George Mason, a seasoned judge, is turned upside down by a disturbing rape case. As the truth is discovered through twists and turns, George begins to question the law and his place in it. A book hard to put down as the writer keeps you wanting to know more.

overall, it was good, not great. it had a good premise but there were too many half developed plot points to really keep me interested. the big questions about #1 and the judge’s past felt so unresolved to me. it could’ve been better. it didn’t feel like turow committed to developing the story.

This is an interesting and thought-provoking read. It has a strong legal focus which limits the exploration of the human impacts of these crimes, never-the-less it stimulates thoughts about the system, the expectations we have of judges, and the impact of the proceedings and crime.

George Mason is a judge on the Court of Appeals in Kindle County. He's worried about his wife who is ill and undergoing intensive medical treatment when he is presented with an appeal on a disturbing rape case.

The multilayered plot illustrates how the past can influence our perspective of events in the present. And how personal experience can be used to interrogate and maybe even misunderstand, the plight of others. The storytelling keeps to the legal aspects of the case but delves into the Judge's own emotional turmoil and tugs of conscience. It's a brave exploration of the opportunities for success and failure of the challenge to set aside personal concerns when in public office. I was disappointed that the victim impacts weren't explored more within the story. In many ways, they are a little glossed over.

Of course, given that George Mason is an appeals judge, it was natural that he not swell on the consequences. His role is to examine the law. In so doing the storyline highlights the limits of legal justice.

Overall I think Scott Turow handles the sensitive topic well and has written an interesting and thought-provoking story.

Unlike others who have reviewed Turow's books on this site, I have found all of his writings to be very interesting. I like how, since Presumed Innocent, all of the books are about more than one thing -- not just a crime or a case, but about the interactions of people and their backgrounds and what motivates them.

3.5/4 I'm becoming obsessed with legal thrillers. This very short novel approaches an appeal case from the POV of a judge. I'd like to think I'm learning more about the legal system, courts and trials, as I work my way through Turow's novels.

Not one of Scott Turow's best. The main character, Judge George Mason, is boring and the so-called dilemma re the statute of limitations is contrived and the whole thing ends in a neatly tied bow. Even avid Turow fans should skip this one.

This is not Scott Turow’s densest or most challenging work. But it is a terrific story with his usual deep philosophical insights that is a hell of a good read.
Character development is as usual superb.
I loved it.

One of the earlier books and only half the pages of The Last Trial. Not the same enjoyment or character development.

This is a truly good legal courtroom novel with the additional twist of a stalker. There is now doubt about it, Scott Turow knows his stuff! Of course, I had to real the end twice to comprehend his reasoning behind his final decision. This made me even more appreciative of the keen legal mind of this author.

A rather quick read with a couple of confusing threads, this novel is still a good one to pick up for those who are fans of the legal fiction genre. Reappearances by many characters help to make the reader feel a connection with what is going on, with frequent flashbacks that add humanity to the legal question at stake.

An appellate judge is receiving threats while considering a case involving rape that reminds him of his youth, and worrying about his wife, who is undergoing treatment for cancer. He doesn't have confidence in the leading theory about a suspect, but finds it easier to ignore, rather than face, the danger he is really in...much the same as he has avoided dealing with the transgressions of his youth. The ultimate perpetrator takes almost everyone by surprise. I see this is #7 in a series, but I read this as a one-off and didn't think it was necessary to have followed the characters previously.

Anyone who reads this with close attention should earn 2 credit hours for the Scott Turow Law School course, “Statute of Limitations 101.” But it is not all about the trial since the judge has been receiving some death threats, making it a mystery story as well as a legal seminar. A good, quick read!