PRESUMED GUILTY (PRESUMED INNOCENT #3)
BY: SCOTT TUROW

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN READING A REALISTIC COURTROOM DRAMA?

Then look no further than SCOTT TUROW'S outstanding newest novel called, "PRESUMED GUILTY." It's been years since I read this fantastic Authors's MASTERPIECE called, "PRESUMED INNOCENT," but I never forgot it since it was so well written by this erudite Author, who writes courtroom dramas with so much realism. I knew that this newest one would be just as captivating and unputdownable, and it was. I don't read legal novels often, but to my best estimation of the ones that I have read, NOBODY comes close to Scott Turow in writing them. This was every bit as compelling for a multitude of reasons as his novel "PRESUMED INNOCENT."

Russ Sabich is in his seventies when he has reached the time in his life when he is living the life of his dreams after being in a retired Judge, with Bea. He finds her to be everything he has not experienced in his prior relationships with Bea. They have a substantial couple of decades between them, with Russ being older but that isn't a problem for either one of them. This story is set in the Mid West in the U.S. They have been together for seven joyous years with Russ wanting to marry Bea. They have both been married before, and in Bea's case she has an adopted son named Aaron who is twenty-two years old who is living with Bea and Russ who seems like a good person who is on probation for a Felony. He was released from jail after being caught carrying drugs for his love of his life, who has recently become a troubled young woman named, Mae Potter.

As a part of Aaron's probation he is not allowed to leave their County, not allowed to drive a vehicle, do any drugs, associate with anyone else that does them, and to let his mother and her fiancee know where he is. Aaron and Mae take off to go camping and discuss future marriage plans when they have a fight that Aaron grabs Mae's phone, and declares to her that he's done with Mae for good. Since Mae drove he has to hitchhike home, and Mae follows him because she doesn't want Aaron to break things off.

Aaron takes a while to get home since they were camping in a remote area far from home. When Mae disappears for weeks, and Aaron is eventually arrested for Mae's murder Bea begs Russ to defend Aaron. There are so many reasons Russ thinks that this is a bad idea and he's right to think that. Will Russ relent and defend Aaron? Who murdered Mae? You might think you know but you won't find out until the final EXPLOSIVE ending! It remains a mystery throughout the entire book who the murderer is. That's another wonderful aspect of this MULTIFACETED novel.

This masterful written novel was so well written by Scott Turow that it taught me a lot about courtroom legalese in a clever way. Scott Turow did such a fantastic job with his character development and plot. I really like Russ and this is the type of novel with such vast suspense that I never wanted to stop reading, but because of it being a longer book, I looked forward to getting back to it. He has shown that he is up to date on the law up to the current present day that was easy for me to understand by his weaving it into the character's dialogue in the courtroom battle, which was compelling. He did the same thing making criminal law proceedings and legal terms in such a fascinatingly ingenious way through the characters dialogue woven into the narrative making them easy for me to grasp. This is the legal courtroom mystery that I'll be recommending highly to all readers. He also shows through Russ's character that he understands a lot about the interpersonal dynamics with such keen wisdom that shows how intelligent he is about not just the law which nobody does it better, but also about emotional matters. This novel deserves to be read by as wide of an audience as possible. This author did an OUTSTANDING job in many more aspects that I haven't included because the multitude of layers is best left for the readers to have the joy of discovering them for themselves. UNFORGETTABLE! SUSPENSEFUL! UNPREDICTABLE! INTENSE! A MUST READ!

Publication Date: January 14, 2025. AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE NOW AND YOU ARE GUARANTEED A TERRIFIC READING EXPERIENCE THAT IS GRIPPING, NUANCED & YOU WILL LEARN SO MUCH IN AN EASY TO LEARN & AT THE SAME TIME INTRIGUING THROUGH THE CHARACTERS DIALOGUE!! AND THROUGH RUSS WHO IS AN AMAZING CHARACTER!

Thank you to Net Galley, Scott Turow and, Grand Central Publishing who generously provided me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

#PresumedGuilty #ScottTurow #GrandCentralPublishing #NetGalley

Scott Turrow’s legal thriller “Presumed Gullty” was definitely a an exiting read. Rusty Sabich retired lawyer and judge is begged by his fiancé to defend her son Aaron for the murder of his girlfriend Mae. The trial brings out a lot of secrets in Aaron’s family and Mae’s family. I definitely could see this as a hit legal series show to be streamed on Netflix. If you enjoy legal and trial reads you will want this one!

Scott Turow is not the most prolific author out there. In a career spanning almost 40 years, he has written only 14 novels. But what he lacks in terms of output, he more than makes up for in quality. His latest, “Presumed Guilty,” is the third to feature former Prosecuting Attorney Rusty Sabich. Nearly 40 years after Turow and Rusty made their fictional debuts in “Presumed Innocent,” the now-retired attorney finally gets to show off his legal skills in court. The wait is definitely worth it for Turow’s fans.

In Turow’s first two Sabich novels, Rusty was twice accused of and tried for murder. Like Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch, Rusty has aged in the fictional decades since his first appearance. He’s now in his 70s, retired (except for some arbitrations and mediations he handles), and living in a rural county a few hours away from Kindle County, the site of Turow’s earlier books. He also has a cozy relationship with a live-in fiancée, Bea, 20 years younger than him. But in the words of Michael Corleone: “Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.” Rusty and Bea’s serenity is shattered when her black adopted son, Aaron, is arrested for the murder of his girlfriend, Mae.

Both Aaron and Mae had long histories of drug abuse, and when arrested, Aaron was on probation. Aaron claims he’s turned his life around, but the facts against him are strong. The couple went camping to work out their difficulties, and Aaron returned alone a couple of days later with Mae’s phone. He claimed to have taken it following an argument. However, when her body was found two weeks later in her car in a remote area, Aaron was arrested. To make matters worse, Mae was the daughter of the local prosecuting attorney who wanted to make sure Aaron paid for the crime, even though it was being tried in another county. Although Rusty is somewhat rusty as a trial attorney (he’s only had one jury trial as a defense attorney), he realizes no other local defense attorneys will be able to adequately defend Aaron.

The story’s setup I just described comprises the first quarter of “Presumed Guilty.” The author has to cram considerable backstory about Rusty, Bea, Aaron, Mae, and others into a relatively few pages. Instead of a barebones recitation of facts, Rusty philosophizes at length, and the result is a sometimes dull and disjointed narrative. However, once Rusty represents Aaron, the narrative jumps ahead several months until the start of the trial. Turow’s description of the trial occupies almost the entire rest of the book.

In the movies or on television, criminal trials take only a few minutes of on-camera time. As anyone who watched the O.J. Simpson trial remembers, the actual courtroom proceedings take days or weeks, much of it occupied by tedious preliminary questioning of witnesses. Turow recounts almost the entire trial in “Presumed Guilty” from opening statements until the conclusion of testimony. (He omits the closing statements.) The editing and condensation of testimony are seamless. Readers feel they are experiencing each witness’s testimony in its entirety. Further, Turow doesn’t just recreate the trial transcript. Instead, Rusty serves as an expert commentator as well as a participant. He describes why he and the prosecuting attorney called specific witnesses and asked specific questions. The opening statements, in particular, occupy a lengthy chapter apiece. Rusty’s (and the author’s) ruminations aren’t limited to the time that court is in session. Recesses and daily adjournments give Rusty and his investigator an opportunity to do research, investigate new leads, and debate upcoming strategies. Even before Rusty took the case, his lawyerly mind was at work when he gave his thoughts on the ramifications of the police’s search of his property for evidence against Aaron.

The result of the author’s detailed analysis is the most fascinating literary depiction of a criminal trial I’ve ever read. The narrative never gets bogged down in legal obscurities or trivialities, even when Turow recounts the testimony of minor witnesses. Instead, he shows how an experienced litigator uses all types of testimony (and in what order he introduces the testimony) to advance his case. The author also shows how and when Rusty cross-examines witnesses for maximum effect. Turow also introduces some terminology with which many lay readers may be unfamiliar, like a Brady hearing (referring to the Supreme Court case requiring the prosecution to turn over all evidence in its possession favorable to the defense).

The author also uses Rusty as a sounding board for some discussions removed from the facts of this case. Aaron is a young black defendant with a criminal record accused of the brutal murder of a white woman. The case is being tried in a rural county with few black residents, and Rusty has to consider any inherent biases the jury may have and how to counter them. The author also brings up the notion of confirmation bias regarding an eyewitness who saw Aaron’s last argument with Mae.
Those who have read Scott Turow’s earlier books may suspect that “Presumed Guilty” will contain some surprises, and it does. Previously hidden information that helps explain some of the earlier events comes out during the trial. Also, readers who enjoy traditional whodunits will be pleased to know that the author explains how the girlfriend’s death actually occurred.

“Presumed Guilty” is a long book, but readers will not want to put it down once the trial starts. I’ve read many legal thrillers, but this novel is the best at describing a fictional trial, with its mix of plausible testimony and incisive analysis. Readers will feel they are in the courtroom with Rusty and Aaron, experiencing the trial’s ups and downs from day to day. This book would have been better if the author had spent more time establishing the main characters in the beginning, but that’s a mere quibble. Scott Turow has taken his time providing readers with the legal encounters of Rusty Sabich, but the delay has been worth it. “Presumed Guilty” is as finely crafted and fascinating a legal thriller as readers are going to find.

NOTE: The publisher graciously provided me with a copy of this book through NetGalley. However, the decision to review the book and the contents of this review are entirely my own.

I spent the last couple of months of 2024 revisiting favorite authors that I had been neglecting and those books ending up being some of my favorite reads of the year. Scott Turow is the best legal thriller writer out there and his book Presumed Innocent is a masterpiece of the genre, so I was thrilled when I was gifted an arc of his upcoming novel,Presumed Guilty from @grandcentralpub and @netgalley.

To my delight, we return to the world of Rusty Sabich. He’s moved upstate, is engaged to Bea and appears to have found contentment. That is until the night his stepson, Aaron, who is on probation for drug possession doesn’t come home. When he does, he claims to have been camping with his girlfriend Mae. The only problem is Mae is found dead and Aaron is arrested for her murder. Rusty decides to defend his soon to be stepson and where the novel goes from there is sheer brilliance.

This is the best legal thriller I have read in many years. Turow tells the story through Rusty’s eyes which lends it a a depth and pathos that isn’t found in many thrillers. Rusty’s backstory is filled with personal baggage that when intertwined with Aaron’s story makes for a complex plot and character driven novel of deception and murder. The writing here is impeccable- few authors are able to bring such nuance to crime writing. And the courtroom scenes….. no other writer can match what Turow does. Filled with tension and suspense, it is some of the best writing you will find anywhere.

I rang in the new year with this beauty of a book and it carried over into yesterday, so I will count it as my first read of 2025. And when I closed the book I had a moment of silence as I contemplated what I had just read and had I goosebumps from the brilliance of it. I would not be surprised if this will be one of my favorite books of the year!

Presumed Guilty by Scott Turow is a deep dive into the defense of a young man. From the defendant to the attorneys and the families, this is a real look at what goes on in court as well as in the lives of all involved.

I read Presumed Innocent (the first book in this series) many years ago. While I may have picked up one or two of Scott Turow's books in between, it had been quite a while since I last read his work. What was I thinking? Presumed Guilty is legal thriller perfection. You don't need to have read the first book to thoroughly enjoy this one, but once you finish it, you'll likely want to go back and read Presumed Innocent. This griping, edge-of-your-seat thriller is nearly impossible to put down.

