What do you think?
Rate this book
The 26th Protocol
Everyone is tattooed at birth with the date they will die.
Six digits, above the right ear. Calculated from your genetics, your family's medical history, and whatever else the System decides. You grow up knowing the number. So does everybody else.
On that date, you hand in your shirt, receive a Gold-Collar, and are given one million units to spend in the twelve months you have left. It is called your Jubilee Year. It is the most celebrated day of your life.
Then you die, on schedule, and the world thanks you for it.
Herbert Bradley has spent thirty years teaching children that this is honourable. On the morning his own date arrives, surrounded by colleagues raising a glass to him, he realises he does not believe a single word of it.
Blythe Harrell is next in line to run the world. Third-generation elite, personally chosen by the Supreme Commander, untouchable — until a scan shows the daughter his wife is carrying has one of six diseases the System cannot cure, and the machine he was raised to inherit condemns her to forty years.
There is one scientist close to a cure.
She is booked onto a flight that Blythe knows, with absolute certainty, is going to fall out of the sky.
Because one aircraft crashes every year. It has done for thirty years. It has never once been an accident — and everybody who matters knows exactly why.
He picks up the phone. It takes him nine seconds to end his own career, and rather longer to work out what he has started.
From the author of The Hunt series.
For readers of Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go and George Orwell's 1984.
"A brilliant and believable dystopia, a 21st century version of 1984 or Gilead from The Handmaid's Tale."
Six digits, above the right ear. Calculated from your genetics, your family's medical history, and whatever else the System decides. You grow up knowing the number. So does everybody else.
On that date, you hand in your shirt, receive a Gold-Collar, and are given one million units to spend in the twelve months you have left. It is called your Jubilee Year. It is the most celebrated day of your life.
Then you die, on schedule, and the world thanks you for it.
Herbert Bradley has spent thirty years teaching children that this is honourable. On the morning his own date arrives, surrounded by colleagues raising a glass to him, he realises he does not believe a single word of it.
Blythe Harrell is next in line to run the world. Third-generation elite, personally chosen by the Supreme Commander, untouchable — until a scan shows the daughter his wife is carrying has one of six diseases the System cannot cure, and the machine he was raised to inherit condemns her to forty years.
There is one scientist close to a cure.
She is booked onto a flight that Blythe knows, with absolute certainty, is going to fall out of the sky.
Because one aircraft crashes every year. It has done for thirty years. It has never once been an accident — and everybody who matters knows exactly why.
He picks up the phone. It takes him nine seconds to end his own career, and rather longer to work out what he has started.
From the author of The Hunt series.
For readers of Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go and George Orwell's 1984.
"A brilliant and believable dystopia, a 21st century version of 1984 or Gilead from The Handmaid's Tale."
Audible Audio
Published March 21, 2025
About the author
Tim Heath
38 books45 followersTim has been married to his wife Rachel since 2001, and they have two daughters. He lives in Tallinn, Estonia, having moved there with his family in 2012 from St Petersburg, Russia, which they moved to in 2008. He is originally from Kent in England and lived for eight years in Cheshire, before moving abroad. As well as writing the novels that are already published (plus the one or two that are always in the process of being finished) Tim enjoys being outdoors, exploring Estonia, cooking and spending time with his family.
Also writes under T. P. Heath
Also writes under T. P. Heath
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 11, 2020
My 19th published work and my return back to stand-alone novels, following the huge success of my earlier books (not to mention the recent much-loved series).
I can't wait to see what you think of this one. It will release in February and is on pre-order already, at a margin price, which will rise a little each month the closer we get. So act now and get this book at a steal!
I can't wait to see what you think of this one. It will release in February and is on pre-order already, at a margin price, which will rise a little each month the closer we get. So act now and get this book at a steal!
February 24, 2021
This was an all-encompassing, exciting, and un-put-downable book! In a dystopian setting, Heath has created a world that feels far-fetched, but also so incredibly feasible. A government that decides your lot in life, but rewards you with a great final year...if that's worth the trade. This book has great characters that connect in amazing ways with exciting twists that keep the reader on their toes!
I was provided a gifted copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.
I was provided a gifted copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.
January 20, 2021
I really enjoyed this dystopian. It's an interesting take on the evolution of humanity, especially considering the pandemic we're are currently facing. Pre-programmed life spans proclaiming equality for all, guaranteed employment and a huge retirement package..... What could possibly be wring with that?
As ever, this book is beautifully crafted. Great character and world building. Lots of different characters who seem to have nothing to do with each other are gradually brought together in an intricate way. Gripping and intriguing this is a fabulous read.
As ever, this book is beautifully crafted. Great character and world building. Lots of different characters who seem to have nothing to do with each other are gradually brought together in an intricate way. Gripping and intriguing this is a fabulous read.
April 6, 2021
A really good read, very thought provoking.
February 10, 2021
WOW!
I normally shy away from dystopian thrillers. However, Time Heath is one of my favorite authors, so I decided to give this book a read. I am very happy that I did.
Tim is a masterful storyteller. The book is set in the near future (maybe even 2096). There are multiple threads created, each of which develops a character or two and adds to the growing world-view. The threads are woven into a fabric that shows the utopian world is rotten at its core and follows the various protagonists as they come together (unexpectedly) to move toward the ultimate outcome of the story.
