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  • The Guilty One

  • By: Lisa Ballantyne
  • Narrated by: Hugh Lee
  • Length: 13 hrs and 39 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (397 ratings)
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The Guilty One cover art

The Guilty One

By: Lisa Ballantyne
Narrated by: Hugh Lee
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Summary

A little boy was found dead in a children's playground....

Daniel Hunter has spent years defending lost causes as a solicitor in London. But his life changes when he is introduced to Sebastian, an 11-year-old accused of murdering an innocent young boy. As he plunges into the muddy depths of Sebastian's troubled home life, Daniel thinks back to his own childhood in foster care - and to Minnie, the woman who adopted him and whose love saved him, until she, too, betrayed him so badly that he cut her out of his life.

But what crime did Minnie commit that made Daniel disregard her for 15 years? And will Daniel's identification with a child on trial for murder make him question everything he ever believed in?

Deeply psychological and suspenseful, The Guilty One is already an international phenomenon and one of the most talked-about books of the year.

©2012 Lisa Ballantyne (P)2012 Hachette Digital

What listeners say about The Guilty One

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    225
  • 4 Stars
    104
  • 3 Stars
    50
  • 2 Stars
    9
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Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    238
  • 4 Stars
    56
  • 3 Stars
    37
  • 2 Stars
    5
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    7
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    204
  • 4 Stars
    77
  • 3 Stars
    40
  • 2 Stars
    12
  • 1 Stars
    7

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Gripping

I think this may e the book that finally converts my husband to audio books. After listening to some of it on a long car journey, he was desperate to know more of this story of empathy, guilty reflection and a heinous crime. I loved this story, the movement of past and present and its ability to totally hook you in to the pain of the main characters past. Loved it!

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14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

One of the Best!

This was a brilliant book! Well written and read with one voice that somehow managed to create all the different characters so that in my imagination they all became real people who I could 'see' and 'know'

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11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

excellent courtroom drama

Incredibly well read, every character is brought to life through no-holds barred acting. The courtroom scenes are easily as riveting as the best in movies. The flashbacks are every bit as absorbing as we discover more about the defendant's lawyer and his own tragic past... highly recommended.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Very Cleverly books an excellent read

Two parallel stories help each other develop and you quickly understand the actions and reactions of the main characters. Compelling story with very disturbing plots. Much to talk about with friends.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Utterly enthralling beginning to end

Would you consider the audio edition of The Guilty One to be better than the print version?

I don't have time to sit and read books so constantly have an audio book to hand on my phone so that I can listen to it walking the dog, commuting or travelling.

What other book might you compare The Guilty One to, and why?

Peter May's Trilogy books - Blackhouse, The Lewis Man, The Chessman. There is a skipping back and forth in time really getting to know characters. It is very cleverly written to create a clear cinema in my mind, suspense runs throughout. A definite cannot switch it off and several times I woke in the middle of the night with it having moved on several chapters.

Which character – as performed by Hugh Lee – was your favourite?

I had to check to see if there was not several people narrating this book such was his ability to shift characters. His grasp of regional accents was superb making it easy to follow who was who and what was going on.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Deprivation comes in many forms and there is nothing like a courtroom to question, explore and judge.

Any additional comments?

This was a real find for me, very engaging, I can't believe its only showing a 3.9 score. Gutted that there are not more audio books from this author, I might have to go back to the written word.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

One word - BRILLIANT!

Wow what an excellent listen. Hugh Lee is just fab with the narration- you actually feel like there are different people for each character and really helps you visualise each one.

I can't praise this enough and just love Minnie! You can't help but like her! What a well written story with excellent narration keeping you gripped to the end.

I've been searching for more listens narrated by Hugh Lee but not having much luck - definitely more please!

Fab!

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing epic story

This is probably the best book I have ever listened to. There were so many aspects to this story the past and the present and the parallels that were drawn between Daniel and Sebastian. Almost two separate plots but hanging well together. The character Minnie must surely be one of the most fabulous characters ever. The courtroom drama was also excellent and never felt dull. I really felt engaged with the character of Daniel and how his past had created the man he finally became. The narrator was amazing it sounded as if each character was a different actor hard to believe all the voices came from one person.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Found it depressing!

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Sad plot about two boys in different periods of time. The story of Ben in court dragged on to long. More positive ending would have been nice !

Would you ever listen to anything by Lisa Ballantyne again?

Not sure

What didn’t you like about Hugh Lee’s performance?

Just felt it was a very sad book and there was no positive parts to the book. I wanted to get it finished!

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Sadness

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

The guilty one.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I recommend this audiobook.. It's not your usual courtroom drama, with lots of "who done this etc.." The story is good ,and keeps you guessing at times.

What does Hugh Lee bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

So glad I listened to this one . and not read it, as Hugh Lee is superb ..

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Moments in the book.. Made me cry and other times I was mad at Daniel . Minnie you will adore her.

Any additional comments?

Don't think you know it all, you will be surprised....

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant book! defiantly one to purchase.

This was a recommended book by Richard and Judy's book club. And although I cant always agree with their choice, I defiantly did with this one! Well written and narrated, Gives a little incite into the child "care system" without being to harrowing. Follows a young boys journey from boy to man. I have recommend to many people since listening to it and everyone, young and old have enjoyed it.

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3 people found this helpful