Author: Mrs H Robinson

Summary / blurb
Genre (s): Dystopia/ Thriller / Mystery
A world where justice and the fate of those accused of murder is decided by the public, but has moved on from the Roman Gladiator 'thumbs up or thumbs down' public vote, to a public vote by telephone. If you are voted innocent you are set free; if you are voted guilty you are committed to death by electric chair. Those awaiting their sentence reside in ever decreasing cells, getting smaller each day, until Day 7 and Cell 7, where they hear their fate. Sixteen year old Martha has confessed to killing a famous celebrity. But has she done it? And if not, why has she claimed the murder? Perhaps she wants to show up the flawed and brutal system by sacrificing herself in the hope of a better world.... Or perhaps she is protecting somebody else...

Reviewed by: Mrs Robinson, January 2017

Themes in this book
Wealth and power
The power of the media
Corruption
Love
Society’s behaviour
Manipulation

Questions / feelings / thoughts created by the book
Why don’t people question things more?
Although I can imagine this happening, surely people would have the sense to know the system in this book isn’t any good?
Is anything safe from being made into reality TV?

The best things about this book
The author starts straight away by withholding information and giving clues that are built on throughout the book but the truth isn’t revealed until the end, making it a very exciting read. It is told from a variety of perspectives and in both third and first person. It also moves between the present day and flashbacks so there is a lot to keep your interest.
Some bad language but I’d recommend this book to anyone!
Review in three words: Tense, suspenseful, worrying

Linked reading recommendations

Another story of horrific reality TV with people being entertained by murder.

A story of a girl trying to solve the mystery of her father’s murder.