Fantastic read - I was fascinated learning about Aspergers and was on the edge of my seat to hear what happened. The only disappointment was that the story seemed to stop too quickly. Beautiful book.

Jodi Picoult has done it once again. If you like Change of Heart, Nineteen Minutes, Handle with Care and My Sister's Keeper, then you'll love this. Sticking with her usual way of telling the story from everyone's point of view, House Rules is about a boy with a misunderstood illness, and how his symptoms make him look guilty of a murder. House Rules is very well written and a real page turner. Picoult has once again done a large amount of research into the subject, which is evident once you read the book. Even if you haven't read a Jodi Picoult before, give this a try, and I'm certain you'll love it.

House rules is a story told by a few different characters as are most other Jodi Picoult books, it is informative, funny and at some points heartbreaking. I could not put this book down. This book clearly showed how someone with autism thinks and how it affects people in their life. At some points I even found myself crying for Jacob and his family. The only bad point I could think of is that the way the book ended was a bit disappointing. I promise this book will not let you down.

this is the kind of book that you wont be able to put down!! Jodi picoult must have spent weeks researching for this book and she pulled it off. She makes you connect with the characters and by the end you find yourself caring about the people in this book!! i wish i could give it more then 5 stars!!

Where to start?? My first recommendation to anyone starting to read Jodi Picoult's latest novel; 'House Rules' is to give yourself some good solid reading time, don't, like I did, attempt to read it in a few snatched 30 minutes here and there. I really struggled with the first 100 pages or so by doing that, however, once I had settled down on a two hour train journey and could devote my time completely to this engrossing and compelling book it all came together beautifully. There is no doubt that Jodi has spent an extraordinary amount of time researching Asperger's and CSI procedures. Not only does she explain the clinical aspects of Asperger's but she has captured the effects of the syndrome so perfectly well, not only for the person with Asperger's but also, and even more importantly in the context of this story, on the people who live with and love that person. Anyone who knows a person with Asperger's will find themselves nodding in agreement so many times during this story as they recognise a behavioural trait that Jacob displays. To the story - Jacob is 18 years old and has Asperger's. He has a very high IQ, he is funny and he is obsessed by forensics, he has been known to creep out of the house and visit crime scenes that he has been alerted to when listening in on his Police scanner. He has often solved the crimes before the Police investigators. Jacob lives with his mother Emma and his younger brother Theo. Emma is a single parent whose husband left years ago, Theo is a regular teenage boy who doesnt have Asperger's - he is neurotypical. He loves Jacob but is frustrated constantly by the effect that Jacob's condition has on the family. Emma has dedicated her life to ensuring that Jacob is able to be mainstreamed in school, all of their money is spent on extra supplements and medications. There are strict living conditions - all based around Jacobs's beliefs. Each day follows a specific colour, for example, Friday is blue day - only blue food and only blue clothes. There are certain House Rules - the two most important being; 'Don't Lie' and 'Look after your brother, he's the only one you have.' It is these two rules that are the backbone of the story. When Jacob's tutor Jess goes missing and is then found dead, covered in Jacob's quilt, he is the immediate suspect. The story is narrated in turns by Jacob, Emma and Theo and also Oliver; the young inexperienced lawyer that takes on Jacob's defence and also briefly by Rich - the arresting Police Officer. To go into any more detail would give away the plot, all I can say is that the writing is engaging and totally believable. The frustration of Emma, and her love for her sons. The isolation and neediness of Theo and the clear, lateral thinking of Jacob. Jacob often comes across as self-absorbed as his thinking is so lateral - he can't lie, he doesnt understand people and his total self-obsorption and flatness is masterfully portrayed. Very powerful, at times very disturbing and shows just how much we take for granted and assume, how we judge people from their behaviours, how strange our language is and how much of a battle life can be for people who have Asperger's and those who love and care for them.