February 2025

PRESUMED GUILTY is Scott Turow’s third book featuring Rusty Sabich as his protagonist. Many of us remember reading PRESUMED INNOCENT and INNOCENT, so I was happy to catch up with this iconic character again.

Rusty is now 77, living in a quiet town and working his way towards retirement. He’s in a relationship with a woman he wants to marry, and life is looking good. Bea has a son, Aaron, who she adopted as a baby. Aaron has been through some tough times, but he’s getting his life in gear and on the right track. Until he’s charged with the murder of his girlfriend, Mae, the daughter of the local prosecutor. Aaron is a Black man being brought up in an all-white community --- and prejudice will rear its head here.

Bea asks Rusty to defend Aaron in court, which he is very reluctant to do. But when it’s clear that there are no other options, he agrees to take the case. This brings a lot of sleepless nights, as well as a strain on his relationship with Bea.

Turow’s courtroom scenes are outstanding, filled with details that will make you feel like you are there. I was being instructed on the law, but it never felt didactic. Rusty’s focus on the case will have you riveted to the page. As the story becomes known, you see how Rusty sculpts it as best he can. There are tense moments as Aaron wants to take the stand. And there is a brilliant twist at the end that I thought was going to go one of two other ways.

Scott Turow is a master, and while PRESUMED GUILTY is most likely the last book where Rusty is the protagonist, he is given a fine farewell. Be sure to watch or listen to my interview with Turow. We cover a lot of ground.