This is a thriller set in a small town in the Midwest. Two young women have been murdered, so special agent Constant Marlowe is on the hunt.
This is a hard hitting story with lots of twists and a few red herrings. There is no way you will guess killer. Our devious author makes sure of that. All the characters are fascinating. Particularly our heroine, who has a few tricks up her sleeve, and the team she works with, are better than she had hoped for.
I'm hoping this is part of a series starring this heroine. I like her and would like to read more.
Exciting story.

Completely did not see the twists in this story….liked the main character Constant, her detective skills, and the story definitely went overboard in the twists… did not enjoy the part of the land grab…didn’t seem to mesh that well with the rest of the story.

I've long been a fan of Jeffery Deaver and I really enjoyed The Rule of Threes, which is billed as a novella, but is actually more accurately described as a shorter novel. It's action-packed and filled with misdirection and nothing is as it seems.

The story moves quickly with no dull moments so it holds the attention from start to finish. The characters are well drawn and really interesting. I would definitely recommend this one.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Published by Amazon Original Stories on March 1, 2024

The Rule of Threes is a serial killer novella that challenges the reader to identify the killer. To solve the puzzle, the reader will need to identify the killer’s motivation. Jeffery Deaver adds so many plot twists that the reader will be challenged to keep up with the novella’s changing landscape. Solving the mystery is out of the question.

Constant Marlowe is the protagonist in one of Deaver’s ongoing series. Constant is the kind of police detective who makes her own rules. Those rules aren’t always consistent with the law. Fictional cops who go Dirty Harry on criminals are popular with consumers of crime fiction even if, in the real world, cops who don’t obey the law have no business being cops.

Constant makes her way to Clark Valley, Illinois to investigate a serial killer. Only two women have been killed, so it might be more accurate to say that she is concerned about a budding serial killer. The killer earns the name BRK (for Bludgeon, Rape, and Kill) because that’s what he does to his victims and the media like to identify serial killers by cool names or initials.

The first victim was killed three days before the second. Both are young women of similar size who have short dark hair. As Constant examines the crime scene, Joseph Ray Whelan is hiding in the woods, watching her work. Is he the killer? That would be telling.

A Native American Deputy Sheriff is assigned as Constant’s local contact. They use a gas station security camera to identify license plates of cars that drove past the park where the second killing occurred, hoping one of the drivers might have witnessed something. That strategy brings them into contact with Glen Hope, who was driving his daughter Tamara to her college residence in a nearby town. They stopped to eat lunch in the park, but they give Constant no useful information. Tamara will later become an attempted murder victim, perhaps because BRK believes she is a witness who needs to be removed.

Although her investigation doesn’t seem to be going anywhere, a couple of big dumb guys attack Constant. In the story’s background is a newly discovered treaty that may grant an indigenous tribe the rights to certain land. The attempted thrashing may have been inspired by white supremacists in the Eagle Brotherhood who think that Constant’s presence in the area has something to do with the treaty. They don’t realize that Constant used to be a professional boxer. She likes nothing more than punching big dumb guys. She thinks the guys have been hired to attack her but someone with a rifle foils her plan to beat the truth out of them.

Other key characters are in the business of fencing stolen goods or money laundering. The disparate parts of the story — probably too many for a novella — come together when Constant, using her brain rather than her fists, pieces together clues that reveal an explanation for the killings. She exposes the killer, or thinks she does, but the story continues.

Like most modern crime novels that depend on plot twists, the reader must accept implausible developments for the sake of enjoying the story. What seems to be a final twist at the end is soon followed by another. And another. And one for good measure at the very end. All the twisting struck me as overkill, but such is the way of the modern crime novel. The ending is a bit abrupt, but at least it puts an end to all the twists.

The Rule of Threes is better than the last serial killer story that Deaver wrote for Amazon Original Stories. It might be criticized as formulaic if the formula is “stuff as many surprises into the story as possible.” That is, in fact, an approach that Deaver often takes.

The notion that a character is obsessed with “threes” is gimmicky but contributes nothing to the story. Constant is a fairly one-dimensional character so plot is everything. While I wasn’t entirely sold on the plot, it moves quickly and is reasonably entertaining. The word count is sufficiently high that the novella offers a meatier reading experience than many Amazon Short Originals, including others that Deaver has written, so the story earns an unenthusiastic recommendation.

RECOMMENDED

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

The Rule of Threes by Jeffery Deaver is a novella that plunges readers into the depths of a small-town mystery with the introduction of Special Agent Constant Marlowe. Deaver, known for his intricate plots and sharp twists, does not disappoint in this latest addition to his repertoire.

Set against the backdrop of Clark Valley, a seemingly tranquil town, Marlowe’s investigation into a series of brutal murders quickly unravels a tapestry of deceit. The novella’s title, The Rule of Threes, is a clever nod to the pattern emerging in the killer’s method, but also to Deaver’s narrative technique, which is to mislead the reader with a triad of false leads before revealing the truth.

Deaver’s mastery of suspense is evident as he weaves a complex web of red herrings and unexpected turns. The protagonist, Constant Marlowe, is a formidable character, combining the tenacity of a seasoned investigator with the grit of a former MMA fighter. Her encounters with the local neo-Nazi bikers add a layer of adrenaline to the story, showcasing her physical prowess and moral fortitude.

The novella’s strength lies in its pacing and Deaver’s linguistic precision. He carefully crafts each sentence to both reveal and conceal, guiding the reader through a labyrinth of assumptions only to surprise them at each corner. This meticulous attention to detail is what makes The Rule of Threes a compelling read.

While the story occasionally stretches the bounds of plausibility, it remains a solid piece of detective fiction. Fans of the genre will appreciate the procedural elements, while Deaver’s loyal readers will enjoy the familiar thrill of being outwitted by his narrative sleight of hand.

The Rule of Threes is a testament to Jeffery Deaver’s ability to maintain tension and intrigue over the course of a shorter work. It’s a quick read that packs a punch!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishing house, and the author for the opportunity to read a complementary copy of this book in return for review based upon my honest opinion

It has been a while since I have read a book book by Jeffrey Deaver, I don’t know why because I remembered how much I love his books. This was a great thriller with lots of twists, it’s a quick read and enjoyable. I will say some of the plot line seemed far catches but the twists made up for that.

I really enjoy the character of Constant Marlowe, I have read some of the broken dolls series, and will definitely go back to reading the rest of them. Constant Marlowe hunts serial killers. Constant this time is taken to Clark Valley, where a solar killer is killing women on a local running trail. Constant quickly makes friends with one of the local police force, and together they try to find this killer. But the killer seems to know what they’re up to and sometimes seems to be one step ahead can constant find the killer before they strike again.

4.5★s
The Rule Of Threes is a novella by best-selling American author, Jeffery Deaver. Having completed her current case earlier than expected, Agent Constant Marlowe, an itinerant investigator for the Department of Criminal Investigations for the state of Illinois, heads, on her own initiative, to the town of Clark Valley in Bowen County. Constant has caught wind of what’s being dubbed the BRK, a particularly violent, cold and calculating serial killer.

There are two victims so far, in the space of three days, but trace evidence is scant, and witnesses thin on the ground. The Sheriff initially seems uninterested in talking to her, so she teams up with Deputy Zo Eventide to examine the scene and talk to potential witnesses.

But it seems that some in Clark Valley are unhappy with her presence: Constant manages to hold her own against a pair of thugs in an alley; she’s unconvinced that their apparent beef is her association with the Native American deputy, but she is disturbed by a shooter before she can find out who really sent them.

Constant believes the BRK will strike again soon, and tries to keep those witnesses who are possibly unaware of what they might have seen, safe, but she and Eventide are then targeted by a poorly-informed neo-Nazi angry about a mooted land treaty, barely surviving a road rage incident. Even as trace evidence points to a certain person, further investigation leads them to wonder if they are dealing with more than one perpetrator…

The Bowen County Sheriff’s Office boasts a pair of deputies so in tune they form a very competent whole; a Native American deputy who is seriously underestimated by the Sheriff, and a Sheriff who personally does all his own CSI. Constant also has the capable assistance of her sometime lover, prosecutor Evan Quill, for classified information.

