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The Rule of Three
From E. G. Scott, the utterly gripping tale of three couples whose game night goes horribly wrong. Full of twists and turns that you'll never see coming, this is the summer read you won't be able to put down.
Once a week, three women get together for book club in Kingsland, a private, gated community full of neighbors looking to do their business away from prying eyes. On the same night, their husbands meet up to play poker, where much more is being planned than anyone could guess.
But on this particular night, something goes terribly wrong. When all three men end up dead or hospitalized, and the entire town is being questioned, no one seems to be able to answer the only question that really needs asking: What the hell happened?
This is a riveting story, not just of powerful women or vengeful men, but of secrets, neighbors, blackmail, business gone wrong, and the most intimate of desires spilling into full view.
Once a week, three women get together for book club in Kingsland, a private, gated community full of neighbors looking to do their business away from prying eyes. On the same night, their husbands meet up to play poker, where much more is being planned than anyone could guess.
But on this particular night, something goes terribly wrong. When all three men end up dead or hospitalized, and the entire town is being questioned, no one seems to be able to answer the only question that really needs asking: What the hell happened?
This is a riveting story, not just of powerful women or vengeful men, but of secrets, neighbors, blackmail, business gone wrong, and the most intimate of desires spilling into full view.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 9, 2022
59 people are currently reading
1734 people want to read
About the author
E.G. Scott
3 books223 followersE. G. Scott is a pseudonym for two writers (Elizabeth Keenan and Greg Wands) who have been friends for over twenty-years, and have been writing plays, screenplays, and short stories separately since they were kids. They've collaborated on multiple projects from the beginning of their friendship, but "The Woman Inside" is their first published work together. This book came out of their shared love of thrillers and noir and wanting to collaborate on a novel for a long time. They are currently working on their next thriller.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews
August 5, 2022
A domestic thriller full of so much drama! A gated community full of rich, entitled people, all of whom have their demons. It was a fast read for me, with chapters being told from alternating characters, we start to discover what really happened that night.
A hot, summer night in Kingsland. 3 women have their weekly bookclub while their husbands have their usual poker night. But what happens on this night will change all of their lives forever. By the end of the night, one man is dead, one is missing and one is in a coma in hospital. What happened? Who wanted them dead? The wives must come to terms with this horrific chain of events.. Police are baffled as they question them and the rest of the neighbourhood, Everyone has secrets, resentment, and somebody knows more than what they are saying.
A great thriller. I look forward to reading more by these authors. Thanks to Dutton and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. Published 9th August.
A hot, summer night in Kingsland. 3 women have their weekly bookclub while their husbands have their usual poker night. But what happens on this night will change all of their lives forever. By the end of the night, one man is dead, one is missing and one is in a coma in hospital. What happened? Who wanted them dead? The wives must come to terms with this horrific chain of events.. Police are baffled as they question them and the rest of the neighbourhood, Everyone has secrets, resentment, and somebody knows more than what they are saying.
A great thriller. I look forward to reading more by these authors. Thanks to Dutton and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. Published 9th August.
January 15, 2023
2.5 stars rounded up.
The writing was the saving grace, as it was vintage Scott, however the storyline did absolutely nothing for me and there were so many characters that I don't know that I truly got everyone down and who was married to who by the time I turned the last page - part of that could be on me because I split this up between audio and printed format.
Ultimately there wasn't really anything original about the plot and I predicted pretty much everything after the first chapter or two, and ultimately I'm certain it won't stand out or come even close to standing out by the end of the year. All things considered I might be done reading this author duo, as their last release didn't live up to my expectations either, unfortunately. Moving on to my next 2023 read!!
The writing was the saving grace, as it was vintage Scott, however the storyline did absolutely nothing for me and there were so many characters that I don't know that I truly got everyone down and who was married to who by the time I turned the last page - part of that could be on me because I split this up between audio and printed format.
Ultimately there wasn't really anything original about the plot and I predicted pretty much everything after the first chapter or two, and ultimately I'm certain it won't stand out or come even close to standing out by the end of the year. All things considered I might be done reading this author duo, as their last release didn't live up to my expectations either, unfortunately. Moving on to my next 2023 read!!
August 19, 2022
"The Rule of Three" barely earned three stars from me....
and that was only because I was feeling generous.
