Review

Scott Turow has written another outstanding novel featuring a riveting courtroom drama. Mr. Turow, an experienced trial lawyer, is well familiar with the courtroom. Unlike many novels about trials, this one is not only gripping but totally authentic in its recounting of a criminal trial in which a young man is prosecuted for the murder of his girlfriend. The protagonist is a lawyer who was the subject of an earlier Turow bestseller, Presumed Innocent: Rusty Sabich, now in his 70s and retired after a long career as a prosecutor and judge. Against his better judgment, Rusty agrees to take on the defense of a young African American man who is the adopted son of the divorced woman with whom Rusty lives and wants to marry. In taking on the case, Rusty knows well that lawyers traditionally avoid representing family members for many good reasons. His reservations are validated as the story develops. While the early part of the novel is somewhat slow in development, with many characters and subplots being introduced, the novel goes into high gear when murder charges are brought. The story unfolds on several levels, including the tumultuous relationship between the accused and the victim, the relationship between Rusty and the mother of the accused, and the relationship between Rusty and his client, who is very bright and sometimes difficult. The murder charges are based on circumstantial evidence, which appears overwhelming. The reader learns a great deal about how real trials work. Turow shows how brilliant advocacy in the courtroom is the result of hard work and creative thinking, all done outside the courtroom. The case is tried in the rural county where the murder occurred. This is a far different place from Rusty's urban home, where Rusty, the accused, and his mother live, and where the victim lived. The opening of the trial introduces a bully of a prosecutor accustomed to winning convictions in his rural county and a very sharp judge. Rusty immediately tests the judge to see how far he can go in defense of the accused without incurring her wrath. The prosecutor learns that Rusty is not as easy to intimidate as the defense lawyers to whom he is accustomed. Jury selection is more complicated than usual for Rusty, the big-city lawyer in a rural county defending an African American in a place where few, if any, African Americans live. Turow skillfully describes Rusty's doubts, anxieties, and stress as he continually makes difficult decisions, both in preparation and in the courtroom. He recounts how Rusty weighs whether to submit certain evidence or not to do so, and how to get evidence damaging to his client before the jury does, before the prosecutor can. He also details the decision of when to stop cross-examining the witness after points have been scored, and before something goes wrong. Rusty's defense seems hopeless at the outset. Turow presents each day of testimony and cross-examination as Rusty and his investigator work to dismantle the prosecution's case. The story is both fascinating and credible. While surprises abound, there is no deus ex machina ending. Like all trial lawyers in complex cases, Rusty must acquire knowledge of new and complicated matters, such as fiber technology. As the trial proceeds, several subplots unfold, keeping the reader engaged on many levels with a number of vivid characters. The story has a double ending, which is not unusual for Turow. This is a well-written, intelligent, and dramatic story. Scott Turow clearly knows whereof he writes, and he knows how to write with the best.

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