Reviews

The Treatment by Sarah Moorhead

holmahoney's review

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.75

catreader18's review

5.0

In the future instead of sending criminals to prison, they are evaluated and corrected based on what they need. Did they steal bread to feed their family? If so they are given help with getting food. The more serious criminals are made to live the crime through their victims eyes. It’s a very interesting idea and makes a great medical thriller. This book is packed with action and characters loyalties are tested. When do you cross the line from ethical to unethical? If you enjoy light sci-fi books with a medical twist, you will want to check out this book!

catastrojb's review

challenging dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

hannahmayg's review

4.5

Very good concept, but I did predict that Abigail was the insider from the very beginning, the fact they kept mentioning she wasn’t fazed by the images on screen made it obvious. The actual concept though was unique and interesting, loved the crime hidden within a crime. The fact Shannon died was sad, but shows there isn’t always a happy ending, and it doesn’t always feel like justice is done.

caitlinsyearinbooks's review against another edition

challenging tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This was a super interesting concept! I really enjoyed the psychological aspect to this offender rehabilitation. I do wonder if this is something we would consider in the future, especially with all the prison overcrowding going on! 

Grace was an intriguing character. She has such a personal connection to this tier system and it shows in her loyalty and dedication to getting it right. On top of there there’s her relationship with a reporter who seems to be rather self centred and her familial love for Remy which is driving her to do things she would never have otherwise thought of. 

I would definitely recommend this to people who enjoy a crime/thriller/psychological drama. 

leannelovesbooks's review against another edition

informative mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

Starting with the cover. I love it! It is so bright and a great design that is definitely eye catching (not a pun). Definitely one I would pick up in a shop. 

I’ve always loved dystopian/utopian fiction and reading the blurb I knew I wanted to read this. A lot of things have been done but I liked that this hadn’t removed offending from society but was looking at punishment/treatment options. The setting isn’t way in to the future that it’s changed much at all. 

I enjoyed it but I feel that a lot of the newer dystopian fiction is missing what the older works has. This tier system is supposed to be something that people fear and that is traumatic to see but that doesn’t come across in the writing. 

The characters. I despised Dan from the get go and he just continued to prove me right. He was totally willing to stand on his wife to get higher. Just wanted her to stay home and have a baby. Just no. Grace was ok. Maybe she needed to have ‘Gracie’ at the front a bit more. I loved Shannon. What a bestie to have. Also Shuggie. We all need a Shuggie. 

Overall I enjoyed it and it got me thinking. It would be a good book club read as it gets you thinking about the justice system and what punishments fit the crimes. 

CAN SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN THE KEYRING THING AT THE END? It makes no sense to me!

Thank you for the gifted copy for an honest review. 

darkereader44's review

adventurous dark informative mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

outsmartyourshelf's review

dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

In a dystopian future, Grace Gunnarsson works for Janus Justice, a private contractor that has taken control of the treatment of offenders. Their treatment has Tiers One through to Four, with the first two dedicated to the reforming of criminals & taking away their need to offend to survive, whilst the second two levels are more punitive. Grace works for Tier 2 as a psychiatrist but is asked to step in for a colleague on a Tier 3 treatment. Grace is reluctant as she disapproves of the treatment which involves the offender reliving their crime but as the victim or Aversion therapy. It may seem harsh but results seem to be encouraging, until Grace's reporter husband tells her that there are reports that those supposedly cured by Tier 3 & released are reoffending. Grace is, therefore, distraught to see the name of an old childhood friend on Janus's files, Remy went through Tier 3 but has reoffended & his fate is now to be taken to Tier 4 known as Siberia, where there is no hope of ever escaping. As she tries to help her old friend, Grace realises that a flaw in the system is allowing people to get away with murder.

First of all, the concept for this is brilliant - I really liked the whole tier-system of justice plot line & I thought it was well-written on the whole. I did think that one of the guilty parties was far too easy to spot though & can't believe that Grace didn't have a moment's doubt about them. Grace also made some rather silly decisions for a supposedly intelligent woman, where just thinking about things for a moment, would have perhaps made her realise that something wasn't right. She was also perhaps just a little too obsessed with her old friend, Remy. Overall, it was a great concept but the main character missed the mark at times. 

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Canelo, for the opportunity to read an ARC. I am voluntarily giving an honest review.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Murder, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Abortion

katherinelouise's review

5.0

In a future where criminals are subject to varying levels of rehabilitation, the treatment they receive could even involve aversion therapy. When psychiatrist Grace uncovers a problem in the system allowing some individuals to get away with murder, it may have deadly repercussions.  

An outstanding book with such an original premise.

Sarah has done an incredible job in building a picture of the world as it exists in The Treatment. The research that has gone into this book is clear from the scientific details that make it so genuinely believable. I think this makes the concept even more frightening because you can see how it might start to happen in real life.

The plot itself was gripping and even terrifying at times. There were so many moments where I found myself glued to the page, desperate to find out what happened next. It is definitely the kind of book that you won't be able to put down.

I'd recommend that you clear your reading schedule and make The Treatment your next read.

Thank you NetGalley and Canelo for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.