Scott Turow is an American lawyer and novelist best known for his legal thrillers. His books have been translated into more than 40 languages and have sold more than 30 million copies worldwide. Turow's work has been praised for its realism, its insights into the legal system, and its compelling characters.
Turow was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1949. He graduated from Harvard Law School in 1972 and worked as a prosecutor in the Cook County State's Attorney's Office. In 1987, he published his first novel, Presumed Innocent, which was a critical and commercial success. Turow has since written 12 more novels, including The Burden of Proof (1990), Pleading Guilty (1993), The Laws of Our Fathers (1996), Personal Injuries (2004), and Testimony (2017).
If you're a fan of legal thrillers, then you'll definitely want to check out Scott Turow's books. His novels are full of suspense, intrigue, and courtroom drama. You'll be hooked from the first page to the last.
scott turow books in order
Legal thrillers, compelling characters.
- Presumed Innocent (1987)
- The Burden of Proof (1990)
- Pleading Guilty (1993)
- The Laws of Our Fathers (1996)
- Personal Injuries (2004)
- Testimony (2017)
- The Last Trial (2020)
- Suspect (2022)
Translated to 40+ languages, 30+ million copies sold.
Presumed Innocent (1987)
Presumed Innocent is Scott Turow's first novel and is widely considered to be his masterpiece. The novel tells the story of Rusty Sabich, a prosecutor who is accused of murdering his mistress, Carolyn Polhemus. Rusty is a respected member of the community and has a seemingly perfect life. He is married to Barbara, a successful doctor, and they have two young children. However, Rusty's life is turned upside down when Carolyn is found dead in her apartment and he becomes the prime suspect.
Rusty is forced to defend himself against the murder charge, and he quickly learns that the evidence against him is strong. The police have found his fingerprints in Carolyn's apartment, and there is a witness who saw him arguing with her on the night of her murder. Rusty is also facing pressure from his colleagues in the prosecutor's office, who are eager to convict him in order to protect the reputation of their office.
As Rusty's trial progresses, he begins to suspect that he is being framed for the murder. He discovers that Carolyn was involved in a number of illegal activities, and he believes that someone may have wanted her dead. Rusty also begins to suspect that his wife, Barbara, may be hiding something from him. As the trial reaches its climax, Rusty must race against time to find the real killer and clear his name.
Presumed Innocent is a gripping legal thriller that kept readers on the edge of their seats. The novel is full of suspense, intrigue, and courtroom drama. Turow's writing is sharp and intelligent, and he does an excellent job of creating complex and believable characters. Presumed Innocent is a must-read for fans of legal thrillers and anyone who enjoys a good mystery.
Presumed Innocent was a critical and commercial success. It won the Edgar Award for Best Novel and was adapted into a major motion picture in 1990 starring Harrison Ford and Raul Julia.
The Burden of Proof (1990)
The Burden of Proof is Scott Turow's second novel and is a sequel to Presumed Innocent. The novel tells the story of Sandy Stern, a young lawyer who is tasked with defending Rusty Sabich, the protagonist of Presumed Innocent, in a civil lawsuit brought by the family of Carolyn Polhemus, the woman Rusty was accused of murdering.
- Sandy Stern faces an uphill battle.
The evidence against Rusty is strong, and the Polhemus family is determined to win the lawsuit. Sandy is also facing pressure from her law firm, which is eager to settle the case quickly and quietly.
- Sandy discovers new evidence.
As Sandy investigates the case, she discovers new evidence that suggests that Rusty may be innocent. She also begins to suspect that there is a conspiracy to frame Rusty for the murder.
- Sandy must race against time.
The trial is set to begin soon, and Sandy must work quickly to find the real killer and clear Rusty's name. She also has to deal with her own personal problems, including a difficult relationship with her boyfriend.
- The trial is a tense and dramatic affair.
