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.
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
When Chaos Descends #2
When Killing Rules #3
