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Innocent Guilt
'A startling new crime writing talent!' Peter James
'Impossible to put down' Patricia Cornwell
Victim or murderer . . .
Can she discover the truth?
On a misty autumn afternoon, a woman covered in blood clutching a baseball bat walks silently into a London police station. The two officers assigned to her case are DI Leah Hutch and DS Benjamin Randle.
But the woman refuses to speak. She is not injured and the blood on the bat is not hers. What has she done? Is she the victim or the perpetrator? As Leah and Randle start their inquiry, a man is found battered to death in a nearby park. Journalist Odie Reid receives a tip off and is determined to solve the case first, trying to link this death to the woman held in custody.
Leah and Odie have history and very quickly their cat and mouse game becomes personal, leading them both to the very darkest corners of their pasts.
'Twisty, deep and human . . . I want more from these characters and this author' Lee Child
'Utterly addictive' Jo Spain
'A pedal-to-the-metal trip into the scariest places in the human mind' Christopher Brookmyre
'Breathtakingly original and completely captivating ...DI Leah Hutch is a new detective to die for' MJ Arlidge
'Impossible to put down' Patricia Cornwell
Victim or murderer . . .
Can she discover the truth?
On a misty autumn afternoon, a woman covered in blood clutching a baseball bat walks silently into a London police station. The two officers assigned to her case are DI Leah Hutch and DS Benjamin Randle.
But the woman refuses to speak. She is not injured and the blood on the bat is not hers. What has she done? Is she the victim or the perpetrator? As Leah and Randle start their inquiry, a man is found battered to death in a nearby park. Journalist Odie Reid receives a tip off and is determined to solve the case first, trying to link this death to the woman held in custody.
Leah and Odie have history and very quickly their cat and mouse game becomes personal, leading them both to the very darkest corners of their pasts.
'Twisty, deep and human . . . I want more from these characters and this author' Lee Child
'Utterly addictive' Jo Spain
'A pedal-to-the-metal trip into the scariest places in the human mind' Christopher Brookmyre
'Breathtakingly original and completely captivating ...DI Leah Hutch is a new detective to die for' MJ Arlidge
432 pages, Paperback
First published May 15, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
March 26, 2025
This was a really impressive debut novel and the first in what I am sure will be a long series involving DI Leah Hutch and DS Benjamin Randle. I think my only concern is that this is definitely a crowded market at the moment (or whatever the literary equivalent of a market is) and I am not sure if it has anything that will make it stand out from the number of well-established series which are out there.
In Innocent Guilt, the story starts off with a bang - a woman walks into a police station covered in blood with a baseball bat but with no sense of what she has done or whose blood she is covered in.....and it doesn't get any less confusing.
Investigating the crime are DI Leah Hutch and DS Benjamin Randle, alongside journalist Odie who smells a story and also has a history with DI Hutch. The story moves along well, building tension and becomes very complicated but the book does tie up well with a great conclusion.
A really good debut novel and one I hope to see develop.
Thanks to Netgalley and Quercus Books | Quercus for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
In Innocent Guilt, the story starts off with a bang - a woman walks into a police station covered in blood with a baseball bat but with no sense of what she has done or whose blood she is covered in.....and it doesn't get any less confusing.
Investigating the crime are DI Leah Hutch and DS Benjamin Randle, alongside journalist Odie who smells a story and also has a history with DI Hutch. The story moves along well, building tension and becomes very complicated but the book does tie up well with a great conclusion.
A really good debut novel and one I hope to see develop.
Thanks to Netgalley and Quercus Books | Quercus for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 19, 2026
Well I did NOT see that coming. What a book. The first in a planned series, and Remi Kone's debut novel, you could expect it to be good, perhaps heading towards brilliant, but it was absolutely magnificent from the very start. Remi somehow has the balance between character building and pace just right - throwing her main characters straight into the action whilst also taking every opportunity to weave in their personal history. This series is going to be up there with my favourites, Peter James, MJ White & Louisa Scarr to name just a few.
The cast of characters, DI Leah Hutch and her team at the forefront, are portrayed magnificently throughout the book. Equal attention is given to them all whilst Leah and Odie remain at the centre of everything. The interaction between the two women, both with a difficult past, as they try to move forward on the case in their various roles, is brilliant, deeply personal and very raw.
That blurb is intriguing but it really does not do this book justice. It was full of a surprising amount of intrigue, twists, turns and moral dilemmas - overall a brilliant read that crosses lines between contemporary crime and domestic drama.
The cast of characters, DI Leah Hutch and her team at the forefront, are portrayed magnificently throughout the book. Equal attention is given to them all whilst Leah and Odie remain at the centre of everything. The interaction between the two women, both with a difficult past, as they try to move forward on the case in their various roles, is brilliant, deeply personal and very raw.
That blurb is intriguing but it really does not do this book justice. It was full of a surprising amount of intrigue, twists, turns and moral dilemmas - overall a brilliant read that crosses lines between contemporary crime and domestic drama.
