The Third Rule is book number one in the upcoming Eddie Collins series. Now I must admit at just over 600 pages long it felt a little daunting as I don’t usually read thick books due to not much time. However, it didn’t take me as long as I thought to finish it.

Firstly, I found the opening to the story very rushed, introducing all the characters and their stories all at once which was a bit overwhelming at first. However, the story then slows into each characters story making it clearer for the reader to understand.

The Third Rule is action packed with drugs, crime, politics and death. I found myself slowly getting absorbed into the story and I was hooked after a while. I raced through it. In the end I enjoyed the story and look forward to the rest of this series.

This is a book that will most likely split the readers views about ‘the third rule’. I do understand the concept of the third rule but I wouldn’t say I was for it as many people can be framed for crime and killings leading to false imprisonment. On the other hand I do believe it would work for certain types of criminals, would deter criminals and as a result we would see the level of crime drop drastically.

I awarded a fair four stars and would highly recommend this book! But I did warn you it was a long book.. Other than that a perfect story I was caught up in. Bring on book two!

The Third Rule is the first book in the series and it is also the first book that I have read by the author. In this story we are introduced to CSI Eddie Collins...a character that I really liked. I love the fact that this story is about CSI rather than your a Detective. Telling a story about three main characters that talks about Political and government issues. Which is rare to see in a novel so for me this is a very fresh and new idea.

Has always I am totally honest that this is a beast of a book and it did put me off slightly, so don't go into it thinking its a quick read because it isn't. Some parts I found it were over descriptive. I am a reader that likes to use my imagination and not be told all the details. But other readers might love this.

The story is full of a variety of characters they you will love or hate and each one brings something to the story.

I have to say that Andrew certainly knows his stuff and has used his own experiences throughout the story making it a clever and well plotted read. The Third Rule is a solid start of what looks set to be a good series. You can your copy on the link below.

Thank you to Sarah Hardy for inviting to take part on Blog Blitz

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 ***

I had already read the first two Eddie Collins short stores (The Note and The Lift) so I was familiar with the subject and the style of writing. This however is by no means a short story. I found that the pace didn't really pick up until after halfway trough the book and the many characters and strands to the story started to converge on Eddie and Mick and also on themselves. Set slightly in the future there is a new political party in power and some very tough "Rules" have being brought in to deal with murderers and repeat offenders ("if you want to kill serious crime, you have to kill serious criminals)!! Eddie is a CSI hanging on to his job by the skin of his teeth due to his drinking and violent nature, and Mick is a fellow drinker and reporter who is onto the story of his career. Together they try to get to the truth of matters despite government corruption and over zealous police. It is a complex and original story, and definitely recommended for those who want something a bit more challenging.
This is the first full length novel and I am sure I will grow to like Eddie more as I progress through the series.

After a wave of violent crime, the British government has introduced the Rules. This is basically a three strikes and you're out mentality, with the third strike meaning that you're put to death. Several of the main characters in the book have hit their third strike and are next on the government's list. This includes Christian and Eddie, a CSI.

I had never read anything from this author before requesting this book and I'm extremely impressed. It's a fast paced and extremely gritty crime read. Given the nature of the story, it's not the easiest read and is quite complex by a long shot but it is a good one. If you're looking for an easy, escapist read, this probably isn't going to be the book for you but I'd definitely recommend it if you like frantic crime thrillers that keep you guessing as to what comes next. My only drawback is that the story is a lot too complex at times and not all of it seems completely necessary to what is happening but it's only a minor quibble. Unlike a lot of complex books, it didn't lose my attention or bore me to tears and I wasn't wanting to stop reading so big thumbs up to the author for producing a book that is dark, complex but never boring!

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 design The Rules in an attempt to make England crime-free but they didn't have the desired effect. They claimed The Rules to be infallible, but they lied. Meanwhile, an innocent man, Christian Ledger, is charged with stabbing another 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 once 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 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 element that I appreciated. The 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 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.

The Third Rule
CSI Eddie Collins Series #1

In England the rules have changed to a three strike s and you are put to death situation. With corrupt policemen, crooked politicians, drug addicts, thieves and murderers running through the story there is a lot going on and many names to keep track of. It is dark and gritty and for me, a bit confusing. I basically picked it up to get the background of Eddie before reading book two in the series and have come away feeling that England as portrayed in this book is not a place many if any would want to live. I had trouble relating to any of the characters in the book and that may have hindered my overall impression.