I listened to the full-cast audiobook read by many of my favorite highly esteemed narrators: Thérèse Plummer, Mike Chamberlain, Brittany Pressley, Lauren Fortgang, George Newbern, and Philip Hernandez.
With those talented narrators, whatever this duo-author team wrote should have sounded good.
But it did not.
The book had an ultra-compelling "Who Dunnit?" premise:
Three husbands end up dead or hospitalized, on the night of their wives' book club. Did one (or all) of the wives do it?
WHY DIDN'T THIS PREMISE WORK?
First and foremost, the book had waaaaay too many characters. Quite frankly, one needed a scorecard and/or an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of everyone.
There were three husbands, three wives, police officers, neighbors, and children...just to name a few.
With multiple POVs and multiple timelines, many times this book seemed like it was all over the place.
Although the ending of the book was much stronger than the beginning of the book, overall, the book lacked the cohesiveness, clever plotting, and pacing that I was seeking.
2 stars, rounded up.
and that was only because I was feeling generous.
I listened to the full-cast audiobook read by many of my favorite highly esteemed narrators: Thérèse Plummer, Mike Chamberlain, Brittany Pressley, Lauren Fortgang, George Newbern, and Philip Hernandez.
With those talented narrators, whatever this duo-author team wrote should have sounded good.
But it did not.
The book had an ultra-compelling "Who Dunnit?" premise:
Three husbands end up dead or hospitalized, on the night of their wives' book club. Did one (or all) of the wives do it?
WHY DIDN'T THIS PREMISE WORK?
First and foremost, the book had waaaaay too many characters. Quite frankly, one needed a scorecard and/or an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of everyone.
There were three husbands, three wives, police officers, neighbors, and children...just to name a few.
With multiple POVs and multiple timelines, many times this book seemed like it was all over the place.
Although the ending of the book was much stronger than the beginning of the book, overall, the book lacked the cohesiveness, clever plotting, and pacing that I was seeking.
2 stars, rounded up.
October 4, 2022
3.25/5
The Rule of Three by E.G. Scott is all about that drama drama! I loved the premise of this book with the husband's dead or in the hospital, and I couldn't wait to see the whodunit and why. I also didn't realize going into it that this is a friend author duo OR that I have also had their debut together (The Woman Inside) on my TBR ever since it came out. I loved the way the story started out and thought it had a strong start, but that's where things got a little murky. There are a lot of viewpoints and A LOT of characters, and it was hard for me to keep them all straight. Honestly, I think we could have done with fewer viewpoints, which is not a complaint I often have.
I'm not sure if reading the book would have been better, but I did love the audiobook which has a full cast (my favorite!). Thérèse Plummer, Mike Chamberlain, Brittany Pressley, Lauren Fortgang, George Newbern & Philip Hernandez were all fantastic and it was incredibly helpful to have someone for each different viewpoint. I would recommend listening to The Rule of Three on audio if you can, but a physical copy may come in handy. I liked the complexity of the plot as well, but it was almost like it was trying to be too many different things at once, and really not a lot happened. The cop's POVs were by far my favorite but I did love all the drama from the women as well, it just lost me a little bit with so many people and not much going on. The end made me smile though and I will definitely still be reading this duo's first book!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
The Rule of Three by E.G. Scott is all about that drama drama! I loved the premise of this book with the husband's dead or in the hospital, and I couldn't wait to see the whodunit and why. I also didn't realize going into it that this is a friend author duo OR that I have also had their debut together (The Woman Inside) on my TBR ever since it came out. I loved the way the story started out and thought it had a strong start, but that's where things got a little murky. There are a lot of viewpoints and A LOT of characters, and it was hard for me to keep them all straight. Honestly, I think we could have done with fewer viewpoints, which is not a complaint I often have.
I'm not sure if reading the book would have been better, but I did love the audiobook which has a full cast (my favorite!). Thérèse Plummer, Mike Chamberlain, Brittany Pressley, Lauren Fortgang, George Newbern & Philip Hernandez were all fantastic and it was incredibly helpful to have someone for each different viewpoint. I would recommend listening to The Rule of Three on audio if you can, but a physical copy may come in handy. I liked the complexity of the plot as well, but it was almost like it was trying to be too many different things at once, and really not a lot happened. The cop's POVs were by far my favorite but I did love all the drama from the women as well, it just lost me a little bit with so many people and not much going on. The end made me smile though and I will definitely still be reading this duo's first book!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
May 30, 2022
Stepford Wives move over! This one has all the "things" - a great set-up, compelling characters and a mystery that keeps evolving as the walls of a closed suburban community close in. Fantastic!
