Presumed Innocent

By: Scott Turow

Narrated by: Edward Herrmann

Length: 15 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

NOW AN APPLE ORIGINAL SERIES FROM APPLE TV+ STARRING JAKE GYLLENHAAL

From #1 New York Times bestselling author and hailed as the most suspenseful and compelling novel in decades, this story brings to life our worst nightmare: that of an ordinary citizen facing conviction for the most terrible of all crimes.

Rusty Sabich, family man and the number-two prosecutor of Kindle County, is handed an explosive case—the brutal murder of a woman who happens to be his former lover. A shocking turn of events suddenly transforms him from the accuser into the accused... and plunges him into a nightmare world where nothing seems real and no one can be PRESUMED INNOCENT.

It's the stunning portrayal of one man's all-too-human, all-consuming fatal attraction for a passionate woman who is not his wife, and the story of how his obsession puts everything he loves and values on trial—including his own life. It's a book that lays bare a shocking world of betrayal and murder, as well as the hidden depths of the human heart. And it will hold you and haunt you...long after you have reached its shattering conclusion.

©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)

Terrific Book

I loved this book! Although it got a bit bogged down in the middle, I am so glad I stayed with it because the characters have depth and the story has interesting twists and turns. It is much more than just a courtroom drama. I found myself guessing and then doubting myself and then yup, I was right, how fun to have figured out who "did it". The plot gave more than the who and why though, some internal dialog, some interesting relationships, and unexpected outcomes. I truly enjoyed it, I recommend this book.

Some parts very good. Other parts average.

3 ½ stars. This did not have the typical bad guy killer. I liked the unusual plot and motivations. I saw the movie several years ago and I remembered who did it, which was the same as in the book. But other things were very different between the movie and the book. During the first third, I was impatient for things to happen. It seemed too drawn out, getting to know various characters: lawyers, cops, wife, lover. Then when Rusty was indicted for the murder of Carolyn I was frustrated. I was anxious about the ending. Would it be happy or not? I didn’t want to invest another ten hours, just to be let down and depressed at the end. So I read the last chapter which summarized many of the details, and I was relieved. I liked the ending for Rusty. Then I went back to where I left off at his indictment and listened to the rest of the book. My enjoyment from that point on was much better than when I was worrying about the ending. The last two-thirds is mostly about evidence and watching the judge and the lawyers on each side. At times it was exciting. Sometimes it was slow. For someone like me, I’d recommend reading the last chapter (40) first, then go to the beginning and read the whole book. As a result I paid more attention to key characters. Since I knew certain things would happen, I was eagerly anticipating those events thinking “when’s this going to happen?”

There were two scenes describing torture and brutality which bothered me. I wish the author had NOT included them. They were about other cases the prosecutor worked on. One a small boy tortured by his mother. Another a man put in prison, raped, and suffered permanent damage to his body.

The narrator Edward Hermann was fine.

Ending: Good enough for those who want happy endings.
Genre: legal mystery.

Really good

This is a great listen, the reader is fantastic. Really keeps you wondering up until the very end. I thought this was a recent Turow book, but according the credits, has been out for many years. Highly recommend it.

Entertaining Masterful Storytelling

I truly enjoyed this legal mystery. Engaging from the beginning with splendid character development that allowed me to care about the participants. Herrmann's narration was inspired and will tempt me to invest in another of his works. Highly recommended book well worth the time and credit.

Very entertaining

Two thirds of the way through the book I remembered seeing the movie, but still enjoyed listening to the book.
Who would not enjoy listening to the incomparable Edward Herrmann voicing just about anything? Very sad to know he is gone.

Sad story but well written!

The story was well written and certainly kept my attention! The ending eas not what I expected.

Audio Engineering Faulty

Any additional comments?

The book was excellent. My only fault is with the narration. Mr. Herrmann did a great job in representing the characters, but it frequently sounded like he was moving away from the microphone or moving in too close. I found myself constantly missing conversation because the volume of his voice suddenly got lower.... or having to lower the volume because it suddenly got too loud. It was extremely annoying and detracted from the overall experience.

takes you right to the last page

it takes you right to the last page, but when it does it will surprise you.

decent plot

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I just didn't care about any of the characters. I remember reading this book when it came out and thought I had loved it, but not this time around.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Nice touch.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

Narrator felt like listening to an old friend talk.

Did Presumed Innocent inspire you to do anything?

no

good enough listen

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

yes, distracting story.

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

no... but kept me listening. Voice got repetitive, not much inflection.

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

no

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

just wait .....