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Riley Wolfe #4
The Fourth Rule
THE BIGGEST HEIST.
THE MOST DANGEROUS ADVERSARY.
FROM THE MASTER OF THE GENRE.
OH, AND EXPLOSIONS.
Impossible doesn’t belong in Riley Wolfe’s vocabulary. He’s a master of heists and disguises, whose life's work is swindling the rich out of their undeserved treasures.
Now rumors surrounding a dangerous new figure of international crime are spreading through the underworld. And this ruthless collector, the Cobra, has a personal vendetta against Riley . . .
No matter—with the aid of his new partner, Caitlin, Riley prepares to take on the most powerful cultural institution in the world and bring home the supposedly unstealable Rosetta Stone. With the Cobra waiting for the right moment to strike, Riley is put to the ultimate test as he faces this most venomous villain—and tries to make it out alive.
Packed with Jeff Lindsay’s trademark style of intricately plotted twists, stunning global settings, and thrilling action, The Fourth Rule is a relentlessly suspenseful and delicious escapist thriller that will leave you shocked, breathless, and endlessly entertained.
THE MOST DANGEROUS ADVERSARY.
FROM THE MASTER OF THE GENRE.
OH, AND EXPLOSIONS.
Impossible doesn’t belong in Riley Wolfe’s vocabulary. He’s a master of heists and disguises, whose life's work is swindling the rich out of their undeserved treasures.
Now rumors surrounding a dangerous new figure of international crime are spreading through the underworld. And this ruthless collector, the Cobra, has a personal vendetta against Riley . . .
No matter—with the aid of his new partner, Caitlin, Riley prepares to take on the most powerful cultural institution in the world and bring home the supposedly unstealable Rosetta Stone. With the Cobra waiting for the right moment to strike, Riley is put to the ultimate test as he faces this most venomous villain—and tries to make it out alive.
Packed with Jeff Lindsay’s trademark style of intricately plotted twists, stunning global settings, and thrilling action, The Fourth Rule is a relentlessly suspenseful and delicious escapist thriller that will leave you shocked, breathless, and endlessly entertained.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published December 7, 2023
66 people are currently reading
4090 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Lindsay
81 books4,298 followersJeff Lindsay lives in Florida with his wife, author Hilary Hemingway, daughter of Leicester Hemingway, Ernest Hemingway's brother.
Lindsay is best known for writing the Dexter series of novels. Several of his earlier published works include his wife as a co-author.
Jeff graduated from Middlebury College, Vermont, in 1975, and Celebration Mime Theatre's Clown School the same year. He received a double MFA, in Directing and Playwriting, from Carnegie-Mellon University, and has written 25 produced plays. He has also worked as a musician, singer, comedian, actor, TV host, improv actor, and dishwasher.
Lindsay is best known for writing the Dexter series of novels. Several of his earlier published works include his wife as a co-author.
Jeff graduated from Middlebury College, Vermont, in 1975, and Celebration Mime Theatre's Clown School the same year. He received a double MFA, in Directing and Playwriting, from Carnegie-Mellon University, and has written 25 produced plays. He has also worked as a musician, singer, comedian, actor, TV host, improv actor, and dishwasher.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
September 2, 2024
I was all set to give this book 2 stars. The build-up was fairly meh and the idea of Wolfe having and then falling for a sidekick was not the most encouraging. Then, toward the end of the book, Lindsay goes and sideswipes me with a semi-sized plot twist. This plot twist was enough for me to bump the rating up to 4.5 stars. I have a soft spot for Delgado, and had he been waiting just a step ahead of Wolfe at the end, I would have given this book the full five stars.
December 26, 2023
This is a great series for those who enjoy heists, adventure, and a thief who prefers to target the wealthy and privileged elites.
Riley Wolfe recently stole the Irish crown jewels from a person known only as The Cobra. Now he is planning his next adventure. He wants to find a huge stockpile of art and other valuables, hidden by the Nazi's. While researching the possible locations he meets a woman named Caitlin. Something happens that never happens to Riley...he falls for her hard. Soon he finds himself so pre-occupied that he can't focus on his task. So he decides to switch targets. Instead he will remain in England, while waiting to run into Caitlin again, and he will still the Rosetta Stone instead. While he plans and prepares, he has no idea the number of targets he has on his back. The Corba has not forgotten that Riley had the nerve to steal his stolen jewels and the police are fully aware of what Riley is planning to do, they have a tight trap planned to snare him with his loot.
Thank you to Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Dutton, for opportunity to enjoy this action packed e-ARC
Riley Wolfe recently stole the Irish crown jewels from a person known only as The Cobra. Now he is planning his next adventure. He wants to find a huge stockpile of art and other valuables, hidden by the Nazi's. While researching the possible locations he meets a woman named Caitlin. Something happens that never happens to Riley...he falls for her hard. Soon he finds himself so pre-occupied that he can't focus on his task. So he decides to switch targets. Instead he will remain in England, while waiting to run into Caitlin again, and he will still the Rosetta Stone instead. While he plans and prepares, he has no idea the number of targets he has on his back. The Corba has not forgotten that Riley had the nerve to steal his stolen jewels and the police are fully aware of what Riley is planning to do, they have a tight trap planned to snare him with his loot.
Thank you to Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Dutton, for opportunity to enjoy this action packed e-ARC
November 15, 2023
This fell in the middle for me. I loved the concept and what was going on, but it was a struggle in the beginning to get engaged in the book. I did enjoy the twists and turns. It was okay to me overall.
July 28, 2025
I would give it zero stars if I could because honestly what the fuck was that
dnf
January 7, 2024DNF at 10%. Riley Wolfe is an interesting character and I loved the first book in this series but as it’s gone on - realizing it just doesn’t work for me and this is the last one I’ll try. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the free ebook to review.
January 3, 2024
Predictable twist
December 10, 2023
Meh.
I loved dexter. Riley just didn’t get to me. Kind of did not care. The twist did fool me- thought it would go a different way.
Not as much fun as I’d hope, and will not be reading any more of this series.
I loved dexter. Riley just didn’t get to me. Kind of did not care. The twist did fool me- thought it would go a different way.
Not as much fun as I’d hope, and will not be reading any more of this series.
July 17, 2025
This has to be the worst book I’ve ever read. The writing is embarassing.
February 12, 2024
Another entertaining tango with master thief, Riley Wolfe. I was particularly impressed with Lindsay’s plotting sleight of hand as the Tone and Pace moves from jeopardy to ST to peril once gain. The major caper is impressive, and the feints even more so. After the 3rd book, I wondered how the author would give Wolfe the vulnerability we need in his story to make his stakes high enough—and Lindsay comes up with a doozy. And we are left with some strings dangling to lead us to further adventures. Once again, Wolfe’s URN is a smirking, arrogant, charming savant and we get to see some of both his limited posse and his major jouster, FBI detective Delgado. The newest CH Caitlin is diabolically superb. The art and antiquities detail are lovely as is the setting descriptions of London, Dublin, NYC, an island in Canada, and an Egyptian archeological dig. Red Flags: Violence, torture. If you want a lighter Thomas Perry, or something darker than Evanovich's Fox and O'Hare series, or caper/heist stories like Westlake and Block, give this series a try but begin with the first one, Just Watch Me (2019).
January 24, 2024
Some parts felt predictable but overall I liked this book. Characters were interesting, locations interesting and quick short chapters to keep your interest. Just imagine if the British Museum would have responded to the authors questions, still well written without.
January 18, 2024
Easy to read, perfectly serviceable - with points thrown in for added historical info (always the best part of a Steve Berry or Dan Brown book).
January 16, 2024
Sort of a thriller, not a murder mystery.
January 6, 2024
Wasn’t anything super excited but I still enjoyed reading it. I feel like Riley’s personality is showing through a lot more which I like through his humor and commentary. However the plot twist for this book was insanely predictable and so the pay off at the end wasn’t as good. One thing for sure is there will be another book after this one i mean the ending basically spelled it out. But I am excited to read it to see how the story progresses and I do think it could be interesting to introduce an antagonist that spans over multiple books because in the first three books the antagonistic changed each time. So hopefully this change will add something extra for the next book!
December 16, 2023
Author Jeff Lindsay, who became world famous for bringing us the legendary character Dexter Morgan continues with the first post-Dexter series he has created featuring expert thief, Riley Wolfe. THE FOURTH RULE is the fourth entry in the Riley Wolfe series and Lindsay has once again created a lead character of dubious moral quality who you cannot help yourself but root for.
Riley Wolfe, who considers himself to be the best thief working today, is in need of a new challenge. He does not understand the word impossible and feels that his next job or heist has to be something really special. He also lives by his personal set of rules which act as a guideline and barometer for his life. His fourth rule states: ‘Even if you’re the best there is, watch your back. Because somebody better is coming.’
That somebody in this novel is a rival master thief known only as The Cobra. Riley plans to not only match wits with The Cobra but also beat them to his next prize target --- the unstealable Rosetta Stone which is housed under tight security in London. Along the way, readers will be regaled with a myriad of incredibly clever disguises by the master Riley Wolfe. The entire time, both Riley and the reader will be waiting patiently for the appearance of The Cobra, whose identity and features are unknown.
Upon his arrival in London, under an assumed name and guise of course, Riley begins doing some research at a local library on the Rosetta Stone and how it is being housed. It is while at the library that he meets up with a young Irish lass named Caitlin. They immediately hit it off and have a decent first date. Riley is so taken with Caitlin and hopes to meet up with her again. They eventually reconnect, and he finds that she is a person he cannot only confide in but also someone he can utilize as a partner in his big scheme.
A Riley Wolfe novel would not be complete without his arch nemesis, Frank Delgado, an FBI Special Agent. Delgado seems to have made capturing Riley his life’s mission and he follows him over to London and waits patiently for him to make his move and reveal his presence. The fact that Riley continues to stay several steps ahead of Delgado throughout this series has been a running theme and this story is no different.
The actual heist of the Rosetta Stone is a thing of beauty and the escape scenes involving Riley and Caitlin after doing the deed will have the pages turning rapidly. Things go terribly wrong for Riley for possibly the first time in this series when he and Caitlin get separated and he is caught with the goods. Thankfully, the disguise he was able to switch into before apprehension buys him time to make another get away, but he must leave the prized possession behind. Only when Riley returns to his place in London does he realize what really happened. There is a note waiting for him, written by The Cobra, indicating that revenge was being taken against Riley in the form of Caitlin being captured by The Cobra.
The final part of the novel involves Riley’s maneuvers to rescue Caitlin from a ruthless criminal mastermind who seems to have endless resources. Jeff Lindsay also throws quite a nice twist into the finale that will have readers' heads spinning. The ending kind of leaves things wide open for the next entry in the series and the twist I mentioned makes me eager for that fifth novel to hit the shelves!
Reviewed by Ray Palen for Book Reporter
Riley Wolfe, who considers himself to be the best thief working today, is in need of a new challenge. He does not understand the word impossible and feels that his next job or heist has to be something really special. He also lives by his personal set of rules which act as a guideline and barometer for his life. His fourth rule states: ‘Even if you’re the best there is, watch your back. Because somebody better is coming.’
That somebody in this novel is a rival master thief known only as The Cobra. Riley plans to not only match wits with The Cobra but also beat them to his next prize target --- the unstealable Rosetta Stone which is housed under tight security in London. Along the way, readers will be regaled with a myriad of incredibly clever disguises by the master Riley Wolfe. The entire time, both Riley and the reader will be waiting patiently for the appearance of The Cobra, whose identity and features are unknown.
Upon his arrival in London, under an assumed name and guise of course, Riley begins doing some research at a local library on the Rosetta Stone and how it is being housed. It is while at the library that he meets up with a young Irish lass named Caitlin. They immediately hit it off and have a decent first date. Riley is so taken with Caitlin and hopes to meet up with her again. They eventually reconnect, and he finds that she is a person he cannot only confide in but also someone he can utilize as a partner in his big scheme.
A Riley Wolfe novel would not be complete without his arch nemesis, Frank Delgado, an FBI Special Agent. Delgado seems to have made capturing Riley his life’s mission and he follows him over to London and waits patiently for him to make his move and reveal his presence. The fact that Riley continues to stay several steps ahead of Delgado throughout this series has been a running theme and this story is no different.