Presumed Guilty by Scott Turow is a brilliant legal thriller that really showcases his talent for the genre. The story is layered, immersive, and feels incredibly real. The plot is so well put together, the characters are compelling, and there’s a strong sense of authenticity throughout. I was completely drawn into the moral dilemmas and Turow’s world, where themes like love, loyalty, friendship, secrets, drugs, murder, and lies all come together seamlessly.

Retired judge Rusty Sabich has settled into a quiet life in a rural town with his fiancée, Bea. Their tranquility is upended when Bea’s adopted son, Aaron, is accused of murdering his girlfriend, Mae. Reluctantly, Sabich agrees to defend Aaron, setting the stage for a gripping and elegantly crafted legal thriller. I read Presumed Innocent by Turow years ago, and I was excited to immerse myself in this compelling novel. Despite its length, I easily read this novel in a couple of days.

Beyond the excellent courtroom scenes, Presumed Guilty is a story about living and being human. Turow does an amazing job creating a world so full of detail that I could almost see Sabich’s thoughts and interactions playing out in front of me. Turow is a talented writer, and his work feels fresh and top-notch. What really stands out is his knack for pulling me into the story, making everything feel real and believable.

Presumed Guilty is as good as it gets and an absolute standout in the legal thriller genre. The plotting is top-notch, especially the courtroom scenes, and the ending couldn’t have been more perfect. This narrative is just as great as his first novel, Presumed Innocent, and even though this is the third book in the series, it works perfectly well as a standalone.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing, and Scott Turow for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book.

Rusty Sabich is a much different person than the one we first met in Presumed Innocent. For one thing, about 40 years have passed, and they have not always been kind to Rusty. After being accused of murder, acquitted, and then actually convicted of another murder, Rusty has seen the law from both sides, as prosecutor and as prosecuted, but he has seldom been the defender. So now, when he is asked to defend the son of the woman he loves, for the charge of murder, he has a lot of insight as to what this will entail. But in the end, he agrees.

Aaron Housley has been involved with Mae Potter since they were both in 8th grade. But the relationship has never really been an easy one, and they have broken up and reunited many times. But now Aaron says they are over for good - and Mae has disappeared. When her body is found and it seems she was murdered, law enforcement looks no further than Aaron and he is soon charged with her murder.

So when Rusty agrees to take Aaron's case, he is not really sure if Aaron is innocent, as he proclaims. But a good defense attorney doesn't need to believe his client, he just needs to provide the best defense possible. And his lover, Bea, who happens to be Aaron's mother, is grateful, but knows some facts that might complicate both the case and the future of her life with Rusty.

We get to know the extended families of both Aaron and Mae, but, like many of Turow's stories, we don't know the truth until the end. And i like how well he tells a story, right up until we find out the truth along with everyone else.

I have never read a more engaging legal drama/mystery than the ones that Scott Turow writes. This one started just a bit slowly, but he was setting the stage for what was to come. Since Presumed Innocent is one of my favorite books, I found it particularly rewarding that he provided context for Rusty's aging character. I always enjoy following a character through time and reflecting on how their life experiences has changed them for the better and/or for the worse. The novel includes a bit of romance, race-related issues, psychology, mystery, and lots of drama. It's lengthy, but it is written so well that I read it quickly for an over 500 page read! I highly recommend this novel. My sincere thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an ARC of this book.

Turow is having a moment. Presumed Innocent was a big Apple show last year (and going forward, although I imagine off book), and now he returns to Rusty Sabich in this new book. Sabich is in his late 70s here and he has to come out of retirement to defend his girlfriends son of murder. This is set in the rural Midwest instead of Chicago, and deals with the politics of small towns rather than big cities. Turow is really great at writing detailed court room procedure, and the book really shines when it gets to the court. He still has the goods many years later, and this made me want to go back and dig into all the Turow’s I didn’t read in between Presumed Innocent and Guilty

Presumed Guilty by Scott Turow was an intriguing story that kept me glued to the pages.
This story is tautly-plotted, oozing with suspense and mystery - a must-read for crime lovers everywhere.
The characters are complex and the story is amazing.

