Scott Turow

A "genre" book that actually has characters and good writing. That, plus a plot that surprised me several times (though some turns seemed a bit unbelievable to be fair.)

Aside from the parts I had to strain to believe, the phenomena that bothered me in this book were the consistent keeping of secrets between intimates (without them ruining the relationships) and the concerns with right and wrong overriding friendships, but maybe it's because I don't hang out with lawyers.

It's not that I don't show more believe there are things that it's better remain unknown, and I even believe that there are things that scientists shouldn't know. It's just that I think I'd rather know that, say, my mother killed someone, than remain ignorant. Maybe I get to say this because I'm pretty sure my mother didn't.

I need to ask a question though: When Anna describes how, in her fumbling ignorance, she thought she knew what she was doing and what she wanted only to find out that what seemed so clear and certain was just a way station on the road leading to where she was now, are we just supposed to accept this "now" along with her? Or are we supposed to see the irony that her certainty about now has nothing more to recommend it than her certainty in the past which turned out to be groundless? show less

I read this as part of a survey of mysteries set in Chicago. While "Kindle County" isn't technically Chicago, everyone seems to know that it is merely a front for Cook County.

Rusty Sabich, our narrator, is unreliable. That is the first thing one is forced to figure out in this legal puzzler. As he tries to find out who killed Carolyn Polhemus, his colleague in the Prosecuting Attorney's Office with whom he had had an affair. Unfortunately, Sabich makes one mistake after another, only to find show more his boss tossed out in electoral defeat and himself indicted for murder. Turow's legal expertise is apparent in the trial portion of this novel especially as the reader tries to figure out which part of Sabich's story to trust, if any. Sandy Stern, the defense lawyer, is masterful--though Turow's prosecutors might have been wrested from a nearby cracker-jack box (but perhaps this is the point--a brilliant and expensive defense attorney can make two otherwise competent lawyers look lousy and corrupt?)

By the time we arrive at the solution to this case--was it Sabich? Who else could have done it??--we have dived deep into the history, psyche, foibles, and failings of this narrator. It is hard to not empathize with and yet despise many of his choices and actions. One thing does make him, ultimately, redeemable: Sabich's iron-clad commitment to know the truth, at least to himself. Excellent book! show less

Scott Turow is at his best in this, his third novel involving Judge Rusty Sabich! At the age of 76, Rusty had hoped to lead a quiet life in an undisclosed northern state and marry his love interest, Bea, a local school administrator. That was the plan. Then the unthinkable happens involving Bea’s son. Torn between finding the best defense lawyer possible, and loyalty to his fiancée, Rusty reluctantly comes out of retirement and back into the courtroom. Turow’s turn of phrase is second show more to none, he likens the work of a prosecutor as giving “you a proctologist’s view of humanity”, his eye for detail leads the reader to searching Google for the location of Mirror Lake. An observation at trial’s beginning, “families sit, each on their ‘sides’ of the courtroom, a ghoulish echo of the wedding that Aaron and Mae momentarily contemplated” and testing the courtroom’s acoustics, give a behind the scenes look at the work of trial attorneys. The trial process itself is like a watching a black & white Perry Mason with its twists, explanations, and nettling of the opposition. I liken Turow’s storytelling to that of a skilled woodworker. He patiently gathers the pieces/details of the story together, smooths out the edges and carefully nails all the storyline/pieces together to form a completed work. 5 Stars! show less

Presumed Guilty by Scott Turow is an exceptional, very highly recommended legal thriller. This is Turow's third legal thriller featuring former Kindle County prosecutor Rusty Sabich which can also be enjoyed as a standalone.

Rusty, 77, is a retired judge living with his younger, soon-to-be wife, Bea. Bea has a young adult son, Aaron, 22, living under their supervision while on probation for drug possession. When Aaron disappears for a couple days with out a word to anyone, he returns a few show more days later explaining that he was on a camping trip with his troubled girlfriend, Mae. He thought their relationship had a chance but circumstances during the trip made it clear that they were done. Aaron hitchhiked home and expected Mae to already be back.

When Mae doesn't return and days pass, Aaron is increasingly looked at with suspicion. Then Mae is discovered dead and Aaron is arrested and set for trial on charges of first degree murder. Rusty returns to court one last time to defend Aaron. After having been falsely convicted of murder himself years ago, Rusty understands how the justice system works.

This is a skillfully written, excellent legal thriller, especially for readers who appreciate all of the courtroom drama, suspense, and arguments laid out in detail as most of the massive novel is following the trial. The trial is followed in detail, so it reads like a movie. All the details, discoveries, and nuances of the arguments are clearly presented alongside evenhanded observations about the justice system. The twists and surprises are woven into the plot seamlessly.

The characters are all portrayed as fully realized, complicated individuals with both strengths and weaknesses. This includes the secondary characters too. Everyone in the novel comes to life, which makes the narrative richer and more impactful.

Presumed Guilty is an outstanding legal thriller that you will absolutely want to read. Thanks to Grand Central Publishing for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
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