The actual heist of the Rosetta Stone is a thing of beauty and the escape scenes involving Riley and Caitlin after doing the deed will have the pages turning rapidly. Things go terribly wrong for Riley for possibly the first time in this series when he and Caitlin get separated and he is caught with the goods. Thankfully, the disguise he was able to switch into before apprehension buys him time to make another get away, but he must leave the prized possession behind. Only when Riley returns to his place in London does he realize what really happened. There is a note waiting for him, written by The Cobra, indicating that revenge was being taken against Riley in the form of Caitlin being captured by The Cobra.
The final part of the novel involves Riley’s maneuvers to rescue Caitlin from a ruthless criminal mastermind who seems to have endless resources. Jeff Lindsay also throws quite a nice twist into the finale that will have readers' heads spinning. The ending kind of leaves things wide open for the next entry in the series and the twist I mentioned makes me eager for that fifth novel to hit the shelves!
Reviewed by Ray Palen for Book Reporter
January 6, 2024
4.5 stars.
I love the Riley series. I finished this one quickly and was a little thrown at the end. I knew something was up but my guess was not what happened. I can’t wait to continue his heist journeys.
I love the Riley series. I finished this one quickly and was a little thrown at the end. I knew something was up but my guess was not what happened. I can’t wait to continue his heist journeys.
January 1, 2024
Well, with 94 minutes left, I reached my reading goal for 2023! 75 books. Another great year of reading.
I had never heard of Jeff Lindsay or the series, but I am glad I picked up this new work of crime fiction. 90% of this book is through the narrator’s eyes – a thief named Riley Wolfe. A lot of the plot is hard-boiled down to only what we need to know, and again, through his perspective and understanding of London. The only comparison I can make would be to Lawrence Block, an underappreciated mystery writer in his own right,, who knows the streets of New York like no other writer I’ve read.
I had never heard of Jeff Lindsay or the series, but I am glad I picked up this new work of crime fiction. 90% of this book is through the narrator’s eyes – a thief named Riley Wolfe. A lot of the plot is hard-boiled down to only what we need to know, and again, through his perspective and understanding of London. The only comparison I can make would be to Lawrence Block, an underappreciated mystery writer in his own right,, who knows the streets of New York like no other writer I’ve read.
December 26, 2023
sloppy criminal, sloppy plot. this book started out as a 4 star, but by page 50 it had dropped to a 2 star, and never recovered. per riley's own admission, he has hundreds of millions in the bank (wow, talk about a red flag to the international money watchers). he meets caitlin, and does NO investigation of her. hmmmm. what could go wrong?
cheesy plot twists, needed to move the story forward. compelling writing, but the fake plot twists spoil the overall story.
I will not read any other books in this series.
cheesy plot twists, needed to move the story forward. compelling writing, but the fake plot twists spoil the overall story.
I will not read any other books in this series.
dnf-quick-stop
December 12, 2023Stopped at 9% | Ugh, I didn't realize this was a series... number 4 to be exact. I don't know if I'll ever go back to #1 but I don't want to continue at number 4. That was a waste of time.
December 11, 2023
Author Jeff Lindsay may have perfected the 21st century version of the criminal antihero with serial killer Dexter Morgan. Still, his new, somewhat less lethal protagonist gives Dexter a run for his money. Riley Wolfe is charming, witty, inventive… and the self-proclaimed world’s best thief. In his latest adventure, “The Fourth Rule,” Wolfe goes after literally his biggest prize yet. The result is a lively romp for heist fiction fans.
The title of “The Fourth Rule” refers to one of Wolfe’s guiding principles in life. “Even if you’re the best there is, watch your back. Because somebody better is coming.” (Those numbered rules brought Jethro Gibbs’s similar numbered rules on the TV series “NCIS.”) In “The Fourth Rule,” that somebody is the Cobra, a reclusive collector from whom Wolfe stole the Irish crown jewels, which were first stolen a century earlier. Even though Wolfe sold the jewels, the Cobra wants revenge. That revenge vow may hinder Wolfe’s efforts to steal the Rosetta Stone. What may hinder his effort even more is that the Stone weighs about 1500 pounds and is kept closely guarded at the British Museum in London. Riley is in London researching another potential crime, the details of which await a future novel in the series. He wants to steal the Stone for the sheer intellectual challenge involved because that’s how he rolls.
Riley Wolfe narrates most of “The Fourth Rule,” although the perspective shifts at times to inform readers of a few key plot complications of which Riley is unaware. His narrative tone is chatty and breezy, revealing his eclectic tastes in art and music. Most readers will be unaware of some of Riley’s favorite works, but checking up on them (as I did on more than one occasion) reveals that the author has done his homework. He inserts several fascinating historical nuggets about, among other things, the Stone itself, the Irish crown jewels, and the fate of a German ship sunk in 1945 with a loss of life five times greater than the Titanic. While most of those historical tidbits aren’t relevant to the main storyline, they are very entertaining. The author also knows how to dish them out judiciously so they don’t overwhelm the storyline and sink the book in a morass of trivia.
The author’s descriptions of the planning and execution of the robbery in “The Fourth Rule” are entertaining, but a bit below the best heist thrillers. Riley is a master of disguise, with dozens of fake passports and assumed identities available. He also goes far afield, traveling to Egypt to secure the help of a world-renowned Egyptologist. It all comes together, but, as you might expect in this type of thriller, the robbery doesn’t go entirely without a hitch. Riley runs into some surprises along the way, although further description would ruin some of the author’s twists and complications.
Jeff Lindsay does a good job of plotting in “The Fourth Rule,” but the complications and surprises fall short of the writing skills of a real expert in the field like Jeffery Deaver. The book’s biggest surprise shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone who has read a few similar novels. And, when I thought about how much the author actually revealed of Riley’s planning, I realized that the description left plenty of gaps. The author glosses over some significant difficulties Riley would have faced in getting the Stone out of the Museum and hopes readers won’t notice.
I noticed, but I didn’t mind. Riley Wolfe is such a skilled raconteur and likable character. I could forgive the author for making the robbery a bit easier on the printed page than it would have been in real life. I also didn’t mind that Riley admits to being extremely ruthless, with one character meeting a horrible end. The author’s style is engaging, and he knows how to keep the novel’s pace going until the last page. Jeff Lindsay doesn’t follow all the writing rules in “The Fourth Rule,” but the result is a lively heist thriller genre fans will enjoy on a first or even fourth reading.