Nearly 38 years after Scott Turow introduced readers to Rusty Sabich, a young prosecutor accused of murder, in “Presumed Innocent,” Rusty is back and facing more legal turmoil in “Presumed Guilty,” out Tuesday (Grand Central Publishing, 544 pages, $30).

Rusty isn’t young anymore; he’s not Harrison Ford, who played him in the 1990 movie, and he’s certainly not Jake Gyllenhall, who stars in the current Apple TV+ adaptation. Rusty is retired as an appeals court judge, living quietly in on a lake in an undefined state in the upper Midwest.

Finally, in his 70s, it seems that Rusty (whose sexual peccadilloes figured both in “Presumed Innocent” and in an interim novel, “Innocent”) has found true love. He is engaged to the considerably younger Bea and is doing his best to help parent her troubled young-adult son, Aaron, on parole on a drug charge.

There’s no peace and quiet for Rusty, though. Aaron has an even more troubled girlfriend, Mae, daughter of a prominent family of lawyers and prosecutors. When Aaron and Mae disappear, Rusty and Bea are frantic to retrieve Aaron before his parole blows up, or worse happens.

It does, of course, and that is just the beginning of the legal tangles in this 544 page procedural, which finds Rusty defending Aaron (conflict of interest be damned) on the charge of murdering Mae.

Saying that Turow doesn’t skimp on the process is understating. We follow along in detail through investigation, discovery, jury selection and finally the trial itself, until we emerge feeling pretty sure we could pass the bar exam in some undefined Midwestern state.

Turow is credited with redefining the legal thriller with “Presumed Innocent.” As for “Presumed Guilty,” few readers are likely to bail out before the end, which comes with a satisfying reveal. But some might wish for more thrills, and perhaps fewer words.

I am a huge Scott Turow fan. Also, a huge fan of legal thrillers. This was sent to me and I had NOT read the first two books in the series. Lucky for me I was able to get them quickly and burn through them in order to be read for this. I kid you not - I would start over and read them over again. loved it. I cant imagine a better legal thriller writer at this point in time.

Book review for Scott Turrow Presumed Guilty. Always enjoy Turrow's legal novels. The book sucked me in. Like how Turrow explains the all the legal terms and how court proceedings work
Presumed Guilty by Scott Turow is another compelling legal thriller that showcases Turow's expertise in the genre. The novel draws readers in with its intricate plot and well-developed characters, making it hard to put down. Turow's ability to explain legal terms and court proceedings in a way that is both informative and engaging adds depth to the story, making it accessible to readers who may not be familiar with the legal world.

The book's suspenseful narrative and unexpected twists keep readers on the edge of their seats, while the detailed portrayal of the legal system provides a fascinating backdrop. If you're a fan of legal dramas, Presumed Guilty is a must-read that will leave you eagerly anticipating Turow's next novel.

Presumed Innocent is one of my favorite courtroom dramas, and one that I have re-read several times. I've read several of Turow's other books, but I jumped at the chance to request Presumed Guilty as soon as I read that Turow had written another sequel featuring Rusty Sabich. Rusty is now 76 years old and chooses to defend his romantic partner's adopted Black son after he is accused of murdering his drug-addicted girlfriend. Rusty knows this could be a lose-lose situation, but Turow is one of the best at writing high stakes legal dramas. This long novel wasn't quite as gripping as the original Presumed Innocent, but I was still anxious to get through all 544 pages of suspense to reach the conclusion; the suspense continues even after the conclusion of the trial.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book. It will be published on January 14, 2025.

