A sharp, riveting, fast paced plot that keeps you guessing and throws twists and turns in everywhere! Immediately hooks you in and then you begin to question and distrust ALL the characters, even the main one! An elaborately layered story which is exciting and keeps you intrigued to the very last page. A great read

I really wanted to give this book more than 3 stars as the idea of it is good and there was more than enough twists and turns for it to be a real page turner.
Sadly, it didnt quite hit the mark and the story did not quite flow... meaning I finished feeling unsatisfied.

I read and listened to this book at the same time, and whereas I understand that it wont be for everyone I really enjoyed it.

Hannah is the newest volunteer at The Innocence Project, but she will lie and cheat her way to her goal. She wants to make sure that revenge is had but she doesn't know everything.

I found this story so unrealistic and screwed up that it was stupid. The story is far fetched and had no consequences for Hannah's actions nearly getting people killed, and despite the fact there was so many things she did wrong, she was too easily forgiven.

The Murder Rule seems to have received some unfavourable reviews, and perhaps those reviewers had valid gripes, but overall, I found the book enjoyable and definitely feel it deserves more credit.

Dervla McTiernan has constructed a great plot. The Innocence Project is a brilliant component to drive the core thread of the narrative and hearing the perspective of some of the true believers was certainly inspiring.

Look, I’m not so sure the courtroom stuff would happen as it did (although I think Dervla was a lawyer, so I’m sure it could happen that way), but it was believable enough in the context of the story.

The story essentially covers three timelines, the first is some 20 odd years back and is relayed through diary entries from the protagonist’s (Hannah’s) mothers diary, the next details a horrific rape and murder that took place like 10 years after the events detailed in the diary, and lastly we have the current timeframe, where we see Hannah trying to keep her fathers murderer in prison whilst the Innocence Project works to free him, believing that he was unjustly incarcerated.

There are some great twists and revelations along the way, as we bounce between timelines learning how everything fits (un-neatly) together.

Thank You NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for a Review Copy.

It took me a while to get hooked on this but once engaged I enjoyed the story.
Hannah goes to work for The Innocence project whilst a law student. She is clear wants to work on a certain case but you’re unsure why.
Then you start reading extracts from her alcoholic mother when she was young. Laura’s story was engrossing and I couldn’t wait for the next bit of her story. Hannah seems sure that their case is a guilty man and looks at all the evidence as way to prove his guilt.
I liked how the author revealed all the bits of the case so you start making up your own mind about the man’s guilt or innocence. The other characters are well rounded and interesting.
When I thought I had it figured out there were twists or revelations that changed your conclusion.
A great read and I would pick up this author again.
Thanks to HarperCollins UK and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am a big fan of Dervla McTiernan and I have loved her previous stories and I was delighted to get the opportunity to read her newest book. Unfortunately I found the Murder Rule a difficult read as I found the plot weak and main character unlikeable.

I thought the concept of the Innocence project was fascinating. I loved the mystery of why Hannah wanted to be a part of it, and what she could have read in her mom’s diary that fuelled her motivations for revenge.

Most of the book is told in Hannah’s perspective, but we also read entries from her mom’s diary, which gave us better insight into what caused Hannah such anger she’d risk everything to go to extreme lengths.

I’m not sure how to describe what I thought about this book. Although drawn in by the premise, I found the book lacked something to keep me interested. I disliked the protagonist Hannah from the beginning and by the end of the book; I hated her. I didn’t have that connection with her either, and thought she was just so annoying and selfish.

This one, sadly, wasn’t for me. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher, for a chance to read and review this book.

So, a legal thriller – for a long time this has been one of your favourite genres, hasn’t it?

Yep, I absolutely adore legal thrillers, from Scott Turow and early John Grisham onwards, and there are some real belters around now – look at Steve Cavanagh and Gillian McAllister, who have both skyrocketed up there. Dervla McKirwan is heading that way too…this is a cracking legal thriller, set in Maine and based around the Innocence Project, which works on freeing wrongly convicted prisoners.

Tell us a little bit about the book’s plot…

It’s about Hannah Rokeby, who manages to get a place on the University of Virginia’s Innocence Project, as she wants to work on a particular case – that of Michael Dandridge. Her interest in this particular case is revealed when we go back in time, and see the diary of her mother, Laura, an alcoholic, who Hannah has taken care of for much of her life.

Hannah uses some underhand tactics to get on to the Innocence Project, so immediately you know she’s prepared to do whatever it takes to get what she wants. And what she wants is not to see Michael Dandridge released, but to remain in prison – and the reason why is buried deep in the past, and revealed through the diary.

However, as Hannah gets to know the other students, particularly Sean and Camila, she begins to question the ethics of some of her decisions, and ends up questioning some of the beliefs she’s held her entire life.

