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Not Guilty
"NOT GUILTY is a compelling, engrossing, and ultimately uplifting and rewarding read. I couldn't tear myself away!"—Cheryl Rainfield, author of Scars, Stained, Hunted and Parallel Visions.A blood-smeared knife. One young man’s word against another. A lifetime dream crushed.The evidence points to Devon Carlyle. He was there when it happened. Everyone knows he had it in for Renzo Costa. And Costa says Devon was the one. In the judge’s rap of a gavel Devon’s found guilty of assault. The star of the Oceanside High’s basketball team loses his shot at the one thing he’s worked so hard for—the championship game where college scouts could see how good he is.Now he makes his great shots in Juvenile Hall with kids far different from those that have always been in his life.Angry? Hell, yes.He’s bent on finding who did the crime. He’s bent on making them pay because he’s Not Guilty.But can he prove it?
- GenresYoung Adult
304 pages, Paperback
First published October 25, 2019
62 people want to read
About the author
C. Lee McKenzie
24 books420 followers
I’ve moved to Substack and dropped my WordPress blog. Quelle liberté! You can see all of my work on Amazon, and I'd love to connect with you on and Instagram, too!In my other life--the one before I began writing for publication--I was a teacher and administrator at California State University, San Jose. My field of Linguistics and intercultural communication has carried me to a lot of places in the world to explore different cultures and languages. I can say, “Where’s the toilet?” and “I’m lost!” in at least five languages and two dialects. Go ahead. Pat me on the back.
My idea of a perfect day is one or all of the following: starting a new novel, finishing writing a blockbuster novel, hiking on a misty morning trail in the Santa Cruz Mountains, saying Namaste after a great yoga practice, sipping a cappuccino at a bustling café, reading in front of a fire with snow outside, swimming in an ocean someplace.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
December 3, 2019
Devon knows he was railroaded when he was convicted of assaulting Renzo. Was it Renzo’s opportunity to get even with Devon? A case of mistaken identity? Was it Devon’s anger control issues that landed him as the prime suspect, not just a case of wrong place, wrong time? The evidence does point to Devon, but he can explain it all, if only someone would listen.
Months of his life locked away, his dream of a basketball scholarship gone and his family in debt, not to mention how brutal high schoolers can be. Devon is home again, sadder, wiser and determined to clear his name and find the real attacker.
NOT GUILTY by C. Lee McKenzie is the story of a teen who will mature far beyond his years as he learns what life can really be like, who his true friends are and what matters most in life.
Hang on for a mystery that is sure to hold a young adult’s interest from start to finish as Devon’s emotions are laid bare and every ounce of frustration he feels is magnified. Not necessarily as detailed as an adult mystery, but C. Lee McKenzie nailed the spirit of a young adult to plow forward against all odds as we witness the consequences of a wrongful conviction and watch one teen make some of the most difficult choices in his life.
I received a complimentary copy from Evernight Teen. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Publisher: Evernight Teen (October 23, 2019)
Publication Date: October 23, 2019
Genre: YA Suspense | Coming of Age
Number of Pages: 306
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Months of his life locked away, his dream of a basketball scholarship gone and his family in debt, not to mention how brutal high schoolers can be. Devon is home again, sadder, wiser and determined to clear his name and find the real attacker.
NOT GUILTY by C. Lee McKenzie is the story of a teen who will mature far beyond his years as he learns what life can really be like, who his true friends are and what matters most in life.
Hang on for a mystery that is sure to hold a young adult’s interest from start to finish as Devon’s emotions are laid bare and every ounce of frustration he feels is magnified. Not necessarily as detailed as an adult mystery, but C. Lee McKenzie nailed the spirit of a young adult to plow forward against all odds as we witness the consequences of a wrongful conviction and watch one teen make some of the most difficult choices in his life.
I received a complimentary copy from Evernight Teen. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Publisher: Evernight Teen (October 23, 2019)
Publication Date: October 23, 2019
Genre: YA Suspense | Coming of Age
Number of Pages: 306
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
November 9, 2019
Welcome back to Oceanside high school . Devon Carlyle has it all , he is on his way to a scholarship and has the perfect girlfriend . Until one day everything has changed and he is charged with assault against Renzo Costa . With one rap of the judge's gavel Devon's life is changed forever . When in juvenile detention Devon finds out who his real friends are and makes a vow to find out who really did it . When he gets out he will try and prove it .
Welcome back to high school . I found these characters to be well written and honestly reminded me of some people I knew in high school . Devon is the jock and basically has the world by the toes . He comes off as arrogant at the start of the book . Everyone loves him for one thing or another and his self esteem is wrapped up in all things basketball and being the number one on the team. You see him truly grow up and become a more rounded person. There are so many characters in this book that either help Devon or make him feel like he doesn't belong . From his perfect friends at school who truly show their true colours . Colin was his best friend and when push came to shove Colin and the rest of the gang turned against Devon . In true clique fashion they shun him .
This is a book that will capture your heart and keep you reading . The author wrote a great representation of what high school is truly like and what happens when one of the cool kids ends up on the wrong end of the law . There are twists and turns through out the book that will have you going hmmmmmmmm. The only thing that made me not give the book a 5 stars is the detective work that Devon was doing , it seemed to actually kind of slow down the story of his come back . I felt that it kind of dragged just a little . Over all I really enjoyed this book and was cheering for Devon as he redeemed himself . I love the way the author did the family dynamic after he came out of detention and the aftermath . This is a book that you and your teen will enjoy reading. So add this book to your winter reading list
Welcome back to high school . I found these characters to be well written and honestly reminded me of some people I knew in high school . Devon is the jock and basically has the world by the toes . He comes off as arrogant at the start of the book . Everyone loves him for one thing or another and his self esteem is wrapped up in all things basketball and being the number one on the team. You see him truly grow up and become a more rounded person. There are so many characters in this book that either help Devon or make him feel like he doesn't belong . From his perfect friends at school who truly show their true colours . Colin was his best friend and when push came to shove Colin and the rest of the gang turned against Devon . In true clique fashion they shun him .
This is a book that will capture your heart and keep you reading . The author wrote a great representation of what high school is truly like and what happens when one of the cool kids ends up on the wrong end of the law . There are twists and turns through out the book that will have you going hmmmmmmmm. The only thing that made me not give the book a 5 stars is the detective work that Devon was doing , it seemed to actually kind of slow down the story of his come back . I felt that it kind of dragged just a little . Over all I really enjoyed this book and was cheering for Devon as he redeemed himself . I love the way the author did the family dynamic after he came out of detention and the aftermath . This is a book that you and your teen will enjoy reading. So add this book to your winter reading list
April 15, 2020
I liked reading this book. Part of it was difficult because it reminded me of part of my youth (but that's a credit to the author for writing something so evocative). There's a good metaphor about the basketball court and the court of law. As the title suggests, the main character is not guilty. But as the book goes on, despite knowing this, even I started to question if he did it somehow. That's the point of the story, I think. How even if we really believe someone wouldn't do something, we can be tricked into thinking otherwise.
What really fascinated me was the Mia character. Especially when Devon realizes the impact his reputation has had on her. It's easy to feel like you're an island, like your choices don't influence how others see people in your circle (your family, friends, co-workers, community, etc), but that's not true.
A part that really resonated with me was said by a secondary character, Pinky McCloud (I love that name). "Seriously, you're on the different half of the Oceanside High planet, my man -- the Pinky half. This is where all miscreants are punished more severely than the law punishes them and for one heck of a lot longer."
I received a free copy of this book and am leaving an honest review. The author and I are connected on social media and visit each others' blogs occasionally. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy a YA drama or stories about unfair punishments for innocent people. Contemporary YA isn't the genre I read most frequently, but I do enjoy it from time to time. And C. Lee McKenzie is absolutely great at writing these stories! I will read more of her books.
The scene with the Old Coast Highway and Dead Man's Curve had me pause to look those up. It's something that's mentioned in movies, tv shows, and even a song. So while the scene might not pull everyone out, it did for me because my mind was overcome with curiosity. (Not really a bad thing, just an experience.)
The book was realistic fiction. It did, for the most part, have happily-ever-after. There's a little romance, and perhaps a bit of a tear-jerker (depending on your experience). It's maybe somewhat controversial. If you realize that this could happen to you, it becomes a chilling thriller. It's definitely meaningful. There are some diverse characters. And there is a layer of mystery as Devon works to prove his innocence. (I feel he's extremely lucky on how the scene at the farm ended up, because it could have been far worse.)
The title and cover do make sense. There is some cursing in the book. I do wonder, in Chapter Thirty-One, if it's supposed to be a Hershey bar, or if there's really a Hersey with nuts.
I enjoyed the order in which the book was told. Everything made sense and lined up. I could relate to Devon in that I've shared the experience of "being guilty" for everything that happens around me, even if there's no way I could have something to do with it. But, emotionally, I feel like he would have had it worse if he were from a different background. Life definitely wasn't easy for the characters in this book. It does hold several mirrors up to society in that it shows how we judge people once we decide they're guilty, and it shows how far and fast anyone can fall, and there's the mirror of how society will outcast anyone who stands with someone who society has found guilty. That last one is really hard to learn.
What really fascinated me was the Mia character. Especially when Devon realizes the impact his reputation has had on her. It's easy to feel like you're an island, like your choices don't influence how others see people in your circle (your family, friends, co-workers, community, etc), but that's not true.
A part that really resonated with me was said by a secondary character, Pinky McCloud (I love that name). "Seriously, you're on the different half of the Oceanside High planet, my man -- the Pinky half. This is where all miscreants are punished more severely than the law punishes them and for one heck of a lot longer."
I received a free copy of this book and am leaving an honest review. The author and I are connected on social media and visit each others' blogs occasionally. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy a YA drama or stories about unfair punishments for innocent people. Contemporary YA isn't the genre I read most frequently, but I do enjoy it from time to time. And C. Lee McKenzie is absolutely great at writing these stories! I will read more of her books.
The scene with the Old Coast Highway and Dead Man's Curve had me pause to look those up. It's something that's mentioned in movies, tv shows, and even a song. So while the scene might not pull everyone out, it did for me because my mind was overcome with curiosity. (Not really a bad thing, just an experience.)
The book was realistic fiction. It did, for the most part, have happily-ever-after. There's a little romance, and perhaps a bit of a tear-jerker (depending on your experience). It's maybe somewhat controversial. If you realize that this could happen to you, it becomes a chilling thriller. It's definitely meaningful. There are some diverse characters. And there is a layer of mystery as Devon works to prove his innocence. (I feel he's extremely lucky on how the scene at the farm ended up, because it could have been far worse.)
The title and cover do make sense. There is some cursing in the book. I do wonder, in Chapter Thirty-One, if it's supposed to be a Hershey bar, or if there's really a Hersey with nuts.
I enjoyed the order in which the book was told. Everything made sense and lined up. I could relate to Devon in that I've shared the experience of "being guilty" for everything that happens around me, even if there's no way I could have something to do with it. But, emotionally, I feel like he would have had it worse if he were from a different background. Life definitely wasn't easy for the characters in this book. It does hold several mirrors up to society in that it shows how we judge people once we decide they're guilty, and it shows how far and fast anyone can fall, and there's the mirror of how society will outcast anyone who stands with someone who society has found guilty. That last one is really hard to learn.
