Books

Presumed Guilty

Scott Turow

‘A superb, sexy sequel to Presumed Innocent’ Sunday Times
‘A legend of suspense fiction’ Steve Cavanagh
‘The master of the courtroom drama’ Daniel Silva
‘A writer with few peers in any genre’ David Baldacci

Daily Mail Books to Watch 2025
The Times Best Thrillers of 2025 So Far

In a sequel to Presumed Innocent, the book that redefined the legal thriller, judge and lawyer Rusty Sabich returns to the courtroom to defend his step-son against a racially-charged murder indictment as the boy’s life – and perhaps Rusty’s last chance at happiness – hang in the balance.

Rusty is a retired judge attempting a third act in life with a loving soon-to-be wife, Bea, with whom he shares both a restful home on an idyllic lake in the rural Midwest and a plaintive hope that this marriage will be his best, and his last. But the peace that’s taken Rusty so long to find evaporates when Bea’s young adult son, Aaron, living under their supervision while on probation for drug possession, disappears. If Aaron doesn’t return soon, he will be sent back to jail.

Aaron eventually turns up with a vague story about a camping trip with his troubled girlfriend, Mae, that ended in a fight and a long hitchhike home. Days later, when she still hasn’t returned, suspicion falls on Aaron, and when Mae is subsequently discovered dead, Aaron is arrested and set for trial on charges of first degree murder.

Faced with few choices and even fewer hopes, Bea begs Rusty to return to court one last time, to defend her son and to save their last best hope for happiness. For Rusty, the question is not whether to defend Aaron, or whether the boy is in fact innocent – it’s whether the system to which he has devoted his life can ever provide true justice for those who are presumed guilty.

5* READER REVIEWS

‘Absolutely brilliant’

‘Scott Turow at his very best’

‘A great legal thriller … Kept me riveted’

‘Fantastic. It will draw you in from the first page’

‘Scott Turow is the master of the legal, court room drama’

‘A masterpiece – one of the best legal thrillers I have read’

‘This is what you call a proper legal thriller’

Hardback

ISBN: 9781800754492

Published: February 13, 2025

Paperback

ISBN: 9781800754522

Published: January 1, 2026

Ebook

ISBN: 9781800754508

Published: January 16, 2025

Category:
Fiction

Reviews for Presumed Guilty

‘A compelling, unputdownable legal thriller that explores the dark side of justice in a small town and on a fractured family. Scott Turow is at the top of his game with this complex, emotionally charged courtroom drama that will keep you turning the pages as fast as you can’ – Kristin Hannah, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

‘Presumed Guilty takes you out of your comfort zone and challenges you to think long and hard about the most important issues we face as a country. Every time I pick up a new Scott Turow book, I am reminded what a national treasure he is. Few novelists are his peer when it comes to prose, plot, and character. No one does it better‘ – David Baldacci, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

‘Every gift that made Scott Turow a phenomenon is on display in Presumed Guilty. Deep-focus plotting, implacable pace, lapidary prose, stunning climax. But above all… insight. The truth is, Turow is just better at this than the rest of us‘ – Greg Iles, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

‘The trial that follows is a master class in legal suspense as Turow weaves together the devastation of Aaron and Bea’s families, simmering racial prejudice, and the impact of smalltown politics within a framework of deliciously tense courtroom dynamics. This is manna for legal-thriller fans’ – Booklist, starred review

‘Turow keeps readers guessing… This easily ranks among Turow’s best’ – Publishers Weekly, starred review

‘No one stages courtroom scenes better than this celebrated Chicago attorney. An absorbing and entertaining read‘ – Kirkus

‘He remains comfortably at the top of the legal tree … the handling of courtroom scenes is nonpareil, and Turow aficionados will get their money’s worth’ – Barry Forshaw, Financial Times

‘A masterly performance’ – The Times, Best Books of 2025 So Far

‘Another forensically plotted, hair-raising read from the brilliant attorney-author, not for nothing known as the “father of the legal thriller”‘ – Saga Magazine

‘A superb, sexy sequel to Presumed Innocent‘ – Sunday Times, Pick of the Month

‘Beautifully constructed, it is as good as its predecessor. There can be no higher praise’ – Daily Mail

‘Scott Turow set the gold standard for the modern legal thriller’ Wall Street Journal

‘One of the major writers in America‘ NPR

‘The master of the courtroom drama’ Daniel Silva

‘A writer with few peers in any genre’ David Baldacci

Author

Scott Turow

Scott Turow is the author of many bestselling works of fiction, including The Last Trial, Testimony, Identical, Innocent, Presumed Innocent, and The Burden of Proof, and two nonfiction books, including One L, about his experience as a law student. His books have been translated into more than forty languages, sold more than thirty million copies worldwide, and have been adapted into movies and television projects. He has frequently contributed essays and op-ed pieces to publications such as the New York Times, Washington Post, Vanity Fair, the New Yorker and the Atlantic.