The Treatment : A Novel [Hardcover]

Mo Hayder (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Knopf Canada; First Edition edition (2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0676974368
• ISBN-13: 978-0676974362
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 5.8 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,839,030 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good grief! This is truly nasty., July 8, 2006

By 

Cartimand (Hampshire, UK.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Treatment (Mass Market Paperback)

The rather demure-looking Mo Hayder writes somewhere on the cusp between crime fiction and grand-guignol horror, and has produced one of the most hideously grotesque novels I have ever read.

As a scarily plausible insight into the mind of a sadistic, psychotic paedophile, it is undeniably, a very competent achievement.

As entertaining fiction though .... well I'm not so sure. I felt no satisfaction in actually finishing the book, which made me feel like some guilty voyeur at the scene of something extremely nasty.

This is unremittingly grim stuff. If you like a happy or even a satisfying ending, I would give this a wide berth.

Horror buffs, even the most jaded, should certainly find something in here to melt their butter.

Me? I felt like I needed a bath afterwards.

Beware!

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW., March 6, 2002

By 

J. Jordan "Editor of Crimespree Magazine" (milwaukee, wi United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Treatment: A Novel (Hardcover)

I read The Birdman last summer. I loved it. So much so that I actually ordered The Treatment from England as sson as it came out. And I just reread the American printing.

To sum this book up quickly would use the words dark, twisted, and wonderful. Not for the easily freaked out, but if you don't mind dark books you will love it.

Jack Caffery is back, and still haunted by his little brother's disapearance from years ago. A case he is working now stirs it up more than any other has. He doubts his objectivity, his relationship with his coworkers and his girl freind as a result.

Mo Hayder sets a pace with her reading that won't let you go. I honestly read this in one sitting. If you read Birdman and liked it, you will love this. If it helps, I find it kind of a cross between Ian Rankin's Rebus, and John Connoly's Charlie Parker books.

Jon

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not All Trolls Live Under Bridges, May 29, 2002

By 

Marc Ruby™ "The Noh Hare™" (Warren, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Treatment: A Novel (Hardcover)

This is the second book by Mo Hayder about Detective Inspector Jack Caffery. I think an early warning is due that, if you have not read 'Birdman,' you need to do so before opening 'The Treatment.' The stories overlap themes and characters extensively. This isn't a bad thing, and if you don't like 'Birdman', you will definitely not like 'The Treatment' one bit. The reverse, of course, is equally true.

Caffery is in the midst of a troubled relationship with Rebecca Morant, the artist he rescued in 'Birdman' and still deeply haunted by the memory of his brother Ewan, who disappeared some 20 years before. Jack knows who kidnapped Ewan, but has never been able to find enough proof. To this day Caffery has no idea if Ewan is alive or dead.

The horror starts with the discovery of the Peach family, has been held captive in their house and their son molested. When the police arrive at the scene the pedophile has made his escape, with Rory Peach in hand. He seems to vanish in the night. The hopeless hunt for Rory brings up all of Caffery's feelings about Ewan. Driven by his own guilt he is always in danger of taking one step too far.

Caffery comes to believe that another family is being victimized even though the police believe they have a suspect. This puts him at odds with Rebecca and with Chief Inspector Daniella Souness. However, he is determined to follow every path, discovering not only a web of pedophiles but clues to Ewan's disappearance as well. This story does not let up to the very end, with every turn something new and grim turns up.

Hayder's characters are spectacular. She manages to let you into the heads of many without ever disturbing the narrative viewpoint enough to lose focus. Plot, action, setting and character, the vital ingredients are all there. Be warned that this is rough ride - take my advice and don't start it at night.