J. Christopher McNeal, a former Yuba City resident and Wheatland Union High School graduate, released his debut science fiction novel, "Tshepo's Purgatory," on Oct. 6. McNeal, who now lives in Little Rock, Arkansas, has practiced law for nearly 15 years. Photo courtesy of J. Christopher McNeal

YUBA CITY, CA (MPG) - A former Yuba City resident and Wheatland Union High School graduate has released his first novel, drawing on nearly 15 years of experience as an attorney to create a science fiction story centered on the criminal justice system.

J. Christopher McNeal released "Tshepo's Purgatory" on Oct. 6, marking his debut as a novelist after nearly two decades of living in Little Rock, Arkansas.

McNeal grew up in the Yuba-Sutter area and graduated from Wheatland Union High School before eventually relocating to Arkansas, where he established his legal career.

Although he has lived outside California for about 20 years, McNeal maintains family connections to the area. His mother, Mandy Jones, lives in Yuba City, and his brother-in-law, Nicholas Valencia, serves as the Sutter County treasurer-tax collector.

McNeal's experience practicing law helped shape the fictional legal system at the center of his novel, which explores how advances in technology could change criminal punishment and rehabilitation.

"Tshepo's Purgatory," the debut science fiction novel by Wheatland Union High School graduate J. Christopher McNeal, explores a futuristic criminal justice system that uses technology to transfer human memories. The book was released Oct. 6. Cover image courtesy of J. Christopher McNeal

Set in 2091, "Tshepo's Purgatory" follows attorney Roddy Allistair, who represents Luther Spalding, the leader of a terrorist organization opposed to technology that can extract human memories and implant them into other people's minds.

Within the fictional society, the criminal justice system uses the technology as an alternative to incarceration, allowing offenders to experience the memories and suffering of their victims.

The technology also gains support from the Catholic Church, which views it as a means of encouraging empathy and reconciliation.

As Allistair prepares his client's defense, he faces conflicting loyalties involving the organization he supports and a religious leader who advocates for the technology. The story examines friendship, loyalty, empathy and personal responsibility.

The novel has received attention from literary reviewers, including Stephen Dudas of Reedsy, who awarded it five stars.

"A masterwork of both science fiction and courtroom drama," Dudas wrote.

Kirkus Reviews described the book as "a challenging meditation on empathy and loneliness in a fractured world."

Outside his legal practice and writing, McNeal enjoys hiking and kayaking in Arkansas.

"Tshepo's Purgatory" is available in paperback and ebook formats through major booksellers. The paperback has a suggested retail price of $19.99.

Additional information about McNeal and his novel is available at http://jchristophermcneal.com.