The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion

The Category 1 winner this month is Presumed Innocent by Scott Turow.

Valerie will be leading the discussion.
Thank you Valerie!

This is my first time leading a group read discussion, but I'm excited to do it! If, like me, you enjoy legal thrillers, then you will enjoy this book and probably any others by Scott Turow, himself a former U.S. prosecutor.

I want to read the sequel , but before doing so I wanted to re-read the first book. So I will enjoy reading it again with all of you and getting your thoughts.

I loved this book, probably still my favorite legal thriller of all time. The sequel was very good, though not as good as PI. Turow is a terrific writer.

As a local author, he did a reading at one of the book stores here a few years ago, I think it was when Reversible Errors came out. He was funny but, then, much of the audience were his friends and relatives. They were taping it for something on Bravo. I never saw what it was. And recently a friend noted that he just (a year or so ago) got a condo in her building.

I remember really liking this book. I've gotten bogged down on his The Laws of Our Fathers.

He was heavily involved in the review the then governor (now inmate) was doing into the death penalty. And, as far as I know, he is still doing occasional legal work with his firm in Chicago.

I just purchased this book. Right now I am in the middle of a book. But I will catch with everyone since this a Jan/Feb group discussion.

I read this book a while back. I've always like Turow and this book did not disappoint!

I read it a very long time ago, and saw the movie too. I remember liking both of them very much. May have to do a re-read of this.

Yay! I am swapping a book of mine and getting this one. I hope to get it by next week. ;)

When the movie of this came out, I went to see it because I am a big Harrison Ford fan. At the time I didn't know anything else about the movie - but as soon as I learned it was based on a book I had to read it of course! Although normally I prefer to read the book FIRST. Oh, well.

Anyway, I just started re-reading this last night...didn't get too far in yet. Now I may have to re-watch the movie, also!

Tomorrow officially kicks off the group read...woot!

I got my book! I'm so excited. I have to finish what I'm currently reading and then I'm on it.

Looking forward to discussing with you all! I'm about 3/4 through right now.

I just found this book on my shelves, a friend from school gave it to me. I'll have to start reading it.

Got my copy today. Like more than a few, I saw the movie first; terrific with Paul Winfield, Raul Julia and John Spencer turning in marvelous performances (rest in peace all). I've just read the first few pages but the prose seems much more polished than Turow's later efforts. I'm looking forward to it and looking forward to the conversation.

I saw the audio book at the library a couple of weeks ago - went to the library today and it was gone!!!! I will check another branch next week............. :{

Gatorman wrote: "I loved this book, probably still my favorite legal thriller of all time. The sequel was very good, though not as good as PI. Turow is a terrific writer."

I agree.

I posted this on the currently reading thread...but I have completed my re-read of this book. Wow - I was just as enthralled the second time around.

I'm looking forward to reading the sequel now.

I just started this book today. I hope I don't get too enthralled since I have homework to do. ;)

Lol good luck jannene!

I haven't been able to really get into it. I'm only at page 27.

I'm at page 40 currently. I had to study for a test. Done now...maybe I can read some more.

I gave up. I don't like this book at all. I am definitely having issues with the affair. I will never be fond of someone who cheats. My personal opinion but I don't think I can grow to like him.

I'm only about to page 32, and I don't know how much I like it.

Laurin wrote: "I'm only about to page 32, and I don't know how much I like it."

I hung in until page 50 and gave up. Maybe I am not a courtroom mystery woman. I have tried 3 different authors doing courtroom mysteries and didn't care for a single one.

I just don't know how much I'm connecting with this story.

I hear you. I just started Killing Floor two hours ago. I really am enjoying this one. I am on page 74.

I'm just the reverse. Hated Killing Floor and probably didn't make it as far as page 70. I recall really enjoying Presumed Innocent (and most of Scott Turow's books ). Although he is from Chicago and I know whereof he speaks, most of the time.

I like some of James Patterson's crime series (don't hate me!), and the Stephanie Plum series. I also love Agatha and Doyle, and some of Harlan Coben's books. It's not the writing that I don't like, it's just the subject matter. I'm going to finish it, only because I hate not finishing books.

Laurin wrote: "I like some of James Patterson's crime series (don't hate me!), and the Stephanie Plum series. I also love Agatha and Doyle, and some of Harlan Coben's books. It's not the writing that I don't like..."

If court stories aren't your thing, I wouldn't force myself. If I can't get into a book by a certain point, I just give it up. Time is too precious to waste it on a book you don't like. Goodness knows that there is enough that you have to do.

Jan C wrote: "Laurin wrote: "I like some of James Patterson's crime series (don't hate me!), and the Stephanie Plum series. I also love Agatha and Doyle, and some of Harlan Coben's books. It's not the writing th..."

