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Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Review: When Killing Rules (Connor Hale #3) by January Bain @JanuaryBain

When Killing Rules

Connor Hale #3

by January Bain

Published: October 14, 2025

Publisher: Rough Edges Press

Genre: Disaster Fiction, Technothrillers, Post-Apocalyptic, Survival Thriller

 

Blurb:

The Connor Hale post-apocalyptic survival thriller series continues with its most explosive installment yet…

When killing rules, mercy is a luxury few can afford.


After a sentient AI cripples civilization with a global EMP, Alaska has devolved into a savage battleground. As chaos spreads like wildfire, Connor Hale pushes forward on a desperate mission: to get his makeshift family safely back to Braveheart, the horse ranch he’s sworn to protect at all costs.

At his side are Mckenna Stewart—the woman he never stopped loving—her young daughter Lily, a traumatized woman rescued from kidnappers, and a newborn baby born into a lawless world. Every mile home is a minefield of danger.
Standing in Connor’s way is Luther Meech, a vengeful cartel boss and escaped convict with a personal vendetta. Luther will stop at nothing to take Braveheart for his own—and destroy the man who put him behind bars. As ex-prisoners, starving survivors, and violent gangs tear across the countryside, Connor must fight not just for survival, but for the future of everything—and everyone—he holds dear.

When justice dies and brutality reigns, how far would you go to protect your own?

For fans of gritty survival fiction, relentless action, and heart-pounding stakes, 
When Killing Rules delivers a gripping third chapter in the unforgettable Connor Hale saga. Pick it up today and discover who lives, who dies, and who rules when the world goes dark.

Goodreads ~ Amazon



My Review:

The third installment of January Bain's Connor Hale series, When Killing Rules, immerses readers in the thrilling world of the apocalypse, making them feel like they're part of Connor and McKenna's journey. The story pulls you in, captivating you from the very beginning.

I loved that the story is told from different points of view. This narrative style not only enriches the plot but also deepens the reader's connection to each character's struggles and motivations. The tension builds skillfully, keeping you on the edge of your seat as the stakes rise with every chapter. I feel as if you get more of the story and what is going on in other parts of the world with other characters.

Connor, Mckenna, and Lily have finally made it back to Braveheart with a group on their trail who want what others want now, and that is to take over the ranch for their own. The tension mounts as alliances are tested and secrets unravel. As the group prepares to defend their home, they must confront not only external threats but also the hidden agendas that lurk within their ranks.

A young girl, Cheyenne, slips away in the middle of the night to go live with her father. She has no idea what kind of person her father is nor the type of people he keeps company with. Her father leads a group of men who take what they want, even by force, and find pleasure in doing so – whether it's food, resources, or women.

This group is determined to get what they desire, regardless of the consequences. As Cheyenne steps into this unfamiliar world, she quickly realizes that her father's charming facade hides a sinister reality. Torn between her longing for family and the darkness surrounding her, she must navigate the treacherous waters of loyalty and survival.

In this era of disarray, humanity's true character has been exposed, revealing both its nobility and its darkness. It's the law of the jungle now that all the rules have been abandoned.

The wicked rise, unburdened by conscience, while the righteous falter, constrained by theirs. The gravity of the situation is forcing them to accept that they must take drastic, unwanted steps to secure their safety and that of others.

The world-building is so intricate, it feels less like a story and more like a historical account of a place that actually exists.

I highly recommend When Killing Rules to all post-apocalyptic fans! Grab a copy of When Killing Rules today!


Check out all the books in the Connor Hale Series I’ve read.


When Darkness Comes #1

Goodreads

Amazon


When Chaos Descends #2

Goodreads

Amazon


When Killing Rules #3

Goodreads

Amazon


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