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karieh13's review against another edition
3.0
This was a great book to read for this particular day and time. It was a sunny weekend and I had time to sit on my deck and read – and this story sucked me in.
I loved the book “Presumed Innocent” and enjoyed the movie as well. This sequel drew me in just as that one did – and I didn’t really want to put it down.
As with most courtroom thrillers, I spent much of the book trying to figure out what the truth was and where the next twits might come. Some things I guessed but there were certainly a few surprises.
The main character, Rusty Sabich was fascinating to me, but I think the most interesting and well drawn of the characters was his son Nat, a young child in the first book. We learn much about how this boy was affected by the events that took place twenty years ago and through him, learn about another side of his father.
“In the meantime, every so often another police officer will arrive and ask my father about what happened. He tells the story again and again, always the same way. What was there to think about all that time? one cop will say. My dad can have a hard way with his blue eyes, something he probably learned from his own father, a man he despised.”
Nat’s mother Barbara, is at the core of the book, although we only view her through the eyes of others, given the circumstances.
“From the time I was a little kid, I sort of felt responsible for her. Maybe all children feel like that. I wouldn’t know, since I’ve only been me. But I realized that I was more than important to her. I was her lifeline. I knew that the only time my mom felt completely right was with me, tending to me, talking to me, thinking about me.”
Though I suppose this is a book that is primarily about “Who?” – who did what…I ended it feeling like the more important question was “Why?” Why do people do the things they do, make the choices they do? Especially those choices that even in the moment they know are wrong…that will come back to haunt them. And when people realize the consequences of their actions…why so rarely do they learn from them and make different choices next time?
This book is full of flawed individuals, few who are genuinely “bad”, but even fewer who are completely “Innocent”.
I loved the book “Presumed Innocent” and enjoyed the movie as well. This sequel drew me in just as that one did – and I didn’t really want to put it down.
As with most courtroom thrillers, I spent much of the book trying to figure out what the truth was and where the next twits might come. Some things I guessed but there were certainly a few surprises.
The main character, Rusty Sabich was fascinating to me, but I think the most interesting and well drawn of the characters was his son Nat, a young child in the first book. We learn much about how this boy was affected by the events that took place twenty years ago and through him, learn about another side of his father.
“In the meantime, every so often another police officer will arrive and ask my father about what happened. He tells the story again and again, always the same way. What was there to think about all that time? one cop will say. My dad can have a hard way with his blue eyes, something he probably learned from his own father, a man he despised.”
Nat’s mother Barbara, is at the core of the book, although we only view her through the eyes of others, given the circumstances.
“From the time I was a little kid, I sort of felt responsible for her. Maybe all children feel like that. I wouldn’t know, since I’ve only been me. But I realized that I was more than important to her. I was her lifeline. I knew that the only time my mom felt completely right was with me, tending to me, talking to me, thinking about me.”
Though I suppose this is a book that is primarily about “Who?” – who did what…I ended it feeling like the more important question was “Why?” Why do people do the things they do, make the choices they do? Especially those choices that even in the moment they know are wrong…that will come back to haunt them. And when people realize the consequences of their actions…why so rarely do they learn from them and make different choices next time?
This book is full of flawed individuals, few who are genuinely “bad”, but even fewer who are completely “Innocent”.
nglofile's review against another edition
2.0
I'm intrigued that the more I read, the more I liked Tommy Molto's character and disliked Rusty Sabich.
The decision to juggle more than one timeline was ambitious, and I don't know that it was entirely successful. It also seemed odd to have Anna thrown in as a fourth narrator, especially when so sparingly used.
audiobook note: Edward Herrmann is just as riveting as you might expect.
The decision to juggle more than one timeline was ambitious, and I don't know that it was entirely successful. It also seemed odd to have Anna thrown in as a fourth narrator, especially when so sparingly used.
audiobook note: Edward Herrmann is just as riveting as you might expect.
kleedc73's review against another edition
4.0
This is a strong, compulsively readable sequel to Presumed Innocent. The plot is expertly crafted and the pacing is terrific. Even though the original novel was published decades ago, you jump right back into the characters from the original novel and the incredibly complex relationships between them, particularly Barbara/Rusty and Rusty/Tommy Molto. Although one particular plot line is a little far-fetched, overall the very clever, deliberate legal thriller carries the day. Reading the original novel enhances the experience but isn't necessary to enjoying this book.
abrswf's review against another edition
4.0
This was a really good book — as always with Turow, well written, well plotted, and nuanced. Speaking as a lawyer, it is accurate as can be in every legal scene and scenario. The characters are familiar from Presumed Innocent, and they are still believable people with dimension. This audio book was also admirably narrated by each of the three talented readers. My star off is because although the twistiness of the plot is endlessly interesting, and very hard to predict, there are some pieces of the actual solution of the underlying mystery that I just didn’t find satisfying, and in truth I thought were one twist too far. In addition, there are at least two key things Nat does not know at the end of this book that we readers do know. Rationally there are always reasons for some secrets to stay hidden, but in real life secrets somehow are all unearthed, particularly by brilliant people like Nat. And lastly, this book just does not have the momentum, the dazzling pace and sudden perfect twist ending that Presumed Innocent did. It is a good, good book but not in the same league.
amylow1107's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Scott Turow is known for his courtroom thrillers. This book is the 8th in the series of Kindle County. This story follows Rusty Sabich, an appellate judge in Kindle County who is accused of murdering his wife. Rusty in a previous book was in the same predicament but with a mistress who was found dead. Rusty is represented by his friend, Sandy Stern. The PA in this case, Tommy, also prosecuted him in the previous case in which he lost. Rusty claims his innocence. The story goes back and forth between the time before his wife's death and after and during the trial. Rusty's life is complicated. His affair with a young law clerk and trouble at home with his manic-depressed wife offers no way out for Rusty. He wakes up one morning to find his wife dead. Tommy is set to find Rusty guilty but is pressured by his assistant, Jim Brand into investigating Rusty. Tommy gives in to Brand and finds that a lot of evidence points to Rusty. Events, evidence, and information were built during the trial.
