Quite simply in my opinion this is a masterpiece - one of the best legal thrillers I have read , but a book that covers so much more than a murder trial as it provides a deep and empathetic analysis of family relationships and their changing dynamics, how to deal with the sudden shock of learning your beloved partner is not quite who you thought she was, should loyalty trump telling the truth, the power of friendship and how it affects you when the relationship ends, the importance of community and family and the pros and cons of ageing perhaps not so gracefully.

In other words this is a slow burner of a book that deals with so many aspects of life today and the issues that arise whilst still providing a forensic analysis of a long and fascinating murder trial in which former prosecutor and now judge Rusty Sabich, despite all his misgivings, ends up acting as defence council to his partner's adopted son, caused of murdering his girlfriend.

You need to be patient but you will be fully rewarded as the prose is lush and well chosen and the characters well developed in all their strengths and foibles.

This sounds as if it might be the end for Rusty but maybe he will ride again and as for the author - Mr Turow is still at the top of his game.

This will be an early contender for legal thriller of the year for 2025.

A wonderful book.

That was long but worth every one of the 544 pages.

This is what you call a proper legal thriller. Whilst some people may not revel in the legal prose, I devoured it as a massive fan of this genre. With about 75% of the book covering the trial of Aaron, Rusty's de facto step-son, charged with the murder of his enigmatic on-off girlfriend Mae, this is definitely one for the purists.

The great thing about Turow's writing is how much you learn about the law and court proceedings - hearsay evidence, inadmissible evidence, leading questions - all whilst following a brilliant story. You feel educated as well as entertained.

Fantastic novel and a massive 5 stars

Presumed Innocent was one of the first ‘legal’ thrillers I remember reading (either that, or The Firm) and remains a standout for me. I’ve read a few Scott Turow novels since although not the direct sequel to that book Innocent and enjoyed them well enough. I’ve tended to read John Grisham more regularly since those breakout novels and, after the disappointment of the recent TV adaptation of the original Presumed Innocent and also the recentish sequel Grisham wrote to his own blockbuster The Firm, I was interested, if slightly wary to see how this sequel to Turow’s novel would work.
Rusty Sabich has got old – if not in exact real time, at least in a general relation to the first novel: so this is the author writing a current day piece where Sabich, now a retired judge and settled down with soon-to-be-wife Bea and her adopted early twenties son Aaron.
When Aaron, on probation for drug offences, goes missing after a camping trip with his girlfriend, things don’t look good. When he’s arrested for her murder, Rusty is forced into taking on the one role in the courtroom he hasn’t yet had to in his seventy something years. He’s been a prosecutor, an accused, a judge – now he’s going to have to take on the role of defence lawyer.
This was a long book – clocking in at well over 500 pages – and takes a leisurely approach in getting going. I don’t see that as a bad thing, merely point out this is as much character driven as it is plot.
The majority of the book takes places once the courtroom proceedings start and there isn’t too much ‘additional’ action: no secondary plots or detailed descriptions of chasing down evidence outside the trial – again, I don’t see this as a bad thing: I’d prefer an unapologetic legal thriller over an action novel with legal decoration.
It also tends to stay away from certain tropes of the accused being as difficult to deal with as the facts: Aaron here is an apparently decent kid who’s made mistakes in the past but is neither obnoxious nor ‘high maintenance’, or massive and (too often unrealistic) swings in discovery. That may make it feel a little undramatic for some, and the detailed prose necessitates quite a bit of repetition of facts throughout the case, but I enjoyed the author’s writing style and was very happy to go along with it.
While knowing next to nothing about ‘real life’ court cases, it read to me at least as authentic compared to many works of fiction – at times the statements in court were almost like transcripts (and if that means a lot of like, sentences like, that like read this way then I guess it’s how a lot of folk speak these days).
The ending may be a little too abrupt for some, and wasn’t a huge surprise to me, but again – I didn’t have a problem with that: I enjoyed the ride along the way and it even made me think I need to check out its’ predecessor to see what exactly happened between Presumed Innocent and Presumed Guilty…

