scares him and somebody ends up dead. This normal family have to do what they have to do to keep Daniel safe. It is the start of a chain of events that hasn’t the family dealing with drug dealers and the lowest of the low. How will they stop the police from discovering the truth?

Thanks to NetGalley and Viper Books for my advanced copy of this book to read.

I’d like to thank Serpent’s Tail, Viper and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Rule’ by David Jackson in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

It’s Daniel Timpson’s 23rd birthday next week and he doesn’t know his own strength so has to abide by the rule of no hugging that his parents Scott and Gemma have set. But when he sees his father being attacked by drug-dealer Joseph Cobb in the lift of Erskine House where they live he goes to his aid and accidentally kills the man. Scott will do anything to protect his son and he disposes of the body but that’s just the beginning of his problems as both the Cobb family and the police are searching for the killer.

‘The Rule’ is an immensely likeable dark thriller that shows the lengths a parent will go to protect his son. David Jackson has an amazing way of writing that takes a disturbing and slightly creepy plot then adds intrigue, humour and great characters to the mix. I’ve got so involved that I can’t help but give my allegiance to the Timpsons who are a hard-working and law-abiding family who never intended to get drawn in with the criminal element at Erskine House and just wanted a quiet life. This is a cleverly written novel that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading and can recommend.

4.5 stars
This is a horrible, horrible chain reaction of events that starts with an accident and leaves a family in turmoil. Daniel is a special person. Aged 23 but with the mind of a child, obsessed by his favourite superhero, and very much looking forward to his up and coming birthday. He's a big unit, and very strong, so his parents have established some rules to keep him safe. Things tick along quite nicely for the family until one fateful day when an incident with a stranger in a lift goes bad. Daniel swoops in to save the day but goes a little too far and someone is killed. It's an accident, but Daniel has form for being over exuberant and Scott knows that this incident will not be glossed over by the authorities and they run the risk of losing Daniel and, well, he just wouldn't survive without them. Scott, together with wife Gemma, decide the only thing they can do to protect Daniel is cover it all up. It's the only way. And this decision sets a whole chain reaction in progress. Each link just making things worse for them all...
Oh what a tangled web we weave... And what a pickle Scott gets himself in as he tries to protect his family. In a world of which he knows nothing about, trying to keep one step ahead of both the Police, in the form of misfit DI Hannah, and the family of the dead guy. It's a rollercoaster ride that, although not 100% plausible, did keep my attention all the way through and which left me satisfied at its conclusion. Characters, although on occasion a bit OTT, were well drawn and developed nicely as the book progressed. Pacing was good and matched the narrative and there was no feeling of the book being padded out for word count.
It's strange though. I thought I had already read books by this author. Indeed, his writing style felt wholly familiar but, looking at his back catalogue, it appears I am mistaken. Well, not for long hopefully. I will definitely be checking out his other books soon. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

I thought this was a cracking book. Good characters, interesting and different story ,maybe not for those of a nervous disposition, but very good. I loved the humour as well, it really made a difference. Very entertaining and worthy of 5 stars. I received a free copy from the Publisher in exchange for my honest unedited feedback.

Hannah is a Detective Inspector, who when we meet her, is on the trail of a criminal at his girlfriends house. This leads to unfortunate circumstances and Hannah feels this has led to her being side-lined.
When the body of a local drug dealer is found, Hannah is surprised to be out in charge of the investigation.
With leads that are going nowhere, the pressure is on Hannah for results, She feels that this will be the excuse they will use to get rid of her. When she is attacked whilst doing a house to house by an unknown assailant, she is rescued by Daniel, a gentle giant with an 8 year old IQ. Why is his family nervous when she reveals she is a police officer?
I was kept guessing all the way through how this would turn out. I don't want to give too much away, but I raced through this as it is very readable.

After reading David Jackson’s last book by Viper I was very much looking forward to The Rule and wasn’t let down by this thoroughly inventive thriller.

A Thriller that focuses on a family in Peril and how far you go to protect what and who you love.

Whilst being a little far fetched at times it’s an absorbing and entertaining crime caper.

With twists of humour here and there, this story that centres Daniel, a 23 year old giant with learning difficulties touches on some extremely difficult subjects that Jackson nails with great skill.

This is a quick kind of read as the pacing is quick and it’s one of those you genuinely do have to find out what’s coming as David Jackson Ramps up the tension and leaves a taut and tight feeling as you read.

At times it’s heart wrenching but essentially it’s great fun if I’m honest. It’s great fiction and i liked it very much.

🔥🔥🔥🔥

What a fast paced thrill of a read! I absolutely loved this author's last standalone, 'The Resident' so I had high hope's, and was really keen to get my hands on The Rule.
The author starts this book by building up a picture of the main characters; Scott, Gemma and their son, Daniel who has learning difficulties. And Hannah, a cop with a need to prove herself back on top of her game. Daniel lives by The Rule but when he breaks this in order to protect his father it leads to Scott having to take drastic measures in order to protect his family from some very dangerous people. This exciting story includes some unexpected twists and turns. The character's commentary was also occasionally interspersed with the author's use of dark humour and witty retorts that I had come to love about 'The Resident'.
I wouldn't say it was totally up there for me when compared to 'The Resident', which incidentally I thought was outstanding. But nonetheless 'The Rule is a brilliant thrill of a read.

What a brilliant nail-biter! I love stories that involve ordinary men dragged into the world of crime to protect their family and this one really delivered. The tension throughout is through the roof, I could barely handle it! Dark, humorous and utterly gripping.

Hi and welcome to my review of The Rule!

Last year I had a great time with David Jackson’s The Resident so I was impatiently awaiting his next book and when The Rule was revealed I was even more on tenterhooks. The Resident was quite dark, so I guess that’s pretty much what I expected from The Rule, but the former is positively shiny and bright in comparison to the pitch-blackness that is The Rule. I had expected a thriller, not the noir story that I got, but no matter, I loved it even more because of its darkness.

There is, however, one brilliant spark in the dark, and it is Daniel. Daniel who loves Disney films and comic books and chips and his briefcase (cos it’s almost the same as his favourite superhero’s special briefcase). Daniel who loves giving Mrs Collins at the day centre compliments and enjoys playing puppets with his socks. Daniel who thinks like a small boy but has the physique of the twenty-three-year-old man he actually is and because he is much stronger than he realises (like in a “lifting a heavy steel filing cabinet like it’s nothing” kinda way), his parents have imposed The Rule: he is to avoid physical contact with others as much as possible. Daniel loves his parents with every ounce of his being so he knows to respect The Rule, but when his dad’s life is on the line, The Rule is the last thing on Daniel’s mind.

Daniel’s parents love him more than life itself so when they end up with a dead body on their hands courtesy of their son, they decide to take matters into their own hands and not call the police. Illogical, you say? Unbelievable, you scoff? Well, yes, maybe, and I did think I’d have to suspend disbelief but, you know, it sorta made sense. I’d been with Daniel for only a few chapters and I was already quite fond of him and feeling rather protective of him. Despite him not having a bad bone in his body, Daniel’s track record (The Rule was imposed for a reason) would condemn him, police would scare him and he wouldn’t understand what was happening to him. So can you really blame his parents for wanting to protect him by any means necessary? I for one could not.

What ensues is an absolutely thrilling story that felt simultaneously over the top and utterly real and had me at the edge of my seat throughout. With the right actors this would make a brilliant film and one half the viewers would watch through their fingers. Dearie me but the suspense nearly did me in! Things start escalating really badly and it gave me a bit of Breaking Bad vibe, in the sense that the good guy isn’t really all that good anymore but you’re still willing to root for them until you’re blue in the face.

The long and short of it is: I had an excellent time with The Rule and if you’re looking for a dark fast-paced crime novel that will play on your emotions as well as keep you in suspense, you need not look any further, grab yourself a copy of The Rule and enjoy!