NOTE: The publisher graciously provided me with a copy of this book through NetGalley. However, the decision to review the book and the contents of this review are entirely my own.
The title of “The Fourth Rule” refers to one of Wolfe’s guiding principles in life. “Even if you’re the best there is, watch your back. Because somebody better is coming.” (Those numbered rules brought Jethro Gibbs’s similar numbered rules on the TV series “NCIS.”) In “The Fourth Rule,” that somebody is the Cobra, a reclusive collector from whom Wolfe stole the Irish crown jewels, which were first stolen a century earlier. Even though Wolfe sold the jewels, the Cobra wants revenge. That revenge vow may hinder Wolfe’s efforts to steal the Rosetta Stone. What may hinder his effort even more is that the Stone weighs about 1500 pounds and is kept closely guarded at the British Museum in London. Riley is in London researching another potential crime, the details of which await a future novel in the series. He wants to steal the Stone for the sheer intellectual challenge involved because that’s how he rolls.
Riley Wolfe narrates most of “The Fourth Rule,” although the perspective shifts at times to inform readers of a few key plot complications of which Riley is unaware. His narrative tone is chatty and breezy, revealing his eclectic tastes in art and music. Most readers will be unaware of some of Riley’s favorite works, but checking up on them (as I did on more than one occasion) reveals that the author has done his homework. He inserts several fascinating historical nuggets about, among other things, the Stone itself, the Irish crown jewels, and the fate of a German ship sunk in 1945 with a loss of life five times greater than the Titanic. While most of those historical tidbits aren’t relevant to the main storyline, they are very entertaining. The author also knows how to dish them out judiciously so they don’t overwhelm the storyline and sink the book in a morass of trivia.
The author’s descriptions of the planning and execution of the robbery in “The Fourth Rule” are entertaining, but a bit below the best heist thrillers. Riley is a master of disguise, with dozens of fake passports and assumed identities available. He also goes far afield, traveling to Egypt to secure the help of a world-renowned Egyptologist. It all comes together, but, as you might expect in this type of thriller, the robbery doesn’t go entirely without a hitch. Riley runs into some surprises along the way, although further description would ruin some of the author’s twists and complications.
Jeff Lindsay does a good job of plotting in “The Fourth Rule,” but the complications and surprises fall short of the writing skills of a real expert in the field like Jeffery Deaver. The book’s biggest surprise shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone who has read a few similar novels. And, when I thought about how much the author actually revealed of Riley’s planning, I realized that the description left plenty of gaps. The author glosses over some significant difficulties Riley would have faced in getting the Stone out of the Museum and hopes readers won’t notice.
I noticed, but I didn’t mind. Riley Wolfe is such a skilled raconteur and likable character. I could forgive the author for making the robbery a bit easier on the printed page than it would have been in real life. I also didn’t mind that Riley admits to being extremely ruthless, with one character meeting a horrible end. The author’s style is engaging, and he knows how to keep the novel’s pace going until the last page. Jeff Lindsay doesn’t follow all the writing rules in “The Fourth Rule,” but the result is a lively heist thriller genre fans will enjoy on a first or even fourth reading.
NOTE: The publisher graciously provided me with a copy of this book through NetGalley. However, the decision to review the book and the contents of this review are entirely my own.
December 11, 2023
Author Jeff Lindsay may have perfected the 21st century version of the criminal antihero with serial killer Dexter Morgan. Still, his new, somewhat less lethal protagonist gives Dexter a run for his money. Riley Wolfe is charming, witty, inventive… and the self-proclaimed world’s best thief. In his latest adventure, “The Fourth Rule,” Wolfe goes after literally his biggest prize yet. The result is a lively romp for heist fiction fans.
The title of “The Fourth Rule” refers to one of Wolfe’s guiding principles in life. “Even if you’re the best there is, watch your back. Because somebody better is coming.” (Those numbered rules brought Jethro Gibbs’s similar numbered rules on the TV series “NCIS.”) In “The Fourth Rule,” that somebody is the Cobra, a reclusive collector from whom Wolfe stole the Irish crown jewels, which were first stolen a century earlier. Even though Wolfe sold the jewels, the Cobra wants revenge. That revenge vow may hinder Wolfe’s efforts to steal the Rosetta Stone. What may hinder his effort even more is that the Stone weighs about 1500 pounds and is kept closely guarded at the British Museum in London. Riley is in London researching another potential crime, the details of which await a future novel in the series. He wants to steal the Stone for the sheer intellectual challenge involved because that’s how he rolls.
Riley Wolfe narrates most of “The Fourth Rule,” although the perspective shifts at times to inform readers of a few key plot complications of which Riley is unaware. His narrative tone is chatty and breezy, revealing his eclectic tastes in art and music. Most readers will be unaware of some of Riley’s favorite works, but checking up on them (as I did on more than one occasion) reveals that the author has done his homework. He inserts several fascinating historical nuggets about, among other things, the Stone itself, the Irish crown jewels, and the fate of a German ship sunk in 1945 with a loss of life five times greater than the Titanic. While most of those historical tidbits aren’t relevant to the main storyline, they are very entertaining. The author also knows how to dish them out judiciously so they don’t overwhelm the storyline and sink the book in a morass of trivia.
The author’s descriptions of the planning and execution of the robbery in “The Fourth Rule” are entertaining, but a bit below the best heist thrillers. Riley is a master of disguise, with dozens of fake passports and assumed identities available. He also goes far afield, traveling to Egypt to secure the help of a world-renowned Egyptologist. It all comes together, but, as you might expect in this type of thriller, the robbery doesn’t go entirely without a hitch. Riley runs into some surprises along the way, although further description would ruin some of the author’s twists and complications.
Jeff Lindsay does a good job of plotting in “The Fourth Rule,” but the complications and surprises fall short of the writing skills of a real expert in the field like Jeffery Deaver. The book’s biggest surprise shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone who has read a few similar novels. And, when I thought about how much the author actually revealed of Riley’s planning, I realized that the description left plenty of gaps. The author glosses over some significant difficulties Riley would have faced in getting the Stone out of the Museum and hopes readers won’t notice.
