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 +
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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.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by a long time favorite, Scott Turow. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Rusty is semi-retired now after moving away from Kindle County and his latest trial. He's living with his fiancee, Bea, and life is good. Until Bea's son, Aaron, disappears. Aaron is on probation for drug possession and he'll be sent back to jail if he doesn't return. He eventually shows up, with a somewhat flimsy story, of camping with his girlfriend, Mae, and leaving her after a fight. But days later, Mae still hasn't returned home and suspicion falls directly on Aaron. Bea begs Rusty to return to court one last time to defend her son. Does Rusty believe in his stepson and the court enough to provide justice?

Decades ago, when someone asked me what my favorite book was, I always said Presumed Innocent. I have read Scott Turow's work ever since. His latest, the third in this series, is once again a gripping legal thriller that I couldn't put down. It's a long book, for sure, but it doesn't feel like it, as Turow performs his magic. The courtroom scenes are tense and gripping, and the legal maneuvering fascinating. I felt for the characters and was so invested in the outcome. If you loved the Presumed Innocent movies and series, you'll be anxious to reconnect with Rusty. Highly recommended!

I have not read Scott Turow in decades, and I had forgotten what a wonderful writer he is. I was in a reading funk. Nothing was pleasing me. I picked up this legal thriller for a change of pace and I was immediately yanked out of my funk and into the world of this crisp, intelligent, and thought-provoking novel. Nothing like a well-written thriller, even one this tense and dark, to remind me of the joy of reading. I have to go back and read everything of his that I’ve missed!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Scott Turow proves once again why he’s the king of the legal thriller with Presumed Guilty. This book pulled me in from the first page and didn’t let go. Rusty Sabich, now retired, finds himself back in the courtroom defending his fiancée’s son, Aaron, against a murder charge. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and the tension is palpable as Turow expertly navigates themes of racial bias, small-town dynamics, and the complexities of the justice system.

The courtroom drama is riveting—Turow obviously has courtroom experience, but he also has a delightful sense of humor. Rusty’s internal conflict adds emotional depth, and the layered characters make them authentic and relatable. Aaron’s struggles as a Black man in a predominantly white small town are handled thoughtfully.

At 544 pages, some parts could’ve been trimmed. But the pacing, plot twists, and strong character development make it worth it. Rusty’s personal journey and the courtroom scenes are top-notch, showcasing Turow’s storytelling at its best.

The audiobook, narrated by Grover Gardner, is exceptional—his voice brings the characters to life and heightens the drama. As a fan of legal thrillers, I found Presumed Guilty to be a compelling addition to Turow’s work. It’s a book that not only entertains but also makes you think deeply about what justice really means in contemporary America. For those new to Turow or returning fans, this book reaffirms why Scott Turow is a master of the genre. 5 stars.

** Thanks to the publishers for complimentary copies of both the eBook and the audio version.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Rusty Sabich is back in Scott Turow's latest legal thriller. Presumed Guilty is the 13th book in the Kindle County Series, and the 3rd book of the Presumed Innocent sub-series. While I recommend reading both Presumed Innocent, and Innocent before reading Presumed Guilty in order to get Rusty's full character background, this latest novel is able to be read as a standalone.

Presumed Guilty picks up a few decades after the events in Innocent. Rusty is now retired from the bench as a Judge, pushing 77, and dabbling here and there as a legal consultant. He is also in a 'new' relationship, and his fiancé Bea and her son Aaron live with him. Aaron has had some trouble with the law in the past, and is on probation. After a camping trip with his girlfriend Mae, which ends with an argument, Aaron returns home, and Mae, unfortunately does not. When she is discovered dead, Aaron becomes prime suspect #1, a feeling which Rusty is very familiar. Rusty is forced to come 'out of retirement' to defend Aaron. But as the case moves forward Rusty must determine if Aaron is actually innocent, and if so, what actually happened to Mae, and who killed her.

This book was great, and had me hooked from the very first chapter! The author did a great job of building suspense, and making you feel like you were one of the jurors -- trying to figure out what happened and who really killed Mae. There are times when you think you have it figured out, and then BAM, evidence throws you for a loop and leaves you stumped. I love a good legal thriller and this one doesn't disappoint! The reveal at the end was very well done. I will definitely be recommending this one for my book club!

You’ll be ripping through the pages of this long awaited follow up to the highly successful series. Longtime readers and newbies to Kendall County and Rusty will find this installment a timely addition. My expectations and anticipation for this book were very high. I read Presumed Innocent way back before eBooks existed, the only way to know about new releases was an actual visit to a brick & mortar bookstore. Once I discovered Scott Turow I read everything of his I could get my hands on. Whether you’re an old fan or new to the author, you’ll be entranced with the iconic characters and held captive by the legal maneuvers in the courtroom. Rusty has aged well, has a new lady in his life and everything is about to be turned upside down. The thing I appreciated most about Rusty is he’s lived life. He’s weathered ups and downs, love and loss, lows and highs. Throughout the years his belief in the law and in his own capability to defend his client doesn’t waver. Rusty’s love interest, Bea, has a son (Aaron) who’s in a troubled relationship. When she is discovered deceased Aaron faces murder charges. Rusty shouldn’t consider representing Aaron. Business and family do not mix and results can rend relationships irreparable. As the case moves slowly through the legal process my theories about the victim and Aaron’s guilt or innocence wavered back and forth. It was a fast read for me, couldn’t wait for the verdict. The plot was riveting, the family emotional drama compelling. The legal plot is my favorite genre and I was entertained.
Many thanks to Grand Central Publishing (via NetGalley) for providing an Advance Reader Copy of “Presumed Guilty” by Scott Turow, publication expected 01/14/2025. These are my honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily without compensation.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book early. This is my first book by this author and wow what book. The story is centered around a retired judge, Rusty, his fiancée, Bea, and her adopted son, Aaron. Aaron is a troubled young man. He has been arrested for the murder of his on/off girlfriend, Mae. Rusty takes on his case, against his better judgement. This book is quite the legal battle with this thriller. What a journey this story takes you on. So if you love legal thrillers, you will love this book.

I remember when Presumed Innocent was a popular debut novel in 1987 and eagerly reading it. I’ve read some but not all of the author’s novels since then. With a new version of that novel on Apple TV it is the perfect time to follow up on the main characters. This is technically #3 in the Presumed innocent series and #13 in the Kindle County Legal Thrillers.

Rusty Sabitch, the lead in Presumed Innocent, is 70 and a retired judge. He still keeps his hands in the law by handling mediation cases. He has found love and lives with his fiancé Bea. Her adopted son Aaron from her first marriage is living with them while on probation after serving time for drug possession. Aaron is two years sober, and trying to turn his life around. His long time on and off girlfriend is Mae, the daughter of the county prosecutor. Aaron disappears with Mae for a camping weekend coming home days later saying they had a fight and he left her hitchhiking home. Questions begin to get asked when she doesn’t return home. After her body is found Aaron is quickly arrested and charged in the death. Rusty hesitantly takes on the case.

This is a legal thriller at its best. The story is told from Rusty’s POV and it flows easily. The first third catches you up on Rusty and the life he is living now. When it goes to trial the courtroom action is riveting. He lets you in on the showmanship involved in presenting a case. And of course there are ties to people he knows and cares about. The victim is the granddaughter of a long time friend. Bea has connections to the family as well. There are other characters from previous books that are part of the story. (But this can be read on its own without knowledge of the previous books.)

I like legal drama/thrillers and Turow delivers. It makes me want to go back through his catalog of books that I have missed. I was given an ARC from Grand Central Publishing and a copy of the audio book from Hachette Audio both via NetGalley. I alternated between the digital and audio version. I enjoyed the narration from Grover Gardner. I didn’t recognize his voice but a quick search shows I’ve listened to other books narrated by him. (4.5 Stars)

Yet another cannot put down thriller by Scott Turow. This one is primarily a courtroom drama, where an aging retired Judge reluctantly takes on the job of defending his fiancee's son accused of murder. Every character in this story is fully developed and compelling, and yet almost until the end of this book, I was never sure who the murderer was and what the jury verdict might be. What I most enjoyed in reading this story was Turow's remarkable ability to write dramas that so connect his readers to the story, that we cannot put aside whatever else we might be doing in our own lives to finish reading his novel. I cannot wait for Mr. Turow's next thriller!


I received and ARC for free and gave my honest opinion voluntarily.