The Rules

The Hunted #2

by Kerry Barnes

Do you live by the rules, or die by them?
Holed up in prison, Mike Regan is offered a deal – his freedom in exchange for his firm taking down the gang that is supplying a new dangerous drug that has hit the streets. What starts as a game soon becomes a shocking revelation with devastating consequences.


Meanwhile, Mike’s fiancé, Zara Ezra, has her own firm to run. But when the so-called Governor is out to take her down, she has her own decision to make – either fight, run, or write her own rule book…



Praise for Kerry Barnes

‘A shocking, gripping read’ Dreda Say Mitchell


‘Sweeps along at a breakneck pace’ Anna Smith


'Another cracker from Kerry Barnes. The Hunted is a rollercoaster ride!’ Jaime Raven


‘An absolute must read from this talented author’ Jacqui Rose


* * * * *



Readers love Kerry Barnes:

‘Kerry Barnes you have never disappointed me yet with a book.’


‘Another fantastic story from Kerry Barnes.’


‘Couldn’t put this book down.’


‘Gripping, a real page turner and terrific storyline’


‘I couldn't put it down once I started and was sad to come to the end’


‘Never in my life have I read such a great fabulous series of books’

Genres: Crime

384 pages, Paperback

First published February 15, 2019

About the author

Kerry Barnes: The Voice of British Gangland Fiction.
Kerry Barnes is a bestselling British gangland and crime thriller author, known for writing gritty, hard-hitting stories rooted in the darker side of organised crime. Her novels are packed with tension, betrayal, revenge, and morally complex characters — often driven by fierce, uncompromising women who refuse to back down.
Widely recognised for her raw, fast-paced style, Kerry’s books explore the realities of loyalty, power, family, and survival within the criminal underworld. Her stories pull no punches and aren’t afraid to venture into uncomfortable territory, making her a firm favourite with readers who enjoy dark, authentic British crime fiction.
With multiple chart-topping and number one bestselling titles, Kerry Barnes has built a loyal readership among fans of gangland fiction and crime thrillers. Her work is frequently compared to leading voices in the genre such as Martina Cole and Kimberley Chambers, while maintaining a distinctive edge and voice of her own.
Kerry is the author of several popular series, including the Dolly Vincent Trilogy, Carrie Verne Series, Nemesis Trilogy, Harper Kane Trilogy, and The Hunted Trilogy, alongside a growing list of standalone novels and dark psychological thrillers.
Her latest work continues to push boundaries, delivering intense storytelling with sharp dialogue, emotional depth, and relentless pace — perfect for readers who like their crime fiction bold, brutal, and unforgettable.

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Follow on to ‘The Hunted’ and is probably best read in that order although I guess could be read as a stand alone
This is my fav so far by the author, the characters are established from the first book and you are straight away in the thick of the action, and there is plenty of it
A real gangland thriller adventure mix with everything you want to keep you on your toes, there are lots of characters and there is violence, it’s real, unflinching and hard but also there is a really good story flowing through it and in this book I felt I got to know them all well ( good and bad ) 😁
The author doesn’t shy away from situations nor gloss over what is occurring but brings it straight at you, its fierce and electric, look forward to reading Book 3 soon

10/10
5 Stars

[~ Cariad ~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another PERFECT Kerry Barnes/Annie Aldington Audible collaboration.
I hope this author realises how lucky she is to have Annie - there isn't a better narrator in the business. OMG she brought it vividly to life with all of her voices.

[Book Addict Shaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my GOD. Talk about leave the reader breathless. Kerry Barnes is fast becoming the Queen of the gangland thriller in my opinion, she’s just in a league of her own and very few authors are competing anymore. To say this book was twisted would be an understatement, it was absolutely fantastic and had me gripped right until it’s insane finale that had me unable to take my eyes away from my Kindle. I won’t say the identity of the Governor wasn’t obvious to me but I still loved the ending. There was also a lot of coincidences in this story however when it’s this fucking intense and gripping I couldn’t care less. If you are yet to read Kerry Barnes then you need to do so right away, every single one of her books has been a 5 star read to me and I cannot recommend them enough.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a FANTASTIC book i have loved reading this series and felt as if i was there with them.Mike,Ricky,Zara their families and of course their teams of men are up against a new threat to their lives and their business.I was eagerly waiting for them to find the governor and to take him out.As so many have been hurt or killed they mean to make sure he is wiped from the planet and Zara does find out who he is.Kerry is a brilliant author and i love her books but i was duped with this book i can't believe how i got it wrong lol.5* but should be more.

