Pick a Crime by Richard Rein Smith

(2 User reviews)   586
By Noah Bonnet Posted on Apr 1, 2026
In Category - Visual Storytelling
Smith, Richard Rein, 1930- Smith, Richard Rein, 1930-
English
"Pick a Crime" by Richard R. Smith is a science fiction novel set in a near-future society that has devised an elaborate system to prevent crime. Written during the mid-20th century, the book explores a world where criminal tendencies are monitored and treated through a system called the CPA (Crime Prevention Association), which eliminates the exis...
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an individual named Joe Harper, whose desire to commit a crime ironically leads him to seek social acceptance and a livelihood. In the story, Joe, classified as a Dangerous Criminal Tendencies (DCT), reflects on a society where crime is nearly eradicated, but at the cost of personal freedom and autonomy. Frustrated with his status and unable to secure employment because of his label, he devises a convoluted plan to commit a crime, believing that being caught would grant him a path to rehabilitation and a normal life. After attempting to stage a robbery, Joe is apprehended and undergoes a treatment process that rewires his thoughts and impulses. The conclusion reveals a dark twist: while he becomes a non-criminal, he is left feeling like a shell of his former self, governed by the CPA's enforced morality, indicating the story's themes of freedom, identity, and societal control. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

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Lucas Martinez
1 month ago

This is one of those stories where the flow of the text seems very fluid. I will read more from this author.

Thomas Anderson
3 months ago

Clear and concise.

5
5 out of 5 (2 User reviews )

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