“That’s the question you need to answer for yourself. Are you willing to break every rule?”


Brian Freeman is usually an auto-read for me. There have been a few here and there that have not been my favorite but I usually really enjoy his books.

Break Every Rule is a stand alone thriller about human trafficking and the lengths one husband and father would go to get his wife and daughter back. It immediately added a new item to my bucket list: never visit Miami.

This wasn’t one of my favorites by Freeman, and I would say that is largely due to the nature of the plot. Human trafficking just makes me sick and angry. At least the book doesn’t glorify it and we do see some form of justice which is good, but it’s just one of those books you don’t necessarily ‘enjoy.’

This book also had a lot more swearing than some of this other books so I wasn’t keen on that.

In some ways it reminded me of Freeman’s book Immoral which very appropriately named. This one felt better to read than that one. The immorality felt more clearly defined in Break Every Rule and the good guys and bad guys more differentiated.

Plot Basics

The main character of Break Every Rule is Tommy Miller— an ex-soldier/ex-cop jaded by a system that can’t get to the worst of the worst because of corruption or money or the murder of witnesses. They are “untouchable.”

He gets roped into a group that manipulated that anger to use him to do secret ops. To do what the system couldn’t do— bring justice and get the bad guys: The Outsiders.

Until a mission with The Outsiders went awry and Tommy (previously known as The Tiger) had to go into hiding.

His wife, Teresa, has secrets of her own. When she and their (baby) daughter get kidnapped, Tommy starts to realize that the people after her are not the same ones that are after him. But trying to rescue his wife will alert his own enemies to his location and complicate his plans.

Not only is he evading his enemies, but the detective working his wife’s disappearance, Lindy Jax, has made this case personal and is going out of her way to figure out what Tommy is up to and who he really is.

But if there is one thing Tommy knows, it’s that to get his wife and daughter back, he’s going to have to break some rules.

“We can’t change the law, so we break it when the law stands in the way.”

My Soap Box

Break Every Rule is ‘Taken’ meets Epstein’s horrific private island. Down to the very same principle of being ‘untouchable.’

That’s what makes this book hard to read. It’s not fiction. It’s happening today in the Caribbean and all over the world. And anyone who turns a blind eye to it is despicable.

“She was consumed with outrage that no one would help us. That the rich and famous would gather around Fell and not let the truth come out.”

That is what I feel. Outrage. Because there is no doubt in my mind that the rich and famous and influential are blocking the truth from coming out in our real world about so much injustice. To protect their own cash flow or their own reputations. It’s sick.

If only Tommy Miller was a real person who could infiltrate, expose, and bring justice. That’s the thing about this book and Taken. Yeah, these men have special skills that help them get their loved ones back, but that’s not normal. That’s not reality. The reality is most of these girls and women either don’t have anyone looking for them or anyone with the resources and capabilities to rescue them.

This is a soap box I’ll stand on all day: the pornography industry and the legitimizing of ‘sex work’ are both intimately connected to sexual abuse and increase and support the market for human trafficking. There is no doubt.

It’s shocking to me that people think ‘sexual freedom’ has no consequences. Either they are blind to the horrors of the very real trajectory of that line of thought or they are aware and they simply don’t care.

I hope that if you read this book and Martin Fell and his ‘use’ of women angers you, that you will think about the parallels to the real world and consider helping dry up the market on sex for sale. Check out Fight the New Drug and its facts and resources surrounding this topic and more information on what you can do to educate others and support a good cause.

One of the characters that’s part of Martin Fell’s ‘enterprise’ admits, “We’ve built our lives around stealing the innocence of little girls.”

Help protect innocence.

Other Comments

I thought it was weird that Tommy so quickly and easily started referring to Teresa as Alina after finding that out. Maybe Freeman did that for clarity for the reader but it seemed unnatural.

I like to make connections to other books I’ve read and there are two to be found here:

Teresa and Tommy talk about classical music a bit which reminded me of the book Every Good Boy Does Fine: A Love Story in Music Lessons and I think they would have both appreciated that book.