This is a book of twists and turns, and truth and lies, and it’s a real rollercoaster read – one of these books that keep you turning just, “one more page…”

So you’d recommend this as an exciting read that’ll keep the reader engrossed?

Totally! It’s a very fast read, and on more than one occasion I woke up with it starting to get light, my glasses still on, and this book still on my knee. I think that says it all! Dervla McKirwan knows how to grab hold of you, and my only complaint is the end feels just a tad rushed. But maybe that’s just my disappointment at the book ending! I’ve got a couple of her earlier novels, and reading this ensures I will definitely be digging them out – she’s a talented author, who knows how to spin a yarn!

Don’t miss it!

Hannah is a young law student who has schemed her way in to work on the Innocent Project. She seems like the other students but she has an ulterior motive and finds her way in to help with a very juicy case. What is she looking for and what is her goal?
I really enjoyed the two timelines that run here between Hannahs story and the diary of her mother as a young woman. There are a few twists and turns that keep it all interesting and it eventually all comes together.
Thank you to the publisher, the author and Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. Overall a good read, though a little “wordy” at times. I enjoy a main character who is difficult to like and my tension was held by the twists and turns n the storyline.

I thought this was an accomplished, well-written thriller. It's pacey with twists and turns and it's clever. It's no Steve Cavanagh but I enjoyed my first Dervla McTiernan and look forward to reading her other books.

I enjoyed this as it was a quick and easy yet engrossing and engaging read. I thought that the plot was original and it dragged me in from the outset. The characters were well drawn and I cared about what would happen to them. All in all an excellent book.

Undergrad Law student Hannah transfers to the university of Virginia and manages not only to work her way onto the Innocence Project, but also quickly becomes part of their elite team working on the case of Michael Dandridge. This story alternates with extracts from Hannah’s mum’s diary, which turns out to be the reason why Hannah wants to be involved with this particular case.
I was sceptical that there could be such a thing as an Innocence Project, but it seems there really are, but the ease with which Hannah blagged herself unto it, unchecked, set me off on a downward path. The Murder Rule at first goes to great great lengths to explain Felony Murder but then veers off to provide a cast of youngish characters who embark upon a course of random and or ill-advised actions to find new evidence from an old case and to persuade intimidated witnesses to hold up their hand and tell the truth. And then in one mighty bound we are all free.
I was disappointed in this one which had a lot of potential.

I’ve enjoyed books by this author previously so reluctant to give this a mediocre review but unfortunately it was too plot driven rather than character driven for me. At least I felt it needed more of a mix.
The story is well told if a little unbelievable in places. Perhaps it would be kinder to say unlikely situations.
I do t want to put anyone off the author but if you’re thinking of this book read some of her others too. .

This is an author to know. Just when you think you understand the motives behind the characters and the way their story lines are being presented—bam!—It will hit you with twists you won’t see coming!

This is an interesting book. It is straight to the point, fast-paced and quite easy to read. It’s not a meaty or gripping book.

Hannah wants to join the 'Innocence Project' - a scheme where law students volunteer to help address miscarriages of justice. But Hannah's in a hurry. She's not there to earn her spurs by doing the filing and research. No! Hannah wants to go straight to the juiciest case on the Innocence Project's case load - that of a man jailed for killing a young mother whilst her two small children slept nearby. But is Hannah really interested in getting the convicted killer another chance, or does she have her own ideas about 'justice'.

The Murder Rule is quite clever. The story is presented in two timelines - Hannah's present day and her alcoholic mother's diary from 20+ years earlier. It took me quite some time to spot what was going on but it all tied together well.

In this story, pretty much everybody is not entirely who they seem to be. Assumptions are generally flawed and as the book progresses, we're unsure who to trust and which facts are real. The young students show great bravery (or foolhardiness) in their pursuit of justice, getting into various threatening and dangerous situations. And it could just be that the person who most wants to prove the killer's guilt might just be his best hope for justice.

An enjoyable read.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my copy.

I've mixed feelings about this one. While I liked the overall reading/listening experience of the book and enjoyed the general plot I did feel a little put out towards the ends with some of the twists and turns.

So what I did like:
• A variety of different characters with some very distinct different motives
• The uncertainty and uneasiness of who exactly was telling the truth was conveyed very well throughout
• The tension and unknown entity of the relationship between Hannah and her mother.

What I wasn't keen on:
• Unfortunately sections of the plot line felt a little too unrealistic at times and one or two aspects didn't add up at the end for me.

I switched between ebook and audiobook and enjoyed both formats. The audiobook was great with a 3 person cast which made it easy to follow.

Overall, an enjoyable read which looks at the concept of justice, revenge and who is really innocent after all?

I really enjoy reading this author, this book is well written and has enough twists to keep you guessing, but not too many that you lose track. Recommend.