What We're Reading: Alice

Innocent by Scott Turow

Although Presumed Innocent was a blockbuster bestseller in the 1980's, and translated to film in 1990 starring Harrison Ford, it has taken Scott Turow 23 years to publish a follow-up. The author reasoned that he wanted enough time to pass so that many people familiar with the original work might now be curious about Rusty Sabich.

Some of the events in Innocent eerily echo Rusty's experiences in Presumed Innocent. Rusty Sabich, now 60, chief judge of an appellate court and candidate for the state supreme court, is accused of killing his wife, Barbara. He is also engaged in a second affair.

Turow says that his motivation for these familiar circumstances was to show how people are sometimes compelled for reasons they don't understand to keep repeating the same mistakes.

If you enjoy riveting courtroom dramas, read this sequel and you'll agree that Turow is better than ever. And if this one also makes it to the screen, Harrison Ford may be available.