The Innocent (Baldacci novel)

The Innocent is a 2012 thriller novel by American author David Baldacci. It is the first book in the Will Robie series.

The novel centers on Will Robie, a highly skilled assassin working for the United States government. Robie is tasked with eliminating enemies of the state, operating outside the boundaries of traditional military or law enforcement. His world is turned upside down when he is given an assignment that he questions and ultimately refuses to carry out: the assassination of a seemingly ordinary woman in a small Virginia town.

Forced to go on the run, Robie becomes an accidental protector to a teenage runaway, Julie Getty, who witnessed the aftermath of a related murder. As they investigate the truth behind the assassination order and the forces behind it, Robie and Julie uncover a conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of power. They must rely on each other to survive and expose the corruption, all while being hunted by Robie's former colleagues and other powerful enemies.

The novel explores themes of government overreach, moral ambiguity, the impact of violence on individuals, and the complexities of trust. It is characterized by its fast-paced plot, action sequences, and suspenseful atmosphere. The Innocent was a New York Times bestseller.