The work-view is sometimes graphic and sometimes unsettling. One thread brought to mind the gas chambers of the Holocaust.
This is Tim's first book in this genre and it proves that he can write a great story in many genres.
I normally shy away from dystopian thrillers. However, Time Heath is one of my favorite authors, so I decided to give this book a read. I am very happy that I did.
Tim is a masterful storyteller. The book is set in the near future (maybe even 2096). There are multiple threads created, each of which develops a character or two and adds to the growing world-view. The threads are woven into a fabric that shows the utopian world is rotten at its core and follows the various protagonists as they come together (unexpectedly) to move toward the ultimate outcome of the story.
The work-view is sometimes graphic and sometimes unsettling. One thread brought to mind the gas chambers of the Holocaust.
This is Tim's first book in this genre and it proves that he can write a great story in many genres.
February 22, 2021
An exceptional book from Tim Heath. This author can't stops amaze me with his writing skills and his style. A power story, well written that you can't put it down. Don't waste your time just begin the reading!
February 23, 2021
Tim"s done it again, another great story, yet so different. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Highly recommended.
February 17, 2021
The 26th protocol is a warning. A warning that we must always be on our guard against those who would take away our dignity and our basic human rights - either by force or by guile. Can our heroes figure this one out before the whole thing falls apart?
I received an advanced review copy of this book from the author and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
I received an advanced review copy of this book from the author and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
February 17, 2021
I wasn't sure I'd enjoy a futuristic novel, but Tim's writing is as gripping as ever and the story had me hooked immediately. So many unexpected twists and turns, full of suspense right to the end, I couldn't put it down. Tim has become such a diverse writer, his writing just gets better.
May 20, 2021
I really enjoyed this it kept me interested. I did find the ending a little bit rushed, but it was a good conclusion, I would just have liked a bit more detail.
March 22, 2021
FANTASTIC!
This is the best book I've read in a long time! I loved everything about it. It was an exciting read with fabulous characters that were really brought to life. It was definitely thought provoking as well and would make a fabulous choice for a book club discussion. It would definitely be on my list of must see movies if it was ever picked up.
One complaint: It ended 😪 I'd have loved to have seen this as a box set and this was one that I read in two days and was really sad to see end.
Very highly recommended if you like this genre.
This is the best book I've read in a long time! I loved everything about it. It was an exciting read with fabulous characters that were really brought to life. It was definitely thought provoking as well and would make a fabulous choice for a book club discussion. It would definitely be on my list of must see movies if it was ever picked up.
One complaint: It ended 😪 I'd have loved to have seen this as a box set and this was one that I read in two days and was really sad to see end.
Very highly recommended if you like this genre.
July 4, 2021
Enjoyed this
Was a really interesting story with lots of good well written characters. Looking forward to reading more of Tim’s books
Was a really interesting story with lots of good well written characters. Looking forward to reading more of Tim’s books
March 1, 2021
Excellent book
I happened across this book by accident but I'm very happy to have done so. I seriously never wanted to put it down. The world he created was so real to me and I was in a great panic at times over certain situations. I thoroughly enjoyed the different characters and how they eventually fit together. It was wonderful that it's a standalone novel because it wrapped up nicely and no cliffhangers. However, I would like to know even more about this world. It was so intriguing and I definitely recommend it as an outstanding dystopian novel.
I happened across this book by accident but I'm very happy to have done so. I seriously never wanted to put it down. The world he created was so real to me and I was in a great panic at times over certain situations. I thoroughly enjoyed the different characters and how they eventually fit together. It was wonderful that it's a standalone novel because it wrapped up nicely and no cliffhangers. However, I would like to know even more about this world. It was so intriguing and I definitely recommend it as an outstanding dystopian novel.
February 26, 2021
The 26th Protocol was an amazing read! It's been awhile since I have read a Dystopian Thriller and this book did not disappoint. When I first started reading I wasn't sure if I was going to like it because I felt like it jumped around a bit but once I realized that it was because this story unfolds through a couple different points of view I couldn't get enough. This actually turned out to be what I loved about it. This book is full of unexpected twists! With Covid 19 and how crazy the last year has been, the idea of dystopian civilization doesn't really seem so far fetched. Once I got into this book I couldn't put it down, Tim Heath has a very refreshing writing style and I can't wait to dive into his other books!!
January 20, 2021
Interesting read on a futuristic world that has cured many of the woes of the world. What they haven’t resolved is the people being divided into different classes. As Blythe makes the journey to resolving the class divide, it is an interesting view into the psyche of the human race. Enjoyable all the way to the finish, in a genre I spend little time reading.
April 1, 2023
An interesting sci-fi with a quick and engaing plot and characters that I enjoyed reading about. A lot of what could be called info-dump at the start meant that the ending felt a bit rushed. Otherwise enjoyable
June 21, 2024
I really enjoyed this modern dystopian thriller, a real adventure to read.
I do feel it could have taken more twists and turn to conclude the story, it ended a little too easily given the build-up. That said, still loved it and keen to check out more of Tim Heath’s work.
I do feel it could have taken more twists and turn to conclude the story, it ended a little too easily given the build-up. That said, still loved it and keen to check out more of Tim Heath’s work.
October 8, 2022
A really good dystopian read - albeit more upbeat than some I have read recently. Recommended
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews