It may seem strange to some that a person who teaches Religious Education by day would write dark crime at night, or that a writer might be as equally interested in spirituality as psychopathy. But as the Roman playwright Terence once wrote, ‘I consider nothing human alien to me.’ The human spectrum spans from light to dark and what better way to examine the darkness of humanity than at a safe distance in a story? The Treatment is a tale about the humans involved in the big machine of the criminal justice system. Grace works as a psychiatrist for Janus Justice, a private company that has been contracted by the government to implement the Tier System, an offender treatment programme for those who break the law.’

In The Treatment, Sarah Moorhead takes a stunningly original and frighteningly plausible premise of a twisted criminal justice system, and creates a page-turning thriller with characters readers will love and hate. Brilliantly done!‘
Guy Morpuss


The first Tier is for people who commit crime due to a lack – stealing food or squatting, for instance. At this level the government provides what is needed. Tier Two is for people who transgress due to emotional and psychological difficulties – ex-soldiers who suffer from PTSD, for example. Grace works at this level, providing therapy, medicine and counselling to help these offenders get back on track.But treatment becomes more sinister at Tier Three – Aversion Therapy – where offenders are given a taste of their own medicine – with drugs, hypnotherapy and technology that makes them believe what they did to others is now being done to them. And Tier Four is for the Incurables. What can society do with those we can’t fix? When Grace’s childhood friend is sentenced to Tier Four, can she find a way to cure him before he suffers a horrendous fate?

The inspiration for this book came somewhat from teaching the theories of punishment. I am always struck by how the pupils’ attitudes to penalties are so polarised. Some are all for bringing back hanging! It’s only human to want to take revenge someone who hurts a loved one, but should we act on those feelings? Should we do unto others as they do unto us? But other students are more empathic and inquisitive and consider the causes of the crimes, asking is it wrong to treat the ‘mad, bad and sad’ in the same way? Should we not try to rehabilitate and build better citizens?

As a commentary on society – as crime books often  are – logic suggests that if we invest in social support early it might prevent crimes further down the line. I’m also fascinated by the morality of technology. As scientific advancements accelerate at a breath-taking speed, is there time for reflection on the far-reaching effects of our innovations? Just because we could, does it mean we should? I wanted to bring all these thoughts together to try to tell a thrilling story about the humans lost in a system of opposing ideas, advanced technology, vigilantes, protests against the Tier System, friendship, meeting peoples needs, the greater good…and The Treatment was the result.

‘A Clockwork Orange for the modern cohort. A terrifying near future imagined perfectly.’

Imran Mahmood

‘‘A high-octane, spine-shivering thriller, in which neuropsychology, crime, ethics and justice are melded in a mind-stretching concoction.’

Philippa East