Joe is in prison where he has been for 25 years. Because he was under the influence of drugs at the time, he has no memory of the crime, but he assumes that the strong evidence proves that he was the perpetrator. While in prison, he seeks to help others find the faith that has sustained him over the years.

Joe's lawyer, Tom, suffers a heart attack, so the legal firm is left under the care of young attorney, Ryan. When Joe's sister and niece want to reopen his case, Ryan begins an investigation into the events surrounding Joe's arrest. When both Joe and Ryan come under attack, they are sure that there is more to the story than was revealed back at the time the crime was investigated and Joe was convicted.

This story weaves faith throughout its pages, but not at the expense of a solid mystery with compelling and believable characters and a plot that unfolds in a suspenseful and purposeful way. It is an enjoyable book whether or not the reader is a person of faith.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Guilty Until Innocent is a legal thriller that will keep you guessing until the end. Joe has been in prison for 26 years. He was convicted of murdering 2 young people. He has never been 100% sure of his innocence as he was under the influence of drugs at the time. Now his family is trying to get him released to honor his mother’s wishes before she passed. Ryan Clark is a young attorney working for his cousin Tom Clark. He is assigned to Joe’s case. Joe is a changed man after giving his life to the Lord while in prison. . He leads Bible studies in the prison and has lead many men to the Lord. As the case is reopened, Ryan and his wife along with Joe come under attack in different ways leading many to believe that Joe was wrongfully accused all those years ago and that the truth is coming to light. Read this book to find out what the dramatic conclusion is. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #guiltyuntilinnocent #netgalley #thomasnelsonfiction

This was overall a very engaging and enjoyable read. I loved the way that Paige and Ryan were together, and I really enjoyed the friendships that we saw developing with Paige and the women she meets. Overall, super enjoyable and would definitely pick up another book by Robert.

Is “cozy legal thriller” a genre? If so, Robert Whitlow is the master of it. He reliably delivers engrossing legal mysteries usually set in the South, coupled with a strong dose of faith. “Guilty Until Innocent” is no exception.

Ryan Clark has just moved to Cranfield NC to work in his older cousin Tom’s law practice. Ryan got a rough start in the profession, having been fired from two previous firms. His wife, Paige, works from home as an editor. Ryan is assigned to look into post-conviction relief for Joe Moore, for whom Tom was the court-appointed attorney 20 years earlier. Joe Moore was found guilty of two murders while high on drugs. One of the victims happens to be the sister of Charlie Drummond, a wealthy businessman, prominent citizen, and the law firm’s major client.

Despite ethical concerns, the parties seem OK with the representation. Joe’s family doesn’t believe he’s a killer. Since incarceration, Joe has gotten right with God, leads Bible studies, and is a positive influence in the prison. Believing he is exactly where God wants him, Joe is content to serve out his sentence.

As Ryan digs through old files and interviews witnesses, it is clear someone does not want the case re-examined. Both Paige and Joe receive threats. When the senior lawyer, Tom, has a heart attack, the burden falls entirely on Ryan. This was a novel I stayed up late to finish. Highly recommended.

Guilty Until Innocent was a little different than Whitlowd other books. This had 2 story lines, one of Paige & Ryan, a young couple who have had some hard times but are being to see how the Lord is with them and Joe, a man who has been in prison for over 20 years for a crime he didn't remember doing. Ryan is unexpectedly hired to handle a relook at Joe's case. There were so many twists and turns throughout the story. I loved it.

Great clean read. It wasn't too intense. This story is a great story of redemption and grace. You will be pulling for the "bad guy" and wondering how many there are behind bars in similar situations.

Although it did take me awhile to get into this story I enjoyed it more about the 1/3 or halfway mark. I really enjoyed reading about Joe Moore who is in prison for a horrible double murder he is sure he committed though his family is not so sure and is working to get him acquitted. Throughout his years in prison Joe has found God and now works to help other prisoners find their faith as well. We also follow the lawyer Ryan, who is leading his acquittal and his wife Paige throughout the book who are facing challenges of their own while Paige dives into her faith also.

I’m not sure this is as much of a legal thriller and it is a story of finding faith but I enjoyed it regardless

I always love a good legal thriller and usually turn to Robert Whitlow knowing that it will be enjoyable and sprinkled with faith. This one was very Grisham like in the setting. It was a good solid read with intriguing characters and a good story.
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for my ARC.

Guilty Until Innocent by Robert Whitlow was Christian fiction at it's finest. One of my biggest complaints about this genre is the lack of Christianity in books claiming to be Christian fiction; the characters often only pray when things are going wrong and they aren't discussing their spiritual lives with others. .

The characterization was excellent! The main characters all faced challenges--some lived lives immersed in faith, some were new to it and others were beginning to see how their lives could be changed by it. There was a mystery to the book as one character, Joe, was in jail for a crime he allegedly committed many years before. Joe is the strongest Christian in the book. The legal aspects were well fleshed out in a way that someone like me could understand.

I loved this, and like everyone else, I feel it is a 5 star book.

Captivating storyline! Keeps you guessing til the end! Love the plot and characters. Excellent book. Highly recommend!

3.5 stars rounded to 4
I have mixed thoughts about this one. I enjoyed reading it, but it also seemed super choppy with a lot of short sentences along with a lot of conversations and random details that didn’t seem to go with the storyline. I’m interested to read another by this author to see if I like them a little bit better.

I did love the themes of redemption, love, healing, salvation, and more that were in this book. I also loved following the relationship of Ryan and Paige as they navigated everything happening in their lives and grappling with coming to Faith.

Thanks to Robert Whitlow and the publisher for a free copy of this book via netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts are my own.

This was another great read by Robert Whitlow, one of my favorite authors. The characters were likeable and I was easily drawn into the storyline. I was eager to see how it would all be woven together.

I also recommended this on social media in a large private group of Christian fiction readers.

I received a complimentary copy of the soon to be published book, GUILTY UNTIL INNOCENT by Robert Whitlow. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I can use words to describe this book as thrilling. It is smart. It is exciting. It is authentic. GUILTY UNTIL INNOCENT is definitely a page-turner!
I can say all of that, but I mostly want to speak to the powerful depiction of the heart of each character in their several circumstances.
Excellently woven into this very intense legal thriller, and throughout the pages of GUILTY UNTIL INNOCENT, Whitlow uses the faith and courage of some to speak into the lives of other characters; boldly referring to verse and prayer to convey God‘s benevolence in the most difficult of seasons.
A most enjoyably provocative, heartfelt, and faith-based read. Enjoy!
Publication Date February 4,2025.

What a powerful story! I think I have read most of the books written by Robert Whitlow. I believe this to be the best one he has written. He did an excellent job of developing the characters. I loved the interaction between the young attorney Ryan and his wife Paige. The descriptions of the inmates, other attorneys, and former witnesses grabbed my attention. The story is about a man who has served twenty-five years in prison for a double murder. Ryan has been working in the law firm headed by a distant cousin for a relatively short time when his cousin asks him to look into filing a motion for appropriate relief on behalf of the inmate and at the request of his family. The story kept me second-guessing what was going to happen next. Joe had turned to faith in Christ while incarcerated and was a real leader among the other prisoners. At times, I felt he was doing more worthwhile work on the inside than if he were freed from prison. At other times, I could only wonder if he could have a greater audience to share his faith if he was on the outside. Even from prison, his letter to a man on the outside had a significant impact on Paige when Ryan shared it with her after Joe gave his permission. In fact, Joe encouraged Ryan to share it with her. I remember in my formative years hearing the expression that confession is good for the soul. Although those words did not appear in the book, the message that Joe and the other ministry leaders in the prison stressed over and over highlighted that belief. It is a message that needs to be emphasized more rather than less. The story did not take the exact trajectory I was anticipating, but the author did a much better job than I envisioned. I would love to read more books like this. I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.

Do innocent folk get sentenced to prison for two concurrent life sentences? This is a legal drama concerning a man behind bars who, even he, is not sure of his guilt or innocence due to former drug use. Whitlow crafts a story with themes of grace, faith, and the law into a plot that will keep you guessing until the end.

Even though life in prison is no party, Joe Moore believes he is just where God intends him to be. Joe was a drug addict and Twenty-five years ago, while high on meth, he was involved in a night of tragedies resulting in the brutal murder of a young, innocent couple. Today, Joe is not that same person. Rather he leads a thriving prison ministry and has become a role model to fellow inmates.

On the outside we meet a young lawyer, Ryan Clark and his wife, Paige, who have settled into a small North Carolina town. Things aren’t going so well for Ryan due to being fired twice from former law firms. Now newly hired by a distant relative, Ryan is committed to connecting with the right clients and handling the routine and boring aspects of law, while his cousin Tom takes on the high-profile cases.

Plans change when heart issues and Covid land Tom in the hospital, and Ryan is forced to take the lead in the law firm. This occurs just as the town's biggest murder case in history has been reopened. Joe Moore's niece, Shana who was a child at the time of the trial, has been doing some digging and has convinced herself that her incarcerated uncle is innocent. She insists that Ryan relaunch the investigation even though Joe initially wants no part of going back, that is until he has a talk with God and gets a change of heart.

Ryan meets with Joe and begins the new investigation. At this point both men receive threats that put their own lives, as well as the lives of those around them, in great danger. Someone doesn’t want the investigation reopened and may be willing to kill, in order to stop it. There is a deep evil in this little southern town. The chance of overturning murder conviction is slight so is it worth continuing with the case and risk physical harm?

I think you’ll be glad you started this journey as you get to know the well developed characters in Guilty Until Innocent.

What a compelling page turner, from beginning to end I was hooked.
What a great job the author did with this story, and it takes really to the end to get most of the answers.
A faith based read, it made me realize that things were probably the way they should be, and doing God's work is not always easy.
With all the evidence pointing to Joe's guilt, a double murder, a trial, and then twenty six years later, we are at the prison where so many lives are being touched by Joe and the Holy Spirit.
There is danger and we are with Joe's new lawyer and his wife, Ryan and Paige, and see how Joe touches their lives.
You will be ducking bullets, fires, and the evil lurking.
What a journey, but answers come and so do surprises! I'll be looking for more by Robert Whitlow!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Thomas Nelson, and was not required to give a positive review.

Guilty Until Innocent is the latest legal thriller by Robert Whitlow. Joe Moore has been in prison for a double murder for over 25 years when his niece approaches Tom and Ryan Clark, Joe’s former defense attorney, to file a motion to obtain Joe’s release. The novel starts out a bit slow, but soon picks up speed as the reader follows as the investigation uncovers many questions concerning the original prosecution. In addition, Joe and Ryan Clark’s lives are threatened both inside and outside of the prison. There are many twists and turns that keep the reader wondering who was behind the murders 25 years ago. There is a strong spiritual message of redemption. I received a complimentary copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I received a copy for review purposes. Thank you Thomas Nelson and Net Galley.
Positives--Christian based, clean, no language
Negative--lots of unnecessary dialogue written in simple sentences made the story very distracting

A young lawyer helps a convicted murderer become a free man. The convicted murdered helps the young lawyer find God.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7103140662

Excited wasn't the word when I received an ARC approval for Robert Whitlow's "Guilty Until Innocent". Whitlow is a master at weaving a legal thriller. Characters that totally immerse the reader into their lives. Plots that are true to life. Messages of hope, forgiveness, and surrender.

Releases Feb 4th. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Robert Whitlow is a master at legal intrigue. This title captured my attention, and I couldn't wait to dive in. Ryan Clark is a down-on-his-luck lawyer who has been hired by a distant cousin to be an associate in a small North Carolina town. He finds himself revisiting a case for a convicted murderer and suddenly there are twists and turns he never saw coming. Local lawyers might be friends or are they behind-the-scenes enemies? Who can he trust? When his pregnant wife is threatened, Ryan begins to wonder if he needs to step aside and let someone else fight for justice. Joe, the felon, has made peace with his life in prison and isn't interested in getting out. His family has different ideas and are pressing for another look at his case. These two men - very different in background and lifestyle - are thrown together in an unlikely alliance to find the decades-old truth. I was drawn in immediately and found myself captivated by the plot. A definite must-read for 2025!