Deaver tells the story via multiple narrators, some of whose narrative might be misleading; there are red herrings and diversions that keep the reader guessing until the massive twist reveals all.

Constant is certainly an interesting protagonist: a talented boxer, a very independent, resourceful and intelligent officer, her dialogue with one stupid villain provides humour, while her unorthodox approach to extracting information will have many cheering her on. Apparently, more of her can be found in Deaver’s Broken Doll collection. A small dose of Deaver at his best.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories

The Rule of Threes is a short read and fast-paced. The story delves into the relationships in a small town where an outside investigator has been sent to assist with solving a murder. Nobody is who they seem to be and there are more murders than just the most recent one. If you like a quick puzzler then this book will please.

The family didn’t witness the murder, but it seems the killer wants them dead too...

Constant Marlowe is in the town of Clark Valley, having been brought in to catch a killer whose MO suggests another murder very soon. But Clark Valley is also experiencing a land issue with a treaty and there are those willing to kill to keep it.

The parallel stories intertwine and Constant is now tracking the killer, protecting the family, and solving a land mystery. But with so many clues being thrown at her, which are real and which could get her killed?

Slightly longer than a novella but still a relatively quick read, this story sucks you in from the beginning but is not quite as slick as Deaver’s usual style. And, as usual, things are not always what they seem. I liked the path the opening took you on... until it didn’t.

Marlowe’s character is full of grit and I liked her this-is-me attitude but the fact that she was willing to change when presented with new opportunities. However, just one mention that her name was Constant and not Constance was sufficient. No need to let the reader know over and over again.

I enjoyed Tremain’s character as he seemed to be the unsung hero (once you got past the gruffness) who showed that sometimes you just have to do things yourself.

Eventide’s story was a lovely addition and her passion both at work and in her own life worked well.

A lot of detail was kept to when it came to weapons and ammo but was it necessary?

I’m not always one for wrapping things up with a bow but I don’t like a cliffhanger so this ending was interesting. A kind of “read into it what you will.” However, to get there, some truly implausible scenarios had to occur. I’m all for twists and things you don’t see coming, but with Deaver’s other books, the unsub could do dodgy things and be believed, for things to occur in this book seemed like it could have a TV show of its own. Don’t mess with the believable line because once you’ve gone too far, you can’t come back into readers’ accepted territory.

I still enjoyed it though, and will always be a Deaver fan!

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review the book.

Deaver strikes gold once again.
Absolutely riveting novella with amazing twists and bone chilling moments.
Special Agent Constant Marlowe takes over an investigation into what has been
deemed to be the work of a serial killer in a midwest town. When signs point to a third
about to occur within days, she is on a race to follow the clues and find.
the killer as she also works to protect potential witnesses at the same time.
Great character development for a shortened read with stunning plot progression.
Would highly recommend it - especially to all of you who might not be big fans of this
type of publication.
Great read.

Okay this was GOOD for me. Not a full length novel but not reallyyyy as short as most novellas; it was the perfect length to walk thru this murder investigation. The twists were twisting and I loved them. Some made my jaw literally drop but when looking back weren't totally, completely out of left field. I thought we got to know less about the main characters than we would with a full length novel but still didn't feel disconnected from them (if that even makes sense, lol!). I love me a badass FMC and that's what we get here with Special Agent Constant Marlowe. My one gripe (as many reviews have also stated) was the ending. Like, we can infer.... but I'm a "wrap it all up with a nice bow" kinda gal with how I like endings. Overall, I enjoyed this wild ride.

Popular author proves why he is a master thriller writer.. Twisting serial killer tale just in time for summer beach reading. Prepare to be stunned as story escalates to climactic conclusion. Note it is a part of the Amazon Original Stories and part if a series. I look forward to reading more of the Constant Marlowe investigations!

There are several things going on in Clark Valley, a small town in Illinois. Among them, the town is reviewing a treaty that was just discovered that, if authentic, turns most of the town over to the Indians for a reservation; many of the residents will lose their property, and, there is a serial killer who has brutally murdered two young women within days of each other. Constant Marlow, the protagonist, has been featured in some of Jeffery Deaver’s short stories, but has been brought in as the lead detective to find the killer in The Rule of Threes.

