Justice

The age-old concept of justice is one of the three major, dominant, and overarching themes in Terri Blackstock's novel, "Justifiable Means". Justice pertains to the administering of punishment for wrong actions and crime. Justice factors into the lives of the two main characters, Larry Millsaps and Melissa Nelson, each in different ways and for different reasons. Both characters struggle with the concept of justice throughout the novel, and each finally comes around to accepting justice in the end.

For Larry, who is a police detective, justice is something handled by the law, and by the criminal justice system of the state of Florida, and United States federal law. Larry believes in a legally-warranted and mandated justice, from probation to prison terms to execution, depending on the severity of the crime. Larry has faith in the justice system, but he questions everything when he meets Melissa, and learns about...