I don't hate it. And I don't want to make a judgment when I'm barely 30 pages into it. I'm going to give it a bit longer before I decide. I'm just glad that I didn't buy this.

I'm about to page 45. It's getting a bit better. I didn't really care to hear too much about his wife/his affair. I just want crime, etc.

Laurin wrote: "I'm about to page 45. It's getting a bit better. I didn't really care to hear too much about his wife/his affair. I just want crime, etc."

Laurin, that is why I quit on that book. The wife/affair. I just wanted the crime. I like all of the series you listed, Stephanie Plum, James Patterson, and I haven't tried Harlen Coben's books. I read the The Lincoln Lawyer and forced myself through that book.

Jannene wrote: "Laurin wrote: "I'm about to page 45. It's getting a bit better. I didn't really care to hear too much about his wife/his affair. I just want crime, etc."

Laurin, that is why I quit on that book...."

I like his individual books. Like Tell No One. I read that at about 13, and it really got me into books of that genre. I started Deal Breaker, which is a part of a series that he wrote, I don't know if I like it.

I will say, I do like this author's writing style. It's to the point, but descriptive enough to not be boring. Since I got past that part about the affair, I'm enjoying it more. To me, crime books should be like an episode of Law & Order. Focus mainly on the victim and solving the crime, but have a bit of a back story to keep it interesting.

I also really enjoyed No Time for Goodbye. It had a great balance of back story and solving the crime.

Laurin, I added those to books to my TBR list. Thanks! I like Scott's book Pleading Guilty. I didn't know then it was part of a series when I read it. I did like that book, can't remember all of it though.

Fear the Worst is a good one too.

I added that one too, Laurin. I should just follow what you are reading. ;)

:)

One of my favorite things about Presumed Innocent is that we are never truly sure about Rusty - personally, I waffled back and forth on his character multiple times through the book. Turow continues weaving reasonable doubts throughout the story that keep you guessing until the very end!

Is Sabich really an innocent victim or the perpetrator of a violent crime? Or perhaps, maybe the victim's lifestyle choices led to her untimely death?

Jannene wrote: "Laurin wrote: "I'm about to page 45. It's getting a bit better. I didn't really care to hear too much about his wife/his affair. I just want crime, etc."

Laurin, that is why I quit on that book...."

The wife/affair is necessary to the book. It is not extraneous material.

Valerie wrote: "One of my favorite things about Presumed Innocent is that we are never truly sure about Rusty - personally, I waffled back and forth on his character multiple times through the book. Turow continu..."

Agreed.

Gatorman wrote: "Jannene wrote: "Laurin wrote: "I'm about to page 45. It's getting a bit better. I didn't really care to hear too much about his wife/his affair. I just want crime, etc."

Laurin, that is why I qu..."

That's good to know. I'm not very far into it, and the book just felt bogged down with it.

Jannene wrote: "I gave up. I don't like this book at all. I am definitely having issues with the affair. I will never be fond of someone who cheats. My personal opinion but I don't think I can grow to like him."

I am not fond of someone who cheats, either. But, as Gatorman pointed out, the affair and his obsession with Carolyn are essential to the story. It is the first seed planted that makes you question his character.

I may retry to read it again later. I'm just not that fond of the obsession with this woman and his willingness to put his marriage on the line. I think the author needed a character for readers like me to like that way we'd stay engaged in the book despite the affair and questionable character.

I just don't like when books stray so far from the plot. But now that you've told me that it gets better, I might read more.

Laurin wrote: "I just don't like when books stray so far from the plot. But now that you've told me that it gets better, I might read more."

It's not straying far from the plot at all. It's essential to the plot, regardless of how you feel about Rusty cheating on his wife.

Jannene wrote: "I may retry to read it again later. I'm just not that fond of the obsession with this woman and his willingness to put his marriage on the line. I think the author needed a character for readers li..."

You're not supposed to like what goes on the book. It's filled with people of questionable character making bad decisions and the consequences of those decisions, leading to moral ambiguity. That's what makes the book so compelling.

I've gotten a bit father, and now I understand more when he focused so heavily on it.

I just finished "Presumed Innocent", a well-written legal thriller. Although the author Turow describes Rusty's obsession with Carolyn well, his obsession seemed immature for a successful attorney. All aspects of Rusty's life including family relationships and work would be adversely affected.

I didn't care for sexual details offered in the book.

I liked the friendship between Lipranzer and Sabich.

Shell wrote: "I just finished "Presumed Innocent", a well-written legal thriller. Although the author Turow describes Rusty's obsession with Carolyn well, his obsession seemed immature for a successful attorney..."

I know a lot of successful attorneys. They can be very immature!

Gatorman wrote: "I know a lot of successful attorneys. They can be very immature! "

LOL! Very true!