Unfortunately, this novella (luckily shorter than Deaver’s 5 star novels) doesn’t stand up to his usual suspenseful tales that keep readers on the edge. While Deaver gets into the mindset of the perp, it leads to a dead end; suddenly about three-fourths of the way through the novella, the killer is no longer the killer with no explanation except some scenarios that don’t add up. Constant and the supporting characters are well-developed, as is expected from Deaver, but the storyline isn’t easy to follow. Jeffery Deaver has been a bestselling author for decades, and has lived up to his reputation as one of the best. However, this one is definitely lacking. It has occurred to this reviewer that it wasn’t actually written by Deaver, a favorite author who has never written a novel that left parts of the plot hanging.

Every author has a few novels that aren’t as good as the others, and this may be Deaver’s worst. It is not recommended, although Constant Marlow is a character that should be featured in some new novels.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Amazon Original Stories for a review copy of The Rule of Threes, a stand-alone novella set in the town of Clark Valero in Southern Illinois.

Constant Marlowe of Illinois’s Department of Criminal Investigation arrives in Clark Valley to investigate the rape and murder of two women within three days. She brings trouble to the door of a family of potential witnesses, but how can she protect them when the killer has his attention on her.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Rule of Threes, which is billed as a novella although I have read shorter novels. It is action packed and filled with misdirection and I was quite amazed by the number of twists the author crams in. Nothing is as it seems so be prepared to be surprised at the direction the novel takes. My jaw dropped more than once at some of the twists.

Despite the twists the novel is straightforward in its premise - catch a killer - but that involves a lot of false theories, some misdirection and misapprehensions. It moves quickly with no dull moments so it holds the attention from start to finish.

As it is a shorter read (my Kindle estimates about 3.75 hours) characterisation takes second place to the plot. This isn’t really an issue as the basics are covered and the reader’s attention is firmly on the plot and what will come next. Constant and her loose adherence to the rule book are probably the most developed, but there’s a lot missing. It whetted my appetite to meet her again as she’s a quirky character. Who knows?

The Rule of Threes is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

This was absolutely fantastic! Constant Marlow, is a great character. I look forward to many more stories with her. The last third of the book left me absolutely flabbergasted. Deaver is a master.!

After making her debut in Jeffrey Deaver's The Broken Doll series, his latest, amazing character Constant Marlowe returns in a longer novella that sees her taking on a serial killer in a small Illinois community. I really enjoyed the shorts that she previously appeared in, and the way they twisted your perception of the events. The Rule of Threes does the exact same thing but on a larger scale. I will be the first to admit that he (Deaver) got me again, as I was taking everything at face value even though he tricked me before. I gave some serious thought to starting on page one and rereading the whole thing knowing the ending. Highly recommended and here's hoping we see Constant Marlowe again soon.
 
Thanks to Amazon Original Stories and Netgalley for the digital ARC. This was given to me for an honest review.

The Rule of Threes by Jeffery Deaver is a great thriller with Constant Marlowe on the case. This book has unexpected twists that prevent readers from guessing what's going to happen next.

The Rule of Threes is a good mystery, but I was thrown by the ending. All in all the book kept me guessing and engaged.

I'm a die hard Deaver fan so delighted to read his, relatively short, latest. Constant is a great character, arriving in a small town to hunt a potential serial killer. The small town police surprisingly really have their act together but it takes all they and Constsnt have to solve this one. Crazy ending!

The Rule of Threes is a crime-fiction/thriller novella from Jeffery Deaver.

"Special Agent Constant Marlowe is tasked with finding an obsessed serial killer in the small town of Clark Valley. Two victims in quick succession point to a possible third victim happening only days away. She interviews witnesses and there are indictions that the killer is now after them. Constant knows they won't be easy to protect, because nothing in Clark Valley is as it seems."

Deaver is the master of misdirection and this story is no exception. He gives little clues but you're never sure quite how the story will go. I like this new character -Constant Marlowe - and hope Deaver will consider a full novel.
There is a bit of over-explaining (Deaver can't seem to stay away from it) and there's a big logic jump at the end.

Still a good story from Deaver