I love a good legal drama, especially one with a good story behind it. This story follows Joe Moore, who has been in prison for more than two decades. He was convicted of killing a young couple seemingly to rob them. He was in a drug-induced haze and can remember nothing about that night, but the circumstantial evidence piled up, which is how he was convicted. His family still believes he is innocent and they approach his former lawyer, Tom, asking for assistance to get him released.

Ryan Clark is a young attorney who has recently joined Tom's firm. After an unexpected illness, Tom is unable to work, which means everything is on Ryan right now. Ryan feels a little ill equipped, but he trudges on never imagining that this one case his going to light his life on fire.

It follows the journey of Ryan and his wife, Paige, as well as Joe's life inside the four walls of prison. The characters in this story come alive off of the page as you follow along in their story. Joe feels he is exactly where he needs to be as he has helped establish a thriving ministry within the prison. Lives are being changed for the better. He has made his peace and feels he deserves his punishment. Joe's witness stretches beyond the four walls of that prison as his story touches Paige and Ryan. This was a wonderful story of grace, redemption and the power of prayer. It was an awesome reminder that with God all things are possible and lives can be changed with just a little sown seed of faith. Joe was an inspiration to me as he made the best of his circumstances. Instead of feeling sorry for himself, he was more interested in helping others. This was a legal drama, but it was so much more than that. There was the mystery of what really happened that fateful night and an inspirational story that will tug on your heart.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Let me state up front that I'm not generally a fan of Christian literature. Not because I'm not a Christian...I am, but because I don't find them as well written or intriguing as non-Christian fiction. While I fount Guilty Until Innocent interesting and enjoyed the characters, this fell into that same class.

Guilty Until Innocent is about Joe, a man convicted of murder who has spent the past couple of decades in prison. He's accepted his fate, and his life has been changed by Jesus. His ministry in prison is strong and purposeful; he has been changed and is changing those around him. His family, convinced of his innocence, hires a lawyer, Ryan, to look into Joe's case and see if new forensic evidence can be found to support their belief. Digging into the past changes the lives of everyone involved.

I found the plot to be interesting, if not somewhat predictable. Maybe I've read too many murder mysteries or watched too many Dateline episodes, but the twists weren't all that surprising, and it wasn't too hard to figure out the bad guys. I found the legal aspects to be interesting, and would have loved to hear more about Ryan practicing law. The bones of this story are great, but I would have like to see it comes to life a little differently.

The strongest feature of this book were the main and supporting characters. The main characters were well-rounded, interesting, and relatable. Unfortunately there were characters (specifically the church ladies) who were simply over-the-top and unrealistic. I simply found them to be unbelievable. I couldn't wait to get through the chapters with those characters present.

The weakest aspect is the religion portrayed. Joe prays and it rains. Joe prays and Tom is healed. Joe writes a letter and Paige is converted. Joe prays and a relationship is made whole. Everyone who prays hears God. I simply know from a lifetime of experience that is unrealistic. Kind of like a romance novel where the characters are beautiful, witty, successful, and their only flaw is how romantic and considerate they are at every turn.

Overall, it wasn't terrible, and for a Christian novel...well, I've read worse.

Thank you Thomas Nelson Publishing and Netgalley for allowing me to read the ARC for an honest review.

ive not read many legal thrillers. not on purpose they just dont come my way that often. so i was really pleasantly surprised by this one and enjoyed it alot. its didnt become to legal jargon or drone on. but it kept it authentic enough. the characters were all fantastic and believable. then faith aspect was just right too. it didnt ram it down your throat as if it was some advertisement to push faith onto the reader which some novel sadly fall into! but it made faith about so much more. and yes it was about God in parts. but faith and love and believing in something is so much more than that and can cover so much ground no matter if we "believe" or not.

i was so intrigued about this. i wondered what possibly could mean they dont open this case for our character joe? what would make anyone not want to be proven innocent. Joe fully believes he is where he is meant to be. having been high on meth and waking up with all evidence showing he had committed a terrible crime. hes been in jail no for decades. but then his niece fins something. and believe he is innocent. enter our lawyer who himself isnt doing so great. is this his big chance. but if Joe is innocent then there will be some pretty powerful people that have both set him up and therefore now wont want the truth to come out. and that is where we find out the questioning of whether this is worth it if all involved become at risk?

I love cold cases! In this legal suspense novel, Joe Moore has been in a North Carolina prison for 25 years. He was so high when arrested, Joe believes he murdered the two people he's been convicted of killing. As time went on for Joe, he accepts Christ as his savior and firmly believes he is in prison to lead others to do the same.

Then young attorney Ryan Clark re-opens the case. When Ryan's wife is threatened, Ryan no longer knows who he can trust.

I loved Joe's faith and how it impacted so many others in a positive way.

Another solid legal thriller by Robert Whitlow.