[Best Crime Books & More · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart literally cannot tale any more! I read part one in practically a day and the same can be said for part 2. Once I had finished book 2 from this author in 2 days I almost went into a major sulk because I cannot read part 3 until its release in July and it seems like nothing in my long list of more than 500 books on my Kindle will be suitable right now! So I guess you can guess what I thought of this from that statement alone.

The Rules is part two of three and is an absolute MUST READ! Books one and two are some of the best books I have read in a while and I am so happy I finally got around to reading them. The book centers around Mike Regan who is currently in prison. However, he and other members of his Firm also serving at her Majesty s pleasure get offered a deal. They need to agree to come out of prison and find the people responsible for a new drug that is sweeping the streets and taking many lives with it.

When you see that kind of description it seems like a simple enough story line, but with the first book delving into many more aspects and characters it isn’t really as simple as it seems. I fear saying too much as people who haven’t read the first book will inevitable come across spoilers.

What I will say is that for two days straight nothing got done at home for me as this book took priority. Kerry Barnes has created a bunch of characters that I was compelled to read about, a story line that had me gripped from the very first page and a whole host of other things going on. I cannot praise the book, the writing and the sheer enjoyment I got from this, but what I would say is that these will without a doubt make my top ten list for 2019!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a huge fan of Kerry's work for a little while now. I love the way in which she writes about a world that fascinates me- the Underworld. I have found her books to be gritty, gripping and at times downright scary! When I read the synopsis for 'The Rules' I just knew that I was going to be in for another amazing read from the superbly talented Kerry Barnes. 'The Rules' is the second book in 'The Hunted' series. I must be psychic (or psychopathic) because 'The Rules' really is an amazing read, which I thoroughly enjoyed but more about that in a bit.
I have to say that I don't think that I particularly warmed to any of the characters- basically because they scared the crap out of me. I certainly wouldn't trust any of them as far as I could throw them, which given the state of my back wouldn't be very far at all. I did like the depth of loyalty that certain characters had towards certain people. I must admit that I was waiting for the betrayals, the scandals and the violence.
To say that 'The Rules' is an addictive read, has to be the understatement of the year. I was gripped by this book from the moment I clapped eyes on the cover and the synopsis sealed the deal. I would pick 'The Rules' up only intending to read for a little while but I would become so absorbed by the story that I read for upwards of two hours at a time. It became nigh on impossible to put this book down for any length of time. I think that I had a fear of missing out on some vital clue or some twist to the story. If I wasn't reading the book, I was thinking about the book. If I had to put the book down for anything then I would immediately look forward to being able to pick the book up again. I was like an addict in desperate need of her next fix. I soon got to the end of the story which I had mixed feelings about. Don't get me wrong, I was pleased to finish because at least I knew how this instalment of the story concluded but I was enjoying the characters, the author's writing style and the storylines so much that I just wanted the book to continue.
'The Rules' is extremely well written but then I think that to be true of all of Kerry's books. She grabs your attention with an eye catching synopsis and then you are gradually drawn into the story. Once Kerry has your attention, she will not let you have it back until the moment you read the last word on the last page. Kerry writes with grit and she writes stories which have more twists and turns to them than you would find on a 'Snakes & Ladders' board. For me, 'The Rules' really was a gripping read, which had me on the edge of my seat throughout. The other phrase I would use to describe 'The Rules' is an unputdownable pageturner of a read.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'The Rules' even if certain things scared the doo doo out of me. I would recommend this book to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Kerry's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

[Deryl Easton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Following hot on the heels of The Hunted, The Rules starts fast-paced and ends fast paced!
To get a good round-up of all the characters in the book you are definitely best reading The Hunted first as there is a lot of characters to become acquainted with.

The book is a real page-turner, I just could not put it down.

Zara is back, and so is the Regan's, and his firm!

Kerry has brought us a fresh new exciting storyline, Kerry has also upped the violence in this grit-lit thriller and of course, that is what we should expect with it being a gangland book, we should not expect any more or any less from such a genre, violence and swearing, so it really is not a book for the faint of heart.

You will want to read till the end to find out who the Governor is, will you be able to guess??
I certainly could not, I was drawn in hook line and sinker!

And what about Zara Ezra in this book?

Well, Zara proves to be a force to be reckoned with, in a male-dominated world of gangsters, hardmen and hardened criminals Zara manifests to be as tough as any male counterpart, in fact, if she was someone in the real world I would not want to cross her, she really steps up to the plate in this gritty crime thriller, her father Izzy certainly knew Zara was clearly ready to take over the reigns and he is proven to be right!

Buy it, read it and inform your friends about this rollercoaster of a series, you won't be disappointed!

Can not wait now for 'THE CHOICE' the last in the series, it is out on Kindle 1st of July 2019!

