Innocent by Scott Turow Summary

Innocent by Scott Turow is a 2010 legal thriller that continues the story of Rusty Sabich, now a 60-year-old appellate court judge accused of murdering his wife, Barbara. Set twenty years after Presumed Innocent, the novel explores Rusty's complicated marriage, Barbara's bipolar disorder, his affair with colleague Anna, and his subsequent prosecution by longtime rival Tommy Molto. The book examines aging, regret, and the cyclical nature of justice.

Scott Turow is an acclaimed American attorney and bestselling author born in Chicago in 1949. He's famous for pioneering the modern legal thriller genre with Presumed Innocent (1987), which launched his career as a novelist. Turow worked as a federal prosecutor from 1978-1986, prosecuting high-profile corruption cases that informed his realistic courtroom narratives. His fourteen works of fiction have sold over thirty million copies worldwide and been translated into more than forty languages.

Innocent by Scott Turow is ideal for fans of legal thrillers, courtroom dramas, and complex character studies. Readers who enjoyed Presumed Innocent will appreciate this continuation of Rusty Sabich's story, while those interested in midlife crises, marriage dynamics, and moral ambiguity will find rich material. The novel appeals to anyone who enjoys psychological depth combined with procedural suspense, particularly readers fascinated by the legal system's intricacies and human fallibility.

Innocent by Scott Turow is worth reading for its sophisticated exploration of aging, regret, and marriage alongside compelling courtroom drama. The novel offers mature, heartfelt character development as Rusty confronts mistakes made decades earlier, with sensitive handling of Barbara's mental illness and Rusty's genuine affair with Anna. While some plot parallels to Presumed Innocent may feel repetitive, the psychological depth and Turow's insider knowledge of legal proceedings create an engaging, thought-provoking narrative that transcends typical thriller conventions.

Innocent is the direct sequel to Presumed Innocent, continuing Rusty Sabich's story two decades later. In Presumed Innocent (1987), Rusty was a prosecutor accused of murdering colleague Carolyn Polhemus, ultimately revealing his wife Barbara as the killer. Innocent revisits these characters in 2010: Rusty is now an appellate judge, Barbara dies mysteriously, and Rusty faces murder charges again from prosecutor Tommy Molto. The sequel deepens themes from the original while exploring aging and long-term consequences.

Barbara's bipolar disorder is central to understanding both her death and the marriage dynamics in Innocent. Belatedly diagnosed as Rusty campaigns for the Supreme Court, her mental illness manifests in violent rages and deep depression, straining their already fragile relationship. The condition adds complexity to determining whether her death was natural, suicide, or murder. Turow handles Barbara's mental health struggles sensitively, showing how her illness intertwines with decades of marital resentment stemming from her killing Carolyn Polhemus in Presumed Innocent.

Rusty's affair with Anna in Innocent is portrayed as genuine and emotionally authentic, contrasting sharply with his manipulative relationship with Carolyn Polhemus. While Carolyn was a "femme fatale" who exploited Rusty for career advancement in Presumed Innocent, Anna represents a more sincere connection and glimpse of potential happiness. Crucially, Rusty's affair with Anna ends before Barbara's death, though it still provides prosecution ammunition. This relationship reflects Rusty's midlife realization that he sacrificed personal fulfillment for his son's stability.

Tommy Molto's decision to prosecute Rusty for Barbara's murder represents unresolved rivalry and bitter resentment spanning decades. In Presumed Innocent, Tommy helped prosecute Rusty for Carolyn's murder out of loyalty to her and ended up humiliated. His second prosecution appears driven by spite rather than solid evidence, suggesting weak circumstantial proof that Barbara died unnaturally. This antagonistic relationship explores themes of vendetta, professional ethics, and whether personal animosity can corrupt justice.

Innocent deeply examines midlife reflection as 60-year-old Rusty confronts decades of choices and their irreversible consequences. He recognizes his mistake in staying with Barbara for their son's sake rather than pursuing genuine happiness, realizing too late what he sacrificed. The novel sensitively portrays aging professionals grappling with mortality, career legacies, and wondering about roads not taken. Turow's own separation during the book's writing likely informed these heartfelt explorations of marriage disillusionment and the weight of long-term compromises.

Critics note that Innocent's plot structure closely mirrors Presumed Innocent, with Rusty again accused of murdering a woman connected to his past infidelity. Some readers find the repetition of "falling into the same traps" eye-rolling and predictable. However, defenders argue the psychological depth, mature character development, and authentic exploration of aging marriages distinguish it from simple thriller retreads. The novel's strengths lie more in character study than procedural surprise, which may disappoint readers seeking the original's shocking twist structure.

Innocent stands out in Turow's Kindle County series for its focus on aging, marriage deterioration, and psychological complexity over pure legal maneuvering. Unlike standalone works like Ordinary Heroes or The Burden of Proof, it directly continues character arcs from Presumed Innocent, offering rare sequel depth. The novel's introspective, melancholic tone contrasts with earlier works' emphasis on procedural suspense. Turow's maturity as both writer and person (facing his own divorce) brings emotional authenticity that elevates Innocent beyond typical legal thriller formulas.

While Presumed Innocent was adapted into a 1990 film and a highly successful 2024 Apple TV+ limited series starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Innocent received a 2011 television movie adaptation starring Bill Pullman as Judge Rusty Sabich. The TNT film, titled "Scott Turow's Innocent," was directed by Mike Robe and focused on Rusty defending against accusations of murdering his wife while an affair threatens his case. The adaptation received less attention than its predecessor's high-profile treatments.