Very slow. Hard to get into. I'm sorry , I wanted to love it but I felt the writing was trying hard to be relatable when it made it more disjointed.

The Rule of Three is a hard book to write a review for because you really don't want to give anything away.

The Rule of Three was an incredibly unique thriller. This is because you don't really know what direction it's going in. Is something supernatural happening, or is it simply the work of an evil mind. I loved how the book used this idea of bad things happen in three's to drive the plot.

Told in parts, mainly by three young women, the book skips forward in time with each woman's story. It's hard to know the exact time period of the book, but you get a sense by the technology referenced. And while it doesn't really matter for the story, it could be a bit disorienting, not really knowing the exact time frame between certain events.

The book is full of twists and turns, and you think you have it completely figured out, only to realize you were very wrong. I found that sometimes the story lost me with all the twists.

Overall, this was a decent thriller. I struggled with the jump forwards between characters, and just that there was so much going on that, at times, it was hard to keep track.

Also, I don't really have too many issues with content warnings, but there was one particular part that really turned my stomach. I also didn't enjoy the excessive drug and alcohol use in the first part. I appreciate that our main character was using them as a coping mechanism for the trauma she'd been through, I'm just not sure it needed to be so explicit.

Speaking of content warnings, definitely check them out for this book before you pick it up. This book is pretty much entirely about death in various forms.

Thank you to Atria Books for the advanced digital copy of this book. My opinions are my own.

This one was a ride. A very scary ride, I enjoyed the suspense and the tension of it. While I felt parts were a bit slow, it definitely picked up and at that point, I couldn’t wait to see how it wrapped up. I would definitely read another book by Ripley.

This is a good pick for a beach bag or a summer vacation. It’s a well paced and clever thriller—and while it wasn’t perfect, I certainly enjoyed the ride. This was a great lakeside read for me and will have a spot on our thriller table.

This one had such promise but was too slow for me. And the way at least the first third was written, with the narrator foreshadowing her own death and telling her own story felt weird tense wise to me. I wanted to love it but just couldn’t get into it

This was a decent read. I thought the whole idea was intriguing but the book was a little long. It took me a long time to get through it because I had to keep stopping to take a break from it. I really enjoyed the way it progressed the who/what dunnit and the twist at the end was really good.

Huge thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for this eARC in exchange for a free and honest review.

Bad things always happens in Three’s right? That’s the curse isn’t it? The Rule of Three follows the journals of three women who are faced with this terrifying legend that is out to make them it’s next victim. Through their journals and research will they find a way to overcome The Rule of Three before it finishes them off.

First and formost I loved the writing style of this novel. I am a huge sucker for unique narration styles and the framing narrative in this novel is everything. To solve the mystery through essentially journals was perfection. And how the overarching plot weaved through each part and with a new main character was great. I also loved as we progressed along to each new lead the readers only had as much information as the character and the audience had to piece the story and mystery together as the character did. It lead to a thrilling story that had me guessing all the way up to the end. I was shocked at every revelation and was thrilled to plow on and get to the bottom of the mystery.

Overall this book was a thrilling ride and was so glad I saw the invite to read this book in my inbox. I found myself excited to see what happened next as the plot and mystery evolved from one trope to another. And as I read the end my jaw was on the floor even if I more or less figured out the mystery as the story was wrapping up and before the big reveal but it was still amazing. Can’t wait for my next Thriller!

This is a very dark thriller with loads of trigger warnings. The pacing is on the slower side, and I would have felt more engaged had the pacing been at a faster clip. The book was also overly description which was rather annoying. I didn’t need to know all the nitty gritty details of everything. The ending was rather ambiguous and frustrating in my opinion and just didn’t give me what I was looking for.

I do like the concept of this one, I just think that the execution left things a little lacking.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the e-arc.

Content warnings DEFINITELY should have been included in the opening of this book. CWs for: Suicide (pretty descriptive, too), death of a parent, death of a sibling, death of a child, and recreational drug use.

So this book is super dark. And it's....weird. We've all heard the saying "bad things happen in threes!" But what if people in your family died every three years until only you were left. And you knew you were next. What would you do? How would you handle it? This book follows three individuals who find themselves faced with that problem, and the different approaches they take to it.

Once I got past how descriptive some areas were (particularly the depression/suicide--there were no CWs, and I was NOT mentally prepared for it, so be warned), overall I enjoyed the book. It does feel a little repetitive because all three protagonists are going through the same thing, and they're all starting at square one with their information. The ending felt a little empty to me. It worked, and I can't say I predicted it, but it definitely wasn't satisfying. I would have liked a little bit more insight into the WHY and HOW of it all--or at least one of those two things. Not just "Tada! Here's the twist, embrace it, book over!"

It IS well written however, and right at the end there is a little call out about something you can go back and look for if you so desire regarding the rule of three (I won't say more to avoid spoilers, but you'll see it when you get there). I DID go back and look for them and it truly worked--a fun little easter egg, and I can absolutely respect the time and effort that goes into making that happen.

Overall, this is a super dark thriller that moves at a moderate pace with an...adequate ending. If you're looking for something dark and don't care about everything being nicely wrapped up at the end, this is for you!

