Summary
The Rule of Threes by Jeffery Deaver is a crime thriller pulsing with danger and unexpected twists. The taut novella follows Special Agent Constant Marlowe as she investigates a serial killer terrorizing a small Midwestern town. A New York Times bestselling author known for his Lincoln Rhyme and Colter Shaw series, Deaver draws on his background in journalism and years of practicing law to bring authenticity to his portrayal of law enforcement procedures and criminal psychology, while keeping readers on the edge of their seats.
Plot
In The Rule of Threes, Special Agent Constant Marlowe takes charge of a serial killer investigation in the small Midwestern town of Clark Valley. The killer has already claimed two female victims in rapid succession, using the same brutal method of murder. With signs pointing to an imminent third victim, Marlowe races against time to prevent another tragedy.
Over the course of her investigation, Marlowe interviews a local family who may have witnessed something crucial—a move that inadvertently puts them in danger. Before long, she realizes that she has also become a target of the killer's obsession. While working to protect the potential witnesses and snare the killer, Marlowe faces numerous challenges. The quiet town of Clark Valley proves to be more complex and mysterious than it initially appears, with hidden secrets lurking beneath its surface. As she uncovers more clues, Marlowe begins to suspect that nothing in this case is quite as straightforward as it seems.
With the clock ticking and lives at stake, Marlowe must navigate the town's dark undercurrents while staying one step ahead of the killer. She finds herself in a dangerous game of cat and mouse, where the fate of the innocent family and her own survival hang in the balance. As the investigation reaches its climax, Marlowe must use all her skills and instincts to bring the killer to justice before it's too late.
Themes
The threat and enigma of serial killers
Small town secrets
Psychological suspense
Protecting potential victims
The obstacles faced by women in criminal investigations
Deception and hidden truths
Race against time
Setting
Set in the present day, The Rule of Threes unfolds in the heart of the American Midwest. The story primarily takes place in Clark Valley, a typical small town nestled in the quiet and eerie plains, likely surrounded by vast farmlands and open prairies. The isolated nature of Clark Valley adds to the suspenseful atmosphere, creating a sense of vulnerability for its residents and visitors alike.
Within this small-town setting, key locations include the homes of local families interviewed by Special Agent Constant Marlowe. These domestic settings become focal points of tension as the investigation progresses, highlighting how the killer's presence permeates even the most seemingly secure spaces in Clark Valley.
Characters
Constant Marlowe: The Special Agent tasked with investigating a serial killer in Clark Valley. She is determined, resourceful, and willing to put herself at risk to protect others. Constant becomes personally involved in the case as she tries to uncover the truth lurking beneath the surface of the seemingly idyllic small town.
The Serial Killer: An obsessed murderer targeting women in Clark Valley. Their brutal methods and quick succession of victims suggest a calculated and dangerous individual. The killer's true identity and motives remain a mystery for much of the story.
The Local Family: Potential witnesses interviewed by Constant. Their involvement inadvertently puts them in the killer's crosshairs. The family's dynamic and secrets play a crucial role in the unfolding mystery.
Clark Valley Residents: The inhabitants of the small Midwestern town where the story takes place. Their behaviors and interactions contribute to the eerie atmosphere and suggest that not everything in Clark Valley is as it appears.
Law Enforcement Officials: Local and federal officers assisting in the investigation. They provide support and resources to Constant as she pursues the killer.
Quick facts
The Rule of Threes is part of Jeffery Deaver's expanding repertoire of shorter works, complementing his full-length novels.
The novella features Special Agent Constant Marlowe as the protagonist, a character not previously seen in Deaver's major series.
The title likely refers to the numerical pattern of the killings or a rule the killer follows.
The story is set in the fictional town of Clark Valley, located in the Midwest.
The plot revolves around a serial killer who has already claimed two female victims.
Deaver employs his signature twist by making the detective, Constant Marlowe, a potential target of the killer.
The Rule of Threes explores themes of small-town secrets and appearances being deceiving.
The novella showcases Deaver's skill in creating tension and suspense in a compact format.
About the Author
Jeffery Deaver (1950-) is an internationally bestselling American author of mystery, suspense, and crime fiction. His works include the Lincoln Rhyme series, the Colter Shaw series, and the Rune Trilogy, along with numerous standalone novels, novellas, and short stories. His novels have been translated into more than 25 languages and sold in 150 countries.
Born and raised in a suburb of Chicago, Deaver studied journalism at the University of Missouri and went on to earn a J.D. degree from Fordham. He worked as a journalist and practiced law before finding his calling in the world of thrillers. His novels and short stories have been recognized with the Steel Dagger, the Nero Award, the Ellery Queen Reader’s Award, and the British Thumping Good Read Award. His 2008 standalone novel The Bodies Left Behind was named Novel of the Year by the International Thriller Writers, a professional association for thriller authors. Deaver served two terms as president of Mystery Writers of America and was recently named a Grand Master of the organization. Additionally, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Bouchercon World Mystery Convention and the Raymond Chandler Lifetime Achievement Award in Italy.
Several of Deaver's works have been adapted for the screen. In 1999, The Bone Collector was made into a major motion picture starring Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie. In 2020, NBC aired a prime-time series, Lincoln Rhyme: Hunt for the Bone Collector, based on Deaver's popular character and featuring Russell Hornsby as the quadriplegic criminologist. His Colter Shaw series, following a reward-seeker who helps find missing persons and solve crimes, inspired the hit NBC-TV drama Tracker, starring Justin Hartley, which premiered in 2024.
Among other accomplishments, Deaver created the characters and—in a collaboration with 14 other noted writers—wrote a 17-part audio thriller for Audible, The Chopin Manuscript, narrated by Alfred Molina. In 2011, Deaver was chosen to write a James Bond novel, making him the second American author to achieve this distinction. He has also published three collections of short stories, written a nonfiction law book, and ventured into music as a lyricist for a country-western album.
