While this is a solid court procedural drama, Presuned Innocent it is not. Now, I might have grown jaded since first reading the latter, but I think not. It's just a matter of pacing and final reveal who are not as enticing as the first book's in this series. Having said that, if court procedurals are your thing, knock yourself out! This has social commentary and richness of details galore.

I received an audio ARC from Netgalley but this does not influence my opinion.

After his fiancée's son is charged with the murder of his long-time on-again, off-again girlfriend, Rusty Sabich, retired judge and former Kindle County, IL defense attorney now in his seventies, is back in the courtroom. Defending Aaron, who is in his early twenties and was living with Bea and Rusty while on probation after serving a short sentence for drug possession, won’t be easy given that Mae was found dead after Aaron stormed off after an argument with her while on a road trip together. Initially reluctant to defend someone who is practically family, not only does Rusty worry about how defending Aaron would affect his relationship with Bea, Aaron’s mother, but complicating matters further is the fact that Mae’s family is well-connected and influential in the legal community and law enforcement, with Mae’s grandfather someone Rusty considers a friend and holds in high regard. Aaron is the only suspect and Mae’s family firmly believes that he killed Mae. The narrative follows Rusty as he leaves no stone unturned fighting to prove Aaron’s innocence and unravel the mystery behind Mae’s murder.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Grover Gardner. This was a lengthy audiobook (a little over 20 hours at 1x speed), but the suspenseful and consistently paced plot and expert narration kept me immersed in the story. Issues such as addiction, racial bias and discrimination, infidelity, and complex family dynamics are deftly woven into the narrative which is shared from Rusty’s first-person perspective The author writes skillfully, with a perfect balance between the legal thriller/ mystery angle and the complicated interpersonal dynamics between Rusty, Aaron, Bea and those close to the case. The courtroom scenes are thoroughly riveting and the mystery is well-crafted with enough red herrings, secrets and twists to keep you guessing.

Overall, I found Scott Turow’s Presumed Guilty to be a gripping legal drama/thriller and I couldn’t recommend it enough for fans of the genre.

This was my first Scott Turow novel and though I haven’t read the preceding books in the author’s Presumed Innocent series (like many others, I loved the Apple TV series based on the first book) I had no problem following the plot as the narrative featured just enough of the relevant backstories/information to make for a well-rounded reading/listening experience. I certainly hope to pick up the other books in this series!

Many thanks to Hachette Audio for the ALC via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

It has been awhile since I have read a Scott Turow book. I will not wait as long to read another. He is a masterful storyteller and I enjoyed revisiting these characters.

Scott Turow never disappoints! Presumed Guilty was an excellent legal thriller that kept me engaged the entire time! The narration of this audiobook elevated the experience with a great performance, bringing the characters to life. This book was filled with legal courtroom drama, following Rusty Sabich a retired judge that is forced back into the courtroom when his stepson is accused of first degree murder. His soon to be wife & mother of the accused, pleads with him re-enter the legal world as his defense. Highly recommended for fans of smart, character-driven legal thrillers!

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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Presumed Guilty is part of Scott Turow's Kindle County Legal Thriller series and the third book to primarily focus on Rusty Sabich. The retired judge is now living in a lakeside cabin with his fiancé, Bea, and her adopted son. Bea's son, Aaron has a troubled history and is on probation for drug offenses. When he disappears Rusty and Bea grow nervous as Aaron could be violating his probation. He eventually returns claiming to have been camping with his girlfriend, Mae. He has a vague story about them getting into a fight and having to hitchhike home. When Mae turns up dead Aaron is immediately a suspect and is placed under arrest. Rusty agrees to come out of retirement to defend Aaron in court.

I really enjoy this series. On its surface the books are great legal thrillers but they really dig in deep to question our legal system and how it can fail people. In this particular case the title of the book being Presumed Guilty is very fitting. Aaron is a young Black man. The book focuses on how difficult it can be for Black men in particular to have fair trials. With the exception of the beginning being slightly slow the book is nicely paced. There are multiple twists and turns as the story progresses. I like how much trial detail we get while still digging into the characters and their motivations. I have only read the Rusty books from the series after watching the Apple series. I defiantly have plans to go back and read the rest.

Grover Gardner did a great job with the narration. These books flow very well on audio.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

I was really excited to listen to this as I have loved the earlier works in this series - and I expect to love this one as well - though I think in this case I need to read it rather than listen to it.

I had recently had the opportunity to stream Scott Turow’s Presumed Innocent and found myself binge watching it. Presumed Innocent had been a book that I had wanted to read but never got the chance. Then just as I had finished watching this excellent series, I was approved to be able to listen to the audiobook of Presumed Guilty, the third book in this series by Scott Turow. Presumed Guilty was captivating and compelling right from the start. Even though it was a rather long audiobook I found it hard to pull myself away and almost didn’t want it to end. I thought that the narrator, Grover Gardner, did an excellent job bringing this book to life for me. He made it easy to visualize the particular scenes and characters. A round of applause goes to Scott Turow for this well plotted legal thriller that held me captivated and listening for hours on end.

Rusty Sabich, now a seventy-seven year old retired judge, found himself living in a quiet lakeside community. He remembered how all those years ago he met his now fiancé, Bea, over a common desire to read the New York Times newspaper. Bea still held the position of principal at a local school. Rusty and Bea lived together but had never married, not for the lack of trying on Rusty’s behalf. Rusty was content with his life, though. Bea had made it that way for him. Rusty and Bea shared their home with Bea’s adopted son, Aaron. It hadn’t been easy for Aaron growing up as the only black kid in this primarily white community. Aaron found solace in his relationship with Mae, a girl he met at school. From an early age, the two were drawn to each other. Mae accepted Aaron for who he was and understood him the way no one else did and Aaron felt the same way about Mae. Aaron found himself serving out a probation sentence for a drug offense. Rusty and Bea agreed to take responsibility for Aaron’s actions in following the restrictions that were imposed upon him as part of the probation. All was going well until Aaron and Mae decided to go camping together in order to have some private time to discuss something that weighed heavily on both of them. Aaron knew that leaving home and driving were two things that went against his probation agreement. That trip changed the trajectory of Aaron’s life. Shortly after Aaron’s return without Mae, Mae’s body was discovered. When the local police determined that Mae had been murdered, Aaron was charged with first degree murder. Rusty, although reluctant at first, agreed to defend Aaron in court. Could Rusty provide enough doubts in the jurors’ minds that they will not be able to find Aaron guilty beyond reasonable doubt?

I really enjoyed all the legal drama that took place in the courtroom scenes in Presumed Guilty. Scott Turow has proven once again what a masterful storyteller he is. I felt as if I was in the courtroom with Aaron, the jurors, Bea and all the others. The ending was a surprise for me. I didn’t see it coming but it was very satisfying. I look forward to reading/listening to more books by Scott Turow in the future. I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to Hachette Audio for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of Presumed Guilty by Scott Turow through Netgalley in exchange for a honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thanks to Hachette Audio & NetGalley for providing an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I read (and loved) Presumed Innocent in the late '80s when it first came out, and just finished the TV show. I had forgotten how unlikeable (yet relatable) those characters are, and the characters in this book are much the same (obviously, Rozat K. Sabich is the same since he carries over).

The book starts with a lot of dry exposition, and I was worried that Turow had lost his touch (it was a couple of rough chapters for me). But I persisted, and it paid off. It's rare for me to enjoy a book with people who are really difficult, but Turow is good at making you feel emotions about assholes. Aaron, the twenty-something son of Sabich's fiancée, is especially trying; he needs a good smack upside the head IMO. Not being a lawyer, I suspect, but cannot be sure, that these events are fairly unlikely (<spoiler>like a lawyer representing his almost-stepson in a criminal proceeding</spoiler>), but Turow explains away all my doubts and makes it seem reasonable, and even normal.

You know there's a twist coming, and it's surprising, but not. It's probably less shocking than the one in Presumed Innocent, but it still gets you (or, me, anyway).

I surprised myself by thoroughly enjoying this book and might just go and read the middle book that I eschewed a few years back.

Grover Gardner, who I recognize from his narration of the lighthearted Andy Carpenter mysteries (evidently he is everywhere in the audiobook world), does a good enough job here with this dramatic material. I don't know that his voice is suited to a story this grave and the effect is dry. matter-of-factness, sometimes a recitation of events. It was ... definitely a choice to make this man speak the dialogue of a young person. Hearing today's slang come from the mouth of a 69 year old man is jarring (but I suppose it can't be helped!).

Presumed Guilty is the perfect follow up to Presumed Innocent, but by Scott Turow. I remember watching the movie with Harrison Ford many years ago, and also enjoyed the recent limited series with Jake Gyllenhall. I was excited to jump back into RustySabich's orbit, and this this audiobook, narrated by Ryan Morgan, did not disappoint. It was wonderful to see him back in his element, trying a case and still perpetually morally befuddled. Highly recommend!!!

Audio book Review: This was one of the most absorbing court room dramas that astonished me by the intricate detail and the definitions at each stage. Narrator Grover Gardener’s depiction was warm, sensitive and calming with a hint of challenge which made the experience flow with ease. When starting a 20 hour audio book, you will not find a better and suspenseful story with the right amount of tormented drama.

Another winner from Scott Turow, one of my favorite authors. Rusty is in his 70s, a retired judge. He lives with his fiance, Bea, and her troubled adopted son, Aaron. Rusty is supportive of Aaron and has a good relationship with him, but he has struggled with theft and drug use in the past and spent time in jail. Aaron spends a weekend with his on-again/off-again girlfriend Mae and returns without her. Mae never returns and is eventually found dead. Since Aaron was the last one seen with Mae, he is indicted for murder and Bea pleads with Rusty to defend Aaron at his trial. There are themes of racism and the judicial system itself. The trial is difficult for all parties and affects Rusty's relationship with Bea. This is a good story that becomes more compelling the more you read it. The story builds on itself and I was completely engrossed by the end. Thank you for the advanced copy!

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.

Presumed Guilty AUDIO by Scott Turow is a long, but rewarding book which at nearly twenty hours simply flew by. Rusty is a retired judge who has finally found happiness at 70 with school principal, Bea. Bea has an adopted son, Aaron, who is black, and on probation. Aaron has a propensity to spend time on his own to keep himself centered. He has had an on-again, off-again relationship with Mae, since middle school. They have decided to marry and have gone camping to discuss the terms. Mae can be a handful and she does drugs. She is not really good for Aaron and he knows it but he loves her anyway. She, instead of being serious, is shooting video with her phone until Aaron loses his patience and grabs the phone from her and leaves. She is found dead a couple of weeks later, initially deemed an overdose leading to a car wreck. It is later determined she was strangled and the scene staged. The charges are brought in another county, although Mae’s father is the prosecutor where they live. It all gets complicated, quickly.

Rusty needs to find him a lawyer, initially, and then is persuaded to defend the boy himself. The bulk of the story is the trial and very well done. But with the trial comes all kinds of family trauma in several different families, and friendships made and broken. This is the first in the series I have read and I need to catch up. It is a stand-alone and riveting. A perfect legal thriller

Grover Gardner is the reader and couldn’t be more perfect. He is the ideal voice for Rusty who narrates the story and sounds like the older man he is. He voices the other characters perfectly without resorting to cheap theatrics. Excellent choice.

I was invited to listen to Presumed Guilty by Hachette Audio. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #HachetteAudio #ScottTurow #PresumedGuilty

Presumed Guilty is excellent. I really enjoy this author's books. He knows how to write in a way that I can't stop thinking about it .It's hard to find this now a days. I can recommend grabbing a copy of the audiobook. The narrator was excellent and kept me engaged the entire time.

Many thanks for my gifted copy.
This review will be shared to my Instagram @coffee.break.book.reviews closer to publication date.

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)

Gripping, shocking, intense and hard to put down! Presumed Guilty had me fully invested and wanting more the entire book. I listened to the audiobook and thoroughly enjoyed the narration. I am embarrassed to say that this is the first book I have read by Scott Turow. I chose to read this book due to loving the Presumed Innocent series on streaming. I am now kicking myself for not reading this author prior to reading this book! As this was the first book that I read by Turow, I can say that this book worked beautifully as a stand-alone novel for me.


I was blown away by this addictive legal thriller. I loved the court room scenes including the interrogations and expert witness testimonies. I found the plot to be intriguing and riveting. Rusty Sabich is a retired judge who agrees to represent his finance, Bea's son, Aaron, in court. Aaron has been living with Rusty and Bea while on probation for drug possession. After being gone for a few days, he came home and claimed to have been camping with his girlfriend, Mae. When Mae was found dead, Aaron was arrested and charged with first degree murder.

The courtroom scenes in this book were excellent. I felt as if I were a silent observer in the room watching the court proceedings. I was completely captivated and on pins and needles wondering what would be revealed and what verdict the jury would deliver.

This book was such a smart, riveting, and tense legal thriller. It is also a BIG book (544 pages) yet it does not feel that long. I enjoyed the pacing, the characters, the writing, the tension, the plot, and the mystery. I can't wait to read more of Scott Turow's books and will be going back to read the first two books in this series.

Wonderfully written, well thought out, gripping, and hard to put down!

Highly Recommend.

Excellent narration in this audio book. I haven’t read a Turow book in quite a long time but I enjoyed the two that came before this one (Presumed Innocent and Burden of Proof) so was pretty sure I’d enjoy this one. It’s a stand alone book so you don’t have to have read either of the others to read this one. The story line kept my interest. It was quite a good read.

I don’t often read legal thrillers / courtroom dramas but when I do I think they all should be as good as Scott Turow (they aren’t). Perfect story pacing, excellent characterizations with realistic dialog and the courtroom scenes were not rushed or lagging in content and kept the story moving along briskly.

Grover Gardner nailed the narration as well. I can’t think of anyone better to have narrated this one. His tone and cadence really elevated an already excellent tale.

Well done, all around. Highly Recommended! Thank you NetGalley for the review audiobook!

I loved this so much I’m now down the rabbit hole of reading all of ST’s backlist. Audio was excellent.