Eli has been on death row for seven years. He’s been sentenced to a crime he claims he did not commit. However, he has no recollection of the events. If he didn’t do it, who did?

Soon he begins working with a psychiatrist trying to bring up old memories and search for new ones. Can Eli be exonerated for a crime he didn’t or did commit?

I felt the story was a little flat. It just read as a story being told with little excitement. I did enjoy the twist. The cover is fabulous too.

I’d like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC. All opinions are my own.
Publication date January 23, 2024
2.5 raised to 3 ⭐️

Utterly Gripping.
An incredible and breathtaking read that is so full of twists it leaves you spinning helplessly to the finale.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, written and narrated with such perfection, it had thrills, chills and gasp out loud moments that I simply couldn’t resist continuing, which I did, finishing it in one evening and only slightly regretting my lack of sleep but STILL exploring the tale in my head when I awoke.
It really is something special and manages to fill you with an impending sense of dread yet simultaneously full of hope.
IF you read or listen to one book this year then THIS is the ONE.
I suspect if I’d read this rather than Netgalley graciously offering me the audio version I would have devoured these shocking pages with greedy aplomb and instead, I really enjoyed sitting quietly and being treated with flawless narration at a pace.
Without doubt, this is worthy of a five star rating.

I went through so many emotions whilst reading this book, I think I experienced every emotion, but, in particular anger and sadness. I didn't know what to expect but it was so much better than I expected it to be

Seven years ago Eli Kelly was sentenced to life in prison for murder. However, he has no recollection of the crime. The whole period is a blur to him. All he knows is he was found with the victim holding the weapon.
Stourbliss can be a brutal place. Guards will turn their backs and gangs are common place. The only way to get through your day is to keep your head down.
A government scheme is set up to investigate potential miscarriages of justice. This leads to a solictor visiting Eli. She will take on his case but he needs to work with a psychiatrist to try and get his memory back of the events of the murder.
This book also tackles the topic of homophobia and the LGBTQ community within the penal system. It also looks at domestic abuse. This was an interesting read and gave an insight into prison life.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to see an ARC

I didn't have a fun time reading this, unfortunately. My biggest issue was the writing, it was stoic and emotionless and made every character seem completely flat and empty. The dialogue was weird and cringy and no one felt like a real person. The setting also wasn't well developed or described.

The story itself was very predictable and never really developed any suspense, since it was pretty obvious from the start where things were going. The character motivations were barely explored or even mentioned and the side characters didn't get any development at all. The ending was boring and definitely nothing you wouldn't have seen coming.

I'm sad to say that I did not enjoy this book. Although the plot wasn't that bad (pretty generic, nothing new), the writing made it difficult to enjoy. I'm not trying to through accusations around but there were lines that felt like AI. For a story that is supposed to be about injustice, abuse of power, domestic violence, etc., it was shockingly devoid of emotion.

The main character, Eli, lacks any nuance or depth. 7 years WRONGFULLY imprisoned and there's no bitterness towards the system or any angst at all. Sure, there are some "emotional scenes" but they feel almost robotic. Eli's friend dies. Eli is sad. Eli cries. Eli is angry! Eli yells! Nothing feels fleshed out.

There are lines that are so cliche. Nearly every line of dialogue has an action verb attached, to the point where it's almost goofy. Every verb that might SHOW us how someone is feeling is quickly followed up with an unnecessary 'tell'. "He jokes" "I chuckle" "I say angrily" "Voice was high pitched with excitement" "My body shook with anxiety" "I squeezed my fists in anger"

Also, in a story about wrongful imprisonment, nothing bad seems to happen to our MC. He's a good guy! Once again, no depth. That's all he is, a good guy, who supposedly gets taken advantage of for seven years until, one day, he doesn't anymore. Very forgettable.

This is a very surface level exploration into abuse of power in the justice system. I applaud the author for writing about these difficult subjects and bringing them into the light. I did enjoy Charlie as a character, she redeemed a lot of the book for me. There's definitely some potential here and writing can always been improved.

Thank you for the e-ARC, Netgalley!

I have to admit that this book was not for me.

The situation is very unrelatable, not because nobody could be in the protagonist's situation, but because it is hard to connect with him due to the lack of information from his "previous" life.

It didn't even feel like seven years had really gone by since he was imprisoned...

The romance felt flat and way too fast, almost like an "instant love" type of romance. Also, I felt as if I had to push way too much to like the main character, which is something rare with me!

There was no real depth to the characters of this book... and everyone just seemed to be wronged all the time...

