Book Review: "Presumed Guilty" by Scott Turow
Some books pull you in from the first page, while others demand a little patience before their brilliance unfolds. Presumed Guilty was the kind that had me hooked even before I cracked it open—because I had to devour the previous two books just to reach this one. Could you read it as a standalone? Sure. But why would you? Some characters from the earlier books are too rich, too compelling to skip. That said, Turow ensures that even newcomers won’t feel lost in the courtroom drama that unfolds.
Like its predecessors, Presumed Guilty plunges us into the heart of legal warfare, but this time, there's a twist—Rusty Sabich, a man who has spent his career as a prosecutor and judge, now finds himself on the other side of the courtroom. At 77, he never imagined he'd be donning the hat of a defense attorney, let alone for a case so personal. The weight of the role is suffocating, and Turow makes you feel every ounce of it. Rusty’s age, experience, and the daunting challenge ahead are all laid bare, making it clear that this isn’t just another trial—it’s a battle he never wanted to fight.
His client? Aaron, his soon-to-be stepson, a young man whose actions make it damn near impossible to root for him. He’s out on probation, yet he continuously makes choices that paint a target on his back. When his girlfriend is found dead, suspicion clings to him like a shadow. At times, I wanted to shake him, to scream at him to stop sabotaging himself. But then there’s Bea—his mother, Rusty’s fiancée—torn between protecting her son and facing the uncomfortable truths that bubble to the surface. As the case unravels, so do the layers of their relationships, and I found myself caught in their emotional crossfire.
Bea is Rusty’s second chance at love. After the loss of his first wife, Barbara, she’s the woman who has rekindled something in him—a warmth, a connection he thought was gone. But love, as Turow reminds us, is rarely uncomplicated. Bea has secrets, ones that threaten the fragile foundation they’ve built. And yet, despite the hurt, the betrayals, and the weight of Aaron’s trial pressing down on them, Rusty and Bea cling to each other. There’s a rawness in their bond, an understanding that neither wants to face life without the other.
Then there’s the Poters—a family with power, resources, and a vested interest in seeing Aaron take the fall. Going up against them is like stepping into a storm, and Rusty knows the odds aren’t in their favor. That’s where Susan, Rusty’s private investigator, comes in. She’s sharp, relentless, and makes discoveries that shift the course of the trial. Her presence is a lifeline in a case that often feels like a losing battle.
Through it all, Rusty proves himself as a defense attorney. No, he’s not Sandy Stern—his legendary lawyer from previous books—but he holds his own. The courtroom scenes are tense, the stakes feel real, and Turow delivers a masterclass in legal drama. The story isn’t just about proving innocence or guilt; it’s about love, loyalty, and the unbearable weight of past mistakes.
If you’re looking for a gripping legal thriller that goes beyond the trial and digs deep into the lives of its characters, Presumed Guilty won’t disappoint. It kept me turning pages, questioning motives, and, at times, feeling like I was right there in that courtroom, holding my breath with every revelation.