Scott Turow Follow

Scott Turow’s novel Suspect is a departure from the legal thrillers he’s best known for. I’ve always enjoyed his writing and appreciate that he’s always willing to test new waters in his work. I was initially surprised by the character of Pinky, who is the protagonist of the novel, but loved the fact Turow went so far afield in creating her. She’s interesting, surprising, and admirable—increasingly so as the novel progresses. The balance of the cast is strong, the premise is timely without straining to be relevant, and the story offers an interesting twist on the events leading to a police chief being investigated for sexual mischief in the work place. Suspect grabbed my attention immediately and unfolded in a series of surprising twists and turns that ratcheted up the tension as the book wound its way to a satisfying conclusion. As his writing career continues, I love the fact that I can open a new Scott Turow novel and still be surprised by where he takes us and who he chooses to tell his stories through. An excellent read.

All of Scott Turow’s books are masterpieces in their own, at least in my view, but Limitations in particular resonated with me. An exploration of one man coming face-to-face with the issue of personal and societal limitations, this novel is a fascinating character study that posits enduring questions for all of us to ponder. Appeals Court Justice George Mason is coasting down the homestretch of a successful legal career when a troubling sexual abuse case lands in his courtroom, a case with racial and class ramifications that disturb him deeply. As the appeal process unfolds, Mason comes to question not only himself, but also the system that has defined him. What happens when he no longer believes in the system and his role in it? It’s an interesting quandary that resonates well beyond the people who work in the justice system. Turow’s writing is, as always, tight and unsparing, taking us on few detours from a story that barrels through to its satisfying and thought-provoking conclusion.