March 6, 2026
3.75 / 5.0
Great book, great plot a lot of potential but a lot of loose ends to tidy up on. There’s a lot of unanswered questions, but one thing that is clear is that this is going to be a developing series with potential, but there’s still work to do. The characters are interesting, it’s clear that there’s alot more history and past trauma with Leah Hutch, especially with her past and her professional relationship with Ben Randle but it’s hard to connect and understand her character. But there’s a lot of sprinkle of her past and some time taken in the book to understand her past. Its the curiosity is what’s keeping me for the next book, as I can see alot of potential character development. The plot is an interesting unique plot. It’s complex, and near the end is where at times it feels more complex than it needs to be. I think the thing that annoys me is how there’s little to no closure at the end. Its wrapped up and just ends there quite suddenly.
When a women covered in blood clutching a baseball bat walks silently into a London police station, it’s up to two police detectives DI Leah Hutch and DS Benjamin Randle to solve the case. But the catch i, is that the women refuses to speak, she herself isn’t injured and the blood on the bat isn’t hers. So is she the victim or the perpetrator? But as Leah and Ben investigate, an injured man is found battered to death in a nearby park. Journalist Odie Reid receives a tip off and is determined to solve the case first before the police, trying to link the death with the women held in custody. Odie and Leah has a past, and it becomes clear that it soon becomes a cat and mouse game, turning personal leading them to the very darkest corners of their past.
But overall, I’m intrigued and interested to see what the next book holds and Leah’s journey.
Great book, great plot a lot of potential but a lot of loose ends to tidy up on. There’s a lot of unanswered questions, but one thing that is clear is that this is going to be a developing series with potential, but there’s still work to do. The characters are interesting, it’s clear that there’s alot more history and past trauma with Leah Hutch, especially with her past and her professional relationship with Ben Randle but it’s hard to connect and understand her character. But there’s a lot of sprinkle of her past and some time taken in the book to understand her past. Its the curiosity is what’s keeping me for the next book, as I can see alot of potential character development. The plot is an interesting unique plot. It’s complex, and near the end is where at times it feels more complex than it needs to be. I think the thing that annoys me is how there’s little to no closure at the end. Its wrapped up and just ends there quite suddenly.
When a women covered in blood clutching a baseball bat walks silently into a London police station, it’s up to two police detectives DI Leah Hutch and DS Benjamin Randle to solve the case. But the catch i, is that the women refuses to speak, she herself isn’t injured and the blood on the bat isn’t hers. So is she the victim or the perpetrator? But as Leah and Ben investigate, an injured man is found battered to death in a nearby park. Journalist Odie Reid receives a tip off and is determined to solve the case first before the police, trying to link the death with the women held in custody. Odie and Leah has a past, and it becomes clear that it soon becomes a cat and mouse game, turning personal leading them to the very darkest corners of their past.
But overall, I’m intrigued and interested to see what the next book holds and Leah’s journey.
August 16, 2025
4.5. What a debut! Sounds like it’s the first in a series and I can’t wait for the next book.
We think we can’t possibly kill someone, but given the right (or wrong) circumstances, could we? A very flawed DI and a journalist who have a history are the main characters and it was very interesting seeing how they both reacted to a series of killings. Very suspenseful and well written.
We think we can’t possibly kill someone, but given the right (or wrong) circumstances, could we? A very flawed DI and a journalist who have a history are the main characters and it was very interesting seeing how they both reacted to a series of killings. Very suspenseful and well written.
November 10, 2025
Excellent crime debut that has you questioning whether anyone can ever be truly innocent!?
I knew that I wanted to read INNOCENT GUILT as soon as I saw it announced. I mean, WHAT a premise! A woman walks into a police station covered in blood, carrying a bat, and the blood isn’t hers…AND she has no memory of what happened!? Sign me up to that mystery! Whereas some novels don’t live up to the hype of the premise, Remi Kone’s debut is a masterclass in mystery, suspense, and thought-provoking questions. I was immediately hooked to this book and couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. I was desperate to understand what Fiona - the aforementioned woman with a bloody bat - had done and whether she was guilty of a cold-blooded crime, or something more layered. I was really invested in figuring out whether she was a perpetrator, a victim, or a survivor of her situation, which lead rise to thoughts on identity and whether past traumas impact our actions. In turn, I found myself thinking about whether there is ever any justification for heinous acts, if anyone is ever truly bad, and how multifaceted guilt can actually be.
The way this narrative plays out is absolutely fascinating, but it’s very hard to talk about without giving any major spoilers! I absolutely loved that the revelations lead to a tangled web of guilt, manipulation, and psychological damage. Kone expertly manoeuvres through a variety of themes, including things like gender and power dynamics, misogyny, the role of the media (particularly in scrutiny and judgement of women), and how past traumas and regrets impact us. This is all done through the lens of a tightly plotted, well paced crime plot that will keep you glued to its pages. I highly recommend this to my fellow crime/thriller fans! I’m already looking forward to Kone’s next book 😄
I knew that I wanted to read INNOCENT GUILT as soon as I saw it announced. I mean, WHAT a premise! A woman walks into a police station covered in blood, carrying a bat, and the blood isn’t hers…AND she has no memory of what happened!? Sign me up to that mystery! Whereas some novels don’t live up to the hype of the premise, Remi Kone’s debut is a masterclass in mystery, suspense, and thought-provoking questions. I was immediately hooked to this book and couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. I was desperate to understand what Fiona - the aforementioned woman with a bloody bat - had done and whether she was guilty of a cold-blooded crime, or something more layered. I was really invested in figuring out whether she was a perpetrator, a victim, or a survivor of her situation, which lead rise to thoughts on identity and whether past traumas impact our actions. In turn, I found myself thinking about whether there is ever any justification for heinous acts, if anyone is ever truly bad, and how multifaceted guilt can actually be.
The way this narrative plays out is absolutely fascinating, but it’s very hard to talk about without giving any major spoilers! I absolutely loved that the revelations lead to a tangled web of guilt, manipulation, and psychological damage. Kone expertly manoeuvres through a variety of themes, including things like gender and power dynamics, misogyny, the role of the media (particularly in scrutiny and judgement of women), and how past traumas and regrets impact us. This is all done through the lens of a tightly plotted, well paced crime plot that will keep you glued to its pages. I highly recommend this to my fellow crime/thriller fans! I’m already looking forward to Kone’s next book 😄
May 15, 2025
Innocent Guilt is Remi Kone’s first book and has much to recommend it. The central characters are DI Leah Hutch and tabloid journalist Odie Reid. Both women channel their lives into their work. They have complicated pasts both with each other and the other people in their lives. Leah’s partner Ben Randle also has past demons so understands some of Leah’ preoccupations and this gives the story that glimmer of sexual tension. That hand scene!
The world of the text is very full and Remi Kone handles this deftly. The mystery is twisty and this links thoughtfully to the books’s central question - is anyone really innocent? The novel ends with some closure but also intrigue. I’m looking forward to book two!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the arc to review.
The world of the text is very full and Remi Kone handles this deftly. The mystery is twisty and this links thoughtfully to the books’s central question - is anyone really innocent? The novel ends with some closure but also intrigue. I’m looking forward to book two!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the arc to review.
August 21, 2025
A woman walks into a police station with a bat. Her and the bat are covered in someone else’s blood and she won’t talk to anybody! Is she a victim or is she a violent woman?
I had such high hopes for this and I’m gutted I didn’t love this more! The goodreads rating is decent and loads of my favourite authors have blurbed this. I am especially gutted as I met the author at Theakston and she was so lovely!
I loved the idea of the story and the characters were really fleshed out. There were complicated character dynamics which were explored thoroughly and really interesting to read about.
But unfortunately I felt like there was just too much going on, there were too many characters and it was really hard to keep track of who was who and what was going on. Partly, this is definitely a baby brain issue but regardless, I found that this wasn’t the easiest read 😭
The story is mostly told between the POVs of a police detective and a journalist which I really enjoyed! However, sometimes the story was just cut to another character’s perspective and didn’t tell you which was frustrating!
This wasn’t my cup of tea but if you like really meaty, really intrinsically plotted crime stories, then this might be for you!
I had such high hopes for this and I’m gutted I didn’t love this more! The goodreads rating is decent and loads of my favourite authors have blurbed this. I am especially gutted as I met the author at Theakston and she was so lovely!
I loved the idea of the story and the characters were really fleshed out. There were complicated character dynamics which were explored thoroughly and really interesting to read about.
But unfortunately I felt like there was just too much going on, there were too many characters and it was really hard to keep track of who was who and what was going on. Partly, this is definitely a baby brain issue but regardless, I found that this wasn’t the easiest read 😭
The story is mostly told between the POVs of a police detective and a journalist which I really enjoyed! However, sometimes the story was just cut to another character’s perspective and didn’t tell you which was frustrating!
This wasn’t my cup of tea but if you like really meaty, really intrinsically plotted crime stories, then this might be for you!
June 28, 2025
A clever crime book that makes you question what makes someone guilty or makes them innocent of a crime.
Leah is a detective and Odie is a journalist, the pair used to work together until they fell out. Now they sit on opposing sides.
A woman covered in blood and holding a bat, turns herself in to the police, she can't remember why she is in the state she's in, but Leah is now on the case. When other bodies turn up in similar conditions is Leah right to think what she does...
I struggled with Odie as a character, but quite liked Leah. The plot is what sold the book for me, I thought it was really interesting and it kept me turning the pages to find the outcome.
I do wonder why police detectives always tend to be damaged in some way, so that put me off a bit, but overall it was a good solid start to what I assume is a new series.
Leah is a detective and Odie is a journalist, the pair used to work together until they fell out. Now they sit on opposing sides.
A woman covered in blood and holding a bat, turns herself in to the police, she can't remember why she is in the state she's in, but Leah is now on the case. When other bodies turn up in similar conditions is Leah right to think what she does...
I struggled with Odie as a character, but quite liked Leah. The plot is what sold the book for me, I thought it was really interesting and it kept me turning the pages to find the outcome.
I do wonder why police detectives always tend to be damaged in some way, so that put me off a bit, but overall it was a good solid start to what I assume is a new series.
March 23, 2025
Sometimes I wonder, do we really need more main characters with enough baggage to sink a big ship? Do we?
Turns out in this case, yes we do!!
I could not read enough of these two complicated women, and their relationships, and their hang ups. I'd have happily taken more baggage.