I noticed, but I didn’t mind. Riley Wolfe is such a skilled raconteur and likable character. I could forgive the author for making the robbery a bit easier on the printed page than it would have been in real life. I also didn’t mind that Riley admits to being extremely ruthless, with one character meeting a horrible end. The author’s style is engaging, and he knows how to keep the novel’s pace going until the last page. Jeff Lindsay doesn’t follow all the writing rules in “The Fourth Rule,” but the result is a lively heist thriller genre fans will enjoy on a first or even fourth reading.
NOTE: The publisher graciously provided me with a copy of this book through NetGalley. However, the decision to review the book and the contents of this review are entirely my own.
The title of “The Fourth Rule” refers to one of Wolfe’s guiding principles in life. “Even if you’re the best there is, watch your back. Because somebody better is coming.” (Those numbered rules brought Jethro Gibbs’s similar numbered rules on the TV series “NCIS.”) In “The Fourth Rule,” that somebody is the Cobra, a reclusive collector from whom Wolfe stole the Irish crown jewels, which were first stolen a century earlier. Even though Wolfe sold the jewels, the Cobra wants revenge. That revenge vow may hinder Wolfe’s efforts to steal the Rosetta Stone. What may hinder his effort even more is that the Stone weighs about 1500 pounds and is kept closely guarded at the British Museum in London. Riley is in London researching another potential crime, the details of which await a future novel in the series. He wants to steal the Stone for the sheer intellectual challenge involved because that’s how he rolls.
Riley Wolfe narrates most of “The Fourth Rule,” although the perspective shifts at times to inform readers of a few key plot complications of which Riley is unaware. His narrative tone is chatty and breezy, revealing his eclectic tastes in art and music. Most readers will be unaware of some of Riley’s favorite works, but checking up on them (as I did on more than one occasion) reveals that the author has done his homework. He inserts several fascinating historical nuggets about, among other things, the Stone itself, the Irish crown jewels, and the fate of a German ship sunk in 1945 with a loss of life five times greater than the Titanic. While most of those historical tidbits aren’t relevant to the main storyline, they are very entertaining. The author also knows how to dish them out judiciously so they don’t overwhelm the storyline and sink the book in a morass of trivia.
The author’s descriptions of the planning and execution of the robbery in “The Fourth Rule” are entertaining, but a bit below the best heist thrillers. Riley is a master of disguise, with dozens of fake passports and assumed identities available. He also goes far afield, traveling to Egypt to secure the help of a world-renowned Egyptologist. It all comes together, but, as you might expect in this type of thriller, the robbery doesn’t go entirely without a hitch. Riley runs into some surprises along the way, although further description would ruin some of the author’s twists and complications.
Jeff Lindsay does a good job of plotting in “The Fourth Rule,” but the complications and surprises fall short of the writing skills of a real expert in the field like Jeffery Deaver. The book’s biggest surprise shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone who has read a few similar novels. And, when I thought about how much the author actually revealed of Riley’s planning, I realized that the description left plenty of gaps. The author glosses over some significant difficulties Riley would have faced in getting the Stone out of the Museum and hopes readers won’t notice.
I noticed, but I didn’t mind. Riley Wolfe is such a skilled raconteur and likable character. I could forgive the author for making the robbery a bit easier on the printed page than it would have been in real life. I also didn’t mind that Riley admits to being extremely ruthless, with one character meeting a horrible end. The author’s style is engaging, and he knows how to keep the novel’s pace going until the last page. Jeff Lindsay doesn’t follow all the writing rules in “The Fourth Rule,” but the result is a lively heist thriller genre fans will enjoy on a first or even fourth reading.
NOTE: The publisher graciously provided me with a copy of this book through NetGalley. However, the decision to review the book and the contents of this review are entirely my own.
December 17, 2023
Jeff Lindsay, who gained international fame for his legendary serial killer creation, Dexter Morgan, continues his series featuring Riley Wolfe. In this fourth entry, THE FOURTH RULE, Lindsay revisits his morally dubious character for whom you cannot help but root.
Riley, who considers himself to be the best thief working today, is in need of a new challenge. He does not understand the word impossible and feels that his next job or heist has to be something really special. He also lives by his own set of rules that act as a guideline and barometer for his life. His fourth rule states: “Even if you’re the best there is, watch your back. Because somebody better is coming.”
That somebody is a rival master thief known only as the Cobra, whose identity and features are unknown. Riley plans not only to match wits with the Cobra but to beat him to his next prize target --- the unstealable Rosetta Stone, which is housed under tight security in London. Along the way, readers will be regaled with Riley’s incredibly clever disguises.
Upon his arrival in London, under an assumed name and guise, Riley begins doing some research at a local library on the Rosetta Stone. While there, he meets a young Irish lass named Caitlin O'Brian, and they immediately hit it off. Riley is so taken with Caitlin and hopes to see her again, which he does. Not only can he confide in her, he can utilize her as a partner in his big scheme.
A Riley Wolfe novel would not be complete without FBI Special Agent Frank Delgado, who seems to have made capturing Riley his life’s mission. Delgado follows Riley to London and waits patiently for him to make his move and reveal his presence. That Riley continues to stay several steps ahead of Delgado throughout the series has been a running theme, and this story is no exception.
The actual heist of the Rosetta Stone is a thing of beauty, and the escape scenes involving Riley and Caitlin after doing the deed will have you turning pages rapidly. However, things go terribly wrong for Riley for possibly the first time in this series when he and Caitlin get separated and he is caught with the goods. Thankfully, he is able to switch into a disguise before apprehension that buys him time to pull off another getaway, but he must leave the prized possession behind. Only when Riley returns to his place in London does he realize what really happened. There is a note waiting for him, written by the Cobra, indicating that revenge is being taken upon him in the form of Caitlin’s capture.
The last part of THE FOURTH RULE involves Riley’s maneuvers to rescue Caitlin from a ruthless criminal mastermind who seems to have endless resources. Jeff Lindsay also throws quite a nice twist into the finale that will have readers' heads spinning. The ending is the perfect setup for the next book in the series, and the twist makes me eager for that fifth installment to hit the shelves as soon as possible.