This book reminded me of The Spy Coast which details an ex-CIA agent pulled out of her quiet, hidden retired life when another agent disappears. They too have a local detective on their heels investigating them while they’re ‘breaking the rules’ to find those hunting them down. But at least Brian Freeman made his detective more legitimate and not the foolish, bumbling variety that Gerritsen did. Plus Freeman did what I was hoping Gerritsen would have: force the main character to work WITH the detective. Although that book is the first in the series so that will probably come eventually.

A couple nonfiction books that relate: Taking Down Backpage or The Porn Problem

Speaking of the detective, Lindy Jax: “She was a Black woman recruited to the department right out of college, and the white men— hell, even some of the Black men— made it clear that they considered her nothing but a diversity hire. So she’d had to out-hustle all of them, and they didn’t like that.”

The interesting argument here isn’t even that DEI hires are unqualified people— Lindy was qualified and that would be a whole different conversation— but just the idea of that is making it hard for diverse people to feel belonging in their job because people can speculate that you were hired because of your gender, race, or sexuality rather than your merit. I’m not at all convinced DEI does what it claims to do for diversity but rather muddies the waters. I don’t doubt that Lindy is up against it working in the environment she does as a black woman! And I don’t think the DEI groups helped her out much just by their mere existence.

Last comment, the characters encounter Alina’s foster parents and I appreciate that they portrayed a good foster home. I know the system is broken but I also know of a lot of good people that take really good care of foster children and love them very much. We don’t recognize that enough so I’m glad they chose to show the positive side of that in a book that exposes a lot of corruption.

Recommendation

While, this book isn’t my favorite of his, I would still recommend it in general. The subject matter of the plot could be enough to hinder readers especially if that would be a trigger, but I can at least attest that there is some form of justice in the end. I think, for me, I would need to know that before reading a book like this, so I will share that ‘spoiler’ but I won’t tell you the specifics.

If this plot doesn’t appeal, I would still try some of Brian Freeman’s other books: stand alones like Thief River Falls, I Remember You, or Infinite, or his Frost Easton series or the latter part of his Jonathan Stride series.




[Content Advisory: 86 f-words; 28 s-words; 5 b-words; mentions of rape and human trafficking]


**Received an ARC via NetGalley**

Brian Freeman is one of my all-time favourite authors. He gives us a breathtaking thriller with "Break Every Rule".
Tommy Miller is a man with deadly skills and a false identity. When his wife and daughter are abducted he must return to the past he thought he'd left behind. As he races to rescue his family he must become the man he once was, a killer.
A non-stop page turner!
Highly recommended!

Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review!

Having read other books by Brian Freeman, I was happy to see that he didn't disappoint with this new action thriller. There's no indication that this will turn into a new series but I wouldn't mind seeing many of these characters return. I'd also be interested in a spinoff sequel starring some of the secondary characters. These characters really evolved throughout the book and I'd like to see more of them. This book held my attention from beginning to end with nonstop action.

Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

3.5 stars
I enjoyed Break Every Rule. My kids went to UF so the setting made it more interesting for me. The book was non-stop action and I listened in one sitting. Scott Brick was great, as usual! I felt that the plot of the story started to lose me a bit at the end so I knocked the rating down. That said, it was a full octane listen!
*Thanks to Blackstone Publishing & NetGalley

BREAK EVERY RULE was a fast paced thriller, jumping immediately into the action from the first page. The characters were all well defined and their backgrounds fleshed out over time, leading to the continuously building events. The plot started getting convoluted over time though, as more characters and motives were added. The ending was ultimately satisfying but there were a few plot points that could have used additional development towards the end.

Thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the opportunity to read and review BREAK EVERY RULE.

Brian Freeman just knows how to write action thrillers! I was glued to the pages reading this one, and loved the different POVs and timelines. This one is in the vein of John Wick x Harvey Weinstein, which was a combo I didn't know I needed. Fans of action revenge and really anything Brian Freeman will love this one!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Brian Freeman’s Break Every Rule is a standalone (from the writer of the Detective Jonathan Ride series) gripping psychological thriller that delves into the dark recesses of human nature and the complexities of moral boundaries. Known for his intricate plots and deep character studies, Freeman delivers a novel that is thought-provoking and intensely suspenseful.