[Miriam · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the series and it's another good read by Kerry Barnes. I thought i had figured out who the governer was but I was so far off the mark which I liked as it's not a predictable ending. The only disappointment was that I finished the book and having to wait until August for the next one.

[Nicky Mottram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audio version of this book 📚 WOW 😲 another fantastic listen/read ! Just couldn’t stop listening to ! Highly addictive!

[Vicki - I Love Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

What did I think?
Well where do you start, there is so, so much I want to say about this book, this series. It's absolutely brilliant, it's one of those books that once you start you get lost, lost in the pages, lost with the characters, nothing else in the world matters at the time of reading because you can't think of anything else other than the book. Epic, Just E P I C! This is a must read. This will be going on my 2019 'Must Read' list
I loved the previous book 'The Hunted' and was so looking forward to this, now I've finished 'The Rules' I need 'The Choice' and I need it now. I know there are bigger problems in the world, but my biggest problem in my bookish world is waiting on book 3. July can't come quick enough.
This is one of those books, you want to scream and shout about, but have to be so careful as to not give anything away. What I can say is I love the characters, I love the story line, I have gotten to know a little more of each charcter as the book has gone on and feel like i've been on a journey with them. I really can't wait to find out what is in store next.
Kerry, keep these coming, keep these amazing characters and story lines you make up in your head, oming, becuase i need more.

[Joanne Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been looking forward to The Rules since I read my very first Kerry Barnes book The Hunted last year and got totally hooked on the characters and storyline that formed the foundations of her newest series. If you haven’t read The Hunted, it may be worth your while starting the series there so you can understand the connection between the characters and the history between them all. And then, like me, you are going to be completely hooked!

Mike Regan and his son are still locked up in prison at the start of The Rules but they are about to have a visit that will change all that. In a “send a crook to catch a crook” move by the local police force, Mike gains his freedom so that he can help them to solve a drug problem on his patch. There is a new drug thats being peddled on the streets and this means that the crime rate has hit an all time high. “Flakka” has created a different kind of criminal behaviour and the police want it off the frontlines of society. Mike is an “old fashioned” criminal and they have their own code which is never spoken out loud but is there to be followed, an honour amongst thieves that is collapsing in the wake of this new criminal wave that is washing over South East London.

My favourite character in this series is Zara. I love a strong minded woman especially one who is at odds with her environment-a woman in what is essentially a mans world. Her relationship with Mike didn’t quite follow the expectations I had for it and that added an extra dimension to the narrative for me. Their paths twisted in and out of each other’s worlds, bringing violence and extremism as both fought to maintain their positions within a world they are both fighting to survive in.

Kerry Barnes has written a gripping storyline that is fast moving and complex at times but it was completely worth every single minute that I spent engrossed in this violent thriller. There were many underlying themes of family, trust and relationships, to name just a few, that I found reading The Rules to be a fully rounded experience that became easy to escape into.

Another brilliant addition to this series….BRING ON THE NEXT ONE PLEASE!

[Cheryl M-M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmm imagine a world where the police force is so ill-equipped to deal with not only the rise in crime, but the types of crime being committed, that they try and rope in the older generation of criminals to help them.

There used to be an unwritten law, which was particularly evident on the streets and inside prison. Even criminals have rules about what they consider to breaching an unspoken rule of conduct, and breakers of said rules were treated accordingly. Even today criminals want a line to be drawn between themselves and deviants, especially any deviancy involving children. That’s still a big no-no.

The problem is the world has moved beyond those romanticised versions of the Kray twins and other old-school criminal types. Just to be clear the Krays were ruthless monsters, the world just likes to paint them as something akin to Hollywood or mob royalty.

The police of today are dealing with unimaginably cruel and inhumane crimes. There are no boundaries to what some people will do to make money or to cause pain. How do you fight people who are monsters when you, the police in this instance, are given no respect from the majority of the public and no appropriate way to combat said monsters. Perhaps turning to the old guard doesn’t sound like such a bad idea.

Barnes takes it up a notch in this book, which is violent, graphic and fast-paced. The reader needs to keep their eye on the ball in order to keep up with who the bad and the good guys are. To be fair I think those lines are well and truly skewed by the end of the book.

It’s perhaps a wee bit too fast in some places, which gives the plot a disjointed feel at times, but also in equal measures a way to represent the chaos of modern crime on our streets at the moment. It’s an eye for an eye kind of justice with no attempt to hide the brutality of that thought process. It’s a story with a criminal as the one in charge.
*I received a copy via NetGalley*

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Rules by Kerry Barnes is a contemporary crime thriller that will draw the reader in from the start.
There is a fine line between the villains and the heroes, with plenty of anti-heroes in between. It is a line that becomes ever more blurred as the novel progresses. Trust is high on the agenda but with crosses and double crosses the reader wonders just exactly who are the ‘good guys’?
Within the novel there are themes of drug taking, supply and demand, gangland wars and violence. It is not a novel for the faint hearted but it is a complex and well thought out plot.
There is a moral code that old fashioned villains will not cross. As crime spirals out of control and lawlessness prevails, deals need to be done to protect the innocent.
The Rules would make a fabulous ITV drama series. I can picture Ray Winston in the role of Mike. It is a gripping novel that will keep the reader on their toes throughout.
A word of caution… there is a lot of four letter bad language throughout and themes and action that some readers may not like.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

[Vee Dowdie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ohhh soo good!!!!