Scott Turow is the master of the legal , court room drama. Wonderful novel that moves at a heart rendering pace that keeps the reader guessing until the end.
Rust Sabich , who we have met before in Scott Turows books , is the future farther-in-law of Aaron a twenty two year old man of colour. Rusty , a retired Judge and previous Deputy District Attorney takes Aaron case , to defend him when he has been accused of murdering Mae his girlfriend .
Rusty takes the case, against all around him advising against it. Aarons mother Bea who adopted Aaron his mother and fiancée to Rusty pushes Rusty to defend her son .
The story moves at pace where secrets come to the fore leaving no one un touched , a real page turner.
Anyone who has read previous Scott Turow novels will recognise the style and meticulous legal detail that enthrals.

Scott Turow at his very best. This is a big book but kept me captivated throughout. Rusty’s relationship, local politics, drugs it has everything. Did Aaron do it? I’m not saying but all the twists and turns make this a fabulous read that will keep the reader engrossed

With thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for an ARC in return for an honest review

A great legal thriller by Scott Thurow. Once I started it became a 'couldn't put it down' read. The storyline about Rusty defending his stepson who is accused of murder kept me riveted. Definitely to be recommended.

4.5* Presumed Guilty - Scott Turow. Absolutely brilliant. I have been absolutely immersed in Presumed Guilty and have only just come up for air.

Rusty is a retired judge, living in a rural town with Bea, a teacher at the local school. Aaron, Bea's adopted son has failed to come home which sparks concerns that he is breach of his parole requirements and leads to an untangling of lives that none of the characters could have foreseen. The blurb on the book gives more details, but I'd suggest diving in with as little in the ay of information as you can!

Presumed Guilty is the third book in the Rusty Sabich series set in Kindle County. The series started with Presumed Innocent (an excellent film and recent TV series) and thereafter each book is set about 20 years from where the last left off. I am a stickler for reading a series from the beginning but I can genuinely say that Presumed Innocent would be a superb standalone as Rusty is the only significant crossover to the earlier parts of the series, save for some engagements with his son Nat. That being said this is a truly immersive series, so I would urge people to start at the beginning.

At c 600 pages this is a chonk of a book. It's a slow burn, immaculately detailed roll out of the evidence in a multi-layered story. If you enjoy fast paced, wham-bam, this might not be for you. However, if you enjoy a masterful setting up of plot and misdirects, along with the opportunity to really get to know and care about characters, this will be right up your street. It reminded me a little of Tana French, whose books I adore. With no exception, the end of each book in the series has a very neat twist and tie up of the plot and Presumed Guilty does not disappoint.

Huge thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a copy of this book. I'm now off to read the entirety of Scott Turow's back catalogue that I haven't got to yet.

Scott Turow’s Presumed Guilty is a masterfully crafted legal drama that combines intricate storytelling with deeply developed characters, immersing readers in a tale of justice, family, and the grey areas in between. Set against the backdrop of the rural Midwest, this book follows Rusty, a retired judge seeking peace and fulfilment in his third act of life, only to have his hard-earned serenity shattered by a murder accusation that strikes close to home.

Rusty is preparing for a fresh start with his loving fiancée, Bea, sharing a tranquil life on a lakeside retreat. Their happiness is complicated by Bea’s son, Aaron, who is living with them while on probation for drug possession. When Aaron disappears, the stakes are high—his absence threatens a return to prison. Although Aaron eventually resurfaces with a vague story about a camping trip gone awry, the situation takes a darker turn when his troubled girlfriend, Mae, is found dead. Accused of her murder, Aaron faces trial for first-degree murder, and Bea turns to Rusty in desperation, pleading with him to defend her son.

Rusty’s decision to return to court is more than a professional challenge; it’s a moral reckoning. As he navigates Aaron’s defence, Rusty confronts the failings of the justice system he once believed in, questioning whether true justice is even possible for those deemed “presumed guilty.” Turow delves deeply into these themes, creating a story that is as thought-provoking as it is gripping.

This book is an investment, offering in-depth character development and extensive courtroom scenes. Turow takes his time unfolding the narrative, weaving together complex relationships, moral dilemmas, and the intricacies of the legal process. While the pace may feel deliberate at times, the story’s complexity and emotional depth kept me enthralled from start to finish.

Presumed Guilty is a compelling exploration of justice, love, and the burdens we carry for those we hold dear. With its detailed courtroom drama and richly drawn characters, this is a must-read for fans of legal thrillers and anyone who appreciates a story with both heart and substance.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

What a fantastic book. It will draw you in from the first page. So many nuances that add to the suspense and mystery of the murder.
First book I have read by Scott and his name has been added to my watch out for books by list.
Young love, gone wrong. Murder in the heat of the moment, tragic accident or something entirely different? Police only focus on one suspect, strings pulled by politically connected father of the victim. He also has secrets of his own to hide.
Long standing friendships shattered, two families scared and heartbroken.

A great story based on a simple plot. Scott Turow grabs the reader and just sweeps them along on a raft of beautifully written prose. The book was a joy to read and kept me engrossed to the very end.

Always a gripping drama / mystery. Scott Turow delivers again, a seamless and thrilling tale, highly recommended!!

Wow this really is a blockbuster in every sense of the word. It is a tad long but the detail is thoroughly engaging. You felt like you were actually in the court room at times. The characters were well drawn, particularly of Rusty the main character. He came over as a well aged, sharp minded individual capable of taking on the establishment in this remote community. Aaron, the accused step son had you guessing right until the end.
. Plenty of side issues and relationships to keep you going outside the courtroom. Scott Turow has not lost his touch

A volatle relationship and subsequent murder leads Rusty, normally a prosecuto,r to defend his prospective son-in-law at risk to his and the mother's relationship in a case where circumstancial evvidence seems stacked against him.
varoius people try to push for a guilty verdict.
A great law court read in the backdrop of a county with conservative and prejudiced views.

I have read many books from Scott Turo and have always highly enjoyed them and this was no exception, another fabulous legal thriller. Turow is an exceptional author, one whose writing is original of an incredibly high quality. He has an innate ability to place the reader right at the scene of his stories, completely engaging you in the world he has entered you into.
The story begins with Aaron, a young man on probation for drug possession whose life turns further upside-down by the decisions he makes that will have devastating repercussions. Aaron is currently living under the supervision of his mother Bea, a strong loving woman who is married to retired judge Rusty. Aaron has a history with Mae, and they have known each other since their school days. This is a vastly damaging relationship for both, they have an addictive kind of love that keeps them tied to each other and Arron refuses to not have Mae as part of his life. They both have a drug history, and soon both their lives will be changed forever. Mae disappears and Aaron becomes the prime suspect in first her disappearance and then her first degree murder. Aaron is arrested and is then put on trial. Rusty is asked by Bea to represent her son and try to have him released from the charges. I loved Rusty’s character, a strong man but also one that has a huge heart, and he cares deeply for Aaron and is desperate for him to not spend the rest of his life in prison.

This is a very entertaining and emotive book and once I turned the first page I was completely immersed in the story and found it extremely hard to put down. A very engaging read that will pull at your heart strings. As with All Turow’s books the ending will surprise you but also satisfy you and I highly recommend you take the chance on this book, I do not believe you will be disappointed but singing its praises.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.

Wow! What a pager turner! An intense gripping courtroom drama, full of suspense and twists.
Rusty is a retired Judge, his fiancée’s son has been charged with the murder of his girlfriend. Rusty has a dilemma, Bea, his fiancée has asked him to defend her adopted son Aaron, Rusty knows this is a huge conflict of interest as Aaron is practically family, he also knows this will have a huge impact on his relationship with Bea. An old friendship of many years will also crumble apart.
The courtroom drama is so cleverly written you can feel the tension as the state lay out their case and even more so as Rusty puts up a defence and Aaron decides to take the stand.
Each chapter draws the reader into this compelling story which covers race, relationships, family, trust, love and hope.
This is my first book by Scott Turow and will certainly not be my last.
I had watched the Presumed Innocent drama so knew a little of Rusty and how he himself had stood in Aaron’s shoes.
Many thanks to Net Galley and Swift Press for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review. I highly recommend this book, it is one of those books which requires a 6th star.