That's all before we got to the actual crime.... the crime itself kept me guessing almost to the end, but once we knew the why, the who was easy to guess.
I really enjoyed this one, and can only hope there's much more to come.
I feel there's more secrets to be revealed...
Turns out in this case, yes we do!!
I could not read enough of these two complicated women, and their relationships, and their hang ups. I'd have happily taken more baggage.
That's all before we got to the actual crime.... the crime itself kept me guessing almost to the end, but once we knew the why, the who was easy to guess.
I really enjoyed this one, and can only hope there's much more to come.
I feel there's more secrets to be revealed...
August 22, 2025
Brilliant novel by a brilliant writer
March 12, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
August 21, 2025
Innocent Guilt had a great premise: a bloodied woman walks into a police station carrying a bat and won't speak. The book started strong but lost the plot quickly.
The author focused almost entirely on the two main characters, the police detective Leah and the journalist Odie, both of whom had messy backstories, typical police drama tropes, and neither of whom were likable or engaging characters. The crime/mystery story took such a back seat that the book became really boring, and there was no tension to keep me engaged in the crime story. Neither character seemed interested in solving the case, and the book focused on their day-to-day actions too much: how many times do I need to read about Leah jumping rope? In her bedroom, by the water, in the public restroom with an imaginary jump rope as she clenches her hands so tight that her nails slice open her palms... really? Additionally, the crime story was really convoluted, and it was difficult to remember who all of the characters were... new characters just kept getting thrown in all the time.
The author focused almost entirely on the two main characters, the police detective Leah and the journalist Odie, both of whom had messy backstories, typical police drama tropes, and neither of whom were likable or engaging characters. The crime/mystery story took such a back seat that the book became really boring, and there was no tension to keep me engaged in the crime story. Neither character seemed interested in solving the case, and the book focused on their day-to-day actions too much: how many times do I need to read about Leah jumping rope? In her bedroom, by the water, in the public restroom with an imaginary jump rope as she clenches her hands so tight that her nails slice open her palms... really? Additionally, the crime story was really convoluted, and it was difficult to remember who all of the characters were... new characters just kept getting thrown in all the time.
July 30, 2025
Book one of the Leah Hutch series is a smashing debut novel that I can imagine doing well in the crime thriller world. I was immediately gripped by this story with a strong, profound opening.
A woman walks into the police station holding a baseball bat and covered in blood; she refuses to speak and isn't injured herself, which only means that the blood is not hers.
The two officers, Hutch and Randle, have the task of getting to the bottom of this and quick, as they can sense that this is just the beginning of a long, disturbing case.
This has a superb cast of characters that were extremely well-developed and ones that I will love to see the return of because I became so invested in each of their tales.
I thoroughly enjoyed how the author mixed in the backstories whilst not getting lost in direction with the looming case.
Hutch and Randle were a very likeable team; their interactions were authentic and combined well amongst the rest of the police force.
Hutch herself has a very dark background, and how this evolves deepens the story into a darker nature.
I also felt drawn to Odie Reid, who is the journalist trying to catch the best story and ends up clashing with the police in some ways.
These character qualities made them real and believable. The author incorporated diverse perspectives with respectful representation of different racial groups.
The serial crimes included become addictive, with a multi-layered plot that took you in wild directions. I found myself wanting to keep on reading, compelled to see what was coming next.
This one takes you on an autumnal journey in the streets of London, which was vivid in detail and atmospheric. The descriptive technique was powerful. It's highly detailed and comes with blood, guts, and gore, which makes it all the more attractive for me.
The writing style was very easy to follow and engage with. It didn't read like a debut; it was crisp and sharp. It was complex and unique, but simplistic and graphic.
I don't think a crime thriller would be the same without twists, and the way this novel hits you with them is a real sucker punch. Dramatic, show stoppers that turn the story on a 360. It's got a lot of pieces to this puzzle, and if you like to be kept on the edge of your seat, then this book is for you! 5 from me, I'd highly recommend; I just wish the next one was available now!
A woman walks into the police station holding a baseball bat and covered in blood; she refuses to speak and isn't injured herself, which only means that the blood is not hers.
The two officers, Hutch and Randle, have the task of getting to the bottom of this and quick, as they can sense that this is just the beginning of a long, disturbing case.
This has a superb cast of characters that were extremely well-developed and ones that I will love to see the return of because I became so invested in each of their tales.
I thoroughly enjoyed how the author mixed in the backstories whilst not getting lost in direction with the looming case.
Hutch and Randle were a very likeable team; their interactions were authentic and combined well amongst the rest of the police force.
Hutch herself has a very dark background, and how this evolves deepens the story into a darker nature.
I also felt drawn to Odie Reid, who is the journalist trying to catch the best story and ends up clashing with the police in some ways.
These character qualities made them real and believable. The author incorporated diverse perspectives with respectful representation of different racial groups.
The serial crimes included become addictive, with a multi-layered plot that took you in wild directions. I found myself wanting to keep on reading, compelled to see what was coming next.
This one takes you on an autumnal journey in the streets of London, which was vivid in detail and atmospheric. The descriptive technique was powerful. It's highly detailed and comes with blood, guts, and gore, which makes it all the more attractive for me.