The outcome of the trial is uncertain until the very end. Sandy must use all of her skills as a lawyer to convince the jury that Rusty is innocent.
The Burden of Proof is a gripping legal thriller that kept readers on the edge of their seats. The novel is full of suspense, intrigue, and courtroom drama. Turow's writing is sharp and intelligent, and he does an excellent job of creating complex and believable characters. The Burden of Proof is a must-read for fans of legal thrillers and anyone who enjoys a good mystery.
Pleading Guilty (1993)
Pleading Guilty is Scott Turow's third novel and tells the story of Rik Dudek, a young lawyer who is appointed to defend a man named Elmo Leonard, who is accused of murdering his wife, Sonia. Rik is a talented and ambitious lawyer, but he is also inexperienced and idealistic. He believes that everyone deserves a fair trial, even someone who is accused of a heinous crime.
As Rik investigates the case, he begins to suspect that Elmo may be innocent. He discovers that Sonia was having an affair with a powerful businessman, and he believes that the businessman may have had her killed. However, Rik is facing an uphill battle. The evidence against Elmo is strong, and the prosecution is determined to convict him.
Rik must also deal with his own personal problems. He is struggling with his relationship with his girlfriend, and he is also dealing with the death of his father. Despite all of these challenges, Rik is determined to prove Elmo's innocence.
Pleading Guilty is a gripping legal thriller that kept readers on the edge of their seats. The novel is full of suspense, intrigue, and courtroom drama. Turow's writing is sharp and intelligent, and he does an excellent job of creating complex and believable characters. Pleading Guilty is a must-read for fans of legal thrillers and anyone who enjoys a good mystery.
Pleading Guilty was a critical and commercial success. It was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and was adapted into a major motion picture in 2001 starring Robert Downey Jr. and Sarah Jessica Parker.
The Laws of Our Fathers (1996)
The Laws of Our Fathers is Scott Turow's fourth novel and tells the story of two families, the Forsters and the Radcliffes, who are connected by a tragic accident. The novel is set in the fictional town of Kindle County, which is based on Turow's hometown of Chicago.
The story begins when Tom Forster, a young lawyer, is assigned to defend Nat Radley, a man who is accused of murdering his wife, Sarah. Tom is initially reluctant to take the case, but he eventually agrees to do so. As Tom investigates the case, he discovers that there is more to the story than meets the eye. He learns that Sarah was having an affair with a powerful businessman, and he begins to suspect that the businessman may have had her killed.
Tom's investigation also leads him to the Radcliffes' troubled past. He discovers that Nat and Sarah's marriage was not always happy, and that they had a history of violence. Tom also learns that Nat is a Vietnam War veteran who is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
As the trial progresses, Tom must decide whether to believe Nat's story or to believe the evidence that suggests that Nat is guilty of murder. He must also come to terms with his own complicated feelings about his family and his past.
The Laws of Our Fathers is a gripping legal thriller that kept readers on the edge of their seats. The novel is full of suspense, intrigue, and courtroom drama. Turow's writing is sharp and intelligent, and he does an excellent job of creating complex and believable characters. The Laws of Our Fathers is a must-read for fans of legal thrillers and anyone who enjoys a good mystery.
Personal Injuries (2004)
Personal Injuries is Scott Turow's seventh novel and tells the story of Robbie Feaver, a young lawyer who is hired to defend a pharmaceutical company in a class-action lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges that the company's drug, Levoquin, caused serious side effects, including tendon ruptures and kidney failure.
Robbie is a talented and ambitious lawyer, but he is also idealistic. He believes that the pharmaceutical company is responsible for the injuries caused by Levoquin, and he is determined to hold them accountable. However, Robbie is facing an uphill battle. The pharmaceutical company has a team of high-powered lawyers, and they are determined to win the case.
As Robbie investigates the case, he discovers that there is more to the story than meets the eye. He learns that the pharmaceutical company knew about the side effects of Levoquin, but they chose to hide the information from the public. Robbie also learns that the company has a history of putting profits before people.