Readers who enjoy legal dramas will love this book! I loved the way the author told the story of Joe Moore through both his eyes and Ryan's. Joe's tremendous faith in God was a true testament to his fellow prisoners. The twists and turns will keep readers engaged to the end. Highly recommended!

Joe Moore, found guilty of double murder and having served twenty-five years in prison, has taken his sentence well and dedicated his time to the good. Despite not remembering the events leading up to the murders, he has become very involved in a prison ministry, having overcome his past as a drug addict.

Ryan Clark, an attorney facing challenges, discovers potential evidence that could prove Joe’s innocence. Now working with his distant cousin Tom, another attorney, they tirelessly work to plead Joe’s case.

Joe’s family remains steadfast in their belief in his innocence and unwavering faith. While meth may have erased his memory of that fateful night, Joe’s actions and behavior demonstrate more than mere rehabilitation. He embodies goodness, and time has proven it.

This legal thriller delves into faith and showcases Joe’s commendable attitude, especially when his positive behavior opened doors for him.

The story unfolds with an intriguing plot, and it also features Ryan’s relationship with his wife Paige, and their challenges. Despite this story having a bit of a slow start, it delivered a satisfying conclusion. While the desire for Joe’s exoneration was straightforward, achieving it proved challenging. All said, this was a solid read by Robert Whitlow.

Many thanks to Thomas Nelson and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Great legal thriller with twists and turns. Set in the south, this story creatively with inspirational closely examines the internal workings of prison, attorneys, and the legal system. Enjoyed this well written story. This story was provided by NetGalley for me to read. The opinions expressed here are my own thoughts. Definitely worth the read.

Wow! Probably my favorite Whitlow book yet! As I worked my way through this book I was often thinking of how the storyline rivaled those of Grisham, yet better because Christ was woven throughout. I was convicted as I learned more and more about Moore, a main character, and reflected on how I would think/feel/act if I was in the same shoes. A great read as well as humbling and thought provoking.

I have read other books by Whitlow, but this wasn't one of my favorites. Things seemed to drag a bit, and it was far more telling versus showing than I expected. I was able to figure out who the villain was before the big reveal. There is a large spiritual angle, so readers should be aware of that. The best part of the story is probably the last 10%, which could be too little too late for some readers. If you are looking for a Christian version of a John Grisham novel, you may want to check this one out.

This book kept me up past my bedtime so many times. I couldn't go to sleep until I figured it out, then fell asleep and had to repeat the process. It definitely kept me guessing and confused.
I have never read a book by this author before, but this is a terrifying premise, and I had to try it. I am glad I did, even if I am exhausted.
I highly recommend this book.

This book is perfect for fans of legal dramas, mystery, and Christian fiction. The characters and storyline were excellent and made this a great reading experience. I loved Paige and Ryan and their sweet newlywed relationship! There was also such a great heart pounding climax, which I love in a book like this! There is a very strong faith component to this book, with themes of forgiveness, redemption, and trusting the Lord in prayer.

My only qualms were that the writing needed another good round of edits - there are some overly descriptive parts that sound like an investigator wrote it (way too much unnecessary detail) as well as some typos or inconsistencies, but I’m hoping since this was an ARC that these will be corrected by the publication date. Other than these issues, I enjoy Whitlow’s writing style and will definitely read more from him!

Guilty Until Innocent is available on February 4.

Thank you so much to @thomasnelson and @netgalley for this complimentary ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

Christian fiction. No language. No romance. Mild violence. Pregnancy, murder, drug use (off page).

Guilty Until Innocent by Robert Whitlow is such a good story! The story is so well written and easy to read and imagine. I enjoyed the relationship Tom and Ryan have in their jobs. I appreciate how Tom treats Ryan and how he encourages him and trusts him. I like how dedicated Ryan is to helping Tom at his law office and getting to the truth.

I especially enjoyed the parts of the book that were at the prison and show the work that Joe and his friends did. I found it very encouraging to see how satisfied and content he was with his life in prison and how he shared about God. I especially enjoyed the suspenseful parts that pertained to getting to the bottom of the crime Joe was charged with and the connection between him and another prisoner. I found it very inspirational how Ryan’s wife reacted to Joe’s letter and how she responded to it.

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book, this is my honest review.

Guilty Until Innocent is a story of forgiveness, truth, and discovery that is told from three points of view. The first is Joe who is an inmate that is 26 years into serving a sentence for double homicide that, even though he cannot recall the murders, is convinced of his own guilt. The second POV is Ryan, a lawyer who is now tasked with trying to prove Joe’s innocence all while trying to regain his footing at a new firm after two unsuccessful ventures at previous law firms. The third is Paige, wife to Ryan and a work from home copy editor that is seeking to understand her relationship with God as well as find her place in a new community.