Did I like the book? Sort of
Will I read another book by this author? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloodhound books for the ARC – This is my honest review.

3-4 Stars

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.

Great book, really liked it. If you're a fan of crime, don't miss this one. It's a definite 5-stars from me.

The UK extricates itself from "servitude" to fight crime.

Eddie lives in a fleabag apartment. He is separated from his wife, Jillian, and only sees his son, Sam (who is 11)at specified times. Eddie works for the West Yorkshire police as a CSI. Ros, Eddie's co-worker and friend, tells him to lay off the booze if he wants to live with Jilly and Sam, again.

At the same time, Henry Deacon is very distracted while driving and runs over (and kills) a homeless man. He flees the scene. While Eddie and Jilly are discussing how late Eddie is to pick up Sam, Henry runs SAM over and flees this scene, too. Henry tries to burn down the Jaguar that he drove in his madness.


To set the tone for the absurdity of the new Rules, Lincoln, a pensioner, is meeting with government official, Sir George Deacon. Lincoln is tired of being governed by fear. His son is in prison and parole is a very rare entity. Sir George tells Sirius, his right hand man, that he wants Lincoln dead. On that same day, Lincoln gets a letter telling him that his son is due for release next month. He was sorry he dealt with Sir George.

Sir George happens to be Henry's father so there is a bit of a cover-up regarding the two fatal car accidents. Otherwise, Henry would be on Rule Three - death by shooting.

Another important character is Mick, a journalist with quite an affinity for booze. He is still very good at his work, but unless he gets a great scoop soon, his star will be falling. His boss wanted Mick to interview Lincoln. When Mick arrives at Lincoln's home, he is dead. Suicide?

Then we have Christopher and Alice - they live together; she a druggie, he an artist. She also has been diagnosed and hospitalized for mental instability. They have a son?

Yes, it all will tie together, neatly. Through fires, people being dragged, pummeled, beaten, and killed, there is a lot of excitement and true adventure. Eddie and Mick go on the run, Christian is possibly in line for a Rule 3,
Harry remains selfish and childish, Alice betrays Christian, and the story goes on. The plot is well thought out - the characters not only come to life but intertwine. A saga that continues to enthrall until the very end!!!

Many thanks to Bloodhound and NetGalley for a great read!!!

This book was hard to read, not because of the author’s writing, but because it shows how quickly power in the wrong hands, can become so badly used.

In this novel, we are introduced to a Britain, ruled by a government with omnipresent surveillance and a despot with great power in his hands. Who was it that said, “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely”?

We are introduced to Eddie Collins a CSI, his estranged wife Jilly, his journalist, drinking buddy, Mick Lyndon, Ros Banford a workmate and friend of Eddie, a Secretary of Justice, and his son.

Around this group the author weaves his story.

Eddie and his wife are grieving the loss of their son who is killed by a careless driver and Eddie is sliding rapidly into alcoholism. Mick is helping Eddie along this road.

And at this time, new government policy is introduced – The Third Rule. This sets out clearly that offenders will be given a chance to reform and rehabilitate. If, after they complete their sentence and are released, they re-offend then they will be given a longer prison sentence, and in the event that they then re-offend, the Third Rule comes into play and they will be put to death. Murderers will be put to death immediately.

When a colleague is shot to death Eddie finds himself the main suspect and is now marked with Rule Three status. We follow Eddie and Mick as they try to unravel the secrets surrounding the deaths, the murders and the machinations of the Secretary of Justice, the man who seemingly holds all the power.

I said it is hard to read, but I recommend this book to all who enjoy a complicated story with an almost hero, and many twists and turns

This is the first time I have read this author and WOW from the first page I was hooked.
To get rid of serious crime you have to get rid of serious criminals.
This is a thriller that is fast paced, full throttle until the Last page. The premise of this book was scary and could one day be a reality ?
After all we are about to leave the EUROPEAN MARKET.
I would like to thank the author Andrew Barrett, Bloodhound books and Net.galley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for giving an honest review.

Thankyou to NetGalley, Bloodhound Books and Andrew Barrett for the opportunity to read an ARC of The Third Rule. I really appreciate it.
I have read Andrew Barrett on previous occasions, so when the opportunity came along to read this novel, I jumped at the chance. And I am so glad I did.
This book is a definite rollercoaster ride of twists and turns. It kept me on the edge of my seat, turning pages as quickly as possible, never knowing what is going to be thrown at me next. I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a face-paced thriller.