National Writers Series Presents - Scott Turow

The National Writers Series is pleased to present Scott Turow, a writer and former practicing lawyer, who is the author of thirteen bestselling works of fiction, including Presumed Innocent and most recently, Suspect. Our guest host for this event is none other than David Baldacci!

Please join us for this virtual event, featuring his new book, Presumed Guilty. This is a virtual only event.

Presumed Guilty is a sequel to Presumed Innocent, the book that redefined the legal thriller and served as the basis for Apple TV+’s most-watched drama series ever, judge and lawyer Rusty Sabich returns to the courtroom to defend his step-son against a murder indictment as the boy’s life—and perhaps Rusty’s last chance at happiness—hang in the balance.

Rusty is a retired judge attempting a third act in life with a loving soon-to-be wife. But the peace that’s taken Rusty so long to find evaporates when Bea’s young adult son, Aaron, living under their supervision while on probation for drug possession, disappears.

Aaron eventually turns up with a vague story about a camping trip with his troubled girlfriend, Mae. Dayslater, when she still hasn’t returned, suspicion falls on Aaron, and when Mae is subsequently discovered dead, Aaron is arrested and set for trial on charges of first-degree murder.

 Bea begs Rusty to return to court one last time, to defend her son. For Rusty, the question is not whether to defend Aaron, or whether the boy is in fact innocent—it’s whether the system to which he has devoted his life can ever provide true justice for those who are presumed guilty.