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The Murder Rule cover art

The Murder Rule

By: Dervla McTiernan
Narrated by: Kate Orsini,Sophie Amoss,Michael Crouch
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Summary

No one is innocent in this story.

First Rule: Make them like you. 

Second Rule: Make them need you. 

Third Rule: Make them pay.

They think I’m a young, idealistic law student, that I’m passionate about reforming a corrupt and brutal system.

They think I’m working hard to impress them.

They think I’m here to save an innocent man on death row.

They're wrong. I’m going to bury him.

©2022 Dervla McTiernan (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

“Gripping and full of tension, with twist after unexpected twist. You won’t just read The Murder Rule; you’ll devour it.” (Karin Slaughter, New York Times best-selling author of Pieces of Her)

“Dervla McTiernan is an extraordinary writer, and The Murder Rule is a brilliant, breathtaking and irresistible thriller with unforgettable characters and twists on top of twists.” (T. J. Newman, New York Times best-selling author of Falling)

“Dervla McTiernan has become one of my favorite writers, and if you read The Murder Rule, she will quickly become one of yours. This book is diabolically clever, highly compelling and deeply moving. I loved The Murder Rule and did not want it to end.” (Don Winslow, New York Times best-selling author of The Force and The Border)

What listeners say about The Murder Rule

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Did I read a different book than other reviewers?

This review is mostly a note to myself to not read or buy any more of this writers work.

This book was appalling. I've read and enjoyed her Irish police procedurals, which aren't amazing in terms of plotting and surprises, but are entertaining for character and mis en scene.

This however is set in the US and is utterly unlikely. All plot twists are heavily signposted hours ahead of time, characters are unlikely and their motivations laughable. I nearly gave up after a few hours and I heartily wish I had. Utter piffle from start to finish, even the narrators aren't as entertaining as her irish series.

Obviously many people enjoyed it - but for me - do not waste time on any more of her books. There are so many better crime books to read, better characters, more believable plot and less ludicrous motivations.

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7 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Another engrossing thriller from Dervla McTiernan

Dervla's writing never disappoints as she kept my attention throughout with the twisting plot written with true creative flair. The novel's framework raising the complexity of guilt and innocence and its setting against the Innocence Project and the controversial 'murder rule' both interests and educates at the same time as telling a good story.

The narrators are all excellent and appropriate to the plot, even if I was initially disappointed not to be read to in the usual lyrical voice of Aoife McMahon.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Another amazing mystery

Another great book, the story is written in two different periods, perfectly narrated. Till the end it leaves you wondering who did the crime. Sooo good

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Everything told me

That I would not like it. Wrong country wrong case wrong victim wrong murder? And still it was very captivating and impossible to put down. Very well written and the narration did fit it very well. Somehow I wanted it to end differently but was very satisfied it didn’t. Now I’m even more curious what the next story will be.

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2 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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Not used to Dervla McTiernan books set in America

I love her books and have read them all. Story line very clever once you stick with it. But one of the narrator’s had such I whiny voice I skipped parts.
Would I buy another book.. absolutely but hopefully with better narrator’s.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Engaging personalities

Engaging personalities and story. Hannah's a great character with a ruthless streak and yet I was on her side. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Loved the narration, in particular Camilla and Angie!

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1 person found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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Not the authors best

I did enjoy it, however, as I stated, not the authors best work. Some of the narration I found difficult to follow, especially the organisations leader and their main lawyer, both of whom sometimes sounded like women and I didn’t realise it was them speaking. But entertaining in the main.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Different! Good to plot well read

Enjoyable.
A good twisting plot which ends well.
Excellent narration from all readers.
Will look for this author again

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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  • AR
  • 14-04-23

Different but excellent

Different from her other books and perhaps pushes the boundaries of what could occur in legal proceedings but a very good plot. Complicated and interesting.
I don’t understand the negative reviews.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Original and engaging

I nearly avoided reading this based on some reviews on Audible but that would have been a mistake. It's very different to the Galway books but in no way disappointing.

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