The Rule – David Jackson – What Do I Read Now?

My thanks to Viper for the ARC of The Rule, via netgalley. This is David Jackson’s second novel publisher by Viper, and is out on 1st July 2021.

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 him. Even murder.

Our Author – David Jackson

A latecomer to fiction writing, having spent most of his adult life producing academic papers and reports. After some limited success entering short story competitions, David submitted the first few chapters of a novel to the Crime Writers Association Debut Dagger Awards. To his great surprise, the book was not only short-listed but given the Highly Commended accolade, which stimulated the interest of agents and publishers and eventually led to the publication of PARIAH. Since then, he has written several more crime thrillers, including two series set in New York and his birth city of Liverpool. He still has a day job in Liverpool as a university academic, but now lives on the Wirral with his wife, two daughters and a British Shorthair cat called Mr Tumnus.

My Review – The Rule

The Rule – is not to touch people. Thats Daniel’s rule, he nearly 23 but has learning difficulties and is stronger than he knows. When he’s touched people before, they have often left being hurt and not gone near Daniel again, he doesn’t understand why, he says sorry and doesn’t mean to hurt anyone.

Daniel lives with his Mum and Dad, Gemma and Scott in a tower block in London, he has friends at the club he attends and goes there, taking his briefcase with him. He adores his briefcase, its just like Adam 9’s, Daniels favourite super hero and Adam keeps all his equipment in it.

When Daniel and Scott encounter Joey Cobb in the lift on their way home, and Joey becomes aggressive. Daniel steps in to defend his Dad. This encounter ends up nearly costing Scott his life and that of his family. As the story unfolds its clear the lengths Scott will go to to protect them.

DI Hannah Washington is brought in when Joey Cobb is found dead. She is the one that needs to find the link, the who, what and why. And she has no idea where to start other than Joey’s mobile marking him at being in that tower block too. Of course, no one knows anything, or or they do they aren’t prepared to tell.

I have to admit to enjoying David’s book – his previous Viper publication The Resident, was also extremely enjoyable, I really liked it. The Rule does go to the extremes too, but I think it enhances the book and gives a fun side. We all read stories inn the paper and think ..what!??! But who knows how far people would really go to protect their families against harm.

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