Started a little slow, but soon picked up and went places I never expected. Lots of twists and turns. I wouldn’t be surprised to see some kind of film/tv adaptation in the future.

Recommended.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Aug. 6, 2024
Bad things always happen in threes. Or so the superstition goes. But in this case, there just might be some truth to it. Three girls, who lose both of their parents and then their only sibling, three years apart. Then, the girls mysteriously die, too. Unless one of them tries to stop it. But how do you stop something that no one believes even exists?
“The Rule of Three” by Sam Ripley is a slow-burn and it took awhile for me to get invested in the plot. In fact, as the ending drew closer, I worried that the plot would not be resolved, as it seemed there was too little left of the story to tie up loose ends. Ripley was able to assuage my anxiety, however. The final third of this novel packed more of a dramatic, tense punch than the first two thirds, but the urban legend component is what kept me going through to the end. I needed to know what happened to all of the girls and their families, and find out who was behind it (if anyone at all).
The story is narrated by three protagonists (of course), Amy, Ila and Eve, who each take their turn telling their own story. These three young women, suffering immeasurable grief and loss, are all different and yet terribly alike in the worst ways, but all of them are relatively likable and easy to build a rapport with. There is a plethora of supporting characters to add to the who-dunnit suspense, but the final reveal still managed to be shocking and unexpected.
“Three” was part twist-and-turn tension and part slow simmering thriller. Ripley’s writing takes some getting used to, at least in this novel, but if you can make it through to the final few chapters, Ripley makes it worth your while.
Sam Ripley is a new author for me, but I wasn’t about to pass up a novel about urban legends come to life. “The Rule of Three” is an intriguing concept, and, I have to admit, the premise captured my attention from the jump. I enjoyed the characters and their emotional journeys through tragic grief and loss, and the novel did flow well, with each portion of the novel clearly separated and labeled by narrator. It would have been easy to give up on this novel after the first half, but it was worth pulling through.

No no no. Not for me. I really hated the writing. I have no idea the author's history with or without addiction, but it read to me like someone who has never done a drug in their life but wants to see like they have. I don't even mean to say that in a rude way, but I'm not sure how to say it without sounding rude. Apart from that the writing was too overly dramatic. I also didn't like the characters and wasn't really rooting for them. I will say that it was a quick read for the most part.

WOW! That is not what I had expected. The last 1/3 of the book, I couldn’t put it down. This was a puzzle that always kept you guessing. A girl tries to figure out if she is cursed, next to die, or if it’s all in her head. This was great and the ending, my gosh, did not expect that!

Is it a curse? Is it a killer? I promise you, it will keep you guessing! What a thrill of a ride!!!!! Such a great read!

The Rule of Three is a captivating mystery that keeps you guessing. You find yourself questioning the truth behind the story, the sanity of the main character, and the possibility of a supernatural force at work. As you delve deeper into the narrative, you take on the role of a detective, analyzing multiple perspectives to uncover the truth. The mystery keeps you engaged and encourages you to think critically. If you enjoy solving puzzles, unraveling whodunits, and mysteries that challenge your assumptions, then this is the perfect read for you.

Bad things always happen in threes don't they?? Wow what I thriller!! I didn't know what to expect from this but I feel like I just kept getting rewarded with every new chapter! Loved the writing style, the story is told thru multiple points of view. I felt myself constantly wondering who's telling me the truth, who's really crazy, what's real and what's fantasy? Found myself catching my breath from reveals several times throughout this book. I had absolutely no idea what was going on and I mean that in the best way! This is a must read for sure!

Bad things always happen in threes, they say, and they are right.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Please make sure before reading that you pay attention to your trigger warnings. This book can be jarring for some.

If like the symbolism of the number three, this book is for you. The story is told in three narratives over twenty years by Amy, Ila and Eve. Although it can feel slow due to it’s confusing start and the fact that it will loop around and around for a bit, it’s overall a good thriller/horror story that will keep you on your toes.

It is creepy and gives you the feeling that you’re being watched. I will it was a bit more fast paced and had less of a word count as it seemed to drag on.

Do you believe in curses? Superstitions? Urban legends? You should. Because I’m going to die. The Rule of Three is following me. It’s responsible for the death of my parents. My sibling. Bad things happen in threes. And now it’s coming for me. Maybe reading this will help you. Because if you’re questioning it - then it’s coming for you too.

The Rule of Three is an interesting take on a mystery. You’re constantly questioning yourself - is this a true story? Is the main character crazy? Is there a supernatural force at play? You’re playing detective while you’re diving into multiple points of view.

Recommended if you like puzzles, who-done-its, and mysteries where you’re constantly questioning everything.

While o enjoyed the plot, the story seemed to drag on at times and I found myself wanting to DNF it. It has some twists and horror aspects but the writing style took some getting use to.

It does pick up towards the end and I thought the ending was good which is why I added an extra star.

Solid thriller/suspense with twists I was surprised by. I enjoyed the different points of view and how the book was broken up definitely was a different concept. Enjoyed this book and would recommend. I want to thank NetGalley and Atria Books for the arc in exchange for an honest review.