Innocent

Presumed Innocent sequel finds Rusty Sabich on trial for murder — again
In Scott Turow’s Presumed Innocent, Rusty Sabich cheated on his wife. His mistress ended up dead, and he was accused of her murder. That should have scared him straight, but two decades later, at age 60, his infidelity gets him into trouble a second time.

Rusty’s a judge now, but ironically he displays an astounding lack of judgment. Exhibit A: His wife, Barbara. Despite the whole adultery thing, Rusty and his wife remained married — albeit unhappily. When she dies, he redefines the concept of delayed reaction, waiting 24 hours to notify both their son, Nat, and the police. Exhibit B: His new mistress, Anna. Even after the unfortunate way his first affair went awry, Rusty is unable to resist the flirty advances of his 34-year-old law clerk. The two begin a lusty relationship based on trysts in mid-range hotel rooms. But Rusty breaks it off, and months later, just before Barbara’s death, he learns that Anna has a new beau.

Barbara’s death is attributed to heart failure, which is consistent with her medical history and the veritable pharmacy in her medicine cabinet. But the county prosecutor is quietly building a case against Rusty on a slew of circumstantial evidence. When he puts Exhibit A and Exhibit B together, he begins to suspect that Rusty had given his wife a lethal overdose. Soon, Rusty is on trial for murder — again. The story cuts back and forth in time and between perspectives, giving a bird’s-eye view of the circumstances leading up to and after Barbara’s death. As the story lines pre- and post-Barbara’s death come together, our own suspicions are ignited.

The narrator for much of the story uses a real-life conversational rhythm in his narration, in alternately rushed and hushed tones. He’s adept at using different voices and dialects in dialogue — from sassy to serious, flirty to stern — and sustains the tension that drives this engaging legal drama.