Robbie must decide whether to continue fighting for justice, or to settle the case and move on with his life. He must also come to terms with his own complicated feelings about his family and his past.
Personal Injuries is a gripping legal thriller that kept readers on the edge of their seats. The novel is full of suspense, intrigue, and courtroom drama. Turow's writing is sharp and intelligent, and he does an excellent job of creating complex and believable characters. Personal Injuries is a must-read for fans of legal thrillers and anyone who enjoys a good mystery.
Testimony (2017)
Testimony is Scott Turow's eleventh novel and tells the story of Roxanna "Roxie" Bari, a young lawyer who is appointed to defend a man named Tom Dubose, who is accused of murdering his wife, Ellen.
- Roxie is a talented and ambitious lawyer, but she is also inexperienced.
This is her first murder case, and she is facing an uphill battle. The evidence against Tom is strong, and the prosecution is determined to convict him.
- Roxie discovers that there is more to the story than meets the eye.
As she investigates the case, she learns that Tom and Ellen had a troubled marriage. She also learns that Tom has a history of violence.
- Roxie must decide whether to believe Tom's story or to believe the evidence that suggests that he is guilty of murder.
She must also come to terms with her own complicated feelings about her family and her past.
- The trial is a tense and dramatic affair.
The outcome of the trial is uncertain until the very end. Roxie must use all of her skills as a lawyer to convince the jury that Tom is innocent.
Testimony is a gripping legal thriller that kept readers on the edge of their seats. The novel is full of suspense, intrigue, and courtroom drama. Turow's writing is sharp and intelligent, and he does an excellent job of creating complex and believable characters. Testimony is a must-read for fans of legal thrillers and anyone who enjoys a good mystery.
The Last Trial (2020)
The Last Trial is Scott Turow's twelfth novel and tells the story of Sandy Stern, the protagonist of Turow's second novel, The Burden of Proof. Sandy is now a successful lawyer and a partner at a prestigious law firm, but her life is turned upside down when she is diagnosed with a terminal illness.
- Sandy is determined to make the most of the time she has left.
She decides to take on one last case, a class-action lawsuit against a pharmaceutical company that is accused of selling a dangerous drug.
- Sandy is facing an uphill battle.
The pharmaceutical company has a team of high-powered lawyers, and they are determined to win the case. Sandy also has to deal with her own health problems, which are becoming increasingly debilitating.
- Sandy discovers that there is more to the case than meets the eye.
As she investigates, she learns that the pharmaceutical company has been hiding information about the drug's side effects.
- Sandy must decide whether to settle the case or to continue fighting for justice, even if it means risking her own life.
She must also come to terms with her own mortality and the legacy she wants to leave behind.
The Last Trial is a powerful and moving novel that explores the themes of life, death, and justice. Turow's writing is sharp and intelligent, and he does an excellent job of creating complex and believable characters. The Last Trial is a must-read for fans of legal thrillers and anyone who enjoys a good story.
Suspect (2022)
Suspect is Scott Turow's thirteenth novel and tells the story of Bill Tenner, a prosecutor who is investigating the murder of a young woman named Anya Balan. Anya was a brilliant and ambitious law student, and her death sends shockwaves through the community.
Bill is determined to find Anya's killer, but he quickly realizes that the case is more complicated than it seems. Anya was involved in a number of extracurricular activities, including a prestigious law journal and a volunteer program at a local homeless shelter. She also had a complicated personal life, and she was involved in a number of romantic relationships.
As Bill investigates the case, he begins to suspect that Anya may have been killed by someone she knew. He also begins to suspect that the murder may be connected to a series of other unsolved murders in the area.
Bill must race against time to find Anya's killer before he strikes again. He must also deal with his own personal problems, including a strained relationship with his wife and a recent diagnosis of cancer.