Eli had no problem remembering everything after such a long time... it didn't even take a few tries!

Also, the legal system is not that fast! Sometimes it takes YEARS to gather all the necessary evidence to retry a case or to free someone. The system works against that because nobody wants to admit a mistake.

I really wish I could say that I enjoyed the book, but the truth is that I couldn't wait to finish it so I could start my next read and hope for it to be better.

Embarking on my first foray into an exclusively Irish LGBT+ novel, I found this to be a fantastic read that fearlessly delved into challenging subjects. The author tackled these sensitive topics with compassion, evident through the meticulous research on issues like memory loss and the conditions within prisons in a country where progressive ideals have yet to permeate correctional facilities.

Brendan, the central character, immediately captured my empathy, and the stark contrast between his two prison companions, Brendan and Charlie, provided valuable insights into Eli's compassionate nature. The inclusion of the Dána offered essential context, immersing the reader in the intricacies of Irish prison life. As someone who typically leans towards romance in the LGBT+ genre, I found myself captivated from the outset. The narrative unfolded, revealing that Eli wasn't yet prepared for love; a necessary exploration of his past was essential before moving forward, even as attraction simmered between him and Nick.

While thoroughly enjoying the story, I have a couple of suggestions. Including a glossary of Irish terms with translations for non-Irish readers, such as "bookie" and "RTE," could enhance the reader's experience. Additionally, a more in-depth exploration of Eli's time in psychiatric care, clarifying whether it occurred before or after his arrest, would have added depth to his character.

In summary, this was an excellent book that I highly recommend. It provided a refreshing departure from typical LGBT+ narratives, and despite some minor suggestions for improvement, I found the overall experience thoroughly enjoyable.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

It was a very interesting read. The plot is quite unique, the subject matter is not often in novels and it was fascinating to see the process. Eli is not a character that I really liked, but I did like to read about his life and some things that happened definitely pissed me off — as they should. I have a special mention for Charlie, I truly liked that character and she deserved better for sure. As for the mystery surrounding Eli’s crime, I actually guessed the outcome of it but I was glad that I did. Not to reveal too much, but I hate one character in particular that was involved in that. A red flag kind of character.

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a honest review.

" [...] Ten months of being in here can change someone; whether that be for better or worse, only time can tell. [...]"

Our hero is Eli Kelly, who has been in prison for seven years for killing Matt. He is twenty-eight years old. His current cellmate is Brendan. Brendan struggles to leave the prison walls. Charlie is a close and loyal friend who is hiding something from the other prisoners. For this he is beaten every day. I was very moved by his story. Tears were literally flowing down my face. We should not be allowed to oppress our fellow prisoners just because they are alive.
Anna McGrath is a lawyer. Will she take an interest in the affairs of our heroes? Are their cases worth reconsidering?
Eli Kelly's case won't be easy because he doesn't remember how his boyfriend was murdered. He doesn't remember how or why he murdered Matt. Is he really behind this crime? Will a certain doctor help him remember everything? This case won't be easy. It will be very difficult. Nevertheless, it is worth undertaking.
The book "An inquiry into innocence" by R.N. Cogley's book is not light reading. It's very exciting. You will meet LGBTQ+ people here. This book makes us think. Is everything correct in prisons? Are prisoners always guilty?
This book keeps you in suspense until the last page. There was such a twist at the end that I still can't get my head around it. An interesting read. This book is worth reading. The perfect psychological thriller.

This one is by Irish Author and set in Irish Prison
Interesting story
Can't say really good mystery
But yes it did keep me on my toes
And it was good in other ways.
.
.
The book was good
It brought to light the Domestic Abuse faced by LGBTQ+ people and how little it is represented in the books.
Even the system fails to help them.
Police/Grada didn't help them easily.
.
It's tough life for them
First to be accepted and then to be safe
And it was portrayed well in the book
.
The book also answers the question
why the people who face domestic abuse don't report the crime and also shows what happens when they actually do
And
Especially when the person is gay
.
How one who faced abuse is traumatised and is scared to accept in front of anyone that they are the survivor. They think people will judge them and are scared to accept in public that they have survived Domestic Abuse
.
It is a mystery but yes we guess what would have happened as soon as that character comes in but this book is more about the portrayal of people who have faced abuse and wrongful convicted.
❤️So it's not for someone who is looking for mystery
.
We see life in jail in Irish Prison which is the same as anywhere else
But
We see different kinds of innocent people
Shady people and
Our protagonist who was a mix of many things
.
I was glad I read this one
.
Thank you Netgalley for ARC
.
I give this one 4 stars for the portrayal of the Domestic Abuse faced by Gay community.
.
And I learnt some new Irish Terms too🙊
.

didn't finish this book. the prose felt juvenile and over-explanatory - i'd rather be left some space to make my own inferences. the premise hooked me but the execution was disappointing. the descriptions of prison violence and gore were too much for me.

