Presumed Innocent

By: Scott Turow

Narrated by: Edward Herrmann

Length: 15 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

Presumed Innocent brings to life our worst nightmare: that of an ordinary citizen facing conviction for the most terrible of crimes. Prosecutor Rusty Sabich is transformed from accuser to accused when he is handed an explosive case - that of the brutal murder of a woman who happens to be his former lover.

©1987 Scott Turow (P)2010 Hachette

Critic reviews

"Spellbinding.... The suspense is relentless.... Surprise follows surprise.... The work of a profoundly gifted writer." ( The New York Times)

Surprise!

If you could sum up Presumed Innocent in three words, what would they be?

didn't see it coming. (OK that's 4)

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes! I loved the fact that the victim and the suspect were both deeply flawed characters.

Have you listened to any of Edward Herrmann’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes and he's one of my favorite narrators. In fact, I sometimes am not familiar with the book but choose it because he narrates it.

Awesome book!

What did you love best about Presumed Innocent?

I couldn't put it down.... I loved the ending. Mystery..... suspense..... artistically written. I was inspired to try more books by the same author.

Great Book

If you could sum up Presumed Innocent in three words, what would they be?

Could not put this one down. Had no idea of what was going to come out of the story next. You will love this book.....

What was one of the most memorable moments of Presumed Innocent?

I was so surprised by who was involved with the murder.

Have you listened to any of Edward Herrmann’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

this was my first listen and it was a great performance.

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

Yes. I missed lots of sleep over this one.

Excellent

Well read, great character development. Twist at the end that I didn’t see coming. Recommend!

Fantastic courtroom drama

This is a fantastic courtroom drama. I really loved it. I usually do household chores or yard work listening to an audiobook. This was not that kind of book for me. You have to pay attention to keep all of the characters and information straight. But wow! What a treat. This book was written many years ago and it shows, it was written back when real thought went into books, movies and music, rather than half-witted artists churning out mediocre content while fooling shallow minded people that they are “great” and “bestsellers”. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a really well written novel and this was great. I’m about to follow with the sequel “Innocent”. Looking forward to it.

Excellent Book, Gripping Entertainment!

Scott Turow has been on my bookshelf for decades. Now up pops the Audible sale on Presumed Innocent so I buy it. Everything worked together here to make this a pleasing surprise!

First, the narration. My "A" list is short - Dennis Boutsikaris, the late Frank Muller, the rare Michael Beck, and now a too long hidden treasure, Edward Herrmann! This engaging narrator is a star in the genre! He will be the reason I try Turow's Ordinary Heroes, and will anticipate an Audible release of Innocent, Scott Turow's latest novel due to hit the shelves in May 2010.

The book did not seem 30 years old. In many ways, it is refreshing to enjoy a book untainted by our anxious world today. Turow does not beat us over the head with his actual experience as a prosecutor as some lawmen turned authors do. Rather, he leaves us appreciative of his skills in both arenas. Most every character mentioned is well developed and comes alive in the story.

Our main man is Rusty Sabich, a PA with whom Turow requires his readers to become intimate with by his use of the first person in story telling. Rusty works with both friend and foe, and the PA's office as well as the courtroom become a maze of deception, intrigue and surprise. Rusty finds himself in the grip of a nightmarish reality, that being on trial for a murder he didn't commit . . . or did he? That is the hook, the twist!

Turow's familiar character Sandy Stern is perhaps the most personable and brilliant attorney ever detailed in any novel! Sometimes we want a fictional lawyer complete with typical inherent flaws as in Grisham's Nate O'Riley or Clark's Mason Hunt. Sandy Stern is as gentlemanly as he is sharp. In fact, councelor Stern sneaks up on me as THE main character in this fascinating book. I so much want to know someone like Sandy Stern, just not as an opposing lawyer!

I will soon pull down the book & re-read the epic court room exchanges that are now among my favorite in the genre.

First Couple Hours is Snooze-Fest...Then....WOW!!!

I've never stuck with an audio book through as much boring exposition for as long as I did with this one. I only did this because the reviews were so positive, and I figured that many people couldn't be that far off. Boy, I'm glad I didn't bail on this one! What a ride....

The first 2-3 hours are so hard to stay awake for, but trust me, they're setting up what turns into an incredibly original modern-day tragedy. There are no holes in this, which is hard to accomplish with a legal thriller. The last third of this is like a roller coaster, with characters becoming things you never thought they would. The characters are very fleshed out, and each have their own voice, making them interesting and easy to follow. Narration is incredible.

If you like legal thrillers, this is for you!!

Holding quality over two decades.

The heart of the story takes place in a courtroom, but the soul of the story takes place in the details surrounding the crime. The narrator is fantastic in his interpretation of voices and their accompanying emotions. During the story I felt anxiety, victory, sadness and shock. I wanted to hear more about the protagonist's life after " Presumed Innocent" so I purchased and am reading the sequel "Innocent".

Presumed Innocent is intelligent, suspenseful, entertaining, and even after twenty years is still timely.

excellent

can't beleave i did not read it before

Sooo boring

This was very boring and slow. It got good somewhere in the middle for just a minute but it was hard to get through it.