The Innocent: A Novel

By: David Baldacci

Narrated by: Ron McLarty, Orlagh Cassidy

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

Great new characters

I enjoyed this book. The performance by Ron McLarty and Orlagh Cassidy was very good - although it was a bit disconcerting at first to listen to two voices. Was this necessary? I'm not sure. Nevertheless, I got used to it and the story moved along well. Robie is a great new character. I hate to compare him to others like Reacher and Mitch Rapp - but it's hard to avoid. This being said, the plot moves along at a good clip and the story is never predictable. In all, a fun read.

Gripping -- you'll love the characters

The is the first of a series. I made the mistake of reading the second one first (The Hit). I liked it a great deal. The second book has a number of references to book one. When I finished book two, I researched and found “The Innocent.” In this novel, we are introduced to Will Robie, Juile and Nikki Vance. Robie is a contract killer for the CIA, Vance a FBI special agent and Julie a 14 year-old tough girl. So the deal is, people get shot, Julie’s parents are killed as part of a plot for who knows what reason and then the hunt for the truth begins.

McLarity and Cassidy do a good job narrating this book – they also do the second as well. Baldacci add charters depth layer by layer. There are a few technical facts in the book that defy physics, such as bullets do not gain momentum after they are shot as he suggests; but I can’t fault Baldacci or his editors for not getting a passing grade in physics.

The story appeals to those who like thrillers with a little tech and government thrown in for seasoning. There are many unconnected bits throughout the story and Baldacci manages to connect most of them. It not just about the mystery, it is about how the characters grow and how they adapt that makes this listen interesting. You’ll get hooked quickly. I give the “The Innocent” and the next in the Robie series “The Hit” a big thumbs up.

good reading, horrible sound effects

the book was good and the reading was also. My only complaint is with the random sound effects and music. The gun shots and other sound effects were very distracting and often covered up what the reader was saying.

Great story

Excellent story. The only thing I didn't like about it was the corny sound effects occasionally used

Great story with audio fails

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

I would recommend the book with reservations. The musical scores and sound effects are very distracting and overwhelm the narration. Great book, but the execution of the audiobook leaves me scratching my head.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The main character Will Robie is the straw that stirs the drink... obviously. He is a cool customer, not quite as testosterone-driven as a Mitch Rapp or an "every man" like Scott Harvath. He has his own personality and is not a cookie cutter of the Rapp, Reacher, Harvath molds. Would compare his temperament more closely to Reacher than Rapp or Harvath.

Which character – as performed by Ron McLarty and Orlagh Cassidy – was your favorite?

No favorite based solely on the performance of the narrator, but I was disappointed with McClarty's seeming lack of preparation sometimes. He spells out acronyms where their phonetic pronunciation is more common. I attribute this to a lack of knowledge and lack of preparation on the part of the narrator as well as spotty production and direction.

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

I don't think I ever considered that. Not an option in my schedule.

Any additional comments?

Lose the sound effects and musical score. They are distracting. Prep the narrator better on the subject matter, including proper use and pronunciation of acronyms, etc.

I've found a new action series!

What did you love best about The Innocent: A Novel?

This book was fast paced with a lot of action and twists. I can't wait to listen to the others.

Any additional comments?

It's the first audio book that had sound effects. I found them a little silly. It didn't ruin anything but I don't think gunfire, squealing wheels...are needed.

very interesting

the story was good. not extremely awesome as others but. good. I liked it though

Great characters, great story

What made the experience of listening to The Innocent: A Novel the most enjoyable?

I really enjoyed the narration.

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

The plot kept me very engaged, so much so that I was listening to the story in the car, before falling asleep at night, every chance I could find.

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

I like the emotion they were able to show in their characters.

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

Sure

Baldacci at his best

This series continues to rivet the reader (listener).
Narrators tell the story in its unfolding glory.
Highly recommend in any form book or recorded.

He's done it again

What made the experience of listening to The Innocent the most enjoyable?

The story was typical Baldacci: Intriguing, suspenseful, complex and it moved. I love the new character(s). I look forward to more.

Which character – as performed by Ron McLarty and Orlagh Cassidy – was your favorite?

I liked:
Roby: A Balducci character
Julie: Hope he keeps her in the stories
Vance: She was straight and tough

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

That's unrealistic, but I walk 5 miles every morning and this motivated me to get out there.I have the books in my GPS so I listen to it every time I walk and every time get in the car...even if it is a short run to the grocery store.

Any additional comments?

Loved the book