Book Description
Innocent
Ten years ago, Sebastian Croll was found not guilty of murdering his playmate.
Criminal solicitor Daniel Hunter defended the eleven – year – old in a trial that gripped the nation, but the past is unearthed when Daniel gets a call from his old client.
Or guilty?
Sebastian’s university professor has been brutally murdered and everyone who knew her is in the frame.
As Daniel steps in to represent Sebastian for the second time, rumour of his client’s identity spreads like wildfire.
The media swarm. Threats begin to arrive. And the question on everyone’s lips:
Could the child once accused of murder really be innocent.
My Thoughts
Wow! What a read! My only regret here is that this is my first Lisa Ballantyne book, but I now know The Guilty One introduced us to Sebastian Croll as a child on trial for murder, defended by criminal solicitor Daniel Hunter. We meet this pair a decade later when Sebastian Croll again finds himself linked to a murder and seeks out Daniel to support him.
While the main, central plot is the murder of Professor Francis Owen, the sub plots were equally comprehensive and gave the story richness and depth. Flawed Daniel – successful professionally but struggling with his past and its impact on him now, particularly in his relationships. Meanwhile, Sebastian is now a Classics student at Cambridge, seemingly moved on from his traumatic childhood, but there is a tension here, an undercurrent, something uncomfortable. Daniel feels it and for the reader it is also tangible.
A sharp and tense legal drama / crime fiction. Great characters – particularly Daniel who I hope to learn more about. A strong plot and well developed characters, likeable, flawed and authentic. A gripping read, a page – turner, steeped in tension which at times gave me goosebumps. Suspenseful – the direction was clear but there were some surprises along the way. A strong and solid ending concluded this great read, which I realise I haven’t actually told you very much about, but you see ‘spoilers’ make it hard to review some books so you have to trust me when I say this one is an absolute must for fans of crime fiction.
Read this if you enjoy Steve Cavanagh, M.J Arlidge and Helen Fields. Read this if you love great crime fiction!
About the Author
Lisa Ballantyne is the internationally bestselling author of five novels. Her debut, The Guilty One, was a Richard and Judy Book Blub bestseller, nominated for an Edgar Award and translated into nearly thirty languages. Her second novel, Good Bad Love (previously Redemption Road), was a USA Today bestseller. She lives in Glasgow, Scotland.
ilovedreadingthis 