The Rule is out on 1 July.

Huge thanks to Viper Books and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are still my own.

Perfectly paced crime thriller that will put a bullet through your heart!

David Jackson’s previous novel “The Resident” was the first of his that I read. I loved it and immediately knew I wanted to read “The Rule” as soon as it was announced. It does not disappoint! This is a gritty crime drama that hurtles along at relentless pace, twisting your guts with anxiety and taking your breath away. I couldn’t put it down! It’s a brilliant blend of classic noir tropes, dark humour, unyielding suspense, but most importantly: a solid gold heart. This is a story about the lengths a father will go to to protect his family, even in the face of all aspects of their life unraveling. I continually put myself in Scott’s place whilst reading and I genuinely felt his pain, his anger, his fear, his sense of hopelessness. Here is a quintessentially good man, forced to do unthinkable things for the love of his family. As a massive noir fan, I was really drawn to this aspect of the novel: an ordinary man, dragged unwittingly into the world of crime. However, rather than doing it for the list of a femme fatale, Scott risks everything in order to protect his disabled son and wife. He’s altruistic, well-meaning, a stand-up bloke and I was rooting for him wholeheartedly. I love feeling this passionate about a character and Scott is one I won’t ever forget. Similarly, Daniel is a completely lovable character and it is entirely believable that Scott would go to the lengths he does to protect him. The childlike innocence Daniel has and his wonderful personality makes him an equally memorable character.

As well as the wonderfully drawn characters, the narrative is rammed with action, drama and tension. It is screaming out to be turned into a television series! Ultimately, this novel is a journey for its characters. Whether it’s DI Hannah Washington finding her way to move past a past trauma, Ronan Cobb battling his mother and his conscience, Barrington Daley finding an unlikely ally or Scott Timpson trying to claw back his life from spiralling out of all control...each shortage storyline is expertly crafted and brought back together for a thrilling, emotional, nail-biting and heart-shattering finale. Quite simply, you NEED to read this!

This is the second book I have read by this author and I absolutely loved it. It was a very enjoyable thriller which kept me hooked and I read it in one day. Fantastic storyline with great characters and I loved Daniel and Scott. Some good humour in it as well. I will definitely be reading more by David Jackson in the future

Chaos ensues when Daniel, not realising his own strength, unwittingly kills a man. His parents know that if the murder is discovered, their vulnerable son will be taken away and will be unable to cope away from everything he knows. Disposing of the body, they hope that it is all done and dusted but little do they know that this is only the beginning. With the police closing in and others with less than honourable intentions looking for them, just how far will they go to protect Daniel?

David Jackson is one of my favourite authors and his previous book, The Resident, was one of my favourite books of last year. The Rule is another standalone, filled with the great writing and dark humour that I have grown to expect from this author.

Daniel is an absolute delight and, although there are other people we see more of, he is the character that, in my opinion, has the most impact. I spent the book willing him to be safe and hoping that his father could do whatever he had to do to protect him.

Daniel’s father, Scott, is another fantastic character. A good man who would do anything for his family, we see how one unfortunate event can change everything you once believed in. He is far from being a criminal mastermind, his naivety showing throughout the book as he gets himself into some terrifying situations. This is where David Jackson’s wonderful writing comes to the fore, turning some genuinely tense moments into humour in the blink of an eye.

It is always a pleasure to read a David Jackson book and The Rule is no exception. Fast paced and exciting with a plethora of well-written, believable characters, this deserves to be a huge hit!

Excellent thriller from the author of the very well received thriller The Resident. In The Rule Scott & Gemma only want to protect their 23 year old, but vulnerable, son Daniel. When a man is killed they enter a cycle of trying to do the right thing to protect Daniel as outside factors close in and they see their escape routes closed off. How far will they go to protect him and what can a pair of ordinary parents do when faced with the unthinkable? Really pacy with great dialogue and oneliners alongside an increasing sense of tension as they manoeuvre to the point of thinking they can get away with this. David Jackson is an author to follow.