The faith elements of this story are very prominent and beautifully written. Redemption and forgiveness are not just presented as humanistic themes, but as spiritual battlegrounds fought in the lives of individuals. Joe discovers true freedom in prison and acts as a pastor/shepherd of sorts to other inmates. Ryan battles with the shame of his past and doesn’t see how God the Father could be anything more than a judge of his mistakes. Paige quickly connects with her need for something more, but what exactly is that something and who is going to show her the truth that will set her free?

The first half of the book felt a little slow for me. Every scene was so meticulously detailed (and very food focused) that I found myself losing interest because the plot was being buried in the mundane details. After the halfway point, the investigation picked up pace and the remainder of the book moved at a more anticipated and thrilling cadence.
Overall, this book has wonderful faith content, a few too many mundane day to day details, but a thrilling and exciting ending.
Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for a complimentary e-copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Wow! What a story!! If I could give this book 10 stars….I would. Joe is in prison for the murder of two people. However, he doesn’t remember anything. He’s been in prison for at least 20 years and has made quite the impact spiritually among the inmates. He is definitely a changed man and he’s given God all the credit. The law firm that represented him, has been contacted by his family and another lawyer, Ryan, is assigned to reopen the case as they don’t think he was the murderer. While Ryan is going over the old files, him and his wife have been put in danger to say the least. The book has so many twists and turns that the ending was so shocking. It touched me in so many ways. So if you love legal thrillers, you won’t want to miss this book. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC and this is my honest review.

Joe has been in prison for killing two people for over twenty years. He was so high on meth when it happened, he has no memory of the event. Joe became a believer in prison and became the lynchpin in the conversion of many other prisoners. Ryan is a young lawyer who has recently begun to with with his father’s cousin, when Joe’s sister requests that Ryan and Tom look into Joe’s case again. In Guilty Until Innocent, by Robert Whitlow, secrets from the past begin to be revealed. Ryan and his wife, Paige, are threatened. Will the truth surrounding the murders finally be known?
Whitlow describes many”conversions” as a prayer and then a feeling of peace in the heart. I know of no one in the New Testament who was converted that way. I am thankful for stories of redemption, but authors, please have these conversions happen like they did in the book of Acts.

An engaging legal drama that will keep you guessing which one of these “nice” people are the real threat. I enjoyed the legal aspects of this story. The characters are somewhat relatable, but I found the faith part of this story a little simple. I would expect hardened criminals and new Christians to wrestle more with the idea of their worst sins being forgiven.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

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 is a great legal read. It is down to earth enough for us normal people.
The story is very engaging.
I felt like a experienced life with the characters.
There is some mystery and suspense but the story line reads more straightforward.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. My opinions are my own.

Robert Whitlow has been a favorite author since my mother put The List in my hands the first time. His books always present intriguing stories with heartfelt underlying messages of faith and love. Guilty Until Innocent, however, disappointed me on several levels. It is not a thriller. Hard stop. Don’t go into it expecting gunshots and explosions. Go into it expecting personal hardships, and how God can work wonders for all who seek Him. While Guilty Until Innocent by Robert Whitlow had redeeming elements, I can’t recommend it as strongly as I did his previous books. For the first time with a Whitlow novel, I was relieved when I finally hit the last page.

Guilty Until Innocent, I would say, had three different plots: Joe in prison, Ryan working to get him out of prison, and the faith journey of Ryan’s wife, Paige. The prison scenes became repetitive. Joe and his best friend speak of how the men are turning to God, and Whitlow writes everything out, sprinkling in doses of Bible versus and Christian concepts. But the segments were so similar; I found myself wanting to skip them. I don’t need to know how many time Joe picks strawberries, or what vegetables are ripe and ready for the kitchens. I admired Ryan’s tenacity when it came to freeing Joe and how he didn’t give up. I liked witnessing Paige’s growth in her Christian walk and in her relationship with some local church ladies.

But overall…Guilty Until Innocent by Robert Whitlow lacked emotion. The writing was choppy, simplistic, and impersonal, and the book featured far too much dialogue, not enough narration. I felt like I was reading case notes, recorded interviews, and not a story. You rarely hear how the characters feel, and there are very limited descriptions of their emotional actions. No “Ryan’s brow creased in concentration.” No “Paige’s body felt heavy from exhaustion.” Instead, we get, “Joe worked in the field. Joe pulled weeds. Joe took a nap on a rock.” The book had no warmth, and the characters had no depth to them. Ryan feels guilty for something that happened in his past, but we don’t really see it, and it only comes up when the timing’s convenient. Joe goes from a drug addict prior to prison to a strong Christian when he’s inside the walls, but we don’t see how he got there. I guess Paige and Ryan changed, but I still didn’t feel it.

Guilty Until Innocent is fine, I guess. I personally didn’t like it. It had so much potential and yet…it didn’t reach it.

It's another winner from Whitlow! A great legal drama full of faith, grace, forgiveness and law combined to make a great book. Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC. This is my own honest opinion. I can highly recommend this one.