Scan barcode
loulapeach's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia and Rape
mirandab22's review against another edition
dark
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Police brutality, Sexual violence, Animal death, Body shaming, Violence, Rape, Excrement, Fatphobia, Adult/minor relationship, Physical abuse, Animal cruelty, Grief, Incest, Misogyny, and Sexual content
krustations's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ashleysue75's review against another edition
2.0
This one is DARK. Trigger warnings galore.
For the most part it did hold my attention (although I found myself skimming multiple times) and I wanted to see how things played out, but I was very disappointed by the big reveal (felt extremely manipulative), the ending (one of the bleakest I’ve read), and the reprehensible behavior of the protagonist.
The subject matter is horrific in and of itself, but it felt like the author was focused on pure shock value rather than any interest in bringing to light the awful reality of child sexual abuse. The bad guys felt like caricatures, as if pedophiles couldn’t possibly look or behave like average people. The characters weren’t likable and their motivations and behaviors often felt unrealistic. The whole thing left a bad taste in my mouth, particularly the way the author chose to finalize one important storyline. Wishing I’d left this one on the shelf.
For the most part it did hold my attention (although I found myself skimming multiple times) and I wanted to see how things played out, but I was very disappointed by the big reveal (felt extremely manipulative), the ending (one of the bleakest I’ve read), and the reprehensible behavior of the protagonist.
The subject matter is horrific in and of itself, but it felt like the author was focused on pure shock value rather than any interest in bringing to light the awful reality of child sexual abuse. The bad guys felt like caricatures, as if pedophiles couldn’t possibly look or behave like average people. The characters weren’t likable and their motivations and behaviors often felt unrealistic. The whole thing left a bad taste in my mouth, particularly the way the author chose to finalize one important storyline. Wishing I’d left this one on the shelf.
wyrmdog's review against another edition
5.0
Horrific and heartwrenching are the only words I can use for this. I know people have issues with the subject matter and well they should. But real crime is horrific and sanitizing the stories we tell about it shouldn't be the only acceptable approach. The Treatment embraces this philosophy and shows us a very ugly portal to the depravities existing not only in our fervid imaginings, but inarguably in the world around us as well.
Hayder's villains are heinous, even as they are humanized. The Treatment, far more than Birdman, stares unflinchingly at the horrors we are capable of and dares us to look away. But looking away changes nothing. Looking away only allows us to wrap our minds in denial, a soft blanket for protection from the ravening beasts that prowl about, seemingly selecting their feasts at random, and we tell ourselves that if we can't see it, it won't come for us.
Again we see miscommunication, happenstance, and even simple expedience slow or stop the investigation, enabling the horrors to continue, and continue they do.
But once again, we get closure of a sort, even if the victory is more than a little too late. The damage has been done and lives are irreparably shattered. Still, in the midst of it all, there is a tiny light of hope as some of the damaged find a way forward, capping the story with a bit of grasping happiness after all.
Hayder's villains are heinous, even as they are humanized. The Treatment, far more than Birdman, stares unflinchingly at the horrors we are capable of and dares us to look away. But looking away changes nothing. Looking away only allows us to wrap our minds in denial, a soft blanket for protection from the ravening beasts that prowl about, seemingly selecting their feasts at random, and we tell ourselves that if we can't see it, it won't come for us.
Again we see miscommunication, happenstance, and even simple expedience slow or stop the investigation, enabling the horrors to continue, and continue they do.
But once again, we get closure of a sort, even if the victory is more than a little too late. The damage has been done and lives are irreparably shattered. Still, in the midst of it all, there is a tiny light of hope as some of the damaged find a way forward, capping the story with a bit of grasping happiness after all.
saltycorpse's review against another edition
4.0
Don't read this if you don't want to read about child sexual abuse/murder, or animal abuse/death.
As usual, Hayder delivers a highly disturbing and graphically violent novel. I wouldn't ever tell anyone Hayder is 'high art', she uses a lot of tropes in the genre, but she writes a damn good book. Definitely not for everyone, as it is a rough read.
As usual, Hayder delivers a highly disturbing and graphically violent novel. I wouldn't ever tell anyone Hayder is 'high art', she uses a lot of tropes in the genre, but she writes a damn good book. Definitely not for everyone, as it is a rough read.
april_golden's review against another edition
4.0
A word of warning for potential readers, there are sensitive subjects addressed in this book, including child abduction, rape, and child pornography. It is not for the faint of heart or the easily offended.
This is Hayder's second book featuring Jack Caffery. I enjoyed the first book, but it didn't blow me away. This one I like even more than the first. (I've got two more to read to get to Gone, which I heard is excellent and the reason I started reading this series.) Hayder did an excellent job of pacing through this book, and I was on the edge of my seat more than once. The main story is solid, but I really wanted a wrap-up of a side story! I'm hoping to get that in the next installment.
My only real complaint is that I am not truly invested in her main character yet. In fact, I'm not sure I actually like him. Time will tell. He is absolutely flawed, and there are moments I really connect with him, but they are fleeting.
This is Hayder's second book featuring Jack Caffery. I enjoyed the first book, but it didn't blow me away. This one I like even more than the first. (I've got two more to read to get to Gone, which I heard is excellent and the reason I started reading this series.) Hayder did an excellent job of pacing through this book, and I was on the edge of my seat more than once. The main story is solid, but I really wanted a wrap-up of a side story! I'm hoping to get that in the next installment.
My only real complaint is that I am not truly invested in her main character yet. In fact, I'm not sure I actually like him. Time will tell. He is absolutely flawed, and there are moments I really connect with him, but they are fleeting.
liedora's review against another edition
4.0
Although this is listed as #2 in the Jack Caffery series, I feel it is a really good stand alone novel. There was nothing in it, at any point, that had me thinking maybe I should've read the first book. Be warned though this book looks at the seedy underbelly of things that, some people would rather pretend doesn't exist. Oh, and then there's the dog...
I particularly enjoyed the way the book was written; it was well paced and reflected that slow, methodical movement police investigations have. It didn't try to make them out as super-heroes, instead showing that they are people like us, warts and all.
Even though I enjoyed this book, I'm not certain if I will read anymore of this Author's work.
I particularly enjoyed the way the book was written; it was well paced and reflected that slow, methodical movement police investigations have. It didn't try to make them out as super-heroes, instead showing that they are people like us, warts and all.
Even though I enjoyed this book, I'm not certain if I will read anymore of this Author's work.