The Innocent One

Beautifully told, with the talented Ballantyne’s typical clarity, it weaves a subtle web * Daily Mail *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 * New York Times *A breathless thriller * Woman’s Own *A combination of psychological and legal thriller, this is both tense and intense, gripping and moving * Morning Star *A wonderfully creepy crime thriller * Yours *A character-driven, domestic crime novel. Through juxtaposing the choices of two emotionally disturbed boys, Ballantyne sensitively explores themes of rejection, abuse, and forgiveness * Booklist *Thought provoking and unsettling – Alex Gray, the Sunday Times bestselling author of the DSI Lorimer seriesA 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 ClubA 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 seriesA 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 DaughterSuch 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 TwinsPraise for Lisa Ballantyne’s previous novels:A gripping and emotionally charged story. Just brilliant – Clare MackintoshSophisticated, suspenseful, unsettling – Lee ChildMoving, insightful * Guardian *Thought-provoking, brave and challenging, this book is an unsettling and compulsive read – Rosamund LuptonGrips like a vice * Daily Mail *Tense * Sunday Times *Thought-provoking and clever – Gilly MacmillanOne of the most readable, emotionally intense novels of the year – Richard and Judy Book ClubThought-provoking * Woman & Home *A tense and shocking thriller that has the added treat of Lisa Ballantyne’s deft prose. I loved it – Renee KnightGripping, tense and moving – Claire McGowanMoving and suspenseful; richly detailed, yet with the eerie simplicity of a parable – Joyce Carol OatesA page-turner with real emotional depth * Daily Express *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

Lisa Ballantyne is the internationally bestselling author of four novels. Her debut, The Guilty One, was a Richard and Judy Book Club bestseller, Edgar-Award nominated 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.