Reviewed by Ray Palen
Riley, who considers himself to be the best thief working today, is in need of a new challenge. He does not understand the word impossible and feels that his next job or heist has to be something really special. He also lives by his own set of rules that act as a guideline and barometer for his life. His fourth rule states: “Even if you’re the best there is, watch your back. Because somebody better is coming.”
That somebody is a rival master thief known only as the Cobra, whose identity and features are unknown. Riley plans not only to match wits with the Cobra but to beat him to his next prize target --- the unstealable Rosetta Stone, which is housed under tight security in London. Along the way, readers will be regaled with Riley’s incredibly clever disguises.
Upon his arrival in London, under an assumed name and guise, Riley begins doing some research at a local library on the Rosetta Stone. While there, he meets a young Irish lass named Caitlin O'Brian, and they immediately hit it off. Riley is so taken with Caitlin and hopes to see her again, which he does. Not only can he confide in her, he can utilize her as a partner in his big scheme.
A Riley Wolfe novel would not be complete without FBI Special Agent Frank Delgado, who seems to have made capturing Riley his life’s mission. Delgado follows Riley to London and waits patiently for him to make his move and reveal his presence. That Riley continues to stay several steps ahead of Delgado throughout the series has been a running theme, and this story is no exception.
The actual heist of the Rosetta Stone is a thing of beauty, and the escape scenes involving Riley and Caitlin after doing the deed will have you turning pages rapidly. However, things go terribly wrong for Riley for possibly the first time in this series when he and Caitlin get separated and he is caught with the goods. Thankfully, he is able to switch into a disguise before apprehension that buys him time to pull off another getaway, but he must leave the prized possession behind. Only when Riley returns to his place in London does he realize what really happened. There is a note waiting for him, written by the Cobra, indicating that revenge is being taken upon him in the form of Caitlin’s capture.
The last part of THE FOURTH RULE involves Riley’s maneuvers to rescue Caitlin from a ruthless criminal mastermind who seems to have endless resources. Jeff Lindsay also throws quite a nice twist into the finale that will have readers' heads spinning. The ending is the perfect setup for the next book in the series, and the twist makes me eager for that fifth installment to hit the shelves as soon as possible.
Reviewed by Ray Palen
February 9, 2024
This book is one of the reasons I wish Goodreads allowed for half-star ratings as The Fourth Rule deserves 3.5/5 stars.
Quite a bit shorter than the first 3 books in the series, I definitely prefer it over Three-Edged Sword (Riley Wolfe #3) as I think the plot and characters are written significantly better here. Unlike in Three-Edged Sword, there aren't any characters that I would say feel wasted this time around, with Jeff Lindsay once again excelling at giving depth to even fairly minor side characters that keep them memorable.
That being said, The Fourth Rule is still weaker than the first two entries in the series in a few ways. The much shorter length of the book can make the pacing seem a bit rushed at times, with some sections feeling rather cut down compared to how a similar scene would have been treatwed in the past entries in the series.
The plot, while entertaining, is very predictable to a point where you spend a lot of the book waiting for a reveal you are 100% sure is coming. While she isn't a poorly written character, it should painfully obvious to anyone paying attention even a little bit that Caitlin is the mysterious villain character to the point that, when the reveal happens in act three, you have been expecting it for hours. The parallels between the characters of Caitlin and villain are all throughout the story and, while figuring out plot twists can be a good way to reward the reader and make them feel smart, it id way too obvious here.
In turn, this makes the character of Riley much dumber than he has been in the past. While someone's judgement certainly can be clouded when it comes to people they care about, Riley not even having the slightest thought that Caitlin and villain might be connected doesn't match up with his character in the rest of the series up to this point.
If some of these weak spots were fixed i feel that this could have easily been the second best book in the series so far but, as it is, this a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars. If you like the series so far it is worth reading but does feel like something of a let down at times.
Quite a bit shorter than the first 3 books in the series, I definitely prefer it over Three-Edged Sword (Riley Wolfe #3) as I think the plot and characters are written significantly better here. Unlike in Three-Edged Sword, there aren't any characters that I would say feel wasted this time around, with Jeff Lindsay once again excelling at giving depth to even fairly minor side characters that keep them memorable.
That being said, The Fourth Rule is still weaker than the first two entries in the series in a few ways. The much shorter length of the book can make the pacing seem a bit rushed at times, with some sections feeling rather cut down compared to how a similar scene would have been treatwed in the past entries in the series.
The plot, while entertaining, is very predictable to a point where you spend a lot of the book waiting for a reveal you are 100% sure is coming. While she isn't a poorly written character, it should painfully obvious to anyone paying attention even a little bit that Caitlin is the mysterious villain character to the point that, when the reveal happens in act three, you have been expecting it for hours. The parallels between the characters of Caitlin and villain are all throughout the story and, while figuring out plot twists can be a good way to reward the reader and make them feel smart, it id way too obvious here.
In turn, this makes the character of Riley much dumber than he has been in the past. While someone's judgement certainly can be clouded when it comes to people they care about, Riley not even having the slightest thought that Caitlin and villain might be connected doesn't match up with his character in the rest of the series up to this point.
If some of these weak spots were fixed i feel that this could have easily been the second best book in the series so far but, as it is, this a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars. If you like the series so far it is worth reading but does feel like something of a let down at times.
June 10, 2024
"The Fourth Rule" by Jeff Lindsay, unfortunately, falls short of expectations, earning a mere 2-star rating for its lackluster and repetitive narrative. Despite the intriguing premise and Lindsay's previous successes, this novel struggles to maintain interest and momentum.
The story centers around an ex-convict who, upon release from prison, finds himself entangled in a web of deceit and danger. While this setup promises excitement and suspense, the execution is disappointingly dull. The plot meanders without a clear direction, bogged down by monotonous sequences and predictable twists that fail to deliver any real surprises.
One of the major issues with "The Fourth Rule" is its repetitive nature. Scenes and dialogues often feel recycled, with characters reiterating the same points and emotions multiple times. This redundancy not only hampers the pacing but also diminishes the impact of crucial plot developments. Readers may find themselves skimming through pages, hoping for something fresh to break the monotony.
Character development is another area where the book falls flat. The protagonist, while initially intriguing, lacks depth and fails to evolve in a meaningful way throughout the story. Supporting characters are similarly one-dimensional, offering little in the way of memorable interactions or significant contributions to the plot.