October 25, 2019
As a 70-something, I must admit that I don't read many Young Adult novels these days. But that could change as of right now. I’m glad I found NOT GUILTY, by C. Lee McKenzie, because just when I was starting to feel a bit past my “best if used by” date, it made me feel . . . young! What fun (and pain!) getting to be 17 again. It also made me wonder: where in the world were edgy YA books like this when I was an edgy YA?
Imagine yourself a high school junior and star athlete, suddenly accused of a bloody knife attack on a student from a rival school. You didn't do it, of course, and luckily the victim recovers. Still, you're found guilty and sentenced to a term in a juvenile lockup, where your weird, streetwise roommates are far different from the kids you've always been around. To make matters worse, those faithful school chums couldn't abandon you fast enough, once the bad news broke.
Will you survive five months in the slammer followed by four more on probation? Can you reclaim your life and restore friendships at Oceanside High? Most of all, can you find the real attacker and prove to one and all that you are NOT GUILTY?
Don't ask me. Read the book. (Seriously, read it. Then gift it to your teenage child or grandchild. It'll give you something to bond over.)
P.S. – Somewhere around the middle of the story, I was struck with the thought that it would make a terrific “Brat Pack”-type movie. I still believe that.
Imagine yourself a high school junior and star athlete, suddenly accused of a bloody knife attack on a student from a rival school. You didn't do it, of course, and luckily the victim recovers. Still, you're found guilty and sentenced to a term in a juvenile lockup, where your weird, streetwise roommates are far different from the kids you've always been around. To make matters worse, those faithful school chums couldn't abandon you fast enough, once the bad news broke.
Will you survive five months in the slammer followed by four more on probation? Can you reclaim your life and restore friendships at Oceanside High? Most of all, can you find the real attacker and prove to one and all that you are NOT GUILTY?
Don't ask me. Read the book. (Seriously, read it. Then gift it to your teenage child or grandchild. It'll give you something to bond over.)
P.S. – Somewhere around the middle of the story, I was struck with the thought that it would make a terrific “Brat Pack”-type movie. I still believe that.
October 24, 2019
Have you ever been accused of something that you didn’t do? How did you prove your innocence? Or did you?
Take a lie, a broken heart, and a mystery and you have a world spinning out of control. In C. Lee McKenzie’s latest novel, NOT GUILTY, Devon Carlyle has a dream. His chances are looking good to make his dream come true, until the unthinkable happens. Instead of the prospects of a basketball scholarship he ends up in Juvenile Hall although he’s innocent. Can he find a way to prove he’s not guilty? Or will he always be remembered as the boy that almost killed another boy, as well as losing his friends and the scholarship?
Devon’s story touched my heart. He isn’t perfect. Who is? He has a temper that adds to his trouble. Then there’s the girl problem that he doesn’t need at this particular time in his life. Can matters get any worse?
C. Lee McKenzie’s characters seem real, like the kids you might meet in you own town. They make mistakes. They laugh. They fight. They love. And I so wanted the guilty party to get what he deserved. Does he? You’ll find out when you read NOT GUILTY. I recommend NOT GUILTY for your private library and also for high school and public libraries. Happy Reading!
Take a lie, a broken heart, and a mystery and you have a world spinning out of control. In C. Lee McKenzie’s latest novel, NOT GUILTY, Devon Carlyle has a dream. His chances are looking good to make his dream come true, until the unthinkable happens. Instead of the prospects of a basketball scholarship he ends up in Juvenile Hall although he’s innocent. Can he find a way to prove he’s not guilty? Or will he always be remembered as the boy that almost killed another boy, as well as losing his friends and the scholarship?
Devon’s story touched my heart. He isn’t perfect. Who is? He has a temper that adds to his trouble. Then there’s the girl problem that he doesn’t need at this particular time in his life. Can matters get any worse?
C. Lee McKenzie’s characters seem real, like the kids you might meet in you own town. They make mistakes. They laugh. They fight. They love. And I so wanted the guilty party to get what he deserved. Does he? You’ll find out when you read NOT GUILTY. I recommend NOT GUILTY for your private library and also for high school and public libraries. Happy Reading!
October 24, 2019
This book is a powerful and emotional read - one of my favourite YA reads ever.
Devon is a 17-year-old basketball star who has everything going his way ... until he's accused of stabbing a man on a stretch of beach near his home.
Watching Devon go through so many challenges makes for a stressful and emotional ride that had me both in tears and cheering more than once.
Honest, gritty, realistic, and incredibly heartfelt.
These characters and this story will stay with you long after you've finished the final page.
A fabulous read!!
Devon is a 17-year-old basketball star who has everything going his way ... until he's accused of stabbing a man on a stretch of beach near his home.
Watching Devon go through so many challenges makes for a stressful and emotional ride that had me both in tears and cheering more than once.
Honest, gritty, realistic, and incredibly heartfelt.
These characters and this story will stay with you long after you've finished the final page.
A fabulous read!!
March 21, 2020
A great story about overcoming challenges
“Fear and anger are never for always.”
A great story for young people about the challenges life can throw at them—and how they can overcome them.
“Fear and anger are never for always.”
A great story for young people about the challenges life can throw at them—and how they can overcome them.
October 29, 2019
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the MC Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Not Guilty by C. Lee McKenzie was a tale of how one's life could go wrong in a matter of seconds.
Will the truth ever come out for Devon Carlyle?
Devon Carlyle
Devon Carlyle is our main character and the character we follow along with throughout the book. It's written in the third person but we are always with him. We see how things have different for him throughout his life from the point his world changed on March 1st to the ending of the story. Devon is a good student and loves basketball. He had a goal in life that was a bit thrown for a loop but Devon made it work even though he has to find justice for himself. Devon is a good person that was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
I like Devon a lot as it shows that he made what life has thrown at him the best he could. I also like that he didn't give up trying to find justice for himself. Devon is a great character and I feel we could be friends in the real world.
