Presumed Guilty by Scott Turow

 

Scott Turow is one of my go-to authors for a good legal thriller. In this third book featuring Rusty Sabich, Turow does an excellent job entertaining and educating about the legal system.

First introduced in "Presumed Innocent," Rusty is now 77, retired, and engaged to Bea, a white woman with an adopted Black son, Aaron. Aaron has had run-ins with the law and is now on probation under the supervision of Rusty and Bea. Aaron goes on a camping trip with his troubled girlfriend, Mae, to work on their relationship; Aaron returns without Mae. When Mae is later found dead, Aaron is charged with first-degree murder. and at Bea's request, Rusty agrees to represent him at trial. With the evidence stacked against Aaron, Rusty must use his legal experience to see that Aaron gets a fair trial.

Although it is a long book, more than 500 pages, it is a quick read. The story is compelling, fast-paced, and excellently written. The moral dilemmas facing Rusty and the legal minefield he had to negotiate make for an excellent legal thriller. I highly recommend this book if you enjoy courtroom drama with interesting characters. 

4.5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is January 14, 2025.

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Beyond Reasonable Doubt by Robert Dugoni

 

I'm a sucker for a good courtroom drama, and this book, Beyond Reasonable Doubt, is a winner. It's the second book featuring lawyer Keera Duggan, and it's every bit as good as the first one, Her Deadly Game.

Her father pressures Keera at their family law firm into taking the case of Jenna Bernstein, a woman accused of murdering her former business partner and lover. Keera has known Jenna since childhood and considers her to be a controlling sociopath incapable of telling the truth. Trouble seems to follow Jenna. Once a billionaire and CEO of a startup company, all came crashing down when, five years earlier, she was accused of murdering one of her employees. Keera's father successfully defended Jenna then; now it's Keera's turn. But Keera has her doubts. Can she get past her feelings toward Jenna and be the lawyer Jenna needs?

This is an excellently plotted book. In addition to Keera's moral dilemma, there's the question of Jenna's innocence. Did Jenna get away with murder once and possibly a second time? Jenna is not likable, and I was almost rooting against Keera winning the case. Watching Keera's strategy change as more information came to light was fun, as was her battle of wits with Jenna. Although this is the second book in the series, it can be read as a standalone. 

5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is October 22, 2024.

For more information:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble