The Guilty Ones Lyrics: Something started crazy / Sweet and unknown / Something you keep / In a box on the street / Now it's longing for a home / And who can.
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Mar 19, Sarah rated it it was ok. I received this book from NetGalley in exchange from an honest review. This is the first book of Joy Ellis's that I have read and despite being the fourth in the series it is easy to read without any prior knowledge. The only difficulty I experienced was taking longer to get to grips with the array of characters.
The Guilty One
There were a few references to what I assume were the events of previous novels but it didn't affect my appreciation or understanding of the book. The story starts when DI Jackman's sister-in-laws commits suicide. This is out of character to her and as the family are starting to grieve suspicions are raised when there is a second out of character suicide. As the investigation continues it becomes apparent that the two dead women were witnesses to an event that occurred decades before. Overall I wasn't too fussed over this book.
The plot was one that has been written many times before although before the detectives and the antagonist are all too keen to point out that he is the first person to think of murdering people by forcing them to commit suicide. It almost feels like a smug comment in spite of the fact this is something that has been seen on both TV and in literature. The dialogue felt strangely forced and formal and I struggled to imagine any one speaking to one another in the way the characters in the book did.
The plot felt strangely contrived in places who recognises a character from a drawing by a seven year old? By the time the cliffhanger at the end came around I no longer particularly cared. To be honest I rushed through the end of this book as I wanted it to be over.
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The story starts with DI Rowan Jackman being thrown into an emotional turmoil with the apparent suicide of his sister-in-law Sarah, leaving his older brother and two nephews heart broken. Not convinced of suicide he begins to dig deeper and he realises that he knows nothing of his sister-in-laws past.
Meanwhile DS Marie Evans is tasked with handling the suspicious death of a tramp who looks to have taken his own life too. Not believing in coincidences, they believe the two cases are linked but how The story starts with DI Rowan Jackman being thrown into an emotional turmoil with the apparent suicide of his sister-in-law Sarah, leaving his older brother and two nephews heart broken. Not believing in coincidences, they believe the two cases are linked but how?
Another clever and absorbing read from Joy Ellis! From page one it had me intrigued, keeping me on tenterhooks throughout. You see quite an emotional journey for most of the characters, especially Jackman, who is constantly worrying for his family and has the extra pressure of possibly being taken off the case. Although at times I did feel the storyline was a little unbelievable, overall I found it immensely engaging. Mar 12, Denise Zendel rated it it was amazing. No one understands, including Jackman, because she was seemingly happy and had two beloved children.
Jackman figures out the killer, whomever he is, is going after the things or people those connected to these cases love. It could be material things, it could be a partner, friend, lover, or child. I was mildly disturbed by my favorite characters being in peril, but the epilogue brings hope, and makes me anxious for book 5. This is one of my favorite British mystery series. The author describes the Lincolnshire Fens with such detail I feel like I am in the car with Jackman, or riding behind Evans on her motorbike. I was on the edge of my seat, pulse pounding, trying to figure out who did what to whom and who the guilty party was.
I was mildly disturbed by Jackman being in personal peril, and no spoilers here, but the epilogue left me with a feeling of hope that things will eventually turn out ok. This case had a multitude of suspects, some sympathetic, some not, and the ending was a surprise. I eagerly await the next adventure with Jackman and Evans. You could read this as a standalone, but I recommend reading the series in order, to get the full flavor of the Fens, and Jackman and his team. I received a free ARC of this book from Joffe Books, the publisher, but I bought my own copy when it became available.
I enjoy this series that much. Apr 30, Ashley Gillan rated it it was amazing. Joy Ellis is definitely one of my favorite authors out there right now, and this book really cements that. Ellis has the unique ability to take seemingly-simple, straightforward mysteries and turn them into wonderfully complex stories that lead you on a journey. This book is part of a series, but can certainly be read as a standalone novel. This novel starts with the suicide of DI Jackman's sister-in-law, Sarah. However, things don't seem right from the start, and soon, it's al Joy Ellis is definitely one of my favorite authors out there right now, and this book really cements that.
However, things don't seem right from the start, and soon, it's almost certain that something sinister is going on. As the body count rises, Jackman and Evans must work to get inside the mind of a sadistic killer, but first they have to find out what the heck is going on. This novel is another hit from Ellis in what was already a great series. It's complex enough to give you pause, but isn't so out there that you get lost. I also love the characters. I actually am not only invested in the mystery itself, but in the personal storylines that surround the team. And I can't wait to see where they go in the future.
Mar 29, Simon Leonard rated it it was amazing. This is the fourth book of Joy's I have read, and the second in the Jackman and Evans series. Even though this is the fourth book in the series it is quite easy to jump into it without having read the previous three stories, although it obviously does help as bits of the story jump back and relate to the previous books. The book starts off with DI Jackman's Sister-in-law committing suicide, which is totally against character leaving a husband and two sons heart broken. As he investigates he reali This is the fourth book of Joy's I have read, and the second in the Jackman and Evans series.