The Mystery
The mystery in this story is all about who actually stabbed and left Renzo Costas for dead. It obviously wasn't the main character but who? That could have been anyone in Mr. Costas's life. Finding that out was a lot of hard work. Going through the book and trying to figure this out with Devon was a lot of fun. Solving a mystery is always fun with the main character of any kind of mystery novel.
Five Stars
Not Guilty by C. Lee McKenzie is an entertaining tale of what can happen when you least expect it. It makes some people really think about what might happen if they did something different but can't exactly change the past. Devon learns that the hard way on finding out that he's being blamed for something that he never did.
Not Guilty is an exceptional book and I am giving this book five stars. I am also recommending it to anyone that likes to read young adult and romantic suspense.
Other Books by C. Lee McKenzie
Prize: 5 digital copies of NOT GUILTY and a $10 Amazon Gift Certificate.
Ends: Tuesday, Nov. 5th
Tour Organized by:
Will the truth ever come out for Devon Carlyle?
Devon Carlyle
Devon Carlyle is our main character and the character we follow along with throughout the book. It's written in the third person but we are always with him. We see how things have different for him throughout his life from the point his world changed on March 1st to the ending of the story. Devon is a good student and loves basketball. He had a goal in life that was a bit thrown for a loop but Devon made it work even though he has to find justice for himself. Devon is a good person that was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
I like Devon a lot as it shows that he made what life has thrown at him the best he could. I also like that he didn't give up trying to find justice for himself. Devon is a great character and I feel we could be friends in the real world.
The Mystery
The mystery in this story is all about who actually stabbed and left Renzo Costas for dead. It obviously wasn't the main character but who? That could have been anyone in Mr. Costas's life. Finding that out was a lot of hard work. Going through the book and trying to figure this out with Devon was a lot of fun. Solving a mystery is always fun with the main character of any kind of mystery novel.
Five Stars Not Guilty by C. Lee McKenzie is an entertaining tale of what can happen when you least expect it. It makes some people really think about what might happen if they did something different but can't exactly change the past. Devon learns that the hard way on finding out that he's being blamed for something that he never did.
Not Guilty is an exceptional book and I am giving this book five stars. I am also recommending it to anyone that likes to read young adult and romantic suspense.
Other Books by C. Lee McKenzie
Prize: 5 digital copies of NOT GUILTY and a $10 Amazon Gift Certificate.
Ends: Tuesday, Nov. 5th
Tour Organized by:
To find all the tour information click the banner at the top of the page or click HERE.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Not Guilty by C. Lee McKenzie. Don't forget to enter the giveaway.
Until the next time,
Happy Reading!
This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
October 31, 2019
Not Guilty introduces you to Devon Carlyle and the unexpected events that change his destiny and his way of thinking forever. Carlyle’s mind is on winning the state championship and maybe becoming the best basketball player ever at his school in his upcoming senior year. His expectations have a sequential order of importance; a basketball scholarship, his best friend, and his new girlfriend, whom he loves dearly.
Leaving the stage of adolescent and moving swiftly toward early adulthood presents challenges and confrontations that test his belief system. Devon Carlyle is shocked at the injustice of justice as everything that he believes turns upside down. His hope of drawing the attention of the basketball scouts dwindle. His cherry-filled life, where abundance overflows, becomes a nightmare.
He soon discovers that friends in good times are not friends in bad times. That the stardom of being the most talented basketball player brings out hidden jealousies from others and that the loyalty that he expects from his girlfriend cannot stand the pressure of an erroneous mistake that affects his entire family.
How does he handle the sharp arrows of mistrust, indiscretion, and doubt?
Has Devon Carlyle been condemned for the rest of his life?
The author keeps the tension high. She has woven an eloquent tale of a young man rising from the blindness of a rose-colored, happy go lucky society to a young man who finds meaningfulness and three new best friends in an unlikely place.
Not Guilty, a book you will not regret reading.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat Garcia
Leaving the stage of adolescent and moving swiftly toward early adulthood presents challenges and confrontations that test his belief system. Devon Carlyle is shocked at the injustice of justice as everything that he believes turns upside down. His hope of drawing the attention of the basketball scouts dwindle. His cherry-filled life, where abundance overflows, becomes a nightmare.
He soon discovers that friends in good times are not friends in bad times. That the stardom of being the most talented basketball player brings out hidden jealousies from others and that the loyalty that he expects from his girlfriend cannot stand the pressure of an erroneous mistake that affects his entire family.
How does he handle the sharp arrows of mistrust, indiscretion, and doubt?
Has Devon Carlyle been condemned for the rest of his life?
The author keeps the tension high. She has woven an eloquent tale of a young man rising from the blindness of a rose-colored, happy go lucky society to a young man who finds meaningfulness and three new best friends in an unlikely place.
Not Guilty, a book you will not regret reading.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat Garcia
October 24, 2019
This book grabbed my attention in the first chapter and kept me engaged throughout. I didn’t want to put it down, wanting to figure out how the protagonist, Devon, gets through his dilemma. A high school junior with the hope of playing college basketball, Devon is dumped by his girlfriend after someone falsely identifies his car parked on the street where his ex-girl friend lived. That was a start of a bad day that only got worse. He skips his last class and went to the beach. On the way, he’s receives a ticket for speeding and then later, identified as the person who stabbed a local surfer on that afternoon. When he’s found guilty, he is sent to juvenile detention for five months and then is on probation afterwards. Along the way, he’s haunted by a basketball player from another town who he runs into in detention (and afterwards). In detention, he befriends several Hispanic youths who teach him what true friendship is all about. After he gets out of detention, he realizes things have gone downhill for his family (they suffered financial hardship because of his conviction). But in the end, everything works out as Devon helps put the pieces together that eventually lead to the arrest of the person who committed the assault. In a way, the Devon and his family fortunes have changed so that the book seems somewhat comic (in the classical sense). But Devon does learn what it means to work hard, to have true friends, and that although the justice system doesn’t always get it right, it often corrects itself.
