Innocent

By: Scott Turow

Narrated by: Edward Herrmann, Orlagh Cassidy

The sequel to the genre-defining, landmark best seller Presumed Innocent, Innocent continues the story of Rusty Sabich and Tommy Molto who are, once again, 20 years later, pitted against each other in a riveting psychological match after the mysterious death of Rusty's wife.

Rusty is the prime suspect. Reunited with his charismatic lawyer Sandy Stern, he will do anything to convince his beloved son, Nat, of his innocence. But what is he hiding?

In an explosive trial which will expose lies, jealousy, revenge, corruption, and the darker side of human nature, Rusty Sabich and Tommy Molto will battle it out to finally discover the real meaning of truth, and of justice.

©2010 Scott Turow (P)2010 Hachette

Critic reviews

"Mesmerizing prose and intricate plotting lift Turow's superlative legal thriller, his best novel since his bestselling debut, Presumed Innocent....Once again, Turow displays an uncanny ability for making the passions and contradictions of his main characters accessible and understandable." (Publishers Weekly)

If you loved Presumed Innocent, I have no doubt you’ll love Innocent. Jump. It will satiate you.

For all those who say Innocent is not as good as Presumed Innocent, it’s too easy to forget what a high bar that is for almost everyone reading this book. Nonetheless, I disagree with that assessment. It is a different book. It has four narrators: Rusty, his son Nat, Tommy Molto – who gets a whole new, humanizing, look – and Anna, a likable, sympathetic character with a complex role. Sandy Stern still plays a lead role, but he is less of a star than in Presumed. (This fact alone might have discouraged me from reading this book, but I’m glad it didn’t.) Yes, Rusty is older, but he is the exact same character you knew. The writing, something perhaps too easily overlooked in such a good story, is such a pleasure to read that it astonishes. Turow’s prose is as good or better than in PI, but either way is immediately familiar in the best sense. And I found the ending unquestionably more satisfying than the ending in Presumed Innocent. While Turow is never going to wrap things up in an (unrealistic and unbelievable) Happily-Ever-After-Walk-Into-the-Sunset ending, the ending of Innocent left me far more settled than Presumed Innocent did. Like I had finished a really excellent nine course meal, down to the perfectly rich desert and lulling after-dinner drink, and could walk away perfectly sated; a feeling I did not come close to having after Presumed.

I don’t feel the hesitation some seem to have in recommending this book wholeheartedly. So again, if you loved Presumed Innocent, don’t hesitate. You won’t mourn that the characters have gotten older. They haven’t fundamentally changed. If you loved Presumed Innocent, I have no doubt you’ll love Innocent. Jump. It will satiate you.
**I must note that some reviews suggest that the mystery or twist is how the death of Barbara occurred, but that is not the twist, so do not be put off by thinking that’s much of an issue, or that you’ve somehow tripped on a spoiler.

Great story

What made the experience of listening to Innocent the most enjoyable?

Ed Hermann is great but don't like Orlagh Cassidy trying to turn a good book into a chick story. Too much deep love thoughts.

What did you like best about this story?

Good plot with familiar cast of characters.

Have you listened to any of Edward Hermann and Orlagh Cassidy ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Ed Hermann is great.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

no

Wonderful book

As with all of Scott Turow books. An elegant stylist, Turow tells an excellent story with a driving narrative pace. Highly recommended.

An interesting follow up to Presumed Innocent

What did you love best about Innocent?

The internal debates between characters who are unreliable narrators of their own presumed understandings of the people in the world around them.

understanding the trial

having been in the trial business for more than 40 years, and having tried criminal civil and (i will put it
in yet a third category)divorces-- it was unreal how this author captures the essence of a trial and
of course weaves an outstanding story as well, a truly fascinating adventure

Terrific

How can there be a sequel to Presumed Innocent? Scott Turow pulled it off by setting Innocent 20 years later.

Great book, I highly recommend it. This could be the come back movie for Harrison Ford.

Great Storyline and Narration

I’m a big fan of both narrators.
It’s the first time I have heard a book by Scott Turow. The story and characters were believable and I was caught up in it from the beginning. As the story progresses you will wonder if Rusty is guilty or not. I’m not giving the plot away.
I would recommend this book to anyone wanting a good plot line and believable characters.

Great retwist on an old story

What made the experience of listening to Innocent the most enjoyable?

I was pleasantly lead by the not so obvious red herrings in the story, and enjoyed how the real story emerged behind them. Its one of those books that will make you say, of course in hindsight its not so impossible to believe.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Innocent?

The realization of the sacrifice that rusty sabich was willing to make for his less than perfect spouse and how he used his moral scale to determine that. Well thought out.

Have you listened to any of Edward Hermann and Orlagh Cassidy ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have, and I continue to enjoy the both.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Depends on the time of year. If your live in a northern clime, and its wintery and snowy, and you have a nice fire going, and your dog and wife (and perhaps children, though they arent quite as patient), you could make a very nice long evening out of this read. A little port or brandy and some appropriate snacks could make for a very nice home entertainment instead of TV.

Any additional comments?

This book is a great example of why audiobooks are fun.My wife and I like mysteries and cuddling, so if its the right time of year, its a very pleasing way to share time together, especially since we are amateur sleuths and can discuss the reasons for our conclusions long before the real ending is out there..

Excellent

Great story and characters. Read Presumed Innocent first! I plan to listen to all his books

Satisfying

I watched Presumed Innocent before listening to remind me of the story line and the characters and recommend this approach for those whose memory of P.I. is fuzzy. Overall, a nice sequel. Thought provoking but not life changing. I agree with someone else who posted that Harrison Ford should star again when the movie comes out.