[close] Penzler Pick, November 2001: When Mo Hayder's first book, Birdman, was published last year, it caused a lot of talk in the industry. Nobody could deny that Hayder was a talented and formidable writer, but her serial killer was so repugnant to many readers that it was felt that only those blessed with the strongest stomachs could endure the entire book. Those who stayed with her ultimately agreed that they were rewarded with a deep and complex story from one of the best young writers around.

In Birdman, Hayder introduced us to her very troubled detective, Jack Caffery, and in The Treatment Caffery is back with very few of his problems solved. Alas, the case he is about to tackle will only make his job and his private life even more difficult. Called to a house which abuts Brockwell Park in South London, he finds Alek and Carmel Peach, prisoners in their own home and suffering from beatings and dehydration. Worse, their young son, 9- year-old Rory, is missing. When the boy is found dead, the trail seems cold and Caffery realizes he not only has another unspeakable murderer on the loose but also one who will tap into Caffery's own history and deepest conflicts.

While Caffery is trying to make sense of what went on at the Peaches' house, another couple and their son also have been imprisoned in their home. Time is running out for all of them, and we cannot help but read on anxiously as Caffery carefully puts the forensic evidence together and uses his knowledge of the darkest parts of the human mind to come up with the solution before it is too late.

While creating one of the most depraved villains in mystery fiction, Hayder packs a punch with an ending that is as shocking as it is inevitable. Beware! This is not for the faint-hearted. --Otto Penzler [close]