*The Volunteer* by Gianna Toboni is a gripping and thought-provoking exploration of Scott Dozier's decision to expedite his own execution after being convicted of two brutal murders. Toboni masterfully tells the story of Dozier, whose choice to end his life swiftly contrasts sharply with the chaotic and often botched process of capital punishment in the United States. Through Dozier’s case, the book delves into the many flaws of the death penalty system, exposing its inefficiency, rising costs, and human toll.

Toboni takes readers on a sobering journey through the complexities of lethal injection, black market drug dealing, and the shifting methods of execution that some states are considering in response to failures. The investigation is not just a deep dive into Dozier’s life and his case, but also a larger critique of a system that has failed to meet its intended goals.

This book is a powerful examination of the death penalty’s many shortcomings, offering a sobering look at the moral and practical consequences of state-sanctioned killings. Whether you agree with capital punishment or not, *The Volunteer* raises important questions about the effectiveness and humanity of this practice, making it an essential read for those interested in justice and the future of the death penalty in America.

The Volunteer is a critique of the death penalty within the criminal justice system in the United States. The author, Gianna Toboni, describe facets involving the death pin the United States that cause controversy, including suffering of those on death row.

In describing the road blocks that have been put into place to prevent the carrying out of a death sentence and that there are people who actually want their death sentence carried out believing their wait is cruel and unusual punishment, Toboni describes in detail her interactions with Scot Dozier and his quest to die. While doing so, Toboni goes deep into Dozier's history which landed him in death row and describes everything involved into how the death penalty is carried out and all the work being done to prolong life on death row and the work being done to abolish the death penalty itself.

The Volunteer is a compelling book about the death penalty in the United States that would be a great read for people interested in the history of the death penalty, the U.S. criminal justice system and examples of what is currently the status of the death penalty and how people see it and why as well as what actions people are talking.

This was a fascinating look at the Death Penalty and how it is from the inmate’s point of view. Gianna Toboni was able to share the story of this person perfectly and thought it was respectful and well written.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this complementary ARC in exchange for my honest review!

The Volunteer, by Gianna Toboni, is an in-depth look into the death penalty in the United States. The book intertwines a moral and (more uniquely) practical view on capital punishment with the story of Scott Dozier, an inmate on death row who is volunteering, practically begging, to be put to death.

This is an incredible book that will put you through all the emotions - you can feel the author's struggle to come to terms with her own feelings on not only the death penalty but with the treatment of a convicted murderer. By the end - I still didn't know how to feel about the topic. Should capital punishment exist? If it does exist, why is it so difficult and costly to go through with it? There are details in the book about the prison system and the treatment of inmates that is almost unbelievable.

My favourite book I've read in 2024!

This is such a good book, I think everyone should read a bit into prisons and how they are for-profit, and they goal of prisons is to make money. It is a whole mess. Instead of helping people get better and become a better person for society, it does not matter. I think they book was really good and informative!!


Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complementary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!