This would be a great read for any teenager, especially for boys who have found themselves being wrongly accused by police (as I experienced nearly a half-century ago). Lee McKenzie should be congratulated for writing a book that addresses such issues.
I received a free electronic copy of this book for an honest review.
This would be a great read for any teenager, especially for boys who have found themselves being wrongly accused by police (as I experienced nearly a half-century ago). Lee McKenzie should be congratulated for writing a book that addresses such issues.
I received a free electronic copy of this book for an honest review.
October 24, 2019
This book had a very satisfying ending, and for me, that was the deciding factor for how I would rate this book. Being a reader who struggles with YA, this story was a challenge for me, but it was also interesting enough to keep wondering how it would all come together in the end.
I’d like to say that I really felt for the MC and was rooting for him the whole time, but I really wasn’t. I knew he was not guilty, thus the title, but I simply didn’t care much for him until the end. I liked his family and many of the people he met along the way and hoped that by him proving himself, those other characters would be better off.
One thing that surprised me when reading this, were the moments of suspense that the author seamlessly wove into the story without making it seem forced or just for show.
I had some issues with the crime/detective part of the story. Luckily, many of my concerns are resolved by the end of the book but two weren’t. I think some of that boils down to my struggle with YA. I just couldn’t understand why certain things happened, but perhaps that’s just what teens do. The author’s talent is evident in every word and she’s clearly writing to her audience. My issues may very well just be my issues.
As previously stated, I really appreciated the end of this book. I was expecting to turn in a lower rating to match a Brady Bunch ending, but the author chose to reflect a bit of reality in this tale of fiction. I even began to really care for the MC by the end.
Recommend to fans of YA crime fiction, suspense, and redemption tales.
Disclaimer: I received a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I’d like to say that I really felt for the MC and was rooting for him the whole time, but I really wasn’t. I knew he was not guilty, thus the title, but I simply didn’t care much for him until the end. I liked his family and many of the people he met along the way and hoped that by him proving himself, those other characters would be better off.
One thing that surprised me when reading this, were the moments of suspense that the author seamlessly wove into the story without making it seem forced or just for show.
I had some issues with the crime/detective part of the story. Luckily, many of my concerns are resolved by the end of the book but two weren’t. I think some of that boils down to my struggle with YA. I just couldn’t understand why certain things happened, but perhaps that’s just what teens do. The author’s talent is evident in every word and she’s clearly writing to her audience. My issues may very well just be my issues.
As previously stated, I really appreciated the end of this book. I was expecting to turn in a lower rating to match a Brady Bunch ending, but the author chose to reflect a bit of reality in this tale of fiction. I even began to really care for the MC by the end.
Recommend to fans of YA crime fiction, suspense, and redemption tales.
Disclaimer: I received a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 24, 2019
This book is the real deal and will keep readers devouring Devon’s story page after page. I know I did. This contemporary YA story, set in California, explores what it’s like being accused of a serious crime that you didn’t commit. But it is more than that – it is also a story of friendship between four very different young men, all who band together to help each other. Right from the beginning, I was cheering for Devon, as well as his roomies in Juvenile Detention: Ice, Tats and Chewy, who befriend Devon on his first day. What great characters, especially Tats. And even though Pinky, a fellow classmate of Devon’s, didn’t get as much airplay, his lines were some of the funniest in the whole book.
Once again, C. Lee McKenzie has written one heck of a YA novel that everyone can relate to. Highly recommended.
October 30, 2019
I was surprised by how much I have enjoyed this author’s books. I am not especially inclined to read Young Adult fiction. As a former high school teacher I felt she really capture the age in the way the characters think, act and speak. Adolescents have a strong sense of right and wrong and this book builds on the tension between a guilty verdict for an innocent person. I enjoy character driven stories and this is what I liked about the first part of the book, which I actually wished could have gone on longer and deeper. However I think the author knows her reader and after a little lull, the book became exciting and suspenseful, a real page turner with an satisfying outcome. It would be a good book to have a class read for discussion about the subjects presented in the book: guilt, innocence, Justice, prejudice, understanding. I recommend the book with enthusiasm.
October 28, 2019
An incredible YA contemporary story that takes the reader on a twisting roller coaster of a ride. Though this isn't the usual genre I read, it's books like this one that keep me coming back to them. It deals with several issues young people face every day and problems that seem overwhelming. Many times it seemed Devon would drown under the pressure or let his anger get the best of him, but I loved reading about his growth through these difficult times. I especially liked the friendships he formed with his roomies in the juvenile detention center. Real teens who had made mistakes, but had learned from them and were trying to better themselves. What made this tale even more compelling was that it showed not only what happened with Devon after he was found guilty and sent away, but how his family suffered too. The sentence didn't only affect him, but sent ripples out all around him. Well worth the read for readers of any age.
October 24, 2019
Whether or not he did it, or he didn't, once he was accused, arrested, and questioned, he was convicted by the community. Devon Carlyle was living the average young man's life. He was a star on his high school basketball team, had a nice girlfriend, good friends, and hopes for a bright future, including a basketball scholarship to a college. That all changed when he took a walk along the beach one Fall afternoon after having a fight with his girlfriend. Now, his prints are all over the bloody knife and the missing shoe. His own history with the man who was attacked doesn't help his case, nor does his hot temper. His whole family suffers social rejection and judgement as Devon faces serious accusations and fights to clear his name. In times like these, you find out who your real friends are.
