Several years ago I used to really like novels by Mr. Turow. Every so often I try to read one of his newer novels and am sadly disappointed. This was another disappointment. Too much exposition before the novel really starts.

The story flowed well and the characters were well developed. I recommend this book and look forward to more from this author.


****Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review****

In this, the third novel featuring Rusty Sabich, he is retired from his judgeship, living lakeside with fiancée Bea and her adopted son, Aaron, in a small midwest town. Aaron has a tempestuous love life with Mae, rogue daughter of the county prosecutor and granddaughter of Rusty’s best friend. Aaron is on probation for earlier drug charges, but has seemed to have turned his life around. When he disappears for a few days, he is violation of a condition of his probation, but reappears saying he went camping with Mae, they had a fight, he took her phone and hitch hiked home.

When Mae is found murdered some days later, Aaron is charged with the crime. Bea begs Rusty to defend her son. Against his better judgement and because they cannot seem to find a suitable defense attorney, Rusty takes the case.

Turow once again demonstrates that he is master of the legal thriller. This tale is well written, with twists and turns and lots of courtroom suspense. Characters are well developed and the reader may learn a bit about legal proceedings. The book is long, but engrossing and a very worthwhile, satisfying read. This would make a great streaming series. Can’t wait for it!

Another excellent addition to Scott Turow’s ongoing Presumed series! Presumed Guilty is a clever courtroom drama filled with stunning twists and turns as evidence is organized, discussed and displayed. Turow is the master at building a multi-faceted slow burn thriller and this new book is no exception as it crescendos to the surprising end. Layer in the raw aspect of highlighting a young black man surrounded by a rural, predominantly white, population as his perspective adds so much richness to the story.

Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Presumed Guilty
Rusty Sabich, a 77 year old former judge, was involved with Bea, a local school principal several years younger than him.
Bea’s adopted African American son, Aaron, had been in a long term but troubled relationship with Mae, the daughter of the richest family in the area. So one day the young couple went camping in an effort to discuss their future. Mae had been heavily into drugs but Aaron was no longer using drugs.
The couple had a fight and Aaron took away Mae’s phone and decided to hitchhike home. He assumed that she would follow in her car and even returned her phone to her mother. Two weeks went by without a sign of Mae. When she was found, it was off the road in her car in an apparent accident.Further investigation showed that she had been murdered and Aaron was the prime suspect. After his arrest Rusty decided to defend Aaron.
This story is filled with legal terms and procedures. It is long and could have been edited to make a shorter book for an easier read.
I have read other books by Thurow, a former defense attorney. He kept the reader guessing until the last few pages.
I received this ARC from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Presumed Guilty by Scott Turow is the third installment in the Presumed Innocent series. We again follow a much older Rusty Sabich. Rusty is now a retired prosecutor and judge who is returning to the court room again. as a defense attorney.

This is an enjoyable legal thriller with a lot of twists and turns in the story. I’ve read the prior two novels in this series and have seen the latest Apple TV series. With that being said, I look forward to seeing this brought to the screen as well. Excellent read.

Four and a half very strong stars for this great legal thriller from Turow who, thank you, Lord, does not grind one out every six months like SOME lawyers-turners-authors I could name.

Our friend Rusty Sabich, from PRESUMED INNOCENT, the only book that ever made me gasp, audibly, when I reached the twist, #masterful returns in this one, the living embodiment of “may you be cursed with an interesting life” or however the Chinese proverb actually goes (note to self: bone up on Chinese proverbs). He’s a retired judge who is preparing to marry Bea, lives upstate and is looking forward to finally finding some peace in his life. That dream falls apart when Bea’s son Aaron, who is living with them while on probation for drug possession, disappears. Since he’s out on bond if he doesn’t return soon he’ll go to jail.

Aaron returns with a sketchy story about camping with his longtime girlfriend Mae, a relationship ending fight and hitchhiking home. Then Mae is discovered dead and Aaron is arrested and charged with first degree murder. Bea begs Rusty to take Aaron’s case. And there’s no fool like an old fool.

Oh, Scott Turow. You are so good at the courtroom stuff, much better than Grisham ever thought of being (but I am a lawyer, so maybe I appreciate you differently than a layperson, I don’t know.). This, obviously, isn’t PRESUMED INNOCENT, but nothing ever could be. It’s still very, very good and I throughly enjoyed reading it. If you like courtroom drama and murder, you’re going to like this; put it on your short list.

Thanks to Hatchette Book Group for an ARC copy of Presumed Guilty by Scott Turow. Following up on Apple TV’s successful Presumed Innocent, time has elapsed and Rusty Sabitch is well into his seventies, semi retired, and in a new relationship with a much younger Bea. Bea’s divorced with an adopted Black son, Aaron, who’s a recovering addict. Aaron is in an on again off again long term relationship with Mae a fellow addict. After a camping weekend Aaron comes home and later Mae’s badly decomposed body is found. This is Kindle County and Mae’s prominent family is actively seeking a killer. Here ‘s where Turow’s writing excels. There’s no one better at courtroom drama with the right amount of legal procedures to keep the reader engaged but not overwhelmed than Turow. Add in his keen insight into to human nature and relationships and the stage is set. Well drawn characters and a riveting plot more hallmarks of Turow’s writing are well on display in Presumed Guilty. If there’s any weakness it’s in the ending. I felt it was a rush to finish the book and ended up skimming the last few chapters. Screenwriters may want to play a little here. Welcome back Rusty Sabitch!

Thank you, Net Galley, for the advanced copy. Much like the original Presumed Innocent, the last installment Presumed Guilty has Rusty defending a young man that is presumed guilty, and he must find evidence to move the jury to find him innocent. And just like the original the real killer is a BIG surprise.

Wow, what a surprise! The first few pages were a little heavy on description and I thought I was headed for a "ripped from the headlines" (Laudrie/Petito murder/suicide) rehash. But no, this was an entirely fresh story that had me totally engrossed. Rusty Sabich is still a fascinating character, with new and poignant insights that come with age. The characters around him are well-developed and often surprising. The plot is briskly paced and I found myself (once again) staying up well into the wee hours to finish the book. Turow is back with a vengeance. You will not be disappointed!

There’s nobody like Turow for a taut, twisty legal thriller. This book will have you feeling some kind of way about the case of a dead girl, the young man accused, the families of both, and the mess of a trial they all endure. The upsetting part is the fact you don’t know how to feel about any of them, and that feeling persists even after you close the book.

This is the third book in this series and it does not disappoint. When a young woman goes missing and her body is found two weeks later, what first looks like an accident sudden turns into a murder. Her on-again-off-again boyfriend, Aaron, is charged with the murder. Aaron’s soon-to-be-stepfather, Rusty, agrees to take the case against his better judgement. Whatever the out come, this case threatens to turn everyone’s live upside down.

The characters are relatable and realistic, some you can’t help but admire and other you love to hate. Well written with interesting plot lines, this legal thriller will keep you guessing until the very end. Works well as a stand alone or with the other books in the series.