The writing style was very easy to follow and engage with. It didn't read like a debut; it was crisp and sharp. It was complex and unique, but simplistic and graphic.
I don't think a crime thriller would be the same without twists, and the way this novel hits you with them is a real sucker punch. Dramatic, show stoppers that turn the story on a 360. It's got a lot of pieces to this puzzle, and if you like to be kept on the edge of your seat, then this book is for you! 5 from me, I'd highly recommend; I just wish the next one was available now!
November 4, 2025
This debut crime novel follows Detective Leah Hutch investigating bizarre incidents where crimes are committed and all the evidence points to specific people who have absolutely no memory of how this happened, including a woman discovered covered in blood, who both she and her boss insist didn't commit the crime. As Leah works these cases, she faces discrimination from the public during her investigation, with comments bordering on racial and clear insistance that a woman of colour does not belong within the police force.
The story requires patience initially with heavy setup, multiple plot threads, and information that seems disconnected. You'll wonder how it all fits together, but Kone is methodically building toward a bombshell that completely reframes everything. When the revelations start and the level of manipulation becomes apparent in solving the crime, the payoff is incredible.
What makes this book unique is HOW the story incorporates mentalism - psychological techniques that create the appearance of mind-reading and mind manipulation through the subtle planting of ideas. When this comes to light, it becomes integral to both the investigation and the shocking resolution.
For a debut author, Kone shows impressive writing ability. The prose is clean, pacing serves the story, and it never feels amateur. My main complaint is the overused brooding detective trope - especially frustrating when the character's rudeness lacks justification since they can't remember their past.
But the innovative blend of mentalism with traditional detective work creates layers of complexity I've never encountered before. The way misdirection and psychological techniques play into the solution makes for a genuinely satisfying conclusion that transcends typical crime fiction reveals.
Overall, a good read and a good setup for coming books.
Thank you to Jonathan Ball Publishers for the review copy intriguing read!
The story requires patience initially with heavy setup, multiple plot threads, and information that seems disconnected. You'll wonder how it all fits together, but Kone is methodically building toward a bombshell that completely reframes everything. When the revelations start and the level of manipulation becomes apparent in solving the crime, the payoff is incredible.
What makes this book unique is HOW the story incorporates mentalism - psychological techniques that create the appearance of mind-reading and mind manipulation through the subtle planting of ideas. When this comes to light, it becomes integral to both the investigation and the shocking resolution.
For a debut author, Kone shows impressive writing ability. The prose is clean, pacing serves the story, and it never feels amateur. My main complaint is the overused brooding detective trope - especially frustrating when the character's rudeness lacks justification since they can't remember their past.
But the innovative blend of mentalism with traditional detective work creates layers of complexity I've never encountered before. The way misdirection and psychological techniques play into the solution makes for a genuinely satisfying conclusion that transcends typical crime fiction reveals.
Overall, a good read and a good setup for coming books.
Thank you to Jonathan Ball Publishers for the review copy intriguing read!
April 2, 2025
Remi Kone has produced an excellent debut novel which starts off with such an exciting and interesting beginning like no novel that has captured my attention before. A woman presents at a London police station drenched in blood a carrying a baseball bat. We are then introduced to Detectives DI Leah Hutch and DS Ben Randle are completely taken aback and are very uncertain as to what has happened. This is also since the woman is not speaking providing them with very little clues other than that something major has gone down.
Journalist Odie Reid is walking a very fine line regarding maintaining her employment and is looking for the next big story to save her career. What makes this even worse for Odie is her boss is many years younger and a journalist that she helped to build his career. Soon she is receiving tips regarding this case, but she has no idea who is sending them, all she does know is that she needs to grab this opportunity and run with it.
Leah and Odie are already aware of each other and their relationship is quite contentious. Odie has made enemies from previous stories she has presented to the world, ostracising and vilifying people and Leah is not her number one fan.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was instantly taken in by its strong plot and multilayered characters. As the story progresses, we are drip fed more clues, but you are never sure where this is going which adds to the suspense and soon the action ramps up and we have a great story on our hands. I hope that we continue to see more of these two detectives in future books to come. The author now has a great base to work off and I look forward to hearing more from them.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy, all opinions expressed are my own.
Journalist Odie Reid is walking a very fine line regarding maintaining her employment and is looking for the next big story to save her career. What makes this even worse for Odie is her boss is many years younger and a journalist that she helped to build his career. Soon she is receiving tips regarding this case, but she has no idea who is sending them, all she does know is that she needs to grab this opportunity and run with it.
Leah and Odie are already aware of each other and their relationship is quite contentious. Odie has made enemies from previous stories she has presented to the world, ostracising and vilifying people and Leah is not her number one fan.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was instantly taken in by its strong plot and multilayered characters. As the story progresses, we are drip fed more clues, but you are never sure where this is going which adds to the suspense and soon the action ramps up and we have a great story on our hands. I hope that we continue to see more of these two detectives in future books to come. The author now has a great base to work off and I look forward to hearing more from them.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy, all opinions expressed are my own.