This book is highly addictive, I wanted to read it at every available opportunity and found it soo hard to even put down. I love love love Mike and Ezra, they're really suited as a couple and together they're explosive, Eric never stood a chance with Ezra because she was just way out of his league I don't know why he never saw that.
Whilst reading it I really thought Eric was 'The Governor' and I was glad it turned out not to be cause Mike would've slaughtered him, brother or no brother. It's a really good and satisfying read so much so I'm glad the next book is available now.

[Lin Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would recommend reading, The Hunted first. It was a page turner, as is The Rules.

We start this book in prison, and we meet up with a few people we recognise, from the previous book.
Great that there is an offer on the table, for a few men. Will the offer be taken though?

There was a really lovely part in prison too, and bought a tear to my eyes.

Zara made an appearance, half way through. She had been through so much, and was lovely to see her on her feet.

Again, we come across some nasty characters, who are up to no good. But there are some lovely people too.

Loved this book, from start to finish.
Kerry Barnes can certainly tell a story!

[Tammie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Epic read

The saga of the Regans continue Mike now dage in the knowledge that Ricky is alive and well and sharing a cell with him. A new drug craze is sweeping the streets if London and the governor is the main distributing on the streets how can this be stopped the main crew are away Zara has one hand and well Eddie....something just isn't quite right....totally gripping z

[David Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMFG... BRILLIANT AND BRUTAL

OMFG What an amazing read yet again from a very talented author,, from the very first page I was gobsmacked and hooked to this book and couldn't put it down,, with so many twists and turns... I definitely know already what I'm going to be reading next MORE from Kerry Barnes the choices...

[lindsey harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow just wow

What a fantastic read the sequel to the hunted Kerry Barnes is a great writer just like kimberley chambers and Martina cole. This story is full of twists and turns and will keep you wanting more I finished reading both books in 4 days I was hooked after the first few pages

[Lee Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hold tight, you are in for the ride of your life!

Kerry Barnes has truly surpassed herself with The Rules. The follow on to The Hunted is a rollercoaster ride of thrills and heart stopping pages. A fantastic read from start to finish. Bravo!!

[Leeanne Paling · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Rules

Ms Barnes pulls it out of the bag yet again! Love her books so much, only wish I could read a bit slower so I can make the book last longer. As always I'm gutted it's come to an end and I'm eagerly awaiting her next book 🙂

[Jody Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

This author never disappoints. Every book I have read from this author has made me feel like I am actually I am actually in The story. I can’t wait till May to read the next book.

[jeannette allerston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Loved this book, got the next one on order can not wait to find out more , great narration by Annie Aldington, really brings the story to life 10/10 and 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Kerry Barnes 😉

[Kay-marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic rollercoaster

Wow another page Turner . Never would have sussed it, what cracking twits and turns . Can't wait for the next one now. I really couldnt put it down. So glad I'm in the notrights book club. Very well recommended

[Martha Brindley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kerry Barnes is a master story teller of gangland thrillers. This book gripped me from the beginning and never let me go until the last page. I totally got it wrong! Well done Kerry and I have no hesitation in recommending this 5* read. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the hunted series this book leaves you gripped throughout the book. Zara, Mike and Ricky are up against it but you can’t help but will them on. At one point I thought I knew what was going on, but I got it wrong. Lots of twists along the way a great read.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant and violent

I found this book through my prime membership. A real page turner. Zara the main character brings many surprises. This complex plot will take your breath away.

[Emma Ellice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic!

I gave this book 5 stars as it had me gripped till the end , a fantastic gritty time thriller with lots of twists and turns ! Kerry Barnes is by far the queen of this genre, in my opinion ! Can't wait to start the next in the trilogy!

[Leona · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in The Hunted. Series and oh wow this was amazeballs. My review wouldn’t even do it the justice it deserves . I was hooked from the first page until the final se tense . Talk about a page turning read and expect the unexpected for sure

[Valerie Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wattsy

Brilliant book,fast paced and so exciting,a right old page turner for sure,twist and turns and doubts all come together,will definitely recommend this book to friends and family

[Julie Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books just keep getting better!