The future of law enforcement has arrived, courtesy of private health contractor Janus Justice. Their ground-breaking ‘Offender Treatment Programme’ has been hailed as the most effective way of tackling crime yet.
As offenders move through the four-tiered system, their needs are dealt with, each tier more drastic in its methods:
Tier One: Low-risk crimes. Physical therapy encouraged
Tier Two: Trauma and addiction. Emotional and psychological reasons for offending are examined
Tier Three: Aversion therapy & moral punishment
Tier Four: Siberia, where all hope is lost
But Grace Gunnarsson, one of Janus’ most highly regarded rehabilitation psychiatrists, has uncovered a terrible flaw in the system, one that is allowing people to get away with murder...
The Treatment by Sarah Moorehead was published on 31 August 2023 by Canelo. My thanks to the publisher who sent my copy for review.
This review was originally published in the September edition of the National Federation of Occupational Pensioners magazine.
This speculative fiction novel is set in a future that really does seem possible. The current social issues facing the entire world form the basis of a story that is bold and quite terrifying. The author cleverly incorporates issues around climate change, the increasing advances in technology, and the criminal justice system in this novel that will shivers down the spine.
Janus Justice are a private health contractor. They are carrying out an offender treatment plan that has divided the public. With many people pleased that offenders are facing severe treatments, there are also those who protest about the infringement of human rights.
Tier One: Low-risk crimes. Physical therapy encouraged
Tier Two: Trauma and addiction. Emotional and psychological reasons for offending are examined
Tier Three: Aversion therapy & moral punishment
Tier Four: Siberia, where all hope is lost
Grace Gunnarsson is an old-school psychologist. She is filled with empathy for her patients, she is also the golden girl of Janus and is married to a reporter whose main aim is to ensure that the public are aware of what happens in the clinics.
Split between loyalty to her husband and the desire to ensure that patients get the most appropriate treatment, Grace is also hiding secrets from her past life. When she realises that the the Janus system has flaws, and people are getting away with murder, she puts herself into terrible danger to find out the truth.
Sarah Moorhead tackles social issues whilst producing a high-octane, thrilling story filled with characters that the reader will love or hate. It’s a world that seems far away, yet it is probably nearer to our world than we realise.
An exceptionally good read. Emotional, chilling and utterly devasting at times, but highly enjoyable too.
Born in Liverpool, Sarah Moorhead has told stories since childhood and uses writing as bubblegum for her over-active brain – to keep it out of trouble. Fascinated by meaning, motivation and mystery, she studied Theology at university.
Over the last twenty five years, apart from teaching in secondary school, Sarah has attained a black belt in kickboxing, worked as a chaplain, established a Justice and Peace youth group, and written articles for newspapers and magazines about her work in education and religion.
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