June 23, 2025
When a woman walks into a police station covered in blood and carrying a baseball bat, DI Leah Hutch and DS Ben Randle think that they have a fairly straightforward case however, this is only the start of a long and complex murder investigation which will test their powers of detection to the very limit. Running alongside this complicated case of multiple murders is the interference by Odie Reid, a local journalist, who needs just one more scoop to get her tired career back on track and who is determined to keep one step ahead of the police, and more importantly, her old adversary, Leah, with whom she has some previous history.
Like any first book in a proposed series there is a certain amount of getting to know the characters and DI Leah Hutch is certainly someone I am sure we will gain more insight into as the series progresses. I enjoyed the elements of the story which tell us more about Leah’s troubled childhood and the reasons why she is so focused on her work. Her partnership with DS Ben Randle is an interesting one and I’m sure this will become deeper as they strengthen their relationship in future stories.
Innocent Guilt is an interesting crime thriller which certainly kept me on the edge of my seat. There are some clever twists, which I didn’t see coming, and an exciting conclusion to what is a very well thought out crime thriller. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
Like any first book in a proposed series there is a certain amount of getting to know the characters and DI Leah Hutch is certainly someone I am sure we will gain more insight into as the series progresses. I enjoyed the elements of the story which tell us more about Leah’s troubled childhood and the reasons why she is so focused on her work. Her partnership with DS Ben Randle is an interesting one and I’m sure this will become deeper as they strengthen their relationship in future stories.
Innocent Guilt is an interesting crime thriller which certainly kept me on the edge of my seat. There are some clever twists, which I didn’t see coming, and an exciting conclusion to what is a very well thought out crime thriller. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
July 17, 2025
Time taken to read - in and out over 5 days
Pages - 424
Publisher - Quercus
Source - Review copy
Blurb from Goodreads
'A startling new crime writing talent!' Peter James
'Impossible to put down' Patricia Cornwell
Victim or murderer . . .
Can she discover the truth?
On a misty autumn afternoon, a woman covered in blood clutching a baseball bat walks silently into a London police station. The two officers assigned to her case are DI Leah Hutch and DS Benjamin Randle.
But the woman refuses to speak. She is not injured and the blood on the bat is not hers. What has she done? Is she the victim or the perpetrator? As Leah and Randle start their inquiry, a man is found battered to death in a nearby park. Journalist Odie Reid receives a tip off and is determined to solve the case first, trying to link this death to the woman held in custody.
Leah and Odie have history and very quickly their cat and mouse game becomes personal, leading them both to the very darkest corners of their pasts.
My Review
Opening chapter with Leah, clearly just having suffered a loss when she heads to work, she is a copper, a DI to be precise. As she gets to work, the station, a woman appears, covered in blood, clearly in shock, holding a bloody baseball bat. When she is checked over, she is uninjured so whose blood is it and where are they because it is A LOT of blood. We then get a chapter with a victim and then we meet Odie, a journalist who is enemy to Leah, why? They used to be work together, now in different careers they still have a very strained relationship. Odie is like a bloodhound, she gets a sniff of a story and nothing will get in her way.
The book is pretty good, the blood covered self presenting to the police station was a great pull, the damaged female detective dealing with a recent loss and with that of course comes family drama/trauma. Then the very tense "relationship" between Leah and Odie although to be fair Leah is very closed off to everyone and you get her back story, slowly unravelled so you do understand a bit better why she is the way she is. I really liked her partner, DS Randle, he is so understanding, patient and a real nice all rounder.
It is a busy book, the victims, the investigation, Odie investigating, Odie's family dynamics, Leah as the officer, Leah's personal life and following the aftermath of her loved ones death the opens another vein of story. A good start to a series, this is a debut from what I can see, so if it goes onto a series I will absolutely read more. Be interesting to see what else is in store for these guys and where the writer goes next, 4/5.
Pages - 424
Publisher - Quercus
Source - Review copy
Blurb from Goodreads
'A startling new crime writing talent!' Peter James
'Impossible to put down' Patricia Cornwell
Victim or murderer . . .
Can she discover the truth?
On a misty autumn afternoon, a woman covered in blood clutching a baseball bat walks silently into a London police station. The two officers assigned to her case are DI Leah Hutch and DS Benjamin Randle.
But the woman refuses to speak. She is not injured and the blood on the bat is not hers. What has she done? Is she the victim or the perpetrator? As Leah and Randle start their inquiry, a man is found battered to death in a nearby park. Journalist Odie Reid receives a tip off and is determined to solve the case first, trying to link this death to the woman held in custody.
Leah and Odie have history and very quickly their cat and mouse game becomes personal, leading them both to the very darkest corners of their pasts.
My Review
Opening chapter with Leah, clearly just having suffered a loss when she heads to work, she is a copper, a DI to be precise. As she gets to work, the station, a woman appears, covered in blood, clearly in shock, holding a bloody baseball bat. When she is checked over, she is uninjured so whose blood is it and where are they because it is A LOT of blood. We then get a chapter with a victim and then we meet Odie, a journalist who is enemy to Leah, why? They used to be work together, now in different careers they still have a very strained relationship. Odie is like a bloodhound, she gets a sniff of a story and nothing will get in her way.