I was fortunate to receive an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of Not Guilty by C. Lee McKenzie. I could not put it down. It was as compelling to me as the podcast Serial, in which a young man is found guilty of a crime that he professes not to have committed. My sense of justice is piqued in stories like these. I want to find out the truth, see the innocent set free, and the guilty given their sentence. McKenzie is an excellent writer
I was fortunate to receive an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of Not Guilty by C. Lee McKenzie. I could not put it down. It was as compelling to me as the podcast Serial, in which a young man is found guilty of a crime that he professes not to have committed. My sense of justice is piqued in stories like these. I want to find out the truth, see the innocent set free, and the guilty given their sentence. McKenzie is an excellent writer
October 24, 2019
Small town politics, grudges, prejudice, and a boy who’s caught in the crosshairs sets this teen mystery ablaze. Having been accused of a crime and knowing her didn’t do it, Devon is sure this whole thing will blow over. But he was dead wrong. The (supposed) crime, the judicial system, and Juvenile Hall gradually increase tension and conflict within Devon and the world he thought he knew. People turn on him and his family. Through vivid descriptions of the world and its characters, an arena of emotions and self-reflection is created. Devon feels betrayed and scared and ultimately angry.
I love how Devon works out his confusion and feelings during his incarceration, despite not belonging there. He finds advice in unlikely friendships – kids he never would have spoken to before. Together, they find a common goal, improving communication skills and tolerance. Devon begins to learn how to let go of his negative feelings and circumstance to focus and help someone else. The author has captured the essence of the teen spirit from angst to anger and hope to honor in a constructive and meaningful way. I’d recommend this book to teen readers who love a good mystery, to explore the dynamics between characters, and to root for the underdog despite all odds.
I love how Devon works out his confusion and feelings during his incarceration, despite not belonging there. He finds advice in unlikely friendships – kids he never would have spoken to before. Together, they find a common goal, improving communication skills and tolerance. Devon begins to learn how to let go of his negative feelings and circumstance to focus and help someone else. The author has captured the essence of the teen spirit from angst to anger and hope to honor in a constructive and meaningful way. I’d recommend this book to teen readers who love a good mystery, to explore the dynamics between characters, and to root for the underdog despite all odds.
October 28, 2019
As a licensed social worker and former child advocate, I was impressed with the dimension the author gave to the main character. As in real life, there were plenty of times when Devon (the MC) did things that weren't smart that exacerbated his troubles or failed to ask for help that would have helped get him out of the dilemma he found himself in. But that's real life. Teens don't always do the smartest thing and are often ruled more by emotion than from wisdom. I enjoyed the characters and was eagerly rooting for them from the beginning to the end. Well, all of them but the girlfriend. No love for a girl without any loyalties. I knew Devon would have to be exonerated, but wasn't sure how or if he'd learn to find himself a better group of friends who would support him through thick and thin. That was my favorite mystery in the story.
December 2, 2019
I don't read a lot of YA books, but I sure am glad I read this one.
Most of us know how horrible it is to be falsely accused of something, and "Not fair!" feelings are particularly well-developed in teenagers, but when high school junior Devon is accused, it isn't just his girl friend accusing him of cheating on her... which she did... and he didn't. No, it's much more than that. He's not only accused of beating and stabbing someone, he's convicted and sent to juvie.
He goes from being a popular basketball star with a rosy future to a pariah, even with the people he thought were his friends. And he isn't the only one who suffers... his whole family pays a price.
This is a well-written and engaging story about how a young man copes with and overcomes injustice, but it's also a story of family and the real meaning of friendship.
Four and a half stars, rounded up to five.
Most of us know how horrible it is to be falsely accused of something, and "Not fair!" feelings are particularly well-developed in teenagers, but when high school junior Devon is accused, it isn't just his girl friend accusing him of cheating on her... which she did... and he didn't. No, it's much more than that. He's not only accused of beating and stabbing someone, he's convicted and sent to juvie.
He goes from being a popular basketball star with a rosy future to a pariah, even with the people he thought were his friends. And he isn't the only one who suffers... his whole family pays a price.
This is a well-written and engaging story about how a young man copes with and overcomes injustice, but it's also a story of family and the real meaning of friendship.
Four and a half stars, rounded up to five.
October 24, 2019
In C. Lee McKenzie’s latest YA novel, Not Guilty, high school basketball star, Devon Carlyle, is a good responsible student planning on attending college, and member of a loving family. This does not describe a young man who would assault a man on the beach with a knife. I thought this was a bit far-fetched for him to be guilty of such a crime. But when all the evidence was presented backed up by an eyewitness, Devon Carlyle was sentenced to 4 months in juvenile detention. Ms. Mckenzie allows readers to enter this young man’s typical high school world and follow him on the day of the assault. He is Not Guilty. I had to find out if he could prove his innocence. Readers will keep turning pages to follow his experiences in detention and meeting characters developed so well by the author. His conviction not only affects him, but also the relationship with his family and high school friends. This story is rich in detail with every nuance of his frustration and anger recorded for readers to see and feel. Highly recommended. I received an ARC of this book, but I am voluntarily reviewing it.
October 25, 2019
Life is exactly as Devon envisioned it with all his plans on track. He has the perfect girlfriend (according to him), the championship and a scholarship. In a blink of an eye, it all falls to pieces when he is accused of assault with a deadly weapon.
The main character has a good energy to him, though I wasn’t sure why he liked his girlfriend so much. I felt for him when nobody believed his innocence. He was tossed about in a turmoil of being wrongly accused and then injustice after injustice piled up on him.
My favourite parts were when he tries to figure out who the real offender was. His personal detective work was particularly engaging, but mainly Devon drifts through from circumstance to circumstance, pushed by outside forces most of the way. I really felt for him. There’s a real sense of powerlessness and injustice.
