About the Author.

Rob Kitchin works at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth. He has published 16 non-fiction books to date. The Rule Book is his first novel.

Visit his website at www.kitchin.org.

Acknowledgements.

I would like to thank the following people for their support and advice while writing this novel: Sheila Hones, Gerald Mills, Mervyn Kitchin, Tim O'Connor, John Driscoll, Paula Campbell, Faith O'Grady, David O'Leary, Rachel Calder, Paddy Duffy, Mark Boyle, Martin Charlton, Anne-Marie Burke, Orla Dunne, Mary Gilmartin and Kate of Kate's Mystery Books.

In particular I would like to single out three people. John McElligott, former detective superintendent with the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, for answering my various questions with good humour. Any procedural and factual errors are entirely of my making. Brendan Bartley, who read a couple of drafts and was unstinting in encouragement and support. And finally, Cora Collins for always being there and indulging me the time and space to write.

Rob Kitchin, August 2008.

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