The Innocent: A Novel

By: David Baldacci

Narrated by: Ron McLarty, Orlagh Cassidy

Length: 12 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

America has enemies - ruthless people that the police, the FBI, even the military can't stop. That's when the U.S. government calls on Will Robie, a stone-cold hitman who never questions orders and always nails his target.

But Will Robie may have just made the first - and last - mistake of his career....

It begins with a hit gone wrong. Robie is dispatched to eliminate a target unusually close to home in Washington, D.C. But something about this mission doesn't seem right to Robie, and he does the unthinkable: He refuses to kill. Now, Robie becomes a target himself and must escape from his own people.

Fleeing the scene, Robie crosses paths with a wayward teenage girl, a 14-year-old runaway from a foster home. But she isn't an ordinary runaway - her parents were murdered, and her own life is in danger. Against all of his professional habits, Robie rescues her and finds he can't walk away. He needs to help her.

Even worse, the more Robie learns about the girl, the more he's convinced she is at the center of a vast cover-up, one that may explain her parents' deaths and stretch to unimaginable levels of power. Now, Robie may have to step out of the shadows in order to save this girl's life... and perhaps his own.

©2012 Hachette Audio; 2012 David Baldacci

Very engaging

I liked this story. It was engaging. I figured out the plot twist early on, but still enjoyed the story.
The narration was good, BUT I hated that they inserted music and sound effects. I'm sure some people like it, but I found it distracting. Part of what I like about reading or listening to books is that I have my vision of the story in my minds eye. I'm perfectly able to imagine everything happening in the story-- I don't need a gunshot sound effect-- it's disrupts my listening rather than adds to it.

Another Excellent Novel from Baldacci

Who was your favorite character and why?

Julie - she shows a lot of courage considering what she has just been through.

Deep Dark Government Secrets

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

It was good. It had its far fetched times but then again that may be what makes it good

Would you recommend The Innocent: A Novel to your friends? Why or why not?

Yes

Which scene was your favorite?

I always like the covert acts parts

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I didn't but I could have

Great book

Great book to read keeps you in gaged in the story. If you like a book that keeps you guessing this is the one.

A poor mans Jack Reacher

Would you listen to The Innocent: A Novel again? Why?

No slow start and then it kept building it got good and then the finale for a somewhat stupid and somewhat predictable conclusion, and a stupid end

Fast paced and a great story!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Innocent: A Novel to be better than the print version?

I'm an audio-focused person and enjoy the audio books more than the printed version. You get the reader's intonations that help the story be richer.

What did you like best about this story?

My interest hasn't changed, still solid in this type of subject.

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

The twisting and inter-weaving of the story line keeps you guessing and wondering how it comes together and where it is going. Fun.

A Great New Baldacci Character!!!!

Where does The Innocent: A Novel rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I would say pretty high.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The plot was great. The true identity and motives of the protagonists are not revealed until the very end. The entire story was complex, interesting, and unique.

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

I'm used to this duo. I always think they do a great job!

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

Some pretty horrible things happen in the book, so it's hard not to feel an attachment to the characters as they react to multiple tragedies.

Great New Hero from Baldacci

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

Yes, good story, well performed, many twists and turns.

What did you like best about this story?

The character development brought me into the story and made it hard to stop listening.

Have you listened to any of Ron McLarty and Orlagh Cassidy ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Numerous and this is one of their better.

Any additional comments?

I look forward to next installment.

Action, suspense, a hero and a plucky kid.

It's got it all - if you are looking for a good escape into your typical; action, suspense, rescue, who's behind all this evil - type of book.
The book kept me hooked till the end. It's a bit predictable in some spots but not entirely - Which my simple mind enjoys being right every once in a while - so I don't mind a few predictable spots to make me feel brilliant on occasion.
"The Innocent" is Not a life changer or a top 10 but it is definitely a book with a hook and a high entertainment value.

Worth the time and $

Would you consider the audio edition of The Innocent: A Novel to be better than the print version?

I did not read the print version; I have no comment.

What other book might you compare The Innocent: A Novel to and why?

Joe Pike/Elivs Cole. It was interesting enough to keep me listening, and didn't bog down in a bunch of details that didn't move the story along. The plot was plausible, and the action not too out of touch with reality. Baldacci handled the kid well. Her dialog and actions were on par with her age. The narrator was good. I would listen to more books with this character.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I don't have that kind of time; however, I did listen to it exclusively over a period of several days.