✰ 2.25 stars ✰

“Somebody knows what happened, somebody remembers every detail, just not me.

And if I never remember, I’ll be stuck in here for life.”

With a compelling start, I was hoping An Inquiry Into Innocence would hold my interest till the very end. Unfortunately, the grip it had on me started to loosen, when I felt that the story wasn't really following the intent of what the blurb had hinted towards. For a story that promised to talk about the inconsistencies of the legal system, I don't quite think it was covered enough - or even served as a worthwhile story line to the narrative.

“I’ve been here for seven years and am destined to be here for much longer.

Life was the recommended sentencing verdict, and life is what I got.”

For the last seven years, Eli Kelly has been imprisoned in the Irish prison - without any recollection of the fateful night that he was arrested for murder. It's difficult for him to recall the faintest memory of that night - bits of his memory scattered in his head - oftentimes leading him to believe that he may have been, in fact, been guilty. But, once his case garners the attention of a promising solicitor, who believes that his case was dismissed too easily, he starts working with a psychiatrist, who slowly but surely helps him regain the repressed memories of a life that may have been worse off than the life he has in prison. 😥

The start was good - I'll give it that. I liked Eli's interaction with the other respective cellmates - how the hierarchy of the prison was depicted - and the various tenuous friendships that would be developed, in order to find a common ground. Throw in the sudden tentative hope that Eli could eventually be released, and that his innocence could be proven, I was curious to follow Eli on his journey to recalling the events of the fateful night that led him here. But, it is those memories, itself, that warrant a warning. 😢

Of course, to keep the element of surprise, there are no trigger warnings mentioned; so, I am a bit perplexed as to those who may not be comfortable with such heavy and unsettling topics, how would they be warned. I was certainly not prepared, and aside from my surprise, I didn't quite like the writing for the memories. It was all very shady and deeply disturbing, and again, I don't quite know how one can be made aware of it before.

Eli was deeply traumatized - victimized in more ways than one, and it's something that isn't really mentioned to be prepared for - anywhere. 🥺 The writing did start off solid, but towards the middle, it started deteriorating - it became a bit rushed. It's already a short read, but the pacing was not heightening emotions, rather racing through them. As a debut, the writing lacked a certain punch, but it was alright; simple and modest enough for me to not be bothered by it, but not enough for me to be riveted by it. 🙍🏻‍♀️

“The law is only as powerful as the people who enforce it.”

I don't think the legal aspect of Eli's case was explored well enough or even enough; aside from a couple of meetings with his legal representative, it didn't create any real effect on the story. It felt more like a side-line of the story; it's already such a short book, not enough detail was divulged into the unfair treatment of his case for it to be an impactful one. 🤷🏻‍♀️ This was probably the most disappointing take for me. I was expecting more of a look into how Eli was cheated out of the system; how there was perhaps so much inside play that led him here - some dirty schemes that were against him. I expected some more insight into it - it's so heavily stressed otherwise, that a handful of sentences that just depict doesn't seem to be enough for me.

To me, the story was more of a character-driven one, where Eli has to regain his memories, in order to find out the truth about the murder he's being charged for. We get to see his life in prison - the relationships he's forged during his time inside and how they impact his daily life - how he slowly builds up his connection with his family, in the hopes of reuniting with them again. There were certainly a handful of interesting characters that rounded up Eli's little world, and to see how each played a part was worth seeing. ❤️‍🩹

Those facets shined more than simply an inquiry into innocence. The mystery-thriller aspect that really was the selling point - how he went on to prove his innocence - while in prison. That twist was one that was a bit contrived, but I'll let it slide, because I liked how the author led up to the eventual reveal. It was tense and taut and watching pieces fall into place is always a satisfying feeling for me. 👍🏻

So, in the end, the blurb promises something else, but honestly, the story was something else, which certainly defeats the purpose of what I was intending to read about. 😔

I'm pretty sure that I experienced the 5 stages of grief, while reading this book. Eli Kelly has been in prison for the last 7 years, after he was convicted of murder. The issue with this? He cannot remember what happened the night of the murder. The only thing he can recall is the blood on his hands and holding the murder weapon when the police arrived. Eli is not 100% convinced that he committed the crime he was convicted of, even though the details of that night are foggy. This book explores the brokenness of the justice system and proves that sometimes the wrong person is convicted of a crime.

