MY DAD SAYS BAD THINGS
HAPPEN WHEN I BREAK IT...
Daniel is looking forward to his birthday. He wants fish and chips, a big chocolate cake, and a comic book starring his favourite superhero. And as long as he follows The Rule, nothing bad will happen. But Daniel has no idea that he's about to kill a stranger.
Daniel's parents know that their beloved and vulnerable son will be taken away. They know that Daniel didn't mean to hurt anyone, he just doesn't know his own strength. They dispose of the body. Isn't that what any loving parent would do? But as forces on both sides of the law begin to close in on them, they realise they have no option but to finish what they started. Even if it means that others will have to die...
Because they'll do anything to protect Daniel. Even murder.
What did I think?
I enjoyed David Jackson's previous novel, The Resident, so much that I didn't even read the blurb before picking up a copy of The Rule. This meant that my introduction to Daniel evoked such feelings of protection and affection that I could completely understand everything that his dad did for him.
I absolutely adored Daniel from the start; he's so genuine, caring and enthusiastic but it broke my heart in two that he has to follow The Rule. The Rule is there for a very good reason and it's clear that his parents love him dearly, so they're only doing it to protect him. When actions outside of their control results in Daniel breaking The Rule, a chain of events is set in motion that mean the Timpson family will never be the same again.
Oh this book is really good. I experienced a wealth of emotions, predominantly relating to Daniel but I also really felt for Daniel's parents Scott and Gemma. Scott will go to any lengths to protect his son but I don't think he could have ever expected to go this far. When the police start investigating a murder, the Timpson family need to keep their cool but Gemma is a quivering wreck and Daniel is as honest as the day is long so I was constantly on the edge of my seat just waiting for someone to say the wrong thing.
With an added layer of police procedural, I really enjoyed reading about DI Hannah Washington. Hannah has a heartbreaking backstory but she is one tough cookie and when it looks like she is being thrown under the bus by her superiors, she is not going down without a fight. I also enjoyed the various interactions with career criminal Barrington Daley and some of his lines had me laughing out loud.
Brilliantly written and wonderfully plotted, The Rule is a fast-paced, gripping thriller (and a little bit of a horror as there is some wilful damage to books). It's filled with so much tension and suspense that it's impossible to put down and I couldn't read it fast enough to find out what would happen next. It's another awesome page-turner from David Jackson and I loved it!
I received a digital ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
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