The Guilty One

"One of the best debuts I've ever encountered"--Daily Record "One of the most readable, emotionally intense novels of the year, and a debut one at that. Lisa Ballantyne pulls off the key writer's trick of getting us to care about the characters; by the end of the first chapter, you will be comprehensively on the hook."--Richard Madeley, Richard and Judy's Book Club, Autumn 2012 Pick "A page-turner"--Cosmopolitan (UK) "A captivating debut"--Kirkus "An accomplished first novel and a good bet for book groups."--Booklist Ballantyne blurs the line between right and wrong like a double-edged sword in this methodical psychological thriller. The age-old struggle between good and evil takes on new meaning through characters so jaded by life; she makes you question it yourself.--criminalelement.com One of the best debuts I ve ever encountered --Daily Record" One of the most readable, emotionally intense novels of the year, and a debut one at that. Lisa Ballantyne pulls off the key writer s trick of getting us to care about the characters; by the end of the first chapter, you will be comprehensively on the hook. --Richard Madeley, Richard and Judy's Book Club, Autumn 2012 Pick" A page-turner --Cosmopolitan (UK)" A captivating debut --Kirkus" An accomplished first novel and a good bet for book groups. --Booklist" Ballantyne hits some strong emotional beats, and fans of Vanessa Diffenbaugh's The Language of Flowers will find much to like here--Library Journal "A child-on-child murder drives Ballantyne's searing debut . . . [A] scalding exploration of childhood violence, adult refusal to forgive, and redemptive love."--Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Thought provoking, brave and challenging, this book is an unsettling and compulsive read."--Rosamund Lupton, author of Sister and Afterwards "On one level, Lisa Ballantyne's The Guilty One delivers riveting courtroom drama that is unflinchingly true to its characters. At another level, its personal story resonates with love, forgiveness, and the possibility of redemption. The Guilty One will touch your heart even as it leaves you unsettled."--Hallie Ephron, author of There Was an Old Woman "The Guilty One offers that rare combination of a beautifully crafted story, inhabited with characters we haven't known before (but won't forget)--and a story that will keep you turning the pages late into the night."--Joyce Maynard, author of Labor Day "Lisa Ballantyne has written a first novel that is both moving and suspenseful; richly detailed, yet with the eerie simplicity of a parable"--Joyce Carol Oates, New York Times bestselling author "Sophisticated, suspenseful, unsettling, and highly recommended: a terrific debut from an author to watch."--Lee Child, #1 New York Times bestselling author A child-on-child murder drives Ballantyne s searing debut . . . [A] scalding exploration of childhood violence, adult refusal to forgive, and redemptive love. --Publishers Weekly (starred review)" Thought provoking, brave and challenging, this book is an unsettling and compulsive read. --Rosamund Lupton, author of Sister and Afterwards" On one level, Lisa Ballantyne s The Guilty One delivers riveting courtroom drama that is unflinchingly true to its characters. At another level, its personal story resonates with love, forgiveness, and the possibility of redemption. The Guilty One will touch your heart even as it leaves you unsettled. --Hallie Ephron, author of There Was an Old Woman" The Guilty One offers that rare combination of a beautifully crafted story, inhabited with characters we haven t known before (but won t forget)--and a story that will keep you turning the pages late into the night. --Joyce Maynard, author of Labor Day" Lisa Ballantyne has written a first novel that is both moving and suspenseful; richly detailed, yet with the eerie simplicity of a parable --Joyce Carol Oates, New York Times bestselling author" Sophisticated, suspenseful, unsettling, and highly recommended: a terrific debut from an author to watch. --Lee Child, #1 New York Times bestselling author"