August 24, 2021
We were lucky enough to read a very early copy. Our endorsement: E.G. Scott crafts another satisfying thriller with THE RULE OF THREE, where an unthinkable crime in an ultra-exclusive neighborhood leads to the unearthing of its residents’ secrets. Deftly plotted, and incredibly engaging, we could not put this one down !
August 16, 2022
This was a domestic thriller with a good plot, however, at times it failed to hold my interest. The multiple POVs got confusing and I didn't care for any of the characters. The short chapters helped me push through and although I had guessed the big reveal at the beginning of the book, there were other good twists that I didn't expect.
Thank you @netgalley and @duttonbooks for the e-arc of this book.
Thank you @netgalley and @duttonbooks for the e-arc of this book.
August 31, 2022
3.5 stars...
Overall, an interesting and creative plot!
Two issues I had:
1.] There were 6 main characters (8 if you count the detectives) but 3 couples. I found myself halfway thru and still finding it hard to keep track of who was married to who – especially because the author switched back and forth from calling the men by their first names and last names. So, I found it difficult to keep track of 6 names, all their last names, and whose spouses belonged to another.
2.] Possibly because the above, I felt like it was a little dragged out and didn’t flow as smoothly as I would have enjoyed.
I appreciate the imaginative, original, twisty plot!
Overall, an interesting and creative plot!
Two issues I had:
1.] There were 6 main characters (8 if you count the detectives) but 3 couples. I found myself halfway thru and still finding it hard to keep track of who was married to who – especially because the author switched back and forth from calling the men by their first names and last names. So, I found it difficult to keep track of 6 names, all their last names, and whose spouses belonged to another.
2.] Possibly because the above, I felt like it was a little dragged out and didn’t flow as smoothly as I would have enjoyed.
I appreciate the imaginative, original, twisty plot!
October 5, 2022
This didn’t work for me. It was terribly slow, poorly plotted, no character development and a mystery with an answer anyone could guess within the first few chapters.
The story follows three wives whose husbands have all had something happen to them. One husband has been shot, one is missing and one has been taken to the hospital in a coma. As the investigation unfolds it’s clear that not all is what it seems.
There are so many logic gaps throughout this book it made me want to DNF quite a few times. I powered through in the hopes the ending would redeem it but nope, it somehow got even more ridiculous. Glad this one was done.
The story follows three wives whose husbands have all had something happen to them. One husband has been shot, one is missing and one has been taken to the hospital in a coma. As the investigation unfolds it’s clear that not all is what it seems.
There are so many logic gaps throughout this book it made me want to DNF quite a few times. I powered through in the hopes the ending would redeem it but nope, it somehow got even more ridiculous. Glad this one was done.
July 7, 2023
THE RULE OF THREE has it all: an unforgettable cast of complex characters, domestic suspense in a deliciously dubious wealthy enclave, police procedure, and a perfectly-plotted mystery. Writing duo E.G. Scott excels at conveying the nuance of both male and female relationships. The women of Kingsland, NY are as vivid as can be, but so too are detectives Wolcott and Silvestri. Deftly-managed multiple narratives kept me engaged and invested, and the payoff was so satisfying. My first E.G. Scott novel will not be my last!
August 13, 2022
3.5 ⭐️
I was excited to find another domestic suspense book with a full cast audiobook! This was a fun thriller that starts off with a bang and quickly drew me in. I did struggle to keep the characters straight, especially who was married to who, but switched to the ebook for the first few chapters until I got them figured out. In addition to all three of the wive’s POVs we also get each of the two detectives which I thought would have worked better with just one as they felt like they were too similar to differentiate. I was able to predict where this was going early on, but still was entertaining to see how it would all come together. There were some words that felt overused, canceled was one that everyone kept mentioning - detectives, wives, husbands it just felt like an odd fit for so many different people to constantly use. It’s not the most unique plot, but I enjoyed it and would recommend the audiobook version if you’re looking for a popcorn thriller type easy listen.
