The Murder Rule by Dervla McTiernan

First rule: Make them like you.

Second rule: Make them need you.

Third rule: Make them pay.

The Murder Rule by Dervla McTiernan is the story of Hannah Rokeby, Hannah transfers law schools in order to work on the Innocence Project which is trying to free a man from death row. Except Hannah isn't trying to free him. Hannah is trying to make sure he stays in prison. Hannah knows something about this man's past and she will do whatever it takes to make sure that he faces justice.

The story is told in alternating timelines between Hannah in the present and her mother, Laura, in the past. Hannah maneuvers to work on the appeal of death row inmate Michael Dandridge, in jail for rape and murder. Laura's story revolves around her work as a maid years earlier, and the death of a wealthy young man, Tom Spencer.

McTiernan skillfully weaves the two timelines together, gradually showing how one informs the other. The characters are all well-rounded and likeable but a little opaque, leaving you unsure of their sincerity and motives. As you learn more in each storyline, it changes your perspective on the story. Your expectations are alternately reinforced or upended. The revelations are like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle coming together, each one making the final picture a little clearer.

The suspense is high throughout in this well-plotted and exciting novel. Great characters and an intriguing mystery will have you turning pages until the last piece of the puzzle falls in place. I can't wait to see what Mctiernan has up her sleeve next!

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher.