This is quite a good book.
It tells the story of Daniel Hunter a lawyer defending Sebastian an 11 year old boy accused of killing a younger boy in the swing park.
Daniel feels for Sebastian as he had a bit of a traumatic childhood when he grew up.
The chapters in the book jump from past to present. Past was when Daniel was fostered then adopted by Millie a bit of an eccentric Farmer in Cumbria.
Daniel at first was resentful of Minnie then he really likes her once he settles in. She lied to him about his Mum dying and when he was older found out never forgave her and never made peace with her.
Back to the Courtroom drama and Daniel with the help of Irene gets Sebastian off.
Sebastian then confesses that he was guilty of murder.
Lots of strong characters in this book. ( )

Thanks to Will Byrnes, and my other GR friends, who all rated this 5 stars. It reminded me of [b:The Boy Who Could See Demons|13497675|The Boy Who Could See Demons|Carolyn Jess-Cooke|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347315541s/13497675.jpg|19042049], but was significantly better. 11-year old Sebastian is arrested for the killing of 8-year old Ben on a playground, but there are no witnesses. Solicitor Daniel Hunter is assigned to defend him, and feels strong empathy with the accused, who likewise harkens from a broken family. Daniel's own story is probably more interesting than the trial as he was a difficult boy, prone to trouble, with a drug addict mother. Daniel's foster, and then adoptive, mother Minnie is a wonderful iconic character, and the book is built up around their bonding and life together, where Minnie rescues Daniel, and their sudden and mysterious estrangement. Highly recommended. ( )

A really good book but I was slightly disappointed with one part of it and I thought Daniel was out of order with Minnie ( )

The Guilty One When a senseless murder rocks London, Daniel Hunter is assigned to the case. Used to being a voice for troubled youth, it's easy to see why this case is so close to his heart. See, Daniel himself was a troubled youth. He navigated the system, he knows what it's like to feel lost and confused. I think this is why I really liked him as a character. Daniel may be a little blinded by is past at times, but he's definitely got a big heart.
 
Lisa Ballantyne weaves a story that touches on many issues, from morality to mortality, and from childhood to adulthood. Split between scenes from the past and present, each chapter slowly unravels more of both Daniel and Sebastian's stories. I couldn't help but see the similarities between the two of them. Even when I thought I might know what was going to happen next, one of them would do something that completely rocked my world. Ballantyne shows that sometimes it only takes one person's influence to craft what our childhood will turn into.
 
From a forensic and courtroom standpoint, I think this book is also very well done. It is almost as if you are living the trial with Daniel and his ward. Every piece of evidence, any motivations, all of it is laid out in a way that is easy and enjoyable to follow. I can't say that I didn't eventually figure out what the ending would be. However the writing was more than enough to keep reading on to the end, and of course I wanted to make sure I was correct.
 
The Guilty One is a book that is well worth your time. Readers who enjoy a good crime thriller will absolutely be drawn in, but even those who normally don't read this genre (like myself) will find a lot to love. Dealing with human nature and behavior, this is very layered read that still feels like it zips by in no time at all. Give it a place on your reading list. I can guarantee you won't be sorry. ( )

This story is ostensibly a legal drama. Sebastien, eleven years old, is on trial for the murder of his neighbor's son. This trail is possible because it is Britain, and in its legal system it is possible to criminalize children aged ten and over. Sebastian tasted he was innocent, and his very wealthy and closely connected parents recruited lawyer Daniel Hunter to protect him. I wrote, ostensibly, because Sebastian is the background story, he's just the trigger. The main character is Daniel, who works in criminal law and protects children even though "his own experience as a child was his only reference point." And this experience of himself as a child is the book's primary concern.
Along with the development of Sebastien's treatment and his trial, Daniel's adoptive mother died, and both necessitates him to look retrospectively at his life and childhood. From a parent-child who treats a mother who is drugged and neglects, to a disturbed child who travels between foster families, and finally to Mini his adoptive mother, and to the crisis that has created. The book alternates between Daniel's now and Daniel the boy. The drama created less than the trial and the way it conducted, and more than the reader's curiosity to know what happened at the end, between Daniel and Minnie.

Now comes the part where I have to say what I liked about the book. I assume that the great honesty with which it was written and the descriptions are called very reliable. Daniel's character is composed, among other things, of the importance of a stable home and the responsibility of adults in the development of a child. Mini is also complex and difficult to decipher. Sebastian's story is quite predictable, but I suppose there is a certain level of complexity that is no longer advisable to go over it. ( )