The Last Trial

By: Scott Turow

Narrated by: John Bedford Lloyd

Two formidable men collide in this "first-class legal thriller" and New York Times best seller about a celebrated criminal defense lawyer and the prosecution of his lifelong friend - a doctor accused of murder (David Baldacci).

At 85 years old, Alejandro "Sandy" Stern, a brilliant defense lawyer with his health failing but spirit intact, is on the brink of retirement. But when his old friend Dr. Kiril Pafko, a former Nobel Prize winner in Medicine, is faced with charges of insider trading, fraud, and murder, his entire life's work is put in jeopardy, and Stern decides to take on one last trial.

In a case that will be the defining coda to both men's accomplished lives, Stern probes beneath the surface of his friend's dazzling veneer as a distinguished cancer researcher. As the trial progresses, he will question everything he thought he knew about his friend. Despite Pafko's many failings, is he innocent of the terrible charges laid against him? How far will Stern go to save his friend, and - no matter the trial's outcome - will he ever know the truth?

Stern's duty to defend his client and his belief in the power of the judicial system both face a final, terrible test in the courtroom, where the evidence and reality are sometimes worlds apart.

Full of the deep insights into the spaces where the fragility of human nature and the justice system collide, Scott Turow's The Last Trial is a masterful legal thriller that unfolds in pause-resisting suspense - and questions how we measure a life.

©2020 Scott Turow (P)2020 Grand Central Publishing

Critic reviews

"Narrator John Bedford Lloyd previously portrayed attorney Alejandro 'Sandy' Stern in Scott Turow's Burden of Proof. This time around, the brilliant defense lawyer is about to defend his last client. Lloyd adds a weariness and a touch of confusion to Stern's voice as he struggles to defend the 75-year old doctor who saved his life with a controversial cancer drug.... Filled with bittersweet reflections on aging and family, this audiobook still manages to pull the rug out from the listener once again." (AudioFile Magazine)

"America's very best creator of legal thrillers." (Chicago Tribune)

"Serious readers should be reading Turow, because he is not just one of our best crime novelists; he is also one of our better novelists...What Turow has done, in book after book, is to give us page turners that are also pleasing literary artifacts, mysteries that are also investigations into complicated social questions and complex human emotions." (New York Times)

"The master of the courtroom drama." (Daniel Silva, number-one New York Times best-selling author)

compared to many other authors

Scott Turow is exceptional. His worldview shines through clearly in this deeply engaging human story.

Tremendous

I only wish Scott Turow could be more prolific but then he probably wouldn’t be as good. I will miss Sandy Stern and enjoyed learning more about his family background in this book. Pinkie is a wonderful character. Thoroughly enjoyed the book beginning to end. Timely, believable & excellent courtroom drama. Unlike many legal fiction writers, Turow actually captures what happens in a courtroom and who doesn’t enjoy skillful cross and closing arguments? Scott, are you available to edit my closing arguments?

interesting

The story gets a bit too technical at times at the expense of the story line. Would love a story about Pinky.

The Last Trial-a little long

This book is good but gets buried down in long winded details. Open the chapters a jump forward, you pick up the flow

Mind grabbing story

I enjoyed learning how the Food and Drug Administrationn operates. Loved the story and have always enjoyed Sandy and his ldecation to the law. Deeply hope this is not his last book for this character. Scott Turrow is one of my favorite authors so please give Sandy another purpose. I bet there is someone in need of great legal advice.

Well written and legally accurate

A well written and very interesting story. It presents the intricacies of a federal criminal trial in a manner that captures your attention while it informs you of the complex roles played by defense attorneys, prosecutors and judges.

Sandy Stern’s character development

I liked the complex story line, the depth of knowledge of the law and human nature

textbook for jury trial lawyers.

no story, just lawyerize. It goes on forever and ever about the law and skirmishes of the lawyer, client and judge

“”Great Story”

The “Last Trial” was, in a way like non-fiction. I really liked the author’s way of writing this story. A bit more personal to listen to.

The narrator was excellent, enjoyed him thoroughly and definitely would like to read other audio books read by him !!

I would recommend this book to people who like books about families and also, of course law and legal matters.

I highly recommend the author, Scott Turow. He tells a very interesting story here. I especially liked two characters, Stern and his granddaughter Pinky. She is a very “cheeky” kind of young woman. I liked her character in the story, a lot !!

Diana Baker Woodall, from California

great read

superb. great listening to the end. keeps you entertained until end... throw doesnt fail in this tead