Yeah! Scott Turow is back in top form. A suspenseful thoughtful crime court room novel. Contains all the elements of a fast reading Turow novel....characters, themes and court room drama. You have a front row to the trial. And of course a twist which is usually associated with Turow. Defintely a recommend .

Scott Turow has done it again. He is a master of legal thrillers. He goes deep with his character development and court cases. The twists and turns that kept me guessing right until the end. I’ve seen the movie & TV show for Presumed Innocent and love his storytelling.

Thank you to NetGalley & Grand Central Publishing for letting me read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Scott Turow, the mastermind behind the hit legal thriller Presumed Innocent Series (Presumed Innocent #1) and the Apple TV series, (Innocent #2), is back with the highly anticipated #3, PRESUMED GUILTY. His return will thrill fans and attract new readers.

Turow's latest work is a gripping, emotionally charged legal thriller that delves into the dark side of a small town with hidden secrets and Rusty’s brilliant trial tactics. The story's intensity kept me hooked, and I found it just as compelling as the first two books in the series.

Audiobook...

The audiobook, narrated by the exceptionally talented Grover Gardner, is a true masterpiece. His stellar performance captivates you from the first page to the last, making it a must-listen for fans of the series.

About...

Jake Gyllenhaal, as Rusty Sabich on the TV series, is now older and a retired judge at age 77 in #3 PRESUMED GUILTY. He is winding down and soon to be married to Bea, and they reside on an idyllic lake in the rural Midwest.

However, Rusty's laid-back, carefree retirement days will soon be front and center when he is faced with saving his newfound family.

Bea adopted her young adult son, Aaron (black, age 22), who lives under their supervision as he is on probation for drug possession. He and his girlfriend were planning a camping getaway.

However, he is missing and not answering his phone. His parole officer will check in, and Bea and Rusty are responsible for him. If he does not show up soon, he will return to prison.

He shows up but is not very forthcoming about his absence. He said he and his girlfriend, Mae, had a fight, and he hitchhiked home. While they were there, she was busy posting on social media and not knowing what Aaron had in mind for their getaway.

Mae is discovered dead, and Aaron is arrested for first-degree murder. Rusty does not want to represent him, but Bea desperately needs help. She believes her son is innocent, and the best attorney she knows is Rusty. She cannot trust his future with a pro bono attorney with no skills. The evidence is pretty stacked against him.

Rusty knows his way around a courtroom, but is he prepared to take Aaron's life and future into his own hands? What if he loses? Bea will never forgive him.

He also knows about being falsely convicted of murder himself years ago, so Rusty understands how the justice system works and feels for Aaron.

Can the system provide justice for those who are presumed guilty?

My thoughts...

PRESUMED GUILTY is another top-notch legal thriller masterpiece by the pro. Fans will love catching up with Rusty and seeing him in action in his old age, able to maneuver small-town politics, courtroom drama, and racial injustice while trying to balance his personal life.

It is intense, suspenseful, and twisty, with plenty of complex, emotionally charged courtroom drama to keep you gripped to the end. At first, you may think this may be a Gabby Petito case, but it is not, and so much more.

TV Series...

Presumed Innocent is an American legal thriller television series created by David E. Kelley, based on the 1987 novel of the same name by Scott Turow. The series is the first television adaptation of the book, following the 1990 film adaptation starring Harrison Ford and Brian Dennehy. It premiered on Apple TV+ on June 12, 2024. In July 2024, the series was renewed for a second season. On October 29, 2024, it was reported that the upcoming novel Dissection Of A Murder by Jo Murray is to be used as source material for the second season. I am hoping Presumed Guilty makes it to the screen.

PRESUMED GUILTY is an outstanding legal thriller and gripping family drama. I highly recommend reading and watching the first two in the series before reading #3 to get the characters' background, even though it can be read as a standalone.

