Part mystery/part romance, The Innocents is a genre mix-up that, contrary to my initial opinion, works extremely well. Set during the days of the “Wild West”, The Innocents pushes together Abigail MacKay, a female Pinkerton Detective (and yes, that does raise some conflict within the novel), and Nat Quinn, co-leader of The Innocents, a band of robbers who take great care not to kill anyone in their life of crime. With an atmospheric setting, even pacing and some well defined characters, the stage is set for a romantic whodunnit that, in the finest tradition of the latter genre, concludes with a round up of the key suspects. What is most striking about this story is the dialogue – it sparkles off the page and gives many of the characters a great definition and placement within the tale. You can picture the scenes playing out in a movie, and there is an air of believability that permeates throughout. If you are a fan of one genre but not the other, I would heartily recommend giving The Innocents a perusal – it has a wonderful balance that drags you in from a very convincing opening to its dramatic denouement. (Book Tour Reviewer Andrew Oyston)
The Innocents by C. A. Asbrey presents a compelling story that kept me engaged from beginning to end. The novel showcases an intriguing plotline filled with suspense and mystery that will undoubtedly captivate readers. One aspect that I found slightly off-putting was the author’s attempt to infuse a deeply literary tone. While the intention to create a literary atmosphere is commendable, at times it felt forced and overshadowed the natural flow of the story. I personally prefer a more straightforward narrative style that allows the story to shine on its own merits. However, despite this reservation, the plot was well-crafted, with unexpected twists and turns that kept me guessing. The tension between the two main protagonists was palpable! The characters were well-developed and had their own unique qualities, making them relatable and engaging. Overall, The Innocents is a good read, offering a captivating storyline that will undoubtedly entertain fans of mystery and suspense. While the author’s literary ambitions occasionally felt overdone, they do not detract significantly from the quality of the book. I recommend this novel to anyone seeking an engrossing tale. (Book Tour Reviewer Eleanor Dixon)
Detective Abigail Mackay is a Scottish fire-cracker of a character who starts off the novel with a clear purpose: find The Innocents, a pair of gentlemanly but dastardly criminals who steal from the rich. She meets them sooner than she expects and that beginning is the start of a slow burn that simmers under the surface of the novel the whole way through. Abigail has her share of personality, wit, resourcefulness and bravery. However, she is not invincible, and she soon needs help from the very men she set out to pursue: Jake and Nat Conroy. In addition to the dynamic duo we have a strong supporting cast of characters who feel unique and fleshed out. Everybody had clear motives and a distinctive dialogue. The story moves efficiently through different plot points with a pacing that is satisfactory; not too slow or too fast. The ending brings everything tightly together and is a treat to read. This story blends historical facts with mystery and romance in a seamless way. (Book Tour Reviewer Sophie Jupillat Posey)
The Innocents is a story about a female investigator working for the Pinkertons in 1868 and her pursuit of The Innocents, a gang of robbers famous for only targeting banks and railroads and not killing or stealing from civilians. It plays out as a combination of a Western, a crime thriller, a mystery, and a romance novel, weaving all of its elements together skillfully around the main character of Abigail and her efforts to prove herself in a profession dominated by men. (Book Tour Reviewer Tim Marshall)
The Innocents is a 19th Century American tale of a gang of train robbers of the same name, and the lady Pinkerton detective who is chasing them. Two of the gang, Nat Quinn and Jake Conroy are family, but not one that can be traced by any investigator. Undercover in a prestigious brothel, detective Abigail is ideally situated to track them. But! A twist is revealed – a rival gang completes a robbery using their name! Following the gang to their hideout – who used the brothel in their celebrations but broke the rules so are escorted out – Abigail is unsure if she will find the men she is after, but as a law woman, she is doing useful work regardless. A mistake when following them almost leads to her death, until she is rescued by Nat and Jake accidentally. This is just one of the plot twists, as The Innocents once they find the gang of the copycat robbery, hand them over to the sheriff’s office for the correct punishment – and to clear their name. Forced to work with Abigail under a form of a truce when two women known to them are killed, Nat and Jake want justice, accepting Abigail’s help as a payback for her rescue. They work as an odd trio of law persons, with the outlaws able to experience life from the other side! Going their separate ways again, despite Abigail not achieving what she set out to do, she finds she has fallen under the spell of Nat especially. But, in their positions, the lovers cannot ever be compatible. An engaging and gripping story, at times the author tries too hard with long complicated words where simpler ones would do better. Most of the time, it is a brilliant piece of writing, but the poor editing lets it down. (Book Tour Reviewer Yvonne Marrs)
What an amazing opener to The Innocents series! The story follows women, working in a man’s world to make their way and prove themselves. The characters are all beautifully crafted and jump off the page. The dialogue is believable and engaging, and the tension and twists and turns are played perfectly. I can see this story making a wonderful TV series. Are you reading this Netflix? Abigail, at the heart of the story is a memorable protagonist, but all of the characters are engaging. If you’re looking for a book to get lost in this summer, you could do a lot worse than pick up The Innocents. (Book Tour Reviewer Michelle Marshall)
The Innocents is a great first book and introduction to what proves to be a very promising series. The plot is engaging and moves at a good pace, with very likeable and credible characters. Jake and Nat are endearing and loveable rogues who despite the fact they are outlaws have a good heart and radiate compassion and empathy. The dialogue is well written and brings out each of their personalities in a way readers can fully relate to and find believable. The main protagonist Abigail is an inspiring female lead, proving that women can be equal amongst men despite how some societies may view them. Many will want to emulate Abigail and will love the character for her inner strength, wit, quick thinking and intelligence. I really enjoyed the dynamics of her relationship with Jake and Nat and I also liked that the Author balanced her character out and showed readers a vulnerable side to her too. This is definitely a series that readers will want to add to their personal library collection and will have you automatically reaching for the next book in the series to follow Abigail, Jake and Nat’s stories. (Book Tour Reviewer Kirsty McKay)
We award 4.5 stars.