This was the first book within the LGBT+ genre I have read that was solely set within Ireland. It was a fantastic read and dealt with some difficult topics. These topics were discussed with a sense of compassion and although difficult to read at times you could tell the author did thorough research into things like memory loss and life behind bars in a country who’s progressive nature has yet to penetrate the prisons. The main character Brendan was endearing and you wanted him to succeed from the beginning. The contrast between his two best friends in the prison Brendan and Charlie also added great insight into how Eli acted around others which was always with compassion. The inclusion of the Dána was also necessary to fully integrate the reader into how prison life in Ireland operates. I would highly recommend this story as someone who avidly reads this genre I usually tend to go for romance based literature but found myself captivated from the beginning. It also became apparent that Eli was not yet ready for love even though him and Nick were attracted to one another he needed to come to terms with his past before he could move forward. Some suggestions would be to include a list of Irish terms such as bookie and RTE With translations for non-Irish readers at the end. I also wish there had been a deeper discussion around Eli’s time in psychiatric care which might further explain why he wasn’t psychologically present at trial. It was also hard to discern if he spent time there before or after his arrest. Overall it was a fantastic book and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

This story starts out slow but when you get maybe 1/4 of the way into the book it starts to get the mystery in the story. The book does have a great plot but i think it would have been better had it been from Eli perspective through the whole book. Instead we see from other peoples perspectives as in the dr, partents and his other prisoners.

The twists were good and telling of Eli's past was great. The book was well written but could have been better being told from Eli instead of everyone else. I get that this probably helped lead up to some of the aspects i feel that it could have been better with more of Eli.

Thanks NetGalley for allowing me to read and review.

Rating: ⭐⭐½ (2.5 stars, rounded to 3)

An Inquiry into Innocence presents a compelling premise and introduces engaging characters, laying the foundation for what could have been an exceptional read. However, my experience with the book was ultimately marred by a misalignment between the narrative style and my personal preferences.

The strength of the novel lies in its intriguing premise and the cast of characters it introduces. The initial promise of an engaging story is fulfilled, drawing readers into a world where innocence is put under scrutiny due to a seemingly sudden onset of amnesia. The characters, with their complexities and interactions, add depth to the narrative and provide moments of genuine interest. Eli does indeed stand out as a complex and fascinating one in his own right.

Despite this, however, there are moments where the narrative falls flat and veers into realms that feel unrealistic, causing a dissonance with the overall tone. These lapses in credibility, while not detracting from the enjoyability of the book, do create a sense of inconsistency that may leave readers questioning the narrative's authenticity.

It's crucial to note that my criticisms stem from a personal disconnect with the narrative style rather than any inherent flaws in the storytelling or characterization. While the book did not resonate with me during certain moments, it still managed to offer an overall enjoyable reading experience. The strength of the premise and characters salvages the narrative, making it a worthwhile venture for readers who may find themselves less sensitive to the stylistic choices that affected my enjoyment.

Wow, I can't describe everything I felt while reading this book. I kept hoping it was NOT a true story, it would have broke my heart even more ! The way the author writes everything Eli went through, it's crazy. I just wanted to cuddle/comfort him and tell him I want to be his friend. I'm happy with the ending even though I think he deserved to get compensated for what he went through. I'll definitely read more of this author.

Thanks to Netgalley and Cranthorpe Millner Publishers for access to this arc in exchange for my honest review.

I would like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. I really enjoyed this book, so much so I read it in one sitting, the characters were great and the twist was brilliant, I will be recommending this book to everyone I know.

Content Warnings: Intimate partner violence, homophobia, transphobia

Cogley’s novel has an excellent plot, and if the story had fully focused on Eli, the first-person narrator, I think it would have been stronger. Eli is an interesting individual, partially due to his memory loss related both to a murder for which he was convicted and partially due to the way his case was handled and the re-investigation of it that follows. Without getting too much into spoilers, I think Eli’s uncovered past was excellently written. The “twist” was also good – not as effective as it could have been, but a solid twist in itself.

However, the book deviates too far away from this plot. There’s no real tension or mystery until maybe a quarter or a third into the novel. Instead, it's weighed down with side characters and plots (friends of Eli in prison, full letters between Eli and his parents, a criminal psychology course). While these DO establish some important aspects for the book, they could have been shortened and honed just on their relation to the main plot. I think with better pacing or better editing, this book would have been stronger. However, it was still an okay read if you like this type of story.