Presumed Guilty

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars | 1,879 ratings

Price: 12.99

Last update: 02-13-2025


About this item

Listen to Scott Turow’s new “unputdownable” courtroom drama from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Presumed Innocent, the phenomenon that redefined the legal thriller and is the basis for Apple TV+’s most-watched drama series ever (Kristin Hannah, #1 NYT bestselling author).

“No one does it better.”―David Baldacci, #1 NYT Bestselling Author
“The truth is, Turow is just better at this than the rest of us.”―Greg Iles, #1 NYT Bestselling Author
“This is manna for legal-thriller fans."―Booklist, starred review
“This easily ranks among Turow’s best."―Publishers Weekly, starred review
“An absorbing and entertaining read.” ―Kirkus

Rusty is a retired judge attempting a third act in life with a loving soon-to-be wife, Bea, with whom he shares both a restful home on an idyllic lake in the rural Midwest and a plaintive hope that this marriage will be his best, and his last. But the peace that’s taken Rusty so long to find evaporates when Bea’s young adult son, Aaron, living under their supervision while on probation for drug possession, disappears. If Aaron doesn’t return soon, he will be sent back to jail.

Aaron eventually turns up with a vague story about a camping trip with his troubled girlfriend, Mae, that ended in a fight and a long hitchhike home. Days later, when she still hasn’t returned, suspicion falls on Aaron, and when Mae is subsequently discovered dead, Aaron is arrested and set for trial on charges of first-degree murder.

Faced with few choices and even fewer hopes, Bea begs Rusty to return to court one last time, to defend her son and to save their last best hope for happiness. For Rusty, the question is not whether to defend Aaron, or whether the boy is in fact innocent—it’s whether the system to which he has devoted his life can ever provide true justice for those who are presumed guilty.


Top reviews from the United States

  • BKH - STG Synergies
    5.0 out of 5 stars available at 7 pm, writing this at 1130 am the next day - need I say more?
    Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2025
    I will avoid spoilers as best I can.

    Scott Turow, as you already know from being here to see this review, is a brilliant author. His rich characterizations of scenes ("dairy cows flicking their tails") and deep, elegant, splendid, descriptions of those scenes, characters, happenings, moods, attitudes, and more rivals and even surpasses many of the "best authors" in English literature (about whom no criticism I will up with put, to paraphrase Winston the Great).

    I am quite frankly enthralled by the convolutions of "Presumed Guilty," even if, just a tad, Turow has succumbed to the Wokists in some measure. No matter. All that is woven into the narrative and the tale (the two can be different, and Turow is subtle enough that that obtains here). I won't expand on scenes here, again, you as Enthralled Reader must discover those for yourselves.

    That said, to break yet another Elements of Style rule, recall the scene from "Presumed Innocent" where Rusty discovers, in his own mind at least, just how, when, and why Carolyn Polhemus was murdered and by whom. Think about the dawning realization that Rusty endures as that murderess is discovered by him to live very, very close indeed. Remember the description of the hammer, the manner in which it is hidden (and where), and the willingness of the murderess to see Rusty rot in jail for eternity.

    Firmly in mind? Good! You will see many instances of this richness of prose repeated right here in "Guilty," should you elect to go forward.

    Next, and alas, last (for I will reveal plot elements if I wax on much longer) consider the series of three novels, and remember the story arc of Rusty's life presented therein, in the two you have read thus far. Knowing this man, his wife, his lovers, his coworkers, antagonists, protagonists, and sheer hangers on is indeed plumbing the depths of the human condition but further capturing the zenith of his accomplishment. Anyone can write something like "two young people met and their families hated the fact they were lovers, but later both kids both tragically died." In the modern legal genre, only Turow can fill out "Romeo and Juliet," in prose, to rival the Bard and the best.

    I could go on. But, time for you to take over Happy Reading!
  • Zechristof
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good News: Turow Is Back
    Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2025
    I couldn't put it down. I didn't even try to put it down. Frankly, Turow's previous book left me cold and disinterested. I was afraid he had slid off the literary highway, so to speak. But Presumed Guilty is awesome, maybe his very best. It's all there: characters you start to care about personally, twisted thoughts and motives you never expected, an impossible outcome brought to birth, and a crushing ending that you were willing to forego but are now so glad Turow shared it with you. No spoiler here -- you have come to expect all of this from Turow, and he is back in the fast lane!
  • Donna
    5.0 out of 5 stars Presumed guily
    Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2025
    Mr Turrow never disappoints. I am so sorry that I read each book like I am in a race. And then I have to reread it. His subject matter is too important to miss any of it. I am so impressed with every
    single detail. I sincerely hope there will be more.
  • Stephen M. Glynn
    5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Turow
    Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2025
    The best in the Presumed Innocent series. Scott Turow’s time as a courtroom lawyer is on full display here, creating crushing tension, wonderful descriptions and “been there, done that” realism. Just a tremendous novel of a crime.
  • Diane Saul
    3.0 out of 5 stars Suspense
    Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2025
    I have read this author before and enjoyed his books but this one was a disappointment. This one was really slow and never grabbed me. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.
  • beckster51
    4.0 out of 5 stars Another great novel from Scott Turow
    Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2025
    I have never read a more engaging legal drama/mystery than the ones that Scott Turow writes. This one started just a bit slowly, but he was setting the stage for what was to come. Since Presumed Innocent is one of my favorite books, I found it particularly rewarding that he provided context for Rusty's aging character. I always enjoy following a character through time and reflecting on how their life experiences has changed them for the better and/or for the worse. The novel includes a bit of romance, race-related issues, psychology, mystery, and lots of drama. It's lengthy, but it is written so well that I read it quickly for an over 500 page read! I highly recommend this novel.
  • Ellen
    5.0 out of 5 stars Scott Turow Sends Rusty to Golden Valhalla
    Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2025
    I have read every book of Mr Turow's and he has no peer in legal courtroom drama. His newest novel delivers.
  • RIley 1
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars - could not put down
    Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2025
    I read this book in 2 days. Such a great writer

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