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The Innocent One

The gripping, must-read thriller from the Richard & Judy Book Club bestselling author

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The Innocent One

By: Lisa Ballantyne
Narrated by: John Sackville
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Could the child once accused of murder really be innocent?
'So good . . . Ballantyne makes it look easy' NEW YORK TIMES

'Beautifully told' DAILY MAIL

'Thought-provoking and unsettling' ALEX GRAY

'A breathless thriller' WOMAN'S OWN

'Had me turning the pages late into the night' C. J. COOPER
________

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?
________

What everyone is saying about Lisa Ballantyne's thrillers:

'Gripping' CLARE MACKINTOSH

'Sophisticated, suspensefu' LEE CHILD

'Tense' SUNDAY TIMES

'Unsettling and compulsive' ROSAMUND LUPTON

'Moving' GUARDIAN

'Emotionally intense' RICHARD AND JUDY BOOKCLUB

'Grips like a vice' DAILY MAIL

'Thought-provoking' GILLY MACMILLAN

'Tense' RACHEL ABBOTT

'A page-turner' DAILY EXPRESS

'I couldn't get this book out of my head' JENNY COLGAN©2022 Lisa Ballantyne Crime Crime Thrillers Fiction Law Psychological Thriller Thriller & Suspense Murder Suspense
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Critic reviews

Beautifully told, with the talented Ballantyne's typical clarity, it weaves a subtle web
Fingernail-on-a-chalkboard sentences are what make The Innocent One so good . . . Fashioning memorable suspense out of a well-known case is incredibly difficult, but Ballantyne makes it look easy (Sarah Weinman)
A breathless thriller
A combination of psychological and legal thriller, this is both tense and intense, gripping and moving
A wonderfully creepy crime thriller
A character-driven, domestic crime novel. Through juxtaposing the choices of two emotionally disturbed boys, Ballantyne sensitively explores themes of rejection, abuse, and forgiveness
Thought provoking and unsettling (Alex Gray, the Sunday Times bestselling author of the DSI Lorimer series)
A skilful mixture of creepy crime thriller and gripping domestic drama, the Innocent One had me turning the pages late into the night. (C. J. Cooper, bestselling author of The Book Club)
A suspenseful, compelling read with a sting in the tail that will leave you gasping. Lisa Ballantyne knows her stuff. An author to be reckoned with (T. F. Muir, author of the DCI Andy Gilchrist series)
A crackling good read - exactly the kind of novel that readers have come to expect from one of the most talented psychological suspense authors working today. With a gripping, twisty plot, conflicted and relatable characters, ever-rising tension, and an ending that's as thrilling as it is satisfying, I loved this book!' (Karen Dionne, No. 1 internationally bestselling author of The Marsh King's Daughter)
Such a wonderfully layered novel, part emotionally charged, nerve-jangling thriller, and part tender, intelligent family drama. I couldn't put it down. Brilliant. (Saskia Sarginson, bestselling author of The Twins)
Praise for Lisa Ballantyne's previous novels:
A gripping and emotionally charged story. Just brilliant (Clare Mackintosh)
Sophisticated, suspenseful, unsettling (Lee Child)
Moving, insightful
Thought-provoking, brave and challenging, this book is an unsettling and compulsive read (Rosamund Lupton)
Grips like a vice
Tense
Thought-provoking and clever (Gilly Macmillan)
One of the most readable, emotionally intense novels of the year (Richard and Judy Book Club)
Thought-provoking
A tense and shocking thriller that has the added treat of Lisa Ballantyne's deft prose. I loved it (Renee Knight)
Gripping, tense and moving (Claire McGowan)
Moving and suspenseful; richly detailed, yet with the eerie simplicity of a parable (Joyce Carol Oates)
A page-turner with real emotional depth
A compelling and emotional read with convincing characters that stayed in my head. Lisa Ballantyne deals with a difficult and controversial subject in a sensitive and thoughtful way (Jenny Quintana)
All stars
Most relevant
What an amazing author. This book following Daniel and Sebastian did not disappoint and the narration was excellent

Brilliant!

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Loved this book. Not only a great stand alone, but a brilliant follow on from The Guilty One. Depth and sincerity in the characters drives this book throughout. highly recommended as with all the author's novels. Credit also to an excellent narration.

Tense and Thrilling

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thoroughly enjoyed. Full of suspense, great story and characters, Very Realistic. My first book by this author

GREAT NARRATION and story

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Thoroughly enjoyed this book which explores the complexities of human behaviours and the relationships of client and lawyer, innocence and guilt, parent and child. A real page turner and a perfect example to the everlasting "is it nature or nurture that makes us who we are?" A great sequel to The Guilty One, yet can be listened to on its own. the narrator was good.

nature or nurture

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Great page turner, I loved all the suspense, only criticism would be to have more focus on Minnie. She is a fabulous character and was mentioned only a few times. Fantastic ending.

moving & gripping

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