As a novella tucked into Shiloh Walker's FBI Psychics series; THE INNOCENT tackles the story of troubled psychic Jay Robertson. Jay's psychic ability is that she can feel the thoughts of anyone she touches. While an excellent tool while on the job, this makes for a troublesome social life; and virtually impossible to carry on any kind of a personal relationship with a man. As such, Jay is a 25 year old virgin, starved for the attention and touch of a man. Jay has been carrying on an online relationship with Sheriff Linc Dawson, who she had telephone contact with when he assisted the FBI on a previous case. The romance has been moving along nicely for a few months; with daily chats and regular skype sessions. After not getting in touch with Jay for over a week, Linc suddenly informs Jay that it is over between them, and breaks off all contact.

Unwilling to accept or understand Linc's strange behavior, Jay decides to visit Georgia, where Linc is based as sheriff. What she finds is a small southern town steeped in mystery, and decidedly locked into the past. Linc is no longer sheriff; he has been deposed by Steven Mays, who has virtual control of the entire town. Strange things and heinous crimes have been happening in Hell, Georgia. There have been unusual deaths and disappearances of young women over the past few months. One of these disappearances is that of Lin's teenage daughter Dee-Dee, a daughter he has never told Jay about. While attempting to investigate the case of his missing daughter and the other disappearances, Linc and Jay end up in jail.

A vengeful Steven Mays is determined to stop the investigation, as it seems to be centering around the mysterious actions of his son Blayne. Jay calls in for help from her FBI team, and psychic Taige and her new husband Cullen; who were the leads in the original story of the series, The Missing. with more of the FBI team assembled, Jay is able to take on a full investigation of the crimes.

THE INNOCENT is an intriguing, creepy tale of murder, mystery, and mayhem in the deep south. Shiloh Walker has done a credible job of bringing the lifestyle of southern people into play without bringing in too many stereotypes. although the story itself is well fleshed out, the romance is a bit too hurried to be plausible. It is left to the reader to imagine the relationship that went on between them online; but as that is before the story begins, the reader has no prior knowledge of the relationship except that it is. THE INNOCENT is book 4.5 of the FBI Psychics series, but can easily be read standalone. Although there are team members involved who have had their book already, their backstory is touched on well enough to keep the reader informed and to enjoy the story.