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4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Do you like legal thrillers? You will devour Guilty Until Innocent by Robert Whitlow. This reader was drawn in at the first chapter between Ryan trying to pull his career out of the toilet and doing what is right, and Joe, who has accepted his life in prison even though he knows he is innocent. The characters are very believable, and the plot has many twists and turns to keep any reader quickly turning pages. Ryan and Joe demonstrate characters who are grounded in their faith and making decisions that line up with their faith, but at the same time make their lives uncomfortable. Robert Whitlow is a master of legal thrillers with characters walking out their faith in a very challenging world.
I received an ARC ebook from NetGalley and the publisher, Thomas Nelson, in exchange for an honest review.
mysterious
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Loved this. Could not put it down. Loved the characters and felt all the feels right there with them. I’ve recommended this book so many times. My first by this author but definitely not my last.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest review.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I always look at the genre as I look to start a new book. I’ve read quite a few labeled as Christian that seem to have a one off mention of God or church but other than that seem no different than other books I read. Maybe it’s subtle and it’s the lack of foul language or something else.
I mention all this because this is a book that I had no difficulty knowing why it is labeled Christian. Both the characters and the plot rely on their beliefs and religion. It’s a heavy influence throughout the entire book.
It centers around if Joe is guilty of the crime he’s imprisoned for and Ryan his attorney investigating the same.
It’s a legal drama that unravels what happened that night and a mystery arises about who is trying to stop the investigation.
I was intrigued by Joe, a gentle giant, that is steadfast in his religion and helping others while life seems to have dealt him this raw hand.
I read this quite quickly as I was invested in if Joe was guilty and if the threats surrounding the case were related.
I mention all this because this is a book that I had no difficulty knowing why it is labeled Christian. Both the characters and the plot rely on their beliefs and religion. It’s a heavy influence throughout the entire book.
It centers around if Joe is guilty of the crime he’s imprisoned for and Ryan his attorney investigating the same.
It’s a legal drama that unravels what happened that night and a mystery arises about who is trying to stop the investigation.
I was intrigued by Joe, a gentle giant, that is steadfast in his religion and helping others while life seems to have dealt him this raw hand.
I read this quite quickly as I was invested in if Joe was guilty and if the threats surrounding the case were related.
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Guilty Until Innocent by Robert Whitlow takes us on a journey into the heart of justice, faith, and redemption, with each page turning faster than the last. The beauty of this novel lies in its dual power: it’s a heart-pounding legal drama and an introspective look at the grace and transformation that only faith can bring. From the first chapter to the very end, I was captivated by how Whitlow masterfully intertwined the intricacies of the law with authentic Christian themes, creating a perfect storm of suspense and reflection.
What left a lasting impression on me was the profound depth of the characters. Ryan, the lawyer, is raw and relatable, struggling with his career, his calling, and his faith. His growth throughout the story is tied to the case at hand and a testament to the power of God’s grace working in the midst of life’s hardest challenges. The way his journey unfolds alongside Joe’s—who is just as dynamic or perhaps even more so—had me pondering long after the book ended. Whitlow makes you care about what happens next and he makes you care about who these people are and why their stories matter. The growth of each character, shaped by their choices and their faith, is intense and deeply inspiring.
The Christian elements in this story are woven so naturally, so seamlessly into the narrative, that they are part of the very fabric of the characters’ lives, not added on as an afterthought. Prayer, Scripture, and grace come alive on these pages, and it’s done in a way that is real. It powerfully invites you to reflect on your own walk of faith. It made me ask myself tough questions about justice, about mercy, and how faith plays a role when you’re caught in the tension of the two.
The narration is superb -- capturing the emotions and weight of every scene in a way that enhanced the story even further. I could feel the tension, the uncertainty, and the hope, and the pacing was perfection. It's a flawless pairing with the writing—one that kept me listening for hours, completely immersed in this world Whitlow created.
The legal drama was intense, yes, but the personal and spiritual journey of the characters took it to another level. It’s a story that lingers in your heart, its lessons and truths echoing long after the last word has been read -- making you reflect on the deeper themes of faith, grace, and justice. If you enjoy a legal drama with a real heart, Guilty Until Innocent should be at the top of your list. It’s an incredibly powerful story that had me asking myself tough questions about the price of truth, and whether I could walk through the fire the way these characters did.
For anyone who loves legal thrillers with rich Christian, Robert Whitlow has once again delivered a book that is both thought-provoking and soul-stirring. Guilty Until Innocent will stay with you, not just for its unexpected twists, but for the deep, grace-filled reminders of faith and redemption that resonate in your soul long after the final page.
I received a digital ARC of the audiobook from Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio via NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review nor paid to do so. This is my honest and unbiased review. My thoughts and opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on the writing and story’s content, ensuring transparency and reliability.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
More Southern Fiction Than Legal Thriller. Admittedly it has been several years since I last picked up a book by Whitlow, but back in the day this author was essentially a Christian form of John Grisham - he's going to give you tight, exciting legal thrillers of some form (via inside or outside the courtroom itself), but a Christian version of it where people more openly pray and talk about "God stuff" and such.
This book... keeps all the "God stuff" *in spades* (seriously, if you're openly hostile to anything Christian or even just not at all interested in anything Christian... don't bother reading this book, you're not going to like it) but ditches the legal thriller aspects in favor of a more Boo Walker or Nicholas Sparks or Pat Conroy ish Southern fiction tale.
The story is long, some might argue too long, drawn out, yet ultimately satisfying for what it actually is and the multiple sub plots it is running concurrently. There is a *touch* of action near the end, but it really is more of a "slight rise on a kiddie coaster" level than anything particularly suspenseful - more suspenseful than anything else in this tale, but that only serves to highlight just how little actual danger there seems to be at any point here.
Still a great tale for what it actually is, just in no way any form of thriller or suspense.
Very much recommended.
This book... keeps all the "God stuff" *in spades* (seriously, if you're openly hostile to anything Christian or even just not at all interested in anything Christian... don't bother reading this book, you're not going to like it) but ditches the legal thriller aspects in favor of a more Boo Walker or Nicholas Sparks or Pat Conroy ish Southern fiction tale.
The story is long, some might argue too long, drawn out, yet ultimately satisfying for what it actually is and the multiple sub plots it is running concurrently. There is a *touch* of action near the end, but it really is more of a "slight rise on a kiddie coaster" level than anything particularly suspenseful - more suspenseful than anything else in this tale, but that only serves to highlight just how little actual danger there seems to be at any point here.
Still a great tale for what it actually is, just in no way any form of thriller or suspense.
Very much recommended.