Additionally, the writing style feels uninspired, with prose that is serviceable at best but often bland. Descriptions and dialogue lack the sharpness and wit that could have elevated the narrative. Instead, the book trudges along, missing opportunities to engage the reader with vibrant and dynamic storytelling.
In conclusion, "The Fourth Rule" by Jeff Lindsay is a disappointing read that fails to live up to its potential. Boring and repetitive, it lacks the compelling characters, engaging plot, and dynamic writing needed to make it a standout thriller. Fans of Lindsay's earlier works may find this book especially underwhelming, and new readers might be better served exploring other titles in the genre.
The story centers around an ex-convict who, upon release from prison, finds himself entangled in a web of deceit and danger. While this setup promises excitement and suspense, the execution is disappointingly dull. The plot meanders without a clear direction, bogged down by monotonous sequences and predictable twists that fail to deliver any real surprises.
One of the major issues with "The Fourth Rule" is its repetitive nature. Scenes and dialogues often feel recycled, with characters reiterating the same points and emotions multiple times. This redundancy not only hampers the pacing but also diminishes the impact of crucial plot developments. Readers may find themselves skimming through pages, hoping for something fresh to break the monotony.
Character development is another area where the book falls flat. The protagonist, while initially intriguing, lacks depth and fails to evolve in a meaningful way throughout the story. Supporting characters are similarly one-dimensional, offering little in the way of memorable interactions or significant contributions to the plot.
Additionally, the writing style feels uninspired, with prose that is serviceable at best but often bland. Descriptions and dialogue lack the sharpness and wit that could have elevated the narrative. Instead, the book trudges along, missing opportunities to engage the reader with vibrant and dynamic storytelling.
In conclusion, "The Fourth Rule" by Jeff Lindsay is a disappointing read that fails to live up to its potential. Boring and repetitive, it lacks the compelling characters, engaging plot, and dynamic writing needed to make it a standout thriller. Fans of Lindsay's earlier works may find this book especially underwhelming, and new readers might be better served exploring other titles in the genre.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 7, 2023
Jeff Lindsay has created some great lead characters in his books. I devoured the Dexter series, but somehow missed the Riley Wolfe series. I've since caught up with the latest entry - The Fourth Rule. This is a series, but can absolutely be read as a stand alone.
Like Dexter, our lead character Riley lives on the other side of the law - as a thief. But not any old thief. Sometimes its just to see if he can steal the unstealable. And sometimes it's a paid job. The word heist comes to mind and I truly adore heist books and films.
The Fourth Rule is told in first person. The reader feels like Riley is recounting a tale to us and we're privy to all the details.
One of those details are the self made rules that Riley operates under. Number four? "Even if you're the best there is, watch your back. Because somebody better is coming." Riley has an ego, but it's been earned. But - for how much longer?
Lindsay has a great (and devious) imagination when it comes the heists. I love the details that surround the thefts and the sheer audacity of the attempts. Oh, his disguises as well. Improbable? That's the fun of heist tales - to do what they say can't be done.
I'm going to leave things there as I don't want to provide spoilers. The Fourth Rule was inventive, lots of fun and made for easy, addictive reading. And a great last chapter that hints at the future. Maybe...
Like Dexter, our lead character Riley lives on the other side of the law - as a thief. But not any old thief. Sometimes its just to see if he can steal the unstealable. And sometimes it's a paid job. The word heist comes to mind and I truly adore heist books and films.
The Fourth Rule is told in first person. The reader feels like Riley is recounting a tale to us and we're privy to all the details.
One of those details are the self made rules that Riley operates under. Number four? "Even if you're the best there is, watch your back. Because somebody better is coming." Riley has an ego, but it's been earned. But - for how much longer?
Lindsay has a great (and devious) imagination when it comes the heists. I love the details that surround the thefts and the sheer audacity of the attempts. Oh, his disguises as well. Improbable? That's the fun of heist tales - to do what they say can't be done.
I'm going to leave things there as I don't want to provide spoilers. The Fourth Rule was inventive, lots of fun and made for easy, addictive reading. And a great last chapter that hints at the future. Maybe...
August 15, 2024
“The Fourth Rule” (TFR) the fourth book in the Riley Wolfe series by US author Jeff Lindsay.
To be the greatest thief in the world is hard work. Riley works at his craft and follows a strict set of rules to stay at number one. Rule Four is clear - “Even if you’re the best there is, watch your back. Because someone better is coming.”
Set a few months after the traumatic events of the third book (“Three Edged Sword”) Riley isn’t in a great headspace…and as a result starts to move away from his tried and true rules…to his potential peril. Because this time Riley has competition.
TFR sees Riley attempt another impossible heist but with all of the usual, and sometimes brutal, sleight of hand, masterful disguise, and meticulous planning. But when things start to go slightly awry so begins a game of cat and mouse where, for the first time Riley is the mouse.
Lindsay has added another worthy instalment to the Riley Wolfe series. The plot is engaging, action packed and full of thrills and suspense. The characters are wonderful with a balanced with a sinister villain for Riley’s roguish anti hero antics.
Entertaining from start to finish TFR is a book of pure escapism with an ending that suggests there is more to this story beyond the final page.
TFR gets 4 cobra shaped Egyptian necklaces out of 5.
To be the greatest thief in the world is hard work. Riley works at his craft and follows a strict set of rules to stay at number one. Rule Four is clear - “Even if you’re the best there is, watch your back. Because someone better is coming.”
Set a few months after the traumatic events of the third book (“Three Edged Sword”) Riley isn’t in a great headspace…and as a result starts to move away from his tried and true rules…to his potential peril. Because this time Riley has competition.
TFR sees Riley attempt another impossible heist but with all of the usual, and sometimes brutal, sleight of hand, masterful disguise, and meticulous planning. But when things start to go slightly awry so begins a game of cat and mouse where, for the first time Riley is the mouse.
Lindsay has added another worthy instalment to the Riley Wolfe series. The plot is engaging, action packed and full of thrills and suspense. The characters are wonderful with a balanced with a sinister villain for Riley’s roguish anti hero antics.
Entertaining from start to finish TFR is a book of pure escapism with an ending that suggests there is more to this story beyond the final page.