I was excited to find another domestic suspense book with a full cast audiobook! This was a fun thriller that starts off with a bang and quickly drew me in. I did struggle to keep the characters straight, especially who was married to who, but switched to the ebook for the first few chapters until I got them figured out. In addition to all three of the wive’s POVs we also get each of the two detectives which I thought would have worked better with just one as they felt like they were too similar to differentiate. I was able to predict where this was going early on, but still was entertaining to see how it would all come together. There were some words that felt overused, canceled was one that everyone kept mentioning - detectives, wives, husbands it just felt like an odd fit for so many different people to constantly use. It’s not the most unique plot, but I enjoyed it and would recommend the audiobook version if you’re looking for a popcorn thriller type easy listen.
September 2, 2022
Do you ever pick up a book and by the end of page one you know where it’s going? This was The Rule of Three for me.
The writing was good enough that I second guessed myself at times, but not shockingly, I was spot on. Whether that’s because I read a lot of thrillers/suspense or because the novel was just that predictable I’m not sure. Regardless, it was entertaining and enjoyable. Just not one that will make a particularly lasting impression.
I do always love a novel that includes multiple narrators, mixed timelines, and an investigation and this one checked all the boxes. Some pieces of the novel were pretty out there but again, it was entertaining enough.
Generally, the story felt familiar - almost like it was a mashup of a few different books I’ve read recently.
This would be a fun vacation read if you’re looking for something that might keep you guessing but won’t flex too much brain power.
Thank you to Dutton Books and NetGalley for the copy.
The writing was good enough that I second guessed myself at times, but not shockingly, I was spot on. Whether that’s because I read a lot of thrillers/suspense or because the novel was just that predictable I’m not sure. Regardless, it was entertaining and enjoyable. Just not one that will make a particularly lasting impression.
I do always love a novel that includes multiple narrators, mixed timelines, and an investigation and this one checked all the boxes. Some pieces of the novel were pretty out there but again, it was entertaining enough.
Generally, the story felt familiar - almost like it was a mashup of a few different books I’ve read recently.
This would be a fun vacation read if you’re looking for something that might keep you guessing but won’t flex too much brain power.
Thank you to Dutton Books and NetGalley for the copy.
July 11, 2022
A twist on the stepford wives trope. The Rule Of Three is a fantastic thriller. Kingsland
is a secluded gated community for those who have run afoul of the rules, or been "canceled." Terry, the founder of the community, is a very very wealthy man who he himself, may have a few secrets to hide. He controls Kingsland behind the scenes and seems to feel the all of the citizens are indebted to him.
This story is about three friends who participate in a book club while their husband play poker at another house. When one of the husbands disappears, and another is injured, the friends don't know who to turn to or who to run from. If you like a twisty domestic thriller - this is sure to surprise you! Great writing, great pacing and a surprising ending - what more could you want?
#penguin #Dutton #theRuleofThree #egscott
#netgalley #Netgalleyreads
is a secluded gated community for those who have run afoul of the rules, or been "canceled." Terry, the founder of the community, is a very very wealthy man who he himself, may have a few secrets to hide. He controls Kingsland behind the scenes and seems to feel the all of the citizens are indebted to him.
This story is about three friends who participate in a book club while their husband play poker at another house. When one of the husbands disappears, and another is injured, the friends don't know who to turn to or who to run from. If you like a twisty domestic thriller - this is sure to surprise you! Great writing, great pacing and a surprising ending - what more could you want?
#penguin #Dutton #theRuleofThree #egscott
#netgalley #Netgalleyreads
September 26, 2022
Too many characters to keep
Up!
Up!
July 27, 2022
I think I'm just over domestic thrillers... This one was fine. There was nothing objectionable - beyond three protagonists who were difficult to keep straight as they alternated as the pointnarrative voice in the chapters. It made things somewhat confusing - although in hindsight may have been intentional, given the subject at hand. Regardless, it meant I had to keep flipping back to chapter headers to see who was talking and to earlier references to remind myself which husband went with which wife.
I saw the big reveal coming within the first few pages frankly, but that's okay - that doesn't always ruin a story. When you read as many books as I do eventually it gets difficult to throw together twists that are truly and completely unanticipated. Clever plotting and pacing means that even if you see where things are going, the journey to get there can still be a fully enjoyable one. There was some cleverness here certainly, but I must confess that on the whole the characters and concepts felt like things I had read before numerous times.
