Behind Closed Doors: Abuse and Retribution by J.R. Wirth is a vigilante thriller set in and around Moreno Valley, California. Jennifer Reilly is 22, newly hired at Child Protective Services and determined to make a difference. She's paired with veteran investigator K-Bond, who shows her what the job is really like, and the cases that land on their desks are the kind nobody wants to read about. Around the same time, Kate Montalvo, one of the most notorious child abusers around, walks out of prison. It isn't long before she's dead. Then another abuser turns up, and another, each meeting an end that mirrors what they did to a child. Meanwhile, a group of child protection professionals meets for weekly happy hours, calling themselves the Karma Klub, and the names that come up over drinks have a habit of ending up on a body count. Who is behind it, and how far will they go?

Behind Closed Doors: Abuse and Retribution by J.R. Wirth is a hard read, but be warned: it may be triggering for some people, as it deals with child abuse and violence, and some of the cases are difficult to get through. What makes it work is that the author makes the CPS side of the story feel real, and Jennifer's idealism, set against the cases she and K-Bond face, gives the book its heart. There's a big cast, but each person has their own voice, and you'll find yourself caring about the ones fighting for the children. The vigilante scenes are where the tension builds, and they're brutal, so go in prepared. The question that runs through it is an uncomfortable one: when the system fails children, how do you feel about someone taking justice into their own hands? You'll find yourself torn, and I think that's the point. It's a long book with plenty going on, but it kept me reading. If you like dark crime thrillers with a moral edge and can handle the subject matter, this one will have you thinking long after you've finished.

In Behind Closed Doors by J.R. Wirth, when newly trained Jennifer walked into the social services office on her first day, she was sure her destiny was to make a difference in the department of the Child Protection Unit. Her training had prepared her for the horrendous stories of neglect and abuse, but much of what occurs is far, far worse. Jennifer’s colleagues meet on Thursdays for happy hour in what they call the Karma Klub, and it is there she meets Joe and the attraction is mutual. The team responds to reports about children in distress and danger and, if necessary, takes them into care and foster homes. But Jennifer begins to notice that several of the parents of these children are found beaten or dead in particularly cruel and painful ways. Is this a coincidence, or is Jennifer’s imagination playing tricks? With Joe’s help, she sets out to discover the truth.

Behind Closed Doors by J.R. Wirth is not a book for everyone. It carries a trigger warning for readers who may be upset hearing about cruelty to children, violence, sexual and drug and alcohol abuse. The story pulls back the curtain on the seedier side of life with scenes that are quite graphic. Besides this, there is an element of mystery as some of the parents are severely punished, and even killed. It is a sad book to read, but the characters are clearly defined and are portrayed as real and even caring some of the time. I appreciated the reveal at the end, which turns Jennifer's life upside down and causes her to rethink her own situation. I was suspicious early on, but I was still surprised by the details. Recommended for people who may be considering a career in child protection, to give them an idea of what they may experience.