Innocent by Scott Turow

Scott Turow, known for his legal thrillers, has recently published a sequel to the blockbuster "Presumed Innocent" That novel was a best-seller and the subsequent movie starring Harrison Ford was well received. Although 23 years have lapsed since "Presumed Innocent" debuted, readers have enthusiastically greeted the new installment.

"Innocent" re-introduces us to Rusty Sabich, now older and an appellate court judge. In the first novel, he was accused and tried for the murder of his mistress. That case was eventually dropped for lack of evidence, but the shadow of guilt has never disappeared, especially with law-enforcement.

When Rusty's wife suddently dies, it is first deemed natural causes. But some uncertainty by Tommy Molto, prosecuting attorney, has him subtly looking into Barbara's death.

Shortly before Barbara dies, Rusty was seriously involved with a younger, beautiful assitant. That and the fact that his marriage was tumultuous, caused by Barbara's manic-depressive mood swings, finds Rusty charged with murder yet again.

Interestingly, Rusty is not arrested until completing a successful campaign for a state Supreme Court seat. Soon, everything meaningful in his life is at risk. He has lost his wife and mistress, seriously damaged his relationship with his adult son, his career is in shreds, and he faces possible life in prison.

Courtroom drama is where Turow shines, and the trial is replete with witnesses, evidence, motive, and so many twist and turns, that readers themselves are unsure of of Rusty's guilt or innocence.

The layout of the book is intriguing with the author moving back and forth chronologically. Each chapter is from the viewpoint of a different character.

Turow has been compared with John Grisham, yet except for the similar subject matter, their writing style differs. Turow produces a more detailed slow-moving plot with intricately drawn characters. Grisham has also published dozens of novels, while Turow's more complex novels number only a handful.

This is a must-read for those who enjoy crime and courtroom drama. I just wish Turow hadn't waited quite so long to create this sequel! On a scale of 1 to 10 I rate it an 8.