Add to that the incredibly similar three main characters and a pair of detectives who seemed truly clueless and not all that interesting, and the result was a book that I didn't mind reading but that didn't really leave much of a mark on me. Every book doesn't have to - I don't expect everything to be a life changing experience. Sometimes it's nice to just be entertained for a while. And I was entertained - but I think I may be done with this genre for a while because the entertainment was neither as engaging nor as effective as I wanted it to be..
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my obligation-free review copy.
I saw the big reveal coming within the first few pages frankly, but that's okay - that doesn't always ruin a story. When you read as many books as I do eventually it gets difficult to throw together twists that are truly and completely unanticipated. Clever plotting and pacing means that even if you see where things are going, the journey to get there can still be a fully enjoyable one. There was some cleverness here certainly, but I must confess that on the whole the characters and concepts felt like things I had read before numerous times.
Add to that the incredibly similar three main characters and a pair of detectives who seemed truly clueless and not all that interesting, and the result was a book that I didn't mind reading but that didn't really leave much of a mark on me. Every book doesn't have to - I don't expect everything to be a life changing experience. Sometimes it's nice to just be entertained for a while. And I was entertained - but I think I may be done with this genre for a while because the entertainment was neither as engaging nor as effective as I wanted it to be..
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my obligation-free review copy.
September 20, 2022
This domestic thriller was just okay for me. We have 6 main characters in the book and I felt like they blended together so much that I couldn't differentiate who was who and who they were married to through to the end. Even the 2 detectives were so similar I couldn't tell them apart. I was sure of the 'who' the whole time, but the specifics as to 'why' alluded me so points for that. I read a physical copy but I have heard that the full cast audiobook was more enjoyable so maybe listen to this one instead. I think this would have benefited pairing down on the POV's so you could be more invested in the characters and their relationships. I did like the ending as well. Thank you to the publisher for my finished copy of this book.
January 16, 2023
3.5 Stars...
I thoroughly enjoyed this one, more than I thought I would. Husbands behaving badly and women who have had enough makes for an entertaining story and I enjoyed all the drama with these rich folks. This is a quick read, told from different POV’s which I liked, although in the beginning there were a lot of characters to keep straight. I thought the audiobook was good and I enjoyed listening to it this way.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton Books for the digital galley to review.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one, more than I thought I would. Husbands behaving badly and women who have had enough makes for an entertaining story and I enjoyed all the drama with these rich folks. This is a quick read, told from different POV’s which I liked, although in the beginning there were a lot of characters to keep straight. I thought the audiobook was good and I enjoyed listening to it this way.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton Books for the digital galley to review.
August 24, 2022
✔️ the overall concept of the story was really good but…
✖️the execution was just ok… between the various narrator and the many characters .. it just dragged on at times , but I didn’t want to see how it unfolded so kept on reading
✖️the execution was just ok… between the various narrator and the many characters .. it just dragged on at times , but I didn’t want to see how it unfolded so kept on reading
August 4, 2022
8/4/2022 Predictable. Full review tk at CriminalElement.com.
October 17, 2022
Thank you so much to Penguin Dutton for providing me with a copy of this book, via Netgtalley, in exchange for an honest review!
While three wives are meeting for book club, their husbands are meeting for their regular poker night. But by the end, two if the men are dead and one is in a coma. Living in a secluded community for rich people, who have managed to escape being sentenced for their illegal activities, or have been cancelled by society, mean there are plenty of suspects. The three men were not well liked, even by each other, and the police find later upon layer of clues, but who had the most motive?
Rule of Three was an engrossing domestic thriller with an interesting mystery. Chapters with alternating points of view and a fast paced plot kept me entertained and guessing most of the way through. I did have a bit of trouble keeping straight in my mind who was married to who, especially with some characters being referred to by their first name OR last name at different points of the book. There were also switching timelines throughout, so I felt like I really had to concentrate to keep it all straight in my mind.
While three wives are meeting for book club, their husbands are meeting for their regular poker night. But by the end, two if the men are dead and one is in a coma. Living in a secluded community for rich people, who have managed to escape being sentenced for their illegal activities, or have been cancelled by society, mean there are plenty of suspects. The three men were not well liked, even by each other, and the police find later upon layer of clues, but who had the most motive?