Unlike many of Turow's books which are full of courtroom drama and legal language, this story deals with the human side of law and the psyche of a trial. The characters were well-developed. It was a little hard to follow the chain of events but about halfway through the book the events lined up with the crime. I figured out who had "done it" before it was revealed at the end. The ethics of law, the power play of rising careers, and a case that was complicated! To be honest, Turow writes courtroom drama well but I prefer Grisham for legal thrillers.
Unlike many of Turow's books which are full of courtroom drama and legal language, this story deals with the human side of law and the psyche of a trial. The characters were well-developed. It was a little hard to follow the chain of events but about halfway through the book the events lined up with the crime. I figured out who had "done it" before it was revealed at the end. The ethics of law, the power play of rising careers, and a case that was complicated! To be honest, Turow writes courtroom drama well but I prefer Grisham for legal thrillers.
greatlibraryofalexandra's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
RE-READ.
MAN reading this book is like getting bitch slapped in the face CONSTANTLY. Or, should I say Sa-bitch slapped (lol). Look, I read this years and years ago shortly after I read Presumed Innocent, and I remember liking it - what I did NOT remember was the end! I remembered something different, and I'm eerily disappointed, but also I still loved it?
This book is written in such a jarring, clinical way, but it's also grotesquely complex and eviscerating. I hate and love everyone. Reading it as a real adult, I felt horrible relatability in the inner thoughts of some of the uncertain, grey characters I once read as entirely alienating and utterly reprehensible. And I love the way Turow just jerks you the fuck around - it went, for the most part, exactly how I remembered, and then it didn't, but even then it left me with doubts, and frustration, and awe -
I love this book and its predecessor so much that I don't even want to read more of Turow's work because I'm afraid they won't be as bitingly cruel or pull me in with twists that puncture you like vampire's teeth sucking out a slow femoral bleed.
Barbara Sabich was the original Amy Dunne and you can TAKE THAT TO THE BANK!!
MAN reading this book is like getting bitch slapped in the face CONSTANTLY. Or, should I say Sa-bitch slapped (lol). Look, I read this years and years ago shortly after I read Presumed Innocent, and I remember liking it - what I did NOT remember was the end! I remembered something different, and I'm eerily disappointed, but also I still loved it?
This book is written in such a jarring, clinical way, but it's also grotesquely complex and eviscerating. I hate and love everyone. Reading it as a real adult, I felt horrible relatability in the inner thoughts of some of the uncertain, grey characters I once read as entirely alienating and utterly reprehensible. And I love the way Turow just jerks you the fuck around - it went, for the most part, exactly how I remembered, and then it didn't, but even then it left me with doubts, and frustration, and awe -
I love this book and its predecessor so much that I don't even want to read more of Turow's work because I'm afraid they won't be as bitingly cruel or pull me in with twists that puncture you like vampire's teeth sucking out a slow femoral bleed.
Barbara Sabich was the original Amy Dunne and you can TAKE THAT TO THE BANK!!
caroparr's review against another edition
2.0
Here's what's wrong with popular adult fiction: overly long, glacially paced, telling telling telling instead of showing. Any children's or YA author can write rings around Turow. I remember the first book as being gripping, but this one, despite an interesting premise and several unexpected twists, just plodded along. Read in anticipation of hearing him speak later this week.
happyglowlucky's review against another edition
5.0
Really loved this one! I enjoyed the way the book was formatted, with different character telling different chapters...made it very interesting to see the different viewpoints. Lots of great twists and turns to keep me glued to the page! Well-written, well-paced book. I'd recommend it to anyone!
anissu's review against another edition
I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13620982
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13620982
heather01602to60660's review against another edition
4.0
First, while not a great way to judge a book, I'm well advised, it has to be said - this novel has such a pretty cover! And one heck of a story between it.
I read Presumed Innocent in high school, and while I was able to predict the outcome in that case, that was only part of the joy of reading it. I remember it being one of the books that continued to push me in my path to become a criminal defense attorney (I don't know whether that makes it ironic or fitting that "One-L" was one of the things that ended up pushing me down another fork in the path). I've read most, if not all, of his intervening novels, and while I've enjoyed them all, this was the first that kept me up much, much too late to finish it.
Flawed, three-dimensional characters trying to do their best seem to be as much a staple of Turow's as courthouses, and this is no exception. There are few clear innocents, few who are purely evil, and all of their motivations are understandable. For every answer given, more questions are raised, and I am willing to admit that even I found myself pleasantly surprised to find the ending not exactly as I expected, and still satisfying.
I read Presumed Innocent in high school, and while I was able to predict the outcome in that case, that was only part of the joy of reading it. I remember it being one of the books that continued to push me in my path to become a criminal defense attorney (I don't know whether that makes it ironic or fitting that "One-L" was one of the things that ended up pushing me down another fork in the path). I've read most, if not all, of his intervening novels, and while I've enjoyed them all, this was the first that kept me up much, much too late to finish it.
Flawed, three-dimensional characters trying to do their best seem to be as much a staple of Turow's as courthouses, and this is no exception. There are few clear innocents, few who are purely evil, and all of their motivations are understandable. For every answer given, more questions are raised, and I am willing to admit that even I found myself pleasantly surprised to find the ending not exactly as I expected, and still satisfying.