As he investigates he realises that her death isn't as straight forward as it seems, and when another body is found the same way the team link the two and start to investigate. This is a brilliant book, which goes back to investigate an old murder, which is the only link between the two current dead bodies, and deals well with the issues and how it affects the people left behind.
The book is very fast paced and left me guessing all the way through to the end, leaving me wanting more and being disappointed that Joy hasn't had it published yet. Apr 29, Pat rated it really liked it. With Joy Ellis you are guaranteed a great and gripping mystery. This is the fourth book in the Jackman and Evans series and it gets a bit personal this time.
Jackman's sister-in-law has just committed suicide by throwing herself off a London Bridge. Why go all the way to London to kill yourself? Another woman dies in similar circumstances. Are they somehow being coerced! And the deaths keep co With Joy Ellis you are guaranteed a great and gripping mystery. And the deaths keep coming.
The Guilty One by Lisa Ballantyne
These and other questions haunt Jackman and Evans as they search to find some links between these seemingly random deaths. As is often the case, the answers lie in the past. The police certainly have their work cut out for them to make any sense of this case. The answers, when they come, are quite depressing - how a young life is ruined and the depressing reality of growing up without any prospects. Jul 08, Susan Angela Wallace rated it it was amazing. The guilty ones by Joy Ellis.
This was an absolutely fantastic read with brilliant characters. Jakeman Marie were my favourite characters. I was hooked from page one. I had a feeling that Sarah didn't kill herself. Her brother in law Rowan jakeman is a police officer and is shocked when he finds out. But when another body is found that looks like suicide he thinks they may be linked. His team along with jakeman start to figure things out. Then 2 more bodies are found. Will he find this killer b The guilty ones by Joy Ellis. Will he find this killer before another body is found?
I had my own theory about who it is. I'm thinking someone on the victim side but I could be wrong. I love joys books. I love it when I read a book and it's not easy to see who the killer is. Wow what a ending. Mar 21, Nancy rated it it was amazing. DI Jackman does not know anything about his sister-in-law's past. He never even wondered about it which is not a problem until she jumps in the river in London.
Why is she there? Why would she do that? She was very happy with her family and her life. Another woman the same age jumps off a building in London for no reason. Jackman is able to stay on the case and working with the team to find out what is in Sarah's past. They find a whole different life his brother never knew about and soon come t DI Jackman does not know anything about his sister-in-law's past.
They find a whole different life his brother never knew about and soon come to realize there are more people in danger. Can Jackman solve this mystery before it is too late for others? When they find out what happened to Sarah 20 years ago then they begin to put the pieces together. Another great book by Joy Ellis. Mar 14, Marion rated it it was amazing. This the fourth book in the DI Jackman and DS Evans series sees Jackmans personal life and that of his family devastated when his sister-in-laws body is discovered in the river below a bridge. What appears to be a suicide does not sit well with Jackman, what could have driven Sarah to take her own life?
Her marriage was a happy one,no way would she leave her two young sons. When another young wo This the fourth book in the DI Jackman and DS Evans series sees Jackmans personal life and that of his family devastated when his sister-in-laws body is discovered in the river below a bridge. When another young womans body, again a suspected suicide, is found with links to Sarah, the case becomes a full blown murder enquiry.
Can someone manipulate someone else into taking their own life? Are more of Jackmans family at risk? When more possible suicides turn up linked to an old case the net widens, this is a well written thriller with an excellent plot that is tense and exciting to read. Mar 14, Linda rated it it was amazing. Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. Spring Awakening — The Guilty Ones. Know something about this song or lyrics? Add it to our wiki. The Guilty Ones song meanings. Add your thoughts 1 Comment.
General Comment This is one of the most beautiful pieces of musical theatre ever written.
May 08, Helena rated it it was ok. Throughout the story, we are introduced to parts of Daniel's childhood. Those memories are triggered by a boy called Sebastian, Daniel's 11 year old client who was arrested because of a murder. The main female character in those memories was actually one of the best characters I've read about in a long time.
I cared about her story and I loved reading about her.
The "mystery" part of the story wasn't exactly well developed. It lacked many things, although I was pleasantly surprised by the sta 2. It lacked many things, although I was pleasantly surprised by the statements in the court.
At least the author did some research. Considering what this book is and what it should've been, I cannot give it a higher rating. This book starts out with the story of Sebastian. A child on trial. The lawyer on trial. Daniel is on his own trial. They both had rough spots they had to get over and they both had to deal with violence. But then Daniel is the lawyer and Sebastian is the kid.
They are both individuals and the similarities have to end somewhere. A good airplane book maybe. The story progresses slowly and you may have to commit yourself to finishing it. There is a small bit of anticipation but you may get bored before you see your anticipation fulfilled. I would say this though, it is not so easy to guess the end. The writing was slow and methodical. It was practiced and poised, not leading you on…just taking you there.
Like a slow coach train. In conclusion, there are other books I have enjoyed more. But you could enjoy this book. Possibly you would have to be someone who never saw a police drama on television in your life. Originally reviewed at http: Feb 19, Carol rated it liked it Shelves: This simple sentence is telling. Sebastian is a clever, boy, but not much liked by his peers or their parents who see him as a bully. Daniel immediately forms a bond with Sebastian. After a slow start and many missteps they work out a relationship and Minnie eventually adopts Daniel with his acceptance.
He even begins to call her Mam. Then something goes horribly sour. He can't forgive her and this makes me wonder if he is as much the guilty one as the boy he is defending. I might like to read this also. A debut this novel explores the innocence vs. My sincere thanks to William Morrow for providing this in e-galley format for my reading pleasure. Due to be published March Daniel Hunter has spent his whole working life as a solicitor defending young accused. But when he takes on the case of an eleven year old boy Sebastian who is placed on trial for murder he will be forced to confront his past.
Daniel had a troubled upbringing, one that comes back to him when he finds out that his adopted mother Minnie has died. Daniel hasn't spoken or seen Minnie for many years after being betrayed by her something overtime he feels guilt for. The story will go back and fourth fr Daniel Hunter has spent his whole working life as a solicitor defending young accused. The story will go back and fourth from the trial of Sebastian, one who Daniel sees similar to what he was as a child and to his time with Minnie. It would be Minnie who made him the man he was today and over time Daniel will find out why she adopted him instead of the other foster children she looked after and why she betrayed him.
Sebastian's trial would be equally confronting with convincing evidence from both sides as the moral question comes up of how young can some one be to be responsible for there actions and if the punishment really works. The Guilty One for me was an excellent read. My only slight disappointment being i did find it a tad predictable with the two main interest points of the book with if Sebastian is guilty or innocent and what Minnie did to betray Daniel. The character's were excellent with Daniel as some one who never quite was able to to lay his past to rest, the some times innocent and some times down right disturbing Sebastian and Minnie who suffered so much and found love and joy with Daniel only to have it taken away.
This is a book that will keep you reading non stop and is strongly recommended for any one has an interest in human behaviour and the relationships we develop. Apr 14, Kelly Hager rated it it was amazing. On the surface, this looks like a legal thriller and a really excellent one. And don't get me wrong, that aspect is definitely there.
But it's so much more than that. Alternating with the chapters of the prep work for and trial itself are ones showing how Daniel became who he is now. It's important to know that going in, because if you expect something that's, say, John Grisham, you'll be disappointed. While you'd think that he'd have a lot in common with Sebastian because he's a successful law On the surface, this looks like a legal thriller and a really excellent one. While you'd think that he'd have a lot in common with Sebastian because he's a successful lawyer and Sebastian comes from a family of at least some privilege, it's more because their backgrounds are so completely tense.
Daniel's mom used drugs and Sebastian's father may or may not abuse his mom things are said and Sebastian's dad is a complete asshole and it's that feeling of constantly being on guard and needing to take care of their moms that bind them, even though obviously that's a conversation that's never said out loud. Daniel's life leads him to be a very angry kid but as he grows up, he's able to hide that anger and to channel it into other things.
Most people would probably think that it's gone completely, but there are definitely signs that it's still there. As much as I loved the trial chapters, I was even more drawn into the ones of Daniel's childhood and the relationships he forms there. May 13, Netta rated it really liked it. Jun 30, Ruthy lavin rated it really liked it. I really, really enjoyed this book! The narrative alternates between the main characters childhood and the present day, flowing easily between the two - sometimes I find this form of story telling confusing but in this case it was clear which perspective was which.
The story was exciting, and extremely well researched, Ballantynes referencing was excellent and concise. Unusually with these kind of stories I enjoyed the beginning, the middle, and the end - although I had guessed what the ending mig I really, really enjoyed this book! Unusually with these kind of stories I enjoyed the beginning, the middle, and the end - although I had guessed what the ending might be by a third of the way through, it was executed in such a good way that it still left me reeling.
Aug 26, S. Hubbard rated it it was amazing. All summer, I've been longing for a book that would draw me in completely and make me ignore my responsibilities to keep reading. Let's get one thing straight: It's a well-written novel that happens to have a crime in it. Many of the negative reviews here focus on the fact that the resolution of the courtroom drama is predictable.
So, why did I love it? As a teacher and a parent, I'm fascinated by why some kids with horrible childhoods overcome their upbringing while others are crushed by it. Daniel Hunter has a heroin-addict mother whom he must protect from abusive men who attack him too.