Break Every Rule is a standout in the psychological thriller genre, offering a compelling mix of suspense, character development, and moral complexity.

Brian Freeman has crafted a novel that not only entertains but also challenges readers to think about the nature of justice and the boundaries we set for ourselves.

Highly recommended for fans of intense, exciting thrillers.

Break Every Rule by Brian Freeman tells the story of Tommy Miller. A man with a certain set of skills that come out when his family disappears.
I was in the mood for a nice action thriller when I found this book. It did not disappoint.
A break neck pace was set early on and it didn’t let up very often.
The hero was great. The villain was vile. The action scenes had a nice weight to them.
I’ve never read a book by Mr. Freeman before, but I’ll definitely be on the lookout for others now.

Break Every Rule by Brian Freeman is an irresistibly addictive thriller, a page-turner that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

Tommy Miller, a man with a hidden past, is living under a false identity in Florida, a secret even his wife Theresa is unaware of. Theresa, with her own set of secrets, suddenly finds herself and their daughter Rosalita abducted. Tommy, a man of action, is determined to bring them back, a journey that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

The story features a cast of complex and intriguing characters, each with their own secrets and motivations. It's a compelling read that's hard to put down!

I am grateful to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this advanced copy of Break Every Rule. It was a pleasure to dive into this thrilling story!

“Break Every Rule” by Brian Freeman is an absolutely riveting thriller and my favorite book of this genre so far this year!
The story is about a former homicide detective, Ranger, and secret operative agent for a classified agency who is retired and living in small town Florida with his wife and 8 month old daughter. But, they both have secret pasts that they have kept from each other! The wife and daughter suddenly go missing and the past comes ferociously back.

The characters are all brilliantly portrayed and faced with decisions that revolve around righting a wrong and the rules you would break to save the love of your life and family. The criminals are evil and the victims are people you are rooting for from the very first page.

I am a big fan of this author and enjoy all of his books, but this is my favorite and could not put it down. You can tell this was written from the heart, if I could give it 10 stars I would!

Thank you NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is a fast-paced evil vs good story that leaves you hanging on every word. The story of billionaire Martin Fell seems to parallel that of Jeffery Epstein even down to the prince that likes young girls so you are definitely rooting for Tommy regardless of his background. There are no real surprises it’s just a well written story with a happy ending.

Tommy Miller is hiding under a false identity in Florida. He hasn't even told his wife about his past, about the fact that he is on the run from terrorists and that he used to work for a secret agency for the government....and that they betrayed him. His wife is also hiding her past. She has never told her husband her real name, or who she is on the run from. Maybe if they had just trusted each other more, it would have played out differently...

One morning, Tommy's wife Teresa takes their daughter Rosalita to Teresa's best friend's house for breakfast. Then, something happens and both Teresa and Rosalita go missing, and Tommy knows he can't depend on the police to find them and bring them home. They are too focused on trying to figure out who he was and what he is hiding. As Tommy starts searching, he begins peeling back the layers of his wife's past. He will stop at nothing to bring them home.

I love this author's books and this is definitely one of my favorites. This was a non-stop thrill ride from start to finish. I could not put it down. I loved Tommy's character and backstory and was really rooting for him to find his family and bring them home. I really liked the detective on the case as well, Lindy Jax, and how she struggled with choosing between going strictly by the law, turning a blind eye to Tommy, or helping him. Martin Fell, the main villain in the story and his private island in the Bahamas where he trafficked underaged girls for the rich and famous definitely gave off vibes of Jeffrey Epstein. He and his wife and their little operation definitely creeped me out and gave me the icks. This book is perfect for fans of Lee Child, David Baldacci and Harlan Coben. I highly recommend it!

3.75 stars rounded up.

I knew right away there was going to be some para military, rogue killing group involved in this story and it was true. However, there was so much more! Including a loving husband, a relentless cop and a Jeffery Epstein type that evaded consequences thanks to extreme wealth.