The book is pretty good, the blood covered self presenting to the police station was a great pull, the damaged female detective dealing with a recent loss and with that of course comes family drama/trauma. Then the very tense "relationship" between Leah and Odie although to be fair Leah is very closed off to everyone and you get her back story, slowly unravelled so you do understand a bit better why she is the way she is. I really liked her partner, DS Randle, he is so understanding, patient and a real nice all rounder.
It is a busy book, the victims, the investigation, Odie investigating, Odie's family dynamics, Leah as the officer, Leah's personal life and following the aftermath of her loved ones death the opens another vein of story. A good start to a series, this is a debut from what I can see, so if it goes onto a series I will absolutely read more. Be interesting to see what else is in store for these guys and where the writer goes next, 4/5.
April 18, 2025
Innocent Guilt is a great start to the new Leah Hutch series by Remi Kone.
In short, DI Leah Hutch & DS Ben Randle are assigned to an unusual case…a woman walked into the police station covered in blood clutching a baseball bat but refuses to speak, she’s not injured and the blood on the bat is not hers! Not long after a man is found battered to death, this leads to a tip off to journalist Odie Reid immediately triggering her interest, especially as she’s in desperate need of a good story. However, Odie & Leah have history and it soon becomes a cat & mouse game leading them both to the very darkest corners of their pasts.
Oh this is a great debut by Remi, I simply devoured it! It had all the ingredients of a great crime thriller, it’s dark, clever, pacy, compelling with strong characterisation and detail….no padding in this story! Great stuff, I’m looking forward to reading more from this new author.
Big thanks to Remi Kone, Quercus Books and NetGalley for this eARC which I chose to read in return for my honest review.
In short, DI Leah Hutch & DS Ben Randle are assigned to an unusual case…a woman walked into the police station covered in blood clutching a baseball bat but refuses to speak, she’s not injured and the blood on the bat is not hers! Not long after a man is found battered to death, this leads to a tip off to journalist Odie Reid immediately triggering her interest, especially as she’s in desperate need of a good story. However, Odie & Leah have history and it soon becomes a cat & mouse game leading them both to the very darkest corners of their pasts.
Oh this is a great debut by Remi, I simply devoured it! It had all the ingredients of a great crime thriller, it’s dark, clever, pacy, compelling with strong characterisation and detail….no padding in this story! Great stuff, I’m looking forward to reading more from this new author.
Big thanks to Remi Kone, Quercus Books and NetGalley for this eARC which I chose to read in return for my honest review.
May 29, 2025
Although I’m not a big reader of crime or thrillers, this one had me hooked with its excellent writing and compelling characters plus short chapters that kept you turning the page until the breathless ending. The story starts with a bang as a woman walks into a police station clutching a baseball bat and covered in blood not her own. What’s going on? Is she victim or murderer? She won’t say and things only get more gripping after that. The main characters, Leah Hutch, a police detective and Odie Reid, a journalist, are on the case of a crime which at first makes little sense. Both women are complex characters with complicated pasts. Along for the ride is Hutch’s charismatic detective sidekick, Ben Randle, and a cast of characters who continue to surprise us. Fun to read, interesting to think about, with themes and characters which will remain with you (in a good way). Highly recommended. Well done to Remi Kone for a fantastic debut. Can’t wait for the next one in the series.
August 10, 2025
Innocent Guilt is the first in what is hopefully a series featuring DI Leah Hutch and DS Randle. It’s the author’s debut novel and starts with a woman walking into the police station covered in blood, the police have no idea if she is a victim or the perpetrator of a crime. This is the start of an investigation into the seemingly unconnected murders of middle aged, middle class men. There are some secondary plots involving Odie Reid, a journalist and Leah’s family trauma and connection to a murder. I found Leah’s story particularly fascinating and she’s a complex and interesting character. I didn’t particularly like Odie and so found it harder to become interested in her story.
The first half of the novel was a compelling read, however I found that about halfway through the plot became repetitive and then too scattered and I lost interest. A promising debut and I do look forward to reading more from the author.
The first half of the novel was a compelling read, however I found that about halfway through the plot became repetitive and then too scattered and I lost interest. A promising debut and I do look forward to reading more from the author.
March 11, 2026
A debut police procedural, Remi Kone’s Innocent Guilt (2025) has an intriguing opening. It begins with a woman covered in blood, walking into a London police station with a baseball bat. Whilst Detective Inspector Leah Hutch and Detective Sergeant Randal interview her, they are called to a local park, where a dead man is discovered. Then a second man is murdered in the park, and naturally, the police believe the events may be connected. Leah is annoyed when Odie, a local journalist, publishes a story naming the woman as Fiona Garvey, although the DNA evidence is contradictory. As the two women race to find the truth, Leah is under pressure from her boss to solve the case. Despite its enticing beginning, this crime fiction tale doesn’t quite deliver and is an enjoyable enough three star read rating. The opinions herein are totally my own and freely given without obligation.
August 24, 2025
Yes, a good crime novel with an interesting premise. It is present-day London and a woman walks into a police station with a baseball bat covered in someone else’s blood. So begins the investigation by DI Leah Hutch and DS Randle. The story is told in many chapters by both Leah and a journalist, Odie Reid. Of course, these days just one murder/bashing is not enough, so others follow.