Rule of Three was an engrossing domestic thriller with an interesting mystery. Chapters with alternating points of view and a fast paced plot kept me entertained and guessing most of the way through. I did have a bit of trouble keeping straight in my mind who was married to who, especially with some characters being referred to by their first name OR last name at different points of the book. There were also switching timelines throughout, so I felt like I really had to concentrate to keep it all straight in my mind.
July 20, 2022
The Rule of Three by EG Scott. Thanks to @duttonbooks @netgalley for the gifted copy ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Three women get together weekly for their book club while their husbands play poker. This time the husbands all end up dead or hurt.
This plot and story are right up my alley and the exact type of thing I like. Unfortunately I had a hard time keeping interest. This was mostly because the characters all blended for me. I had a hard time keeping them straight and who was who. I liked how from the very beginning we knew something was not right and that just added to the suspense.
“This feels like a nightmare, but I’ve never felt so awake.”
The Rule of Three comes out 8/9.
Three women get together weekly for their book club while their husbands play poker. This time the husbands all end up dead or hurt.
This plot and story are right up my alley and the exact type of thing I like. Unfortunately I had a hard time keeping interest. This was mostly because the characters all blended for me. I had a hard time keeping them straight and who was who. I liked how from the very beginning we knew something was not right and that just added to the suspense.
“This feels like a nightmare, but I’ve never felt so awake.”
The Rule of Three comes out 8/9.
August 14, 2022
Cloaked in a murder mystery the third (I’ll be on a roll in just a sec), and latest novel from the tag team duo E.G. Scott, The Rule of Three serves as vindication and indictment … of the self-help industry, of the rich and elite (not as a punching bag), social media, the power of tech, and cancel culture.
With nods to Biggie and a former president’s missteps, it is also rife with self-deprecation.
It is also very much an empowering tale of the strength and endurance of women.
Divided into three parts of course, each with their own Sawyer Selwyn (4-part name, each with 3 letters – ooooo, you’ll have fun with this and E.G. Scott makes sure you do as well) quote, the more you read, the more ominous The Rule of Three becomes: as statement, as mantra, as certainly a way of life.
… and the code to it all – in ways expected and unexpected.
In writing, the rule of three suggests that a trio of events or characters is more humorous, satisfying, or effective than other numbers.
The outstanding and gorgeous cover employs the rule of three by dividing an image into three, vertically and horizontally.
The pattern works because it is short. Memorable. Powerful.
Three Couples. A Book Club. And A Poker Night.
Gone Horribly Wrong.
If you’re one to complain about how the middle of a novel drags on, you’ve come to the wrong place with The Rule of Three.
Part One immediately immerses you in chaos and punches you in the face with not one, but two murders AND a missing person. Part Two gives you all the back story and manages to not only maintain the intensity but amp it.
And Part Three, whew, Part Three is where it all unravels, unspools, and someone becomes undone.
Whereas their first novel, The Woman Inside is an emotional rollercoaster (I’m still in love with Rebecca), The Rule of Three is calculating and precise. Wolcott and Silvestri are back as well.
To tell you anymore may indeed ruin the experience of this intricately plotted novel but I’ll tell you this:
Most of the residents of Kingsland Estates have dark splotches on their own reputations which keep them safely ensconced in their own glass houses.
Rock free.
With nods to Biggie and a former president’s missteps, it is also rife with self-deprecation.
It is also very much an empowering tale of the strength and endurance of women.
Divided into three parts of course, each with their own Sawyer Selwyn (4-part name, each with 3 letters – ooooo, you’ll have fun with this and E.G. Scott makes sure you do as well) quote, the more you read, the more ominous The Rule of Three becomes: as statement, as mantra, as certainly a way of life.
… and the code to it all – in ways expected and unexpected.
In writing, the rule of three suggests that a trio of events or characters is more humorous, satisfying, or effective than other numbers.
The outstanding and gorgeous cover employs the rule of three by dividing an image into three, vertically and horizontally.
The pattern works because it is short. Memorable. Powerful.
Three Couples. A Book Club. And A Poker Night.
Gone Horribly Wrong.
If you’re one to complain about how the middle of a novel drags on, you’ve come to the wrong place with The Rule of Three.
Part One immediately immerses you in chaos and punches you in the face with not one, but two murders AND a missing person. Part Two gives you all the back story and manages to not only maintain the intensity but amp it.