I enjoyed the story. However, it lacked suspense and details for me. There was one small twist but it didn’t really come as a huge surprise. Overall, entertaining enough but not super engaging

Advance reader copy provided by Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley but all opinions are my own.

Another great book from Brian Freeman. The plot kept me engaged and was easy to follow even though there are dual timelines and multiple narrators . It was hard to put the book down!

Break Every Rule by Brian Freeman is full of murder, sex, corruption, and human trafficking.

First, I’m biased because Brian Freeman is just an amazing Author. His writing and storytelling is superb. His storytelling has me in a chokehold.

From page 1, I was hooked. I couldn’t get enough of Tommy (Tiger), Teresa (Alina), Jacinto, Lindy, Malia and the list goes on.

Tommy and his wife both harbor secrets from their past. When Teresa and Rosalita (infant daughter) are kidnapped, Tommy will have to come out of hiding and become Tiger again to find them.

*Caution, don’t start this book unless you’re free. I promise..Reading this book will dominant all of your time*

Excellent book and job well done Mr. Freeman. You never disappoint.

Purchase this book!

Freeman is a tremendously competent thriller writer, I finished speed running his Johnathan Stride series this year, which are more traditional cop thrillers which often have good twists. This is stand alone thriller (although I could easily see it starting a series), and is Freeman’s attempt to do a Jack Reacheresque hero. I am honestly a sucker for fake Jack Reacher’s (and real Jack Reacher), and this is Freeman’s take on “guy killing Jeffery Epstein”. I know I have read a book where Spenser kills Jefferey Epstein, and pretty sure I read Orphan X kill him and maybe Bosch, it all kind of blends together. This is pretty straightforward, but satisfying stuff. Solid airplane ride pick up, something someone could easily knock out on a two hour ride.

This is a standalone thriller and the best from Brian Freeman in some time.
I gave it the following SCORE:
Setting: Current day, Micanopy, Florida and the Bahamas
Characters: Tommy Miller, former operative, now settled down with a false identity and married to Teresa, his baby daughter, Rosalita, intrepid and relentless police detective, Lindy Jax, and a terrific assortment of bad guy billionaires and government officials.
Overview: In your standard plot-line, Tommy’s identity has been discovered by the wrong people, Teresa and Rosalita have been kidnapped, and Tommy breaks all the rules in his righteous quest to get them back.
Recommendation: I rate this book 4 stars
Extras: What makes the story a step above is the complicated search for Tommy’s wife, who has her own intriguing past and the dogmatic, intelligent tracking on two fronts by Lindy. As the story unfolds, it’s engaging to try and cast a movie made from this story, notably with a younger Taraji P. Henson as Lindy and a revitalized Anthony Zerbe as Martin Fell, the entirely nasty and despicable billionaire on his private island.
Thanx to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing, Inc. for the opportunity to provide this candid review.

Tommy Miller is living with his new wife and daughter in Florida as he hides from his deadly past. One morning his wife and daughter are kidnapped. He thinks his past as caught up to him. As he works to find them, he comes to find out his wife had a secret past of her own. Tommy must track down his wife and daughter while dealing with both of their secret lives..

This book starts off with a bang, and doesn’t tend to let up at all. I was immediately drawn in by Tommy Miller’s character and the story. Brian Freeman kept coming up with new twists as the story unfolded. There was a lot happening, so it never felt like the book dragged at all. The plot was complicated, but not hard to follow. This lead to a very satisfying read.

Over all this is an excellent thriller that is well worth your time. It has interesting characters who are complex and keep you on your toes. The action is plentiful and the book flies as you read it. Thank you to Netgalley, Brian Freeman, and Blackstone Publishing for a free advanced readers copy for an honest review.

Wow! That was such a good read! It was very suspenseful and I couldn’t put the book down. He is a favorite author of mine and he has done a great job with his newest book! I highly recommend Brian Freeman and his latest book.

So good! While I loved thr Stride series, I do love a Freeman stand alone. This was the right balance of plot, characters and pacing.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.