Again, as per the modern detective story, the main characters have strange histories. In Leah’s case, her mother was killed by her policeman father when Leah was a four-year old. The mother’s body has never been found, so Leah, of course, has no closure.
I found the overall story interesting rather than riveting and the novel ends without closure for Leah, setting us up for further editions.
Again, as per the modern detective story, the main characters have strange histories. In Leah’s case, her mother was killed by her policeman father when Leah was a four-year old. The mother’s body has never been found, so Leah, of course, has no closure.
I found the overall story interesting rather than riveting and the novel ends without closure for Leah, setting us up for further editions.
May 17, 2025
Remi Kone's debut crime novel has a lot to offer. The twisty plot hits the ground running and keeps going at a well paced speed. Additionally the complicated history between detective Leah Hutch and journalist Odie Reid adds another interesting dimension.
There's perhap a bit too much going on in this novel, plenty of hinted at backstories which give it the feel of sequel and a few too many coincidental connections to feel entirely believable but these are just small quibbles.
DI Leah Hutch and DS Benjamin Randle look set to have a long career as literary detectives.
My thanks to Quercus and Netgalley for an advance review copy. 3 1/2 stars
There's perhap a bit too much going on in this novel, plenty of hinted at backstories which give it the feel of sequel and a few too many coincidental connections to feel entirely believable but these are just small quibbles.
DI Leah Hutch and DS Benjamin Randle look set to have a long career as literary detectives.
My thanks to Quercus and Netgalley for an advance review copy. 3 1/2 stars
April 1, 2025
This was a complex and complicated plot featuring two cops , DI Leah Hutch and DS Benjamin Randle and a supposedly over the hill journalist with the morals of an alley cat in Odie Reid. All have massive baggage and links between them as they are faced with an apparently motiveless and unsolvable murder.
It required a lot of concentration to keep up with what was happening but the effort was worthwhile and I think we have a new set of characters withe he potential for an enjoyable if challenging series.
It required a lot of concentration to keep up with what was happening but the effort was worthwhile and I think we have a new set of characters withe he potential for an enjoyable if challenging series.
May 27, 2025
This is a debut novel and first in the series were we are introduced to DI Leah Hutch and her partner DS Benjamin Randle.
Hutch struggling with the recent loss of her grandmother and another host of personal traumas, is a complex misunderstood character with lot's of baggage that needs unpacking but of course that would be too easy so her life revolves around work.
The book opens with a hooker and throws the reader into the thick of it!
A compelling read with a host of strong characters, fast paced, engaging look
Hutch struggling with the recent loss of her grandmother and another host of personal traumas, is a complex misunderstood character with lot's of baggage that needs unpacking but of course that would be too easy so her life revolves around work.
The book opens with a hooker and throws the reader into the thick of it!
A compelling read with a host of strong characters, fast paced, engaging look
October 21, 2025
This debut crime thriller certainly had me hooked from the beginning.
DI Leah Hutch has a troubled past. This case brings long forgotten memories back & potentially threatens her future. It prompts a meeting with her father which unsettles Leah even more. She is under pressure to bring the investigation to a close.
An exciting thriller with an easy writing style moving chronologically with chapters devoted to each of the characters. The author’s background in TV production is more than evident with an almost filmic approach to the narrative. A recommended read.
DI Leah Hutch has a troubled past. This case brings long forgotten memories back & potentially threatens her future. It prompts a meeting with her father which unsettles Leah even more. She is under pressure to bring the investigation to a close.
An exciting thriller with an easy writing style moving chronologically with chapters devoted to each of the characters. The author’s background in TV production is more than evident with an almost filmic approach to the narrative. A recommended read.
March 3, 2026
Well here is a book that definitely got harder to put down as it went on!
The characters and dynamics between them felt intense throughout and if further books with same characters are involved I’d love to see further development of these!
A definite twist at the end that I did not see coming a with differing chapter lengths that just let me keep reading easily!
A wonderful debut and an intense and twisty story!
The characters and dynamics between them felt intense throughout and if further books with same characters are involved I’d love to see further development of these!
A definite twist at the end that I did not see coming a with differing chapter lengths that just let me keep reading easily!
A wonderful debut and an intense and twisty story!
May 9, 2025
This is an absolutely brilliant debut novel from the author! It starts with a bang and ends with a bang, with a fast pace and a very clever plot line. I really liked the characterisation, especially Leah with her difficult past and her demons. I really hope there will be another book featuring the two lead characters, in what looks to be a promising new series. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.
May 31, 2025
A fantastic lead character drives this excellent book from start to finish, and I'm not surprised it received all the fantastic endorsements that it did. Full of twists, and when the reveals come towards the end, they feel timely, with a good nod to contemporary themes.
Looking forward to reading the next one!
Looking forward to reading the next one!
August 9, 2025
I hadn't read fiction for maybe 5 years or more. This was the best re-entry. I finished this book in 4 days and I was devastated that she didn't have a massive catalogue for me follow up with. Although I had an inkling of the culprit, I wasn't certain and it was a great ride to the end to find out.
Ms Kone, don't keep me waiting too long for the next installment!
Ms Kone, don't keep me waiting too long for the next installment!
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