I also liked that the story shows the value of real friendships and what makes a real friend.
I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.
The main character has a good energy to him, though I wasn’t sure why he liked his girlfriend so much. I felt for him when nobody believed his innocence. He was tossed about in a turmoil of being wrongly accused and then injustice after injustice piled up on him.
My favourite parts were when he tries to figure out who the real offender was. His personal detective work was particularly engaging, but mainly Devon drifts through from circumstance to circumstance, pushed by outside forces most of the way. I really felt for him. There’s a real sense of powerlessness and injustice.
I also liked that the story shows the value of real friendships and what makes a real friend.
I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.
October 27, 2019
Devon's got it all: the perfect girlfriend, the possibility of a collage basketball scholarship, a caring family, friends. But when he's accused of deadly assault, his whole world is suddenly turned up-side-down and he finds himself in Juvenile Hall, the "good" kid thrown in with a bunch of "bad" kids. Being locked up in an alien environment is scary enough, but when he realizes the profound affect the accusation has on his family, Devon is not only riddled with guilt, he becomes determined to prove his innocence, which could get him into even deeper trouble.
This is a story about discovering who your real friends are. Are they the kids you've known most of your life, or the kids you meet in juvie? Not Guilty has got the perfect amount of teen-aged angst and resolve, determination and hope, mystery and danger.
This is a story about discovering who your real friends are. Are they the kids you've known most of your life, or the kids you meet in juvie? Not Guilty has got the perfect amount of teen-aged angst and resolve, determination and hope, mystery and danger.
October 28, 2019
It’s not easy for a writer to tell a story without sounding preachy when there are numerous lessons to be learned from the characters and events. C. Lee McKenzie pulls it off beautifully in the young adult novel, Not Guilty. Dialogue and narrative keep the reader in the story without a moment’s pause, and yet the reader comes away with powerful conclusions about the nature of true friendship, the rewards that come with honesty and integrity, the need from time to time to stand up for oneself…or a friend, and the risks we face when our anger is uncontrolled. Highly recommended for teen readers and adults (like me) who enjoy good writing.
October 29, 2019
This story about a young man falsely accused of a crime disturbed me. The author made the situation in juvie so real I had to put down the book. But the story was so well written I had to find out what happened to Devon. My persistence was rewarded. As the story unfolded, the characters became real to me. The situations Devon and his family encountered were equally realistic. Devon's obsession with discovering the true culprit "forced" me to keep reading. I had to know if he would be successful. Young readers and adults will find the book compelling.
October 24, 2019
NOT GUILTY by C. Lee Mckenzie (Evernight Teen, 2019) is a compelling suspense novel for teens of both genders. It is also accessible and appropriate for middle grade readers. There is no violence on-stage, and no sex, or gratuitous profanity.
Devon, 17, is accused and found guilty of a serious crime. He insists he is not guilty. Although in the second half of the book Devon attempts to find the real perpetrator of the crime, what I found most compelling was the account of what happened to Devon because of being found guilty. Without giving away spoilers, the author shows a realistic picture of life in juvenile detention, and, later, under parole. The characters are multi-dimensional as the story shows the emotional impact of how others treat Devon as a result of having been accused of the crime.
I highly recommend NOT GUILTY for pre-teens and teens. It would be an excellent addition to school libraries.
I was given a copy of an ARC for a fair and unbiased review.
Devon, 17, is accused and found guilty of a serious crime. He insists he is not guilty. Although in the second half of the book Devon attempts to find the real perpetrator of the crime, what I found most compelling was the account of what happened to Devon because of being found guilty. Without giving away spoilers, the author shows a realistic picture of life in juvenile detention, and, later, under parole. The characters are multi-dimensional as the story shows the emotional impact of how others treat Devon as a result of having been accused of the crime.
I highly recommend NOT GUILTY for pre-teens and teens. It would be an excellent addition to school libraries.
I was given a copy of an ARC for a fair and unbiased review.
October 25, 2019
All Devon wants is to find his girlfriend and reconcile with her after a big misunderstanding. What he doesn’t realize is that in his search, he’s stumbled into a crime scene and he will later be accused of a violent assault. But he’s not guilty so of course he’s never going to end up in juvie for a crime he didn’t commit. Right? Wrong. He’s found guilty, and now he has to prove to the police, to his friends, his classmates, his girlfriend, and the whole town that he didn’t do it. Devon’s story grabbed me by the throat and wouldn’t let go, keeping me reading long after midnight, dying to find out what happens. It’s the story of a crime, but it’s also the story of tenacity and determination and loyalty and discovering who your real friends are. Not Guilty is the most unputdownable book you’ll read this year.
October 26, 2019
Devon is falsely accused and convicted of a crime. He spends time in juvenile detention for it. Loses his chance at a basketball scholarship. Loses his girlfriend and his friends. But he ends up making new ones who he discovers are really there for him through thick and thin, not just during the good times. He’s determined to prove his innocence, but his probation officer and school stand in his way.
This is a really interesting story. I was completely invested in Devon from the beginning. His anger is believable – I actually expected more outrage surrounding the conviction. His journey will keep you gnawing your fingernails. A great contemporary, young adult novel by C. Lee McKenzie.
This is a really interesting story. I was completely invested in Devon from the beginning. His anger is believable – I actually expected more outrage surrounding the conviction. His journey will keep you gnawing your fingernails. A great contemporary, young adult novel by C. Lee McKenzie.
November 4, 2019
When I picked up Not Guilty, I never expected that I wouldn't be able to put it down until the end of the book. There was just no "good" place to stop for the night, because the story just kept me engaged and wanting to know more.
