The Innocent

Will Robie, Book 1

By: David Baldacci

Narrated by: Ron McLarty, Orlagh Cassidy

Will Robie is an assassin with a mission. But whose side is he on?

Back in DC after successful missions in Edinburgh and Tangier, assassin Will Robie sees his latest assignment, to eliminate a US government employee, go badly wrong. What had she done? Or what did she know? Robie is now a wanted man. But it seems that he’s not the only one on the run.

Young teenager Julie Getty is devastated by the inexplicable murder of her parents in their home. Who wanted them dead and why, is a mystery. But Julie is smart enough to believe that their killer will come after her. Robie and Julie meet when he saves her from an attempt on her life as they are trying to leave town. The police investigating the hit start to take an interest in Robie. He’s particularly attracting the interest of Special Agent Nicole Vance, who believes that the two cases are connected.

Robie finds himself in a dangerous position as he is tasked to investigate a crime at which he was present. Does he need to change sides to save lives - including his own?

©Columbus Rose, Ltd 2012 (P)2012 Hachette US

Critic reviews

“This taut, action-packed adventure is Baldacci at his very best.” ( Daily Express)

good listen

What did you love best about The Innocent?

Baldacci continues to offer intrique and good story plots to keep reader involved

Who was your favorite character and why?

Robi is central character but his professional blandness is nicely countered with fiesty 14 year old Julie

What does Ron McLarty and Orlagh Cassidy bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Good narration by both parties

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

enjoyed the book immensely although slightly predictable it was still a great listen and worth the download.
another Baldacci winner

Simply written with great plot.

I found the English in this book to be quite simple which initially took me a while to get used to. The story got better the more I listened, and I liked the way it concluded. It does have an issue in the final chapter where one of the dialogues is clipped for some reason, though I'm not sure if that was a production issue or something else. That's the main reason it looses a star for me.

Boom, bang, crash!

I disliked all the shrill noises used for dramatic effect, reverberating shots and screaming mimis.

A very enjoyable book, performed by masters

Not only is this a great story but the performance by Ron McLarty and Orlagh Cassidy was superb. A definite valuable asset in my collection. Just get it and start listening.

A Thriller Through & Through!

A fantastic book with a complex yet interesting storyline... Memorable characters especially Julie Getty who is feisty, intelligent, street-smart and captivating... The narrators Ron McLarty & Orlagh Cassidy always bring the story to life! Kudos the McLarty & Cassidy duo!!!!
--Mwenda

Brilliant

A definite must. Superb story. Superb characters & fantastic narration with sound effects. Highly, highly recommended!

Loved the sound effects,using 2 narrators works.

If you could sum up The Innocent: Will Robie, Book 1 in three words, what would they be?

fast moving story

Who was your favorite character and why?

Will Robie makes an excellent hero, very explosive

What about Ron McLarty and Orlagh Cassidy ’s performance did you like?

Work extremely well together.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes it made me download books 2 & 3, & they are just as good as the first.

Great!

Another fantastic story the two narrators make all the difference. I'm reading my way through the entire booklist, I can't get enough of this author.

Not for me

Women narrater bed “acting”
Story started good but concluded in one paragraph

A 14 yr old ( no matter what shes been through) will never be that fearless

Almost a DNF for me

I have listened to a lot of Baldacci's books and I really like them, so I thought this one would be good. Well...I was disappointed.
The Innocent starts off good and has me hooked for the first few chapters then the story gets confusing. From the eight chapter to up to the near the end there is no story. It is the same information being repeated over and over and over again. Robie works for a super secret agency with a lot of power, or so you're suppose to believe but obvious and simple detective investigating techniques weren't even used. Then...., at the very end, Robie obtains all the answers in one paragraph. I swear I was reading a murder she wrote novel but Robie was inserted as the main character. It's my best guess that Balducci had a deadline to met and this book was the end result.
I don't know if this new character is supposed to be his answer to Jack Reacher, but it really misses the mark. The writing was good, but the plot was so contrived. I got dizzy from rolling my eyes so much. The hero and his little "innocent" made many leaps in their conclusions from very limited information. bleh

Ron McLarty, Orlagh Cassidy and the sounds effects nearly drove me crazy. It sounded like a B grade movie not an audio book.