Clearly one of the masters of the legal suspense genre; this book is another from Turow that doesn't disappoint。 It's The Last Trial for legendary defense counsel, Sandy Stern, who has decided to retire after this trial。 The case involves a scientist who discovered a cancer drug that can save thousands of lives but also is possibly harming a smaller group with an allergic reaction。 The charges against him are murder and stock fraud and it's a case loaded with lots of people may have been part of Clearly one of the masters of the legal suspense genre; this book is another from Turow that doesn't disappoint。 It's The Last Trial for legendary defense counsel, Sandy Stern, who has decided to retire after this trial。 The case involves a scientist who discovered a cancer drug that can save thousands of lives but also is possibly harming a smaller group with an allergic reaction。 The charges against him are murder and stock fraud and it's a case loaded with lots of people may have been part of a cover up scheme。 。。。more
Molly Jean,
This book was in my to-read pile for awhile and, having finished my book club's selections prior to summer break, I decided to grab a book and read for pure pleasure。 Having read, and enjoyed, "Presumed Innocent" decades ago and having really enjoyed Turow's Sandy Stern character (played by Raul Julia in the movie based on the book), I decided to give "The Last Trial" a spin。 Very glad I did。。。the timing was excellent because the book not only features Sandy Stern (now 85 years old and trying hi This book was in my to-read pile for awhile and, having finished my book club's selections prior to summer break, I decided to grab a book and read for pure pleasure。 Having read, and enjoyed, "Presumed Innocent" decades ago and having really enjoyed Turow's Sandy Stern character (played by Raul Julia in the movie based on the book), I decided to give "The Last Trial" a spin。 Very glad I did。。。the timing was excellent because the book not only features Sandy Stern (now 85 years old and trying his last case) but it is about a small pharmaceutical company CEO being accused of murder, defrauding the FDA over a cancer drug and inside trading。 A little something for everyone, and especially interesting and even relevant in these days of COVID-19 and the controversies surrounding the development of the vaccines for it。 A complex plot that is more timely now than Turow probably ever intended it to be。 I enjoyed the book and I'm sure I'm not the only reader who kept picturing the late Raul Julia in my mind's eye while reading it。 。。。more
Andy Miller,
It is Sandy Stern's last trial。 We met him in Presumed Innocent, Scott Turow's first novel, as the skilled defense attorney who obtained a dismissal of the murder case against asst district attorney Rusty Sabich。 We got to know him in Turow's second novel, Burden of Proof, that detailed Stern's personal and family life as he grieved the loss of his wife while defending his brother in law during a grand jury investigation。 Stern made appearances in the rest of the Kindle county novels, sometimes It is Sandy Stern's last trial。 We met him in Presumed Innocent, Scott Turow's first novel, as the skilled defense attorney who obtained a dismissal of the murder case against asst district attorney Rusty Sabich。 We got to know him in Turow's second novel, Burden of Proof, that detailed Stern's personal and family life as he grieved the loss of his wife while defending his brother in law during a grand jury investigation。 Stern made appearances in the rest of the Kindle county novels, sometimes as a cameo, sometimes as more central character, always as an outstanding trial lawyer。Sandy Stern is now 85 and in his last trial with his daughter as co-counsel。 He is defending a close friend, Kiril Pafko, who is also the doctor who saved him from cancer。 Pafko is charged with crimes related to his development of a drug that promised to be very effective in fighting cancer。 However, there were unpredicted deaths among the trial patients and the evidence shows that Pafko hid that data, continued to administer drug and when he learned that the Wall Street Journal discovered the deaths among trial patients and was about to publish an expose, Pafko sold large amounts of stock in the company, making millions before the stock price tanked。Turow himself is a great trial lawyer as well as an excellent writer。 He explains intricate trial strategies and legal concepts accurately but also in ways that a lay reader can easily understand。 And there is courtroom suspense, though Turow must be given some literary license to justify the trial's pivotal point, discovery of cell phone records during cross exam of a key witness? Something any law school mock trial student would have obtained? While Stern's last trial is central to the book, it also develops nuanced characters; Pafko is not a good man, and includes Stern's reflections on life, including strained family relationships that may have resulted from his passion for the law。I had been disappointed by some of Turow's recent works, especially "Innocent," but this is a return to Turow's great legal writing 。。。more
Debbie,
Not as good as the classic Turow I remember from years ago。 It would have been much better at 100 pages shorter。 Too much reflection by the main character。 I was in the mood for a page turner and this was not it。
Elizabeth Jensen,
Last trial of Sandy Stern and his daughter Marta。 Good, but a little too complicated and legally technically for me to follow。
Alan P。 Lofgren,
Slow StartBut picks up after a few chapters。 Even though it is difficult to follow all the moving parts at times, it is still worth reading。
Sharon Clark,
I have always enjoyed Scott Turow's books and this one was no exception。 The story kept me engaged throughout。 Scott Turow's deep insights into human nature is a feature of his books that I've always found interesting and informative。 But the courtroom scenes are my favourite parts of his books。 His defence lawyer Alejandro (Sandy) Stern is a very appealing character - intelligent but still humble。 In this book, I enjoyed the closing argument by Sandy Stern so much, that I rewound the audiobook I have always enjoyed Scott Turow's books and this one was no exception。 The story kept me engaged throughout。 Scott Turow's deep insights into human nature is a feature of his books that I've always found interesting and informative。 But the courtroom scenes are my favourite parts of his books。 His defence lawyer Alejandro (Sandy) Stern is a very appealing character - intelligent but still humble。 In this book, I enjoyed the closing argument by Sandy Stern so much, that I rewound the audiobook so that I could listen to it again。 It was logical, persuasive and delivered in a clever and intelligent manner。 This may be the last that we will hear of Sandy Stern and I am mourning him already! 。。。more
Benjamin,
Forgiving。
Bev,
Deep…This book is so involved with the twists of law, I had to keep reading just to keep it straight。 Turow clearly wove human weakness and desire for acknowledgment into the characters, regardless of their status。 Not an easy read。 Nevertheless, very deep and well done。
Quesenberrys,
I loved the first two Turrow books (1L and Presumed Innocent), but couldn’t finish his next one。 Now we are about 10 books later, and based on the reviews, I read this one (I mean, a legal thriller—how can I resist that?)。 Maybe it is because I am an old attorney on the last laps of my career, but this book really spoke to me, from the beginning。 There is a lot of Sandy (he is the protagonist, a defense attorney doing his last trial, hence the name) looking back at his 40+ year legal career (I a I loved the first two Turrow books (1L and Presumed Innocent), but couldn’t finish his next one。 Now we are about 10 books later, and based on the reviews, I read this one (I mean, a legal thriller—how can I resist that?)。 Maybe it is because I am an old attorney on the last laps of my career, but this book really spoke to me, from the beginning。 There is a lot of Sandy (he is the protagonist, a defense attorney doing his last trial, hence the name) looking back at his 40+ year legal career (I am at 32 years myself into my legal career) and at his life, the costs of his career and his choices (costs that I am familiar with, and have paid myself), what he has seen, what he has learned, and what he feels, at this point, about human nature, and the nature of good and evil, love and loathing。 It is about family, on many levels—spouses (especially), children, grandchildren, siblings。 It is introspective, but not in a naval-gazing way, but in a way that examines and tests and teaches。 Very wise and enjoyable。 。。。more
Beth Mitchell,
I usually read only non-fiction books but needed an audio book to entertain me。 I started this book as a substitute for podcasts to listen to on my daily 4 mile walk。 This book kept my interest so well that I kept my earphones on listening every chance I got。 It was very good and voices so exact for the characters they portrayed。 It is a mystery without being such a who-done-it。 Very likable characters, good story line。
Cindy,
I may try this again someday, but for now, I realized I am not in the mood for a legal story full of technical jargon。
Lisa,
Overall a good trial story。 Interested and I enjoyed the reader。
Helen Mountford,
I’ve usually enjoyed Turow’s works, but this one is about the most boring book I’ve ever waded through。 Yawn…。
Babs,
So much medical detail that the trial becomes a bit tedious, but good character development and interesting people。 I usually like this author's stuff。 You read a lot about a fictitious new cancer drug and its use in a clinical trial, as well as its impact on all of the characters。 So much medical detail that the trial becomes a bit tedious, but good character development and interesting people。 I usually like this author's stuff。 You read a lot about a fictitious new cancer drug and its use in a clinical trial, as well as its impact on all of the characters。 。。。more
Saubertk,
Suffered through it。 Actually, not a bad book, but so long and drawn out and detailed。。。 and not all that interesting。
Malcolm Van Arkadie,
Not quite his best but an interesting book a rumination on the law and aging as 85 year old Sandy Stern argues his last trial。
Nelson Meaker,
Not quite as expectedComplex tale of science law and the ultimate emotional character of humanity despite our best efforts to be rational beings。
Marklutherlawoffice,
I was disappointed。 The book is too complicated。 Sandy Stern is always the great criminal lawyer and the other characters are well described。 I was expecting more judging from the great review in the New York Times。 Sorry, Mr。 Turow-Grisham is a better writer but both of you are great storytellers。
Janet,
A great Turow courtroom book in my opinion。 There's a real mystery plot dealing with current issues and the courtroom scenes are intriguing。 A great Turow courtroom book in my opinion。 There's a real mystery plot dealing with current issues and the courtroom scenes are intriguing。 。。。more
Cam,
Scott Turow's books are a good source of legal thriller。 The book met my expectation of wanting to read a good entertaining novel。 Scott Turow's books are a good source of legal thriller。 The book met my expectation of wanting to read a good entertaining novel。 。。。more
Linda,
I thought this book would never end。 It’s a good story, not overly engrossing but ok。 However the book could have ended about 20 chapters sooner and still be fine。