Suspect is a gripping legal thriller that kept readers on the edge of their seats. The novel is full of suspense, intrigue, and courtroom drama. Turow's writing is sharp and intelligent, and he does an excellent job of creating complex and believable characters. Suspect is a must-read for fans of legal thrillers and anyone who enjoys a good mystery.
FAQ
If you're a fan of Scott Turow's books, then you may have some questions about them. Here are some frequently asked questions about Scott Turow's books, along with their answers:
Question 1: What is Scott Turow's most famous book?
Answer 1: Scott Turow's most famous book is Presumed Innocent, which was published in 1987.
Question 2: How many books has Scott Turow written?
Answer 2: Scott Turow has written 13 novels, including Presumed Innocent, The Burden of Proof, Pleading Guilty, The Laws of Our Fathers, Personal Injuries, Testimony, The Last Trial, and Suspect.
Question 3: What is Scott Turow's writing style?
Answer 3: Scott Turow's writing style is characterized by its realism, its insights into the legal system, and its compelling characters.
Question 4: What are the main themes in Scott Turow's books?
Answer 4: The main themes in Scott Turow's books include justice, innocence, guilt, and redemption.
Question 5: Have any of Scott Turow's books been adapted into movies or TV shows?
Answer 5: Yes, several of Scott Turow's books have been adapted into movies or TV shows, including Presumed Innocent, The Burden of Proof, and Pleading Guilty.
Question 6: Where can I find Scott Turow's books?
Answer 6: Scott Turow's books can be found at most bookstores and online retailers.
Question 7: Is Scott Turow still writing books?
Answer 7: Yes, Scott Turow is still writing books. His latest novel, Suspect, was published in 2022.
Question 8: What is Scott Turow's next book?
Answer 8: Scott Turow's next book has not yet been announced.
We hope this FAQ has answered some of your questions about Scott Turow's books. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.
Now that you know more about Scott Turow's books, you may be interested in reading some of them. Here are some tips for choosing the right Scott Turow book for you:
Tips
If you're looking for a good Scott Turow book to read, here are a few tips:
Tip 1: Start with Presumed Innocent.
Presumed Innocent is Scott Turow's most famous book, and it's a great place to start if you're new to his work. It's a gripping legal thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.
Tip 2: Choose a book that interests you.
Scott Turow's books cover a wide range of topics, from murder and suspense to social justice and family drama. Take some time to browse his books and choose one that sounds interesting to you.
Tip 3: Don't be afraid to try something new.
Even if you're not a fan of legal thrillers, you may still enjoy Scott Turow's books. His writing is accessible and engaging, and he does a great job of creating complex and believable characters.
Tip 4: Read the books in order.
While it's not necessary to read Scott Turow's books in order, it can be helpful to do so. This will allow you to follow the development of his characters and his writing style over time.
We hope these tips help you choose the perfect Scott Turow book to read. Happy reading!
Now that you know more about Scott Turow's books and how to choose the right one for you, it's time to start reading! Head to your local bookstore or library and pick up a copy of your favorite Scott Turow book today.
Conclusion
Scott Turow is one of the most popular and acclaimed legal thriller writers of all time. His books are known for their realism, their insights into the legal system, and their compelling characters. Turow's books have been translated into more than 40 languages and have sold more than 30 million copies worldwide.
If you're a fan of legal thrillers, then you owe it to yourself to read Scott Turow's books. You won't be disappointed.
In this article, we've explored Scott Turow's books in order, from Presumed Innocent to Suspect. We've also provided a FAQ section and a tips section to help you learn more about Turow's books and choose the right one for you.
We hope you've found this article helpful. Now go out and start reading Scott Turow's books! You won't regret it.
Closing Message:
Reading Scott Turow's books is a great way to learn about the law, the justice system, and the human condition. His books are thought-provoking and entertaining, and they will stay with you long after you finish reading them.
So what are you waiting for? Pick up a Scott Turow book today and start reading!