REVIEW :

I was thrilled to receive this from Netgalley as an ARC after reading the synopsis and the other reviews from my friends on Goodreads. I have read the other books by David Jackson, but this is different, and whilst it’s still a crime it is heartwarming (if that’s the right word) the way that Daniel is portrayed.

Daniel has to live by “the Rule”, he must not touch people as a seemingly innocent hug could turn out disastrous as he’s so strong. As long as this rule is in place, things should be ok. However, things never turn out like you expect them.

David has got Daniel exactly right, as a lad with learning difficulties, he is just like my grandson, strong, caring but totally oblivious to his own strength. I could see a lot of my Isaac in Daniel, can’t lie and everything is black and white. The childhood innocence is there in an adult body. He made me laugh with his moving furniture, picking it up like it weighs nothing, that’s Isaac all over.

When Daniel gets involved in a tussle and a man is murdered, life is never the same again. His parents doing their best to protect him get themselves involved deeper and deeper into a spiral of murder and deceit in order to protect Daniel. What follows is a gripping story and I was just dreading what Daniel would say next! I felt for his parents, they were living day to day, on the edge and trying to keep Daniel out of trouble.

I thought the way it was written and the ending were well thought out. Any parent or grandparent would do anything to protect their children and I was on tenterhooks to find out what happened.

My thanks to David and Netgalley for the ARC.

‘The Rule was that Daniel should avoid physical contact with others as much as possible.’

Daniel is twenty-two, about to turn twenty-three. He is looking forward to his birthday: to fish and chips, a chocolate caterpillar cake and comics featuring his favourite superhero Adam-9. While Daniel has the mind of a child, he is large and strong which means he can hurt people quite unintentionally. Hence The Rule. But a chance encounter with a drug dealer in a lift, coupled with Daniel’s inability to lie, lead to a death. Daniel’s parents, Gemma and Scott, want to keep him safe. They know that if they report the death that Daniel will be taken away.

A decision is made, a choice which will have unintended consequences. People are looking for the dead person, and so are the police.

'Oh what a tangled web we weave/When first we practice to deceive'

These words of Sir Walter Scott’s from his poem ‘Marmion: A Tale of Flodden Field’ came to mind as I read this novel. I kept reading, wanting to know how (and where) it would end. And wondering, too, just how far parents will go to protect a child.

An engrossing family-based thriller with an interesting ending.

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

I was introduced to David Jackson with his last book, The Resident, so was very keen to read more from him.

And we have another page turning family based thriller.

Scott is a doting father who will do anything to protect his son, Daniel. Daniel is a 22 year old man with a very strong body he struggles to control, but has the mind of a child. His favourite thing in the world is the comic book superhero Adam-9.

When Scott and Adam encounter a drug dealer in the lift to their flat on their way home their lives are turned upside down.

Scott proves he will do anything at all to protect his family over the next few days including getting rid of a dead body and stealing cash from another drug dealer.

Hannah has been assigned to the case of the murder of low life drug dealer Joey Cobb by her superiors. She knows they want her to fail in finding the murderer but she is confident she will prove them wrong.

I couldn’t imagine how the story was going to end but it was very satisfactory!

I enjoyed getting to know Hannah and Scott, both of whom just wanted to do the right thing but who are on opposite sides of the law.

I received a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest unedited feedback and thank the publisher Viper, Serpent’s Tail and Profile and also NetGalley.

Daniel will turn 23 next week; he is vulnerable, with the mind of a child, but the strength of a large grown man.
"The Rule" forbids him from touching anyone, but when a stranger threatens his dad, Daniel doesn't think twice but fends off the attack.
His parents will do anything to protect their son, even if this means disposing of the dead man's body.

