Presumed Innocent
By Scott Turow
Read by Edward Herrmann Hachette Audio, (2010)
An Unabridged Recording on 13 CDs
ISBN: 978-1-60788-376-0
Genre: Legal Thriller
Reviewed by Angela Evans - May 3, 2010
Scott Turow is a respected and best-selling author who specializes in legal thrillers. To his books, he brings an unprecedented sense of realism aided in part by his long career working not only as a Chicago defense attorney, but also as a U.S. prosecutor. His first book, Presumed Innocent was recently released in audio format, to coincide with the audio release of the book's sequel Innocent.
In Presumed Innocent, readers and listeners not only get to enjoy a spine tingling, authoritative legal thriller, but also to witness the first flower of Turow's writing talent.
This story centers upon the murder of Carolyn Polhemus, a lawyer who worked in the prosecuting attorney's office. The task of investigating this case is handed off to chief deputy prosecutor Rusty Sabich. Improperly, Rusty fails to mention that he and Polhemus were more than simply colleagues and when the fact of their romantic relationship comes to light, there are many who think that Rusty might have had a hand in Carolyn's murder. The release of the information about their relationship not only complicates Rusty's professional life, but also his married life. Rusty's nemesis in this story is Tommy Molto, a fellow prosecutor who has decided to make it his mission to find the evidence needed to convict Rusty of Carolyn's murder, and if he can't do that, he'll just have to be satisfied with destroying Rusty's life.
Presumed Innocent is a fast paced, suspenseful story filled with intrigue and unexpected shocks. The story is told from Rusty's viewpoint, and it takes the reader from the investigation into Carolyn's murder through the trial and beyond. The story is primarily told through dialogue, rather than straight prose, which makes this book prefect for publication in audio format. In this case, the book is read by Edward Herrmann, a Tony and Emmy Award winning actor who has appeared on the stage, on television, and in a variety of films. This book is a must read/listen to for anyone with an interest in legal thrillers on in simply enjoying a well-told story.
Related Reviews:
Innocent, by Scott Turow.
The sequel to the genre-defining, landmark bestseller Presumed Innocent, INNOCENT continues the story of Rusty Sabich and Tommy Molto who are, once again, twenty years later, pitted against each other in a riveting psychological match after the mysterious death of Rusty's wife.
The Brass Verdict, by Michael Connelly.
When a fellow lawyer is murdered, Mickey Haller inherits his law practice - and his clients, only to discover that the lawyer's murder might be related to one of the cases that has now fallen into Haller's lap. To get to the truth, Haller hires Detective Harry Bosch to help him solve the lawyer's murder.
