This paperback original by Sophie Littlefield opens with a unique situation not often seen in suspense/thrillers. Guilt is a pervading emotion throughout the novel, and it pushes some of the characters to do things they would not normally be capable of. Hence, the opening chapter that finds Ron Isherwood about to take his own life by leaping from a bridge. What makes this situation unique is that he makes a cell phone call to Maris Vacanti.

What readers might normally assume is a cry for help from a person who is hurting has a much deeper dynamic in THE GUILTY ONE. Ron's son, Karl, was convicted of murdering Maris' daughter, Calla. Whether or not Karl is truly guilty is not the issue here. The situation, which resolves itself when police bring Ron down from the bridge, opens up a wild new direction for both Ron and Maris, and their lives may never be the same.

"THE GUILTY ONE asks readers to reevaluate the title of the story and decide who the true guilty person is. The themes of loss and renewal penetrate each passing chapter as we see the principal characters move from bad to good places in their own lives."

As Ron struggles with the guilt over his son’s alleged act, he remains fully supported by his caring wife. The Isherwood family, though unable to even mention their son's name to one another, is trying to get by. Meanwhile, Maris and her husband, Jeff, have watched their marriage fall apart --- perhaps a direct result of the murder of their daughter.

Maris, on a whim, abandons her life and takes an apartment in a lesser part of Oakland, CA, through the recommendation of a casual friend she met at yoga class. Maris is free from her deceitful ex-husband and concerned but critical sister, and has the opportunity to reinvent herself completely. This is spurred on by the flurry of emotions and feelings she experiences from the suicide attempt call.

Maris goes from despising the Isherwoods to actually referring to Ron as a “friend” when questioned by the police at the scene of his attempted leap. It is as if the murder of her daughter stunted her life and personal growth, and this newfound acceptance through Ron's phone call and overwhelming grief has somehow freed her.

Meanwhile, Ron continues to visit his son in prison and slowly comes around to accepting his pleas that he is not guilty. Ron also has an opportunity to reinvent his own life, to move from grief to a different place where he can put his energy behind supporting Karl and looking for answers to resolve what actually happened with Calla's murder.

THE GUILTY ONE asks readers to reevaluate the title of the story and decide who the true guilty person is. The themes of loss and renewal penetrate each passing chapter as we see the principal characters move from bad to good places in their own lives.