I loved the author's previous book, so I jumped at the opportunity to read the ARC of his upcoming novel. The story was gripping and had me hooked pretty quickly. It was an enjoyable read, fast-paced and suspenseful.
However, I was on the fence about the rating. In the end, the factor that swayed my opinion towards the lower rating was the presence of too many perspectives. I would have much prefered if the story stuck to a dual point of view instead of jumping between several.
Overall though, it was a good read with a unique plot, and it's definitely worth checking out.

Daniel is looking forward to his birthday. He wants fish and chips, a caterpillar cake, and six comics starring his favourite superhero. Daniel will be twenty three next week. And he has no idea he is about to kill a stranger.

One day Daniel breaks the rule and ends up killing a stranger. His parents just want to protect him, so they dispose of the body, but their actions only make things worse, and now the whole family is in danger .How far would you go to protect your family?

Daniel doesn't know his own strength. When he accidently kills someone, his parents are determined that he won't go to jail. This is a rollercoaster read that will keep you turning the pages. You can't help but feel sorry for Daniel's parents, even if they are going about things the wrong way. There intension was just to protect their son.
DI Hannah Washington is investigating the case but she feels she doesn't get taken seriously enough by her colleagues. The characters are well developed in this thrilling read. It held my attention throughout.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #SerpentsTail and the author #DavidJackson for my ARC of #TheRule in exchange for an honest review.

I received a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Daniel a 22 year old man who has special needs. He lives with his parents and loves nothing more than reading his favourite super hero comic books. Daniel is a big man who is kind snd loving but doesn’t know his own strength. Daniel has to abide by The Rule and promise not to break it. One day he does break that rule because he needs to protect his Father. How far would these parents go to cover for their vulnerable son? I am not going to spoil anything here. You need to read this to find out.

I read The Resident last year which became my favourite book of the year so I was thrilled at the chance of reading this one. I quickly became absorbed into the story of The Rule and found myself wondering what I would do in a similar situation. I do feel that lots of questionable decisions were made but despite this I couldn’t help but root for this family. This is a story about a family trying to stay together despite the circumstances that they have found themselves in. It also has an element of grief. Most of all this is a fast paced thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I am excited to see what David Jackson comes up with next.

I chose to read a free ARC of The Rule but that has in no way influenced my review. My grateful thanks to Viper Books for sending me an early copy.

I am a HUGE fan of David Jackson's writing and I always look forward to a new book from this author. Jackson knows how to tell a compelling story and his characters leap off the page at the reader. His latest release, The Rule, is no exception. Well defined characters, who I felt an instant bond with, are thrown into a pulse pounding story of survival and keeping one step ahead. I loved The Rule.

The Timpson family live in a small flat in an undesirable area but dad, Scott, has dreams of moving his family away from the gangs of lads who gather in the lobby and the overpowering smell of urine in the communal lift. The Timpson's make the best of the life they have, living by one very important rule. When Daniel accidentally breaks the rule, the Timpson family decide to do whatever it takes to protect their son. Even if it involves murder...

Daniel is such a wonderful character whom I instantly warmed to. Before any of the action actually kicked off I was feeling apprehensive about what was to come and protective towards him. Scott and Gemma's love for their son shines from the page and I knew this was a family I would root for until the end. And what an end! From one terrible decision, the story unfolds at a blistering pace and captivates the reader from beginning to end. I couldn't look away as life spiralled out of control for these gentle people as both sides of the law come knocking at their door.

Not only does the reader get to see things from the Timpson's perspective but we also get inside the mind of the detective in charge of the case, Detective Inspector Hannah Washington, as the spotlight on her intensifies and she struggles to find a lead. I thought all of the characters in the book were brilliantly written, you really get a feel for what makes them tick.

Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. The Rule is an absorbing piece of fiction with well-crafted characters and an engaging plot. Jackson has done it again, without a doubt. If you're a crime fiction fan and you haven't read one of this author's books before then that really must change. An emotional and gripping story which hooked me in from the get-go. I continue to be a HUGE fan of this author's work and I can't wait to see what Jackson comes up with next! Recommended.

I chose to read and review a free ARC of The Rule. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.