TFR gets 4 cobra shaped Egyptian necklaces out of 5.
October 10, 2024
Have kept up with this series from the start, and this one wasn’t quite as good as the preceding three. It has its moments, such as the Rosetta Stone heist, and the disguises and cleverness of Riley Wolfe in general, but it is also just so predictable. Like if I know what’s happening, shouldn’t our brilliant protagonist as well?
I’ve kept up with Jeff Lindsay’s work since reading through the Dexter series a few years ago, and I love his writing style. It’s a witty, self-aware style, clever with the situations happening but above all just having fun with the work. The Fourth Rule is much the same, with some of the same kind of humor, but what’s really lacking here is a sense of purpose in the storytelling. There isn’t any real desperation to it until the ending, and then it’s just a predictable slog until we inevitably get to the twist that we all saw coming.
It’s not necessarily a misstep in the Riley Wolfe series; I think the lack of cohesiveness in the narrative is because it does feel like the first part in a longer story. Riley Wolfe may have finally met his adversary, and it’s possible that their next confrontation will be more interesting overall. I’ll be here for it either way!
I’ve kept up with Jeff Lindsay’s work since reading through the Dexter series a few years ago, and I love his writing style. It’s a witty, self-aware style, clever with the situations happening but above all just having fun with the work. The Fourth Rule is much the same, with some of the same kind of humor, but what’s really lacking here is a sense of purpose in the storytelling. There isn’t any real desperation to it until the ending, and then it’s just a predictable slog until we inevitably get to the twist that we all saw coming.
It’s not necessarily a misstep in the Riley Wolfe series; I think the lack of cohesiveness in the narrative is because it does feel like the first part in a longer story. Riley Wolfe may have finally met his adversary, and it’s possible that their next confrontation will be more interesting overall. I’ll be here for it either way!
March 20, 2024
Great read and really great ending.
From Amazon:
THE BIGGEST HEIST.
THE MOST DANGEROUS ADVERSARY.
FROM THE MASTER OF THE GENRE.
OH, AND EXPLOSIONS.
Impossible doesn’t belong in Riley Wolfe’s vocabulary. He’s a master of heists and disguises, whose life's work is swindling the rich out of their undeserved treasures.
Now rumors surrounding a dangerous new figure of international crime are spreading through the underworld. And this ruthless collector, the Cobra, has a personal vendetta against Riley . . .
No matter—with the aid of his new partner, Caitlin, Riley prepares to take on the most powerful cultural institution in the world and bring home the supposedly unstealable Rosetta Stone. With the Cobra waiting for the right moment to strike, Riley is put to the ultimate test as he faces this most venomous villain—and tries to make it out alive.
Packed with Jeff Lindsay’s trademark style of intricately plotted twists, stunning global settings, and thrilling action, The Fourth Rule is a relentlessly suspenseful and delicious escapist thriller that will leave you shocked, breathless, and endlessly entertained.
From Amazon:
THE BIGGEST HEIST.
THE MOST DANGEROUS ADVERSARY.
FROM THE MASTER OF THE GENRE.
OH, AND EXPLOSIONS.
Impossible doesn’t belong in Riley Wolfe’s vocabulary. He’s a master of heists and disguises, whose life's work is swindling the rich out of their undeserved treasures.
Now rumors surrounding a dangerous new figure of international crime are spreading through the underworld. And this ruthless collector, the Cobra, has a personal vendetta against Riley . . .
No matter—with the aid of his new partner, Caitlin, Riley prepares to take on the most powerful cultural institution in the world and bring home the supposedly unstealable Rosetta Stone. With the Cobra waiting for the right moment to strike, Riley is put to the ultimate test as he faces this most venomous villain—and tries to make it out alive.
Packed with Jeff Lindsay’s trademark style of intricately plotted twists, stunning global settings, and thrilling action, The Fourth Rule is a relentlessly suspenseful and delicious escapist thriller that will leave you shocked, breathless, and endlessly entertained.
Read
September 20, 2025I was so excited to read this one. I couldn’t wait to see how Riley would soothe his soul after the ending of the last book. All I knew was that he had been chasing ddown a lead on Irish Crown Jewles. I thought I knew where this book was heading early on but there was once again, a twist I was totally unprepared for. I had thought this book might spell the end of the series the way the story was going at first but MR. Lindsay has left us with the potential for another Riley Wolf caper that could be a still wilder ride. I really enjoy the way the author build’s up the story in Riley Wolf he has created a very likable rogue. This book starts off not very long after the end of events in the 3 Edged Sword. Archy has stolen and sold the Irish crown Jewels and he is poking around the libraries of England researching his next impossible heist when he decides to take a museum break and while in said museum, he gets distracted by Auburnhaired Irish lassy Catelyn O’brien. Eventually after the young lady literally charms the pants off Riley, she convinces him to do something he generally doesn’t do, take on a partner in theft. And there the trouble begins.
September 7, 2025
Airport fiction.
The type of - largely disposable - novels you pick up and read whilst in an airport, waiting on a flight, or actually on said flight itself.
Which is exactly when and where I read this, without knowing it is actually the 4th in a series!
Thankfully, however, it is written in such a way that you do not *need* to have read the previous, although - and I'm guessing here - I suspect it may help to provide some wider context if you do so.
Anyway, in this the master thief Riley Wolfe gets involved in a plot to steal the Rosetta Stone from the British Museum, with the help of a new partner, whilst a ruthless new criminal collector has a vendetta against him for stealing from their colloection.
Plot twist, if you can call it that, you can see coming from a mile off.
May read more; wouldn't be in a hurry to do so.
The type of - largely disposable - novels you pick up and read whilst in an airport, waiting on a flight, or actually on said flight itself.
Which is exactly when and where I read this, without knowing it is actually the 4th in a series!
Thankfully, however, it is written in such a way that you do not *need* to have read the previous, although - and I'm guessing here - I suspect it may help to provide some wider context if you do so.
Anyway, in this the master thief Riley Wolfe gets involved in a plot to steal the Rosetta Stone from the British Museum, with the help of a new partner, whilst a ruthless new criminal collector has a vendetta against him for stealing from their colloection.
Plot twist, if you can call it that, you can see coming from a mile off.
May read more; wouldn't be in a hurry to do so.
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