I won't give a summary of the book, because you can read the description for yourself, but what I will say is that this author knows how to tap into the minds of young adults. The thoughts, the actions, the loyalties (or lack of them) and the everyday struggles are captured so well that it kept me immersed in Devon Carlysle's world.
The MC isn't perfect—though he seems to have much, he still struggles with typical high school teen stuff, and when the going gets really tough, he doesn't shake it off with a Mr. Flawless attitude. He gets hurt. He gets scared. He gets angry . . . angry enough to act in an atypical way, and angry enough to recognize that he didn't have it all as "together" as he thought he did.
I liked the character interactions overall. People seemed realistic and there were no cookie-cutter characters. And I also liked that the good-guy help came from some unexpected places. The characters, in fact, gave a well-rounded view of people just being people: everyone had flaws, everyone had something good (even if wrongly motivated), and everyone struggled in a way that made sense in their world. The family interactions were spot-on, and the story was great about showing how what happens to one family member affects everyone in tangible ways.
The ending was solid, and I appreciated that it didn't wrap up too tidily, with everyone getting a happily ever after. Staying true to the rest of the storyline, things were better but not perfect, and that's what I think makes this YA read attractive to teens who want to see real issues dealt with in a real way.
I won't give a summary of the book, because you can read the description for yourself, but what I will say is that this author knows how to tap into the minds of young adults. The thoughts, the actions, the loyalties (or lack of them) and the everyday struggles are captured so well that it kept me immersed in Devon Carlysle's world.
The MC isn't perfect—though he seems to have much, he still struggles with typical high school teen stuff, and when the going gets really tough, he doesn't shake it off with a Mr. Flawless attitude. He gets hurt. He gets scared. He gets angry . . . angry enough to act in an atypical way, and angry enough to recognize that he didn't have it all as "together" as he thought he did.
I liked the character interactions overall. People seemed realistic and there were no cookie-cutter characters. And I also liked that the good-guy help came from some unexpected places. The characters, in fact, gave a well-rounded view of people just being people: everyone had flaws, everyone had something good (even if wrongly motivated), and everyone struggled in a way that made sense in their world. The family interactions were spot-on, and the story was great about showing how what happens to one family member affects everyone in tangible ways.
The ending was solid, and I appreciated that it didn't wrap up too tidily, with everyone getting a happily ever after. Staying true to the rest of the storyline, things were better but not perfect, and that's what I think makes this YA read attractive to teens who want to see real issues dealt with in a real way.
October 29, 2019
C. Lee McKenzie knows how to get into teenagers heads. Not Guilty is full of teeth gritting angst not only for the main character, but for the reader as well as we hope Devon can beat this false charge. Devon is on top of the world. He had it all. Looking forward to that basketball college scholarship, he had the girl of his dreams, and he was popular. Then he’s accused of a crime he didn’t commit, but can he prove it? No. And his temper is always getting the better of him. He’s sent to a juvenile facility where its hardship after hardship, with a bunch of boys pulling him apart on all sides. However, through it all, he’s learning so much. Self-control, lasting friendship, how to be subjective. After he’s released, he discovers since his incarceration his entire family has suffered. His life is a mess, but he’s determined to find the person who actually committed the crime.
I try not to leave spoilers, but I hope you’ll be rooting for Devon, who’s Not Guilty.
This is a powerfully written story which I highly recommend!
I try not to leave spoilers, but I hope you’ll be rooting for Devon, who’s Not Guilty.
This is a powerfully written story which I highly recommend!
November 9, 2019
A bloody knife with his prints. Wrong place, wrong time, and fits the description. Just like that, Devon's future is over. How can he prove he's not guilty?
Intense emotion and connections grab you from the beginning. One fateful day everything changes for Devon -- the star of the basketball team about to snag a full scholarship to the college of his choice. And it all happens so fast, accused, tried, and convicted of stabbing one of his arch enemies. But he didn't do it, and no one will listen.
At first, it was hard to take all the negative things piled one on top of the other to the point of hopelessness. But then Devon's devastation opened him up to a whole new world. He had to deal with what happened and gained new friends and a new perspective. Plus a few twists neither one of us expected!
Intense emotion and connections grab you from the beginning. One fateful day everything changes for Devon -- the star of the basketball team about to snag a full scholarship to the college of his choice. And it all happens so fast, accused, tried, and convicted of stabbing one of his arch enemies. But he didn't do it, and no one will listen.
At first, it was hard to take all the negative things piled one on top of the other to the point of hopelessness. But then Devon's devastation opened him up to a whole new world. He had to deal with what happened and gained new friends and a new perspective. Plus a few twists neither one of us expected!
February 8, 2020
A young man’s temper gets the best of him and before he can figure out what’s happening, he’s accused of assault, judged, and sent to juvenile hall in C. Lee McKenzie’s latest YA novel. Not Guilty is compelling reading.
Devon Carlyle is a likable young man, but he has a temper. He’s not shy about standing up to those who bully him, but the problem is that when the dust settles, he’s the one who looks like the aggressor, and his reaction does not garner trust.
His attitude adjustment does not come easy, and life takes a wild detour that rips everything he expected or desired away from him. The journey to redemption is hard, but the lessons are critical.
I highly recommend this superbly written tale of family, friendship, and the consequences of anger and revenge.
I highly recommend this superbly written tale of family, friendship, and the consequences of anger and revenge.
Devon Carlyle is a likable young man, but he has a temper. He’s not shy about standing up to those who bully him, but the problem is that when the dust settles, he’s the one who looks like the aggressor, and his reaction does not garner trust.
His attitude adjustment does not come easy, and life takes a wild detour that rips everything he expected or desired away from him. The journey to redemption is hard, but the lessons are critical.
I highly recommend this superbly written tale of family, friendship, and the consequences of anger and revenge.
I highly recommend this superbly written tale of family, friendship, and the consequences of anger and revenge.
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