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But when we meet him he's a successful lawyer in London. Because he was saved by a loving foster mother, Minnie. What a character Minnie is! Funny, fearless, loving, Minnie is also tortured, guilty, and very flawed. The story of Daniel and Minnie's relationship forms one thread of the novel, and this thread is mesmerizing. Through many false starts and regressions and violent acts, Minnie gradually gains Daniel's trust. But then, in one act of betrayal, she loses it.
What she does is not particularly surprising. What is fascinating is why she did it and why Daniel holds the grudge for so long. The novel never totally resolves that, so the questions linger after you're done reading. Interwoven with Daniel's story is the tale of Sebastian, a 12 year old accused of murdering his 8 year old neighbor.
Unlike Daniel, Seb is not poverty stricken, yet his family is just as troubled as Dan's. Daniel is both drawn to Seb and disturbed by him as he works on the boy's defense. The court case unfolds in fascinating detail as we learn both about legal strategy and about Seb's awful parents. When the two stories end, we're left to marvel at how utterly self-absorbed kids are--all kids--and how that inability to imagine others' lives can lead to disaster.
The novel does not wrap up all the loose ends neatly because, well, there are no solutions to problems like these. I did take issue with how abruptly Dan ends his responsibility to Seb. There are times when the author tries a little too hard to be literary, but for the most part, the novel is beautifully written. Daniel Hunter is his assigned solicitor for the defense. While trying to defend Sebastian, Daniel reflects on his own very troubled childhood. The case coincides with the death of Minnie, the woman who was Daniel's foster parent and who later adopted him.
Daniel had cut off all contact with Minnie, but the trial and Minnie's death has made Daniel introspective - pon In The Guilty One, Lisa Ballantyne's debut novel, eleven-year-old Sebastian Croll is accused of killing an eight-year-old neighbor. Daniel had cut off all contact with Minnie, but the trial and Minnie's death has made Daniel introspective - pondering his past actions while defending a present day troubled child. The chapters alternate between the uneasy and anxious present day defense and trial of Sebastian with the disturbed and resentful past of Daniel.
As we slowly follow the progress of Sebastian's case we also learn more about Daniel's past until both storylines culminate in some uneasy revelations and insight. Minnie both betrayed and saved Daniel. Will the same be said about Sebastian, who is currently living in a very dysfunctional family. Ballantyne expertly delves into this tense exploration of childhood violence and the root causes of its manifestation, and, ultimately, the potential power of forgiveness and redemption of love.
We know the two mysteries right at the start: Sebastian may have killed a child and Daniel has been estranged for 15 years from his now deceased mother. What keeps you reading with breakneck anticipation is the slowly revealed facts about both mysteries. Daniel certainly had anger and rage inside him as a child and Minnie had the patience of a saint with him.
Why was he estranged from her? Is Sebastian also filled with uncontrollable rage, or was it a stranger who killed 8 year old Benjamin? I appreciated the alternating chapters and the unfolding of both stories. The writing is superb and the descriptions are atmospheric and very realistic. Some descriptions are intense and could be disturbing for some readers. All I can say is that I flew through this book and was very satisfied with the conclusion of both the story lines. Yes, I did cringe at times, and my heart broke at other points, but this was a thoroughly enjoyable murder mystery that I very highly recommend.
I received an advanced reading copy of this book from the publisher and TLC for review purposes. Apr 24, Chris Witkowski rated it really liked it. Billed as a mystery, this is really a haunting and sad case study of two very damaged young boys. The protagonist, Daniel, is a solicitor assigned to defend eleven year Sebastian, a creepily precocious boy who has been accused of brutally murdering his much younger playmate Ben. The case comes at the same time that Daniel learns of the death of the kind and generous Minnie, the woman who basically saved his life so many years ago when she adopted him.
The novel is really more the story of Daniel Billed as a mystery, this is really a haunting and sad case study of two very damaged young boys. The novel is really more the story of Daniel and we learn, in expertly drawn detail, how he came to live with Minnie, sad, heartbroken, and very, very angry about the losses he had experienced in his young life. That he could easily have ended up in a situation similar to Sebastian is evident. And we learn that Minnie did whatever she felt was necessary to protect Danny, at the risk of losing him forever. How Daniel reacted to Minnie's misguided love, is tragic and heart wrenching.
The Guilty Ones
It takes the death of Minnie coupled with the insights he gains in working with Sebastian for Daniel to realize who the real guilty person is. And though we are anxious to learn the fate of Sebastian is he or isn't he guilty? Ballantyne is quite skilled at character development; some editing, however, particularly in the reminiscences of Daniel, would have helped move the plot along. But ultimately, this is a terrific read.
Apr 14, Susan rated it it was amazing. I sure hated to come to the end of this book. It is not a thriller, it is not even a novel of suspense. It is really better than all that. It is a wonderful story with wonderfully developed characters.