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The Third Rule - Part Two: Running Scared

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Part Two of The Third Rule: Running Scared.

You’re still alive until you meet The Third Rule.

England. New System. New Rules. Old Corruption. While England struggles with demonstrations and riots against conveyor belt justice, artist and burglar Christian Ledger finds himself on the run from a Rule Three charge. Meanwhile CSI Eddie Collins and reporter Mick Lyndon unlock a disturbing truth that could cost them their very lives. But a relentless and corrupt government is closing in on all three of them…

“If you want to kill serious crime, you have to kill serious criminals.”
Sir George Deacon, Minster of Justice.

249 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 4, 2012

44 people want to read

About the author

Andrew Barrett

34 books279 followers
Hi everyone,

My name is Andrew Barrett and I live and work in West Yorkshire.

My CSI Eddie Collins and SOCO Roger Conniston books focus on the world of the crime scene investigator. I've been a CSI for over twenty-eight years, and try to inject an element of authenticity into each story.

And if you enjoy detectives with a difference, search out the new series featuring a sharp female lead character called DS Regan Carter.

Thanks for looking,

Andy

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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Profile Image for Kath Middleton.
Author 23 books158 followers
November 6, 2012
In this continuing story, SOCO (CSI) Eddie Collins is the author of much of his own misery. His drinking has alienated his wife and his young son is dead. His wife blames Eddie for this. His drinking pal, failed journalist Mick, is on a final warning with his job and turns up some information which implicates the man who has driven through the new Justice Act – Sir George Deacon. Eddie’s wife offers to take him back into the marital home but he fears being thrown out again within a week. He is given the job, with his work partner Ros, of analysing the car which killed his own son.

This is an exciting story of a man trying to save himself and find the killer of his child. It is also the cleverly woven story of a number of others for whom the family of Deacon are pivotal. Andrew Barrett is a skilled story teller and knows his stuff with police procedurals. He is excellent at building up tension in a story and at making you care about characters who appear to be heading for self destruction. There is an emotional depth and richness here that elevates the book above the common run of crime fiction. I so want it to end well for Eddie yet at times I find him a very unprepossessing ‘hero’. Can he prove who killed his son? Will the corruption at the heart of government be revealed? Andrew Barrett makes you think; he makes you feel. I really look forward to seeing how this trilogy ends.
Profile Image for Michael Brookes.
Author 15 books211 followers
March 11, 2015
This is the second book in the author's 'The Third Rule' trilogy. I enjoyed the first book, but this sequel manages to better that excellent read into something special. For me the setting provides an interesting backdrop and motivation for the story. It's a dystopian future that unlike many such stories is scarily plausible at times.

The story follows three main threads. My favourite is the artist and his girlfriend living in a squat with their infant child. This thread is a grim view of life in this new Britain and is the grittiest of the threads. There's a revelation in here that I found quite shocking as well as heartbreaking.

Another thread follows a police scene of crimes officer that on the face of it seems like a cliche with his grief and his problems after the death of his sun. I say on the face of it, because the author carefully steers the character from being a familiar to a person with some depth. His interaction with his ex-wife and his closest friend provide some interesting scenes. There's also an element of mystery here and in one of the final scenes this character really shines.

The final thread concerns the covering up of a crime and they provide the menace that is felt throughout the book. In all cases the author excels at putting you inside the characters' heads, so you feel what they feel. I tend to prefer a minimalist approach for this introspection, but the author nails it and I was completely enthralled.

Overall this is a superb thriller that focuses on the characters and well worth checking out.
Profile Image for Mo.
138 reviews3 followers
November 21, 2012
Having been disappointed in the first book only because it did not have an ending, I thouroughly enjoyed this book which also doesn't have an ending but I was prepared for this. I am seriously looking forward to the third book.
Profile Image for Bonnie Dale Keck.
4,677 reviews56 followers
May 5, 2018
These no longer are available on kindle, the full book with all 3 parts is showing on amazon BUT only as paperback {although I got it as ebook so not sure since don't remember if was on amazon kindle} so the lower description is for all 3 together. See list below. The Third Rule (Eddie Collins #1)

Part Two of The Third Rule: Running Scared.

You’re still alive until you meet The Third Rule.

England. New System. New Rules. Old Corruption. While England struggles with demonstrations and riots against conveyor belt justice, artist and burglar Christian Ledger finds himself on the run from a Rule Three charge. Meanwhile CSI Eddie Collins and reporter Mick Lyndon unlock a disturbing truth that could cost them their very lives. But a relentless and corrupt government is closing in on all three of them… “If you want to kill serious crime, you have to kill serious criminals.”
Sir George Deacon, Minster of Justice

Definitely not a 'cozy' definitely some 'language' when a certain point needs to be definitely made, and one of the best mystery books have read in a while. I really like it, as you should be able to tell by the stars/rating.

Capital Punishment is back! When you're accused of murder, you'd better hide, run, or fight.The Third Rule is England's new infallible capital punishment. Absolute proof of guilt is no longer required, so there’s a queue at the Slaughter House doors.

CSI Eddie Collins hasn't killed anyone, but he knows who has. That’s why he’s on the Slaughter House list, and when a government hunter tracks him down, Eddie has to fight or die. ‘If you want to kill serious crime, you have to kill serious criminals.’ Sir George Deacon, Minster of Justice.



The Third Rule (Eddie Collins #1)
Black by Rose (Eddie Collins #2)
The Lift: An Eddie Collins short story (Eddie Collins #2.5)
Sword of Damocles (Eddie Collins #3)
Ledston Luck (Eddie Collins #4)
The Note: A CSI Eddie Collins short story

A Long Time Dead (SOCO Roger Conniston Book 1)
Stealing Elgar (SOCO Roger Conniston Book 2)
No More Tears (SOCO Roger Conniston Book 3)

The End of Lies
Charlotte's Lodge

The Third Rule - Part One: Atrocities
The Third Rule - Part Two: Running Scared
The Third Rule - Part Three: Sacrifice
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews

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