Featuring gruesome murders, a high body count and a serial killer on the loose, The Guilty One is one hell of a suspenseful, dark and twisty story. Just the way I like it! Bill Schweigart’s evil genius is on full display in this book, one that captures your attention early and keeps a tight death grip on you throughout.
Detective Cal Farrell is a hero in Alexandria, Virginia for his role in thwarting an active shooter situation 6 months ago. Only he doesn’t remember everything from that day and that leads to others questioning his actions and his rapid ascent from patrol officer to detective. However, while out on a run he discovers a dead body hanging incredibly high in a tree over the trail, soon followed by other victims of what appears to be a serial killer. Cal gets involved in the investigation as the bodies pile up, sharing insights and angles that others aren’t thinking of, resulting in suspicions being cast in his direction. With his history of missing memories, could he be involved in these grisly murders in some way and not know it? Or is someone setting him up to be the patsy? If Cal can’t figure out the truth and who he can trust, he will swiftly go from hero to goat…and a maximum-security prison cell for life.
The Guilty One represents a departure from Bill’s monster-laden Fatal Folklore Trilogy and his humorous, melodious and uplifting serialized novel Running Light, but one he pulls off with aplomb due to his superior intelligence and sexual magnetism. Ok maybe that last part is a bit of a stretch, but regardless of your take on the state of Bill’s mental capacity and physical attractiveness (and I know people are lining up around the block to weigh in on this topic), The Guilty One is undeniably superb. It contains a flawed but willing protagonist that you want to believe in and root for. The story is crafted to sow enough doubt to keep readers guessing on who’s behind the murders deep into the book. The conduct of several characters will engage readers at an emotional level by eliciting a strong, passionate response to their behavior. And if that’s not enough, it concludes with a wonderfully psychotic flourish that will have you exclaiming, “Oh shit!”
On a more serious note, The Guilty One takes on complex topics by exploring mental health and the human response to traumatic experiences through the events and characters in the story. As a result, this book has depth that goes beyond entertainment and into the realm of realism and relatability. Because we’ve all faced challenges in our lives and/or know people close to us who have had to overcome difficult situations. Which means we understand that everyone responds differently and therefore it puts the actions of these characters into a context that we can empathize with. Except for the serial killer. Hopefully we all don’t have the type of experience that allows us to empathize with that person.
All of which goes to say that of all the thrillers I’ve read this year, The Guilty One is definitely one of them. I kid, I kid. It’s a thriller that I thoroughly enjoyed. Dark and twisted but with enough humor – and a little love – to strike a good balance that keeps readers engrossed and entertained. Additionally, it left me wanting more (in a good way) with Cal being a character that people will rally behind and whose development has just begun with a limitless number of stories that can be told with him as the lead protagonist. So if Bill can please hurry up and write a sequel to turn this into a series, I would be greatly appreciative. Because I would love to see what happens next.
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Purchase The Guilty One
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Barrington Books
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Murder By The Book
Once Upon A Crime
The Book Dragon
The Poisoned Pen