Scott Turow, Presumed Guilty, Swift Press, February 2025.

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review.

This is not ‘just’ a legal procedural, although under Scott Turow’s experienced hand that would be enough. Presumed Guilty is an empathetic analysis of relationships and ageing as well as an insightful consideration of racism and the way in which status through familiarity and hierarchy can grant benefits to some while challenging others’ claims to justice. Although when I read Presumed Innocent many years ago, I was impressed, Presumed Guilty exceeds my expectations. It really is a dazzling encounter with the law and complex characters, and notable for its social commentary.

Rusty Sabich, who was introduced in Presumed Innocent, is now in his seventies, has a congenial partner, and with her has responsibility for her adopted son. Aaron has a criminal record and is now under investigation in a case biased against him as an African American in an almost exclusively white county. Rusty Sabich accepts the job of defending him, putting all his relationships, personal and professional, at risk. The legal exposition of the case Sabich and his investigator conduct is informative, so much so that it could undermine the momentum of the novel. Not so, it is engrossing. At the same time, the personal relationships are explored, in their grittiness, sensitivity, and pain. Truth telling and suspicion are pivotal throughout the narrative.

The ending of the novel is far from simplistic, although satisfying. The narrative continues to be driven by both moral and legal questions as well as the impact these have had, and will continue to have, on the characters. Scott Turow has written a book that reverberates with quality and that fully engages.

This was very good. I have read and enjoyed most of Scott Turows novels over the years and this was just as good as always. It isnt the fastest paced novel, but the pace suits the subject matter. Rusty is a strong main character and the story and subsequent trial he is involved in is gripping. Strongly recommended for those who like courtroom thrillers with a lots of twists.

It has been many years since I have read a Scott Turow legal novel and this sequel to “Presumed Innocent” seems to have been an excellent place to rediscover the enjoyment.
In this book, Rusty, the lawyer accused in the earlier novel, is now living a life of semi retirement from his profession as a judge.
He is engaged to Bea and they live in a small town somewhere in the back woods of America. When Bea’s adopted son runs off with his girlfriend, possibly on a camping trip, Rusty and Bea are concerned. He is on probation for drug use and his girlfriend, Mae is an addict and a very bad influence.
Things quickly deteriorate as they cannot get hold of him on his phone and then finally, when he returns alone claiming an argument with Mae, alarm bells start to ring.
Mae remains missing for several weeks and then her body is found in her car. Aaron, Bea’s son is accused of her murder and she asks Rusty to defend him.
This is high stakes for everyone and secrets are gradually revealed, secrets that affect all the characters including Rusty himself. .Aaron is at a disadvantage as he is a young black man in an all white district -will he even get a fair trial?
Rusty does not know who to believe, if Aaron is innocent, who committed the crime? He suspects several people- even those closest to him and will his relationship with Bea even survive this tragedy.
This is a long and detailed novel with much legal content but it was so compelling I just couldn’t put it down. It gripped me from the very beginning and I must admit I had no idea if Aaron was innocent. There were so many twists and so much to understand about Rusty’s defence that it kept me guessing throughout.
I liked the character of Rusty- he understood how Aaron was feeling because he’d been in the same position. His defence of Bea’s son feels like a swan song for him, something that he just needs to do to finish his career in the law, fighting for the truth to come out in a justice system he truly believes in.
If you like legal thrillers you’ll love “ Presumed Guilty” I definitely recommend it as a five star read.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my advanced copy.

Rusty, a retired judge takes on a seemingly impossible case defending his fiancée’s son on a murder charge. The story starts relatively slowly but by the time the trial begins the pace picks up superbly. The story of a young couple, one white from a rich family the other a black boy adopted at birth who fall head over heels in love at school but her rebellious nature and experimentation with drugs leads to inevitable trouble and finally tragedy. The detailed courtroom scenes are nothing short of harrowing but a superb read. Definitely the finest legal thriller I’ve read in a long time.