If you have followed my Book Blog for the last eleven years, you know legal thrillers are my #1 genre, and Turow is tops! I am fully invested and a huge fan of the author & series. I binge-watched #1 and #2 and read e-book/listened to audio #3. Cannot wait to see #3 onscreen.

January is starting with a bang, and this is on my Top Books of 2025 list.

Recs...

The legal thriller is for fans of the author and those who enjoy smartly written legal thrillers, as well as works by David Baldacci, David Ellis, Greg Illes, Robert Dugoni, and John Grisham.

Thanks to Grand Central Publishing and Hachette Audio for an ARC and ALC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I also ordered the hardcover copy for my home library.

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Put Date: Jan 14, 2024
My Rating: 5 Stars +
Jan 2025 Must-Read Books
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Wow. Having gone into Presumed Guilty 100% blind, I didn’t know quite what to expect all things considered. After all, I didn’t even watch the streaming Apple TV drama, Presumed Innocent, which was based off of the first in the three book series. Needles to say, though, I shouldn’t have worried. Brilliantly realistic and thought-provoking in the extreme, this newest legal thriller was everything I wanted and more. You see, I not only got to be a fly on the wall of a riveting courtroom drama, but I was blessed to meet a long list of well-developed characters that touched me to my core. Combined with one doozy of a twist three-quarters of the way in, Turow just simply couldn’t go wrong.

The biggest success in this utter slam dunk, however, were the intense, riveting scenes that took place in the courtroom. Wholly authentic to this legal thriller lover, there were plenty of head-to-heads and more than one instance where the rug was pulled out from under one of the attorney’s very own feet. Even better, there was a sense of David versus Goliath as the battle got underway. Now, I do have to forewarn you that this wasn’t exactly a hard-hitting thriller with shocks left, right, and center. Instead, it was a suspenseful mystery that caught fire in the courtroom as Rusty’s brilliant trial tactics endeared him to me more with every page that I turned.

As for those characters, each came brilliantly to life with each master stroke of Turow’s pen. Running the gamut from merely unlikeable to thoroughly suspicious, the long cast of characters made the plot sing. And while there could have been more showing instead of telling about who each of them were, they nevertheless felt like real honest-to-goodness people that you’d meet in a small Midwestern town. Together with the evocative descriptions of this fictional county, each small country lane and winter fallowed field came vividly to life in the back of my mind.

The only downside to Turow’s written style was the extreme slow burn at the start of the novel. As I’ve described, there was a lot of exposition that I wasn’t expecting. And considering that the book is well over 500 pages, it really took some doing to get through the long-drawn-out beginning. Once I hit the start of the murder case, however, the fast-paced courtroom scenes had me spellbound and I just couldn’t put the book down. I’m not kidding. Despite its length, I finished this book in just over forty-eight hours, which meant two very late nights.

All said and done, there’s no doubt in my mind that I’m a now an avid fan of Mr. Scott Turow. With a well-laid out plot, masterful characters, and an underlying believable feel, I was moved by the moral dilemmas and serious themes. And while I think it would be perfect for fans of John Grisham, I also know that this novel just might be able to outdo any of his novels. I mean, not only was it compelling, richly layered, and complete with one heck of a conceivable twist, but the conclusion also left me shocked in the best possible way. So run out and grab this one ASAP. As for me? I’ll now be starting book one as soon as I can. Rating of 5 stars.

Thank you to Scott Turow, Grand Central Publishing, and NetGalley for my complimentary physical and digital copies. All opinions are my own.

Rusty Sabich is back! Maybe you met him back in the 1990s in Presumed Innocent (book and movie) or maybe you first encountered him in the Apple TV adaptation of Presumed Innocent. But he's back, he's 70 years old, and he's the only person standing between a young man accused of murder and that young man being locked away for decades. Is his client innocent? Has Rusty lost his courtroom mojo? This ripped from the headlines case was interesting and the courtroom drama was suspenseful as ever.