And Part Three, whew, Part Three is where it all unravels, unspools, and someone becomes undone.
Whereas their first novel, The Woman Inside is an emotional rollercoaster (I’m still in love with Rebecca), The Rule of Three is calculating and precise. Wolcott and Silvestri are back as well.
To tell you anymore may indeed ruin the experience of this intricately plotted novel but I’ll tell you this:
Most of the residents of Kingsland Estates have dark splotches on their own reputations which keep them safely ensconced in their own glass houses.
Rock free.
September 18, 2023
Lies, Deceit and Revenge.... oh my!
The Rule of Three, is about to blow your mind and I am HERE FOR IT!!!
Get ready folks, you will never be able to see this twist coming and you sure are in for a murderous treat!
Jam packed with secrets, lies, twists, you will be on the edge of your seat from chapter one.
Check out this teaser:
From E. G. Scott, the utterly gripping tale of three couples whose game night goes horribly wrong. Full of twists and turns that you'll never see coming, this is the summer book you won't be able to put down.
Once a week, three women get together for book club in Kingsland, a private, gated community full of neighbors looking to do their business away from prying eyes. On the same night, their husbands meet up to play poker, where much more is being planned than anyone could guess.
But on this particular night, something goes terribly wrong. When all three men end up dead or hospitalized, and the entire town is being questioned, no one seems to be able to answer the only question that really needs asking: What the hell happened?
This is a riveting story, not just of powerful women or vengeful men, but of secrets, neighbors, blackmail, business gone wrong, and the most intimate of desires spilling into full view.
The Rule of Three, is about to blow your mind and I am HERE FOR IT!!!
Get ready folks, you will never be able to see this twist coming and you sure are in for a murderous treat!
Jam packed with secrets, lies, twists, you will be on the edge of your seat from chapter one.
Check out this teaser:
From E. G. Scott, the utterly gripping tale of three couples whose game night goes horribly wrong. Full of twists and turns that you'll never see coming, this is the summer book you won't be able to put down.
Once a week, three women get together for book club in Kingsland, a private, gated community full of neighbors looking to do their business away from prying eyes. On the same night, their husbands meet up to play poker, where much more is being planned than anyone could guess.
But on this particular night, something goes terribly wrong. When all three men end up dead or hospitalized, and the entire town is being questioned, no one seems to be able to answer the only question that really needs asking: What the hell happened?
This is a riveting story, not just of powerful women or vengeful men, but of secrets, neighbors, blackmail, business gone wrong, and the most intimate of desires spilling into full view.
August 4, 2022
The night was muggy and sweat beaded her brow. All she could hear were the crickets chirping and hushed whispers of the neighbor that she couldn’t decipher. Then a blast pierced the air and she inhaled a deep breath as she saw the first of the neighborhood fireworks launching. She stretched out on her lounge chair and took in the light show, but then the sound of sirens entered the neighborhood and she knew something had gone horribly wrong.
The Rule of Three is about three couples who live in a wealthy, secluded neighborhood and tells the story of a poker night gone horribly wrong. The wives are left reeling as they try to piece together what happened between their husbands.
This book was wild and full of rich people drama that I was completely here for. So many people with motives, so many dark secrets, so much crazy drama. It was an entertaining read for sure!
If you’re a fan of murder mysteries with plenty of secrets, and books painting the colorful drama of rich people, then you’ll want to pick this book up.
TW: Murder, Gun Violence, School Shooting (briefly mentioned), Death of a Parent/Child/Spouse, Sex Trafficking, Drug Use, Blackmail.
*I received a gifted copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review.
The Rule of Three is about three couples who live in a wealthy, secluded neighborhood and tells the story of a poker night gone horribly wrong. The wives are left reeling as they try to piece together what happened between their husbands.
This book was wild and full of rich people drama that I was completely here for. So many people with motives, so many dark secrets, so much crazy drama. It was an entertaining read for sure!
If you’re a fan of murder mysteries with plenty of secrets, and books painting the colorful drama of rich people, then you’ll want to pick this book up.
TW: Murder, Gun Violence, School Shooting (briefly mentioned), Death of a Parent/Child/Spouse, Sex Trafficking, Drug Use, Blackmail.
*I received a gifted copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review.
December 18, 2022
The novel starts right into the exciting action with a triple murder/attempt and three grieving wives. Who could have done such a thing? Two sisters and a friend are investigated along with some obvious suspects. The story delves deeper into some shady dealings with the husbands.
Interesting secondary characters round out the scenes, and they are easy to picture. Suspense builds as the mystery deepens. The setting is presented well, so readers can picture enough details to fill things out.
As things roll along, it will be tricky for readers to guess who the guilty party is. There are twists in this book, and the surprises add to the intrigue.
For those who love murder mysteries, this one is worth checking out.
Interesting secondary characters round out the scenes, and they are easy to picture. Suspense builds as the mystery deepens. The setting is presented well, so readers can picture enough details to fill things out.
As things roll along, it will be tricky for readers to guess who the guilty party is. There are twists in this book, and the surprises add to the intrigue.
For those who love murder mysteries, this one is worth checking out.
August 30, 2022
This domestic thriller will take you on many twists and turns and finish strongly with an ending that you will not see coming!!
Three couples…..the women meet weekly for book club while the men play poker at the same time. One night, all three husbands end up dead or in the hospital. These men have a lot of secrets and enemies!! Did someone act alone in these crimes or are there several people involved.
This riveting book is full of secrets from the past, the power that money can buy, interesting characters and a great story that will keep you quickly turning the pages!! Highly recommend!!
Three couples…..the women meet weekly for book club while the men play poker at the same time. One night, all three husbands end up dead or in the hospital. These men have a lot of secrets and enemies!! Did someone act alone in these crimes or are there several people involved.
This riveting book is full of secrets from the past, the power that money can buy, interesting characters and a great story that will keep you quickly turning the pages!! Highly recommend!!
January 1, 2025
Yeah, no. Three wives, three husbands, two police POVs (that could have and should have been one), lots of other smaller characters. Too confusing to keep track of who was married to who, and which husband was worse. Some of the husband–wife confrontations were compelling, but otherwise it was rich girl neighborhood drama for 300 pages. The three husbands wind up dead or in the hospital first thing, then nothing really happens. It's a mystery as to why, and by whom, but not well executed. Can't win them all.
July 26, 2022
This is a twisted and thoroughly enjoyable novel who comes full circle in the best way.
I listened to the advanced audio copy of this book and it was really great. Told in the six different unique voices, this mystery unfolds in such a way that keeps you right on the edge the entire time.
It is the day after an annual 4th of July shindig in a wealthy gated community. While three women are enjoying their book club, reading The Rule of Three, their husbands are partaking in their regular poker game... which turns deadly. The three men wind up dead or in the hospital and we have two detectives investigating the case.
As this investigation progresses, we learn so much about these men, their shady dealing and the plethora of possibilities that could have caused their collective demise (including their relationship with one another).
This sucked me in so fast and refused to let go. I loved the build up, the progression and the conclusion of this mystery. This one will keep you guessing until the very end!
I listened to the advanced audio copy of this book and it was really great. Told in the six different unique voices, this mystery unfolds in such a way that keeps you right on the edge the entire time.
It is the day after an annual 4th of July shindig in a wealthy gated community. While three women are enjoying their book club, reading The Rule of Three, their husbands are partaking in their regular poker game... which turns deadly. The three men wind up dead or in the hospital and we have two detectives investigating the case.
As this investigation progresses, we learn so much about these men, their shady dealing and the plethora of possibilities that could have caused their collective demise (including their relationship with one another).
This sucked me in so fast and refused to let go. I loved the build up, the progression and the conclusion of this mystery. This one will keep you guessing until the very end!
August 29, 2022
I didnt love this book for the PT part of it. I loved it for the reality of it. Let me clarify. I don't mean murder but themes. I don't want to spoil it but there were so many themes to relate to that I didn't care about its faults
Also the cast is amazing and as always Lauren Fortgang shines.
Also the cast is amazing and as always Lauren Fortgang shines.
August 14, 2022
The jacket says it best:
Three couples. A book club. And a poker night gone horribly wrong. Throw in a specially curated gated community full of Stepford wives, and you've got this twisted domestic thriller. Definitely a fun read!
Three couples. A book club. And a poker night gone horribly wrong. Throw in a specially curated gated community full of Stepford wives, and you've got this twisted domestic thriller. Definitely a fun read!
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