Amy,
I chose Scott Turow's latest legal thriller - his words, not mine - because I had read Presumed Innocent so many years ago。 Presumed Innocent was a stand out, a real page-turner, so I had high hopes for this book。 Turow is precise in his courtroom narratives and really gives detail and drama to the courtroom proceedings。 What makes the book nuanced also makes it long and drawn out。 I felt like I was waiting for that aha! moment that never came。 The main character, Sandy Stern (from Presumed Inno I chose Scott Turow's latest legal thriller - his words, not mine - because I had read Presumed Innocent so many years ago。 Presumed Innocent was a stand out, a real page-turner, so I had high hopes for this book。 Turow is precise in his courtroom narratives and really gives detail and drama to the courtroom proceedings。 What makes the book nuanced also makes it long and drawn out。 I felt like I was waiting for that aha! moment that never came。 The main character, Sandy Stern (from Presumed Innocent), is defending his friend, a doctor who is on trial for murder。 It seems like more could have been done to prevent this dragged out trial and verdict。 And by more, I mean more editing of this overly worked book。 I'm not even sure how it's called a thriller, other than I was thrilled to finish it。 。。。more
Shantanu Srivastava,
It's just my bad luck it seems that the first novel I am reading of advocate Sandy Stern is, as the name suggests, his Last Trial。 Scott Turow presents a detailed depiction of how a case is fought both on and off the courtroom。 How a loose remark can lead to a revelation, how an argument is presented in court for maximum impact on the jury and ofcourse, how to fight the moral battle within。It's never the right,or the wrong who wins。 It's an argument that can be proven without a reasonable doubt It's just my bad luck it seems that the first novel I am reading of advocate Sandy Stern is, as the name suggests, his Last Trial。 Scott Turow presents a detailed depiction of how a case is fought both on and off the courtroom。 How a loose remark can lead to a revelation, how an argument is presented in court for maximum impact on the jury and ofcourse, how to fight the moral battle within。It's never the right,or the wrong who wins。 It's an argument that can be proven without a reasonable doubt that wins。Courtroom Drama has always been my favorite genre in movies with 12 Angry Men being my favorite film of all time。 There's something magical in dialogue that happens in a courtroom where while dissecting the testimony of a witness a cord is struck and the case takes a turn。 A tid too filmy a situation, but always magical to read and listen。I believe I'll have to read the previous works of Scott Turow featuring some of these characters as a prequel to the events of The Last Trial。 。。。more
Carol,
It’s been a long time since I read a Scott Turrow novel and this one did not disappoint。 A wonderful medical-legal gambit with memorable characters。 And an important lesson at the end that is so timely today about science being truth。。。。。
Amanda,
A slow start but very detailed legal drama that heats up。 I liked the elderly protagonist, something unique
Kelsey Burnette,
This is a great courtroom drama that starts in the courtroom at the beginning of a big federal criminal case, which is unusual in my reading experience。 Usually the trial is the denouement, but in this book, it’s part of the vehicle for weaving the plot together。 I really like that。 If you have never tried a case, you may think that all the preparation makes trials as scripted as they are on TV shows, but that is just not the case。 You never quite know what a witness is going to say。 There are o This is a great courtroom drama that starts in the courtroom at the beginning of a big federal criminal case, which is unusual in my reading experience。 Usually the trial is the denouement, but in this book, it’s part of the vehicle for weaving the plot together。 I really like that。 If you have never tried a case, you may think that all the preparation makes trials as scripted as they are on TV shows, but that is just not the case。 You never quite know what a witness is going to say。 There are often surprises。 Which is why in interviewing prospective trial attorney candidates, we always try to delve into their ability to “think on their feet。”Turow does such a great job of pulling you into the life and work of an accomplished trial lawyer。 What it’s like to interact with clients。 What the trial prep process really is like。 The intricacies of the rules of evidence, etc。 Relationships with law partners, opposing counsel, judges。Give this book 100 pages or so, and you will be completely sucked in to the unfolding drama。 。。。more
Julie,
I recall enjoying Turow's legal thrillers previously, but this one felt kind of sluggish。 Maybe the subject of clinical drug trial malfeasance just isn't as exciting as some other crimes, but it just seemed to bog down and I didn't end up caring about either the characters or the case。 I recall enjoying Turow's legal thrillers previously, but this one felt kind of sluggish。 Maybe the subject of clinical drug trial malfeasance just isn't as exciting as some other crimes, but it just seemed to bog down and I didn't end up caring about either the characters or the case。 。。。more
Kathryn Chavez,
Good story about a life about to end。 The story reminds us of our impact on those we know and how we enteract。
Kirsten Feldman,
Turow manages to make digestible if not palatable everything from FDA and insider trader regulations to pharmaceutical development and legal maneuvering, but only Sandy Stern—and Pinky!—keep the book from sinking under its own weight。