"Innocent" by Scott Turow: Rusty Rides Again Quiz

Answer: Barbara

Rusty is accused of murdering his wife, Barbara (who happened to be the murderer in "Presumed Innocent").

Answer: Dan Lipranzer

Rusty's old friend "Lip" has retired and moved to sunnier climes.

Answer: Ray Horgan

Anna is a warm, smart, likeable character, but she gets around--and inadvertently helps to trigger Barbara's death.

Answer: ugly

I know someone who is bipolar, and she and Barbara do seem similar: they both have violent mood swings and scary bursts of anger.

Answer: They are the same age

Marta's mom commits suicide in Scott Turow's "The Burden of Proof," another fabulous book.

Answer: honest, hardworking, religious

In "Presumed Innocent" Tommy is not an especially likeable character, but in "Innocent" we come to understand and like him better. Also, late in life, Tommy becomes a husband and father, and this endears him to us.

Answer: Rusty gets spooked and calls it off

After John Harnason follows Rusty to the hotel where he's meeting Anna, Rusty realizes that he's got to call off the affair before it becomes public knowledge.

Answer: They are still together and deeply in love

Nat never finds out about his dad and Anna's affair, but I get the feeling he'll forgive the two if he finds out in the future. But who knows? I hope Turow will write another book about the Sabiches.

Answer: Tommy finds out that Brand messed with Rusty's computer

Brand, Tommy's Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, rigs Rusty's computer so that it looks as though the defense tampered with the evidence.

Answer: Yes, because he destroys evidence in the 24 hours following Barbara's death

Rusty destroys evidence to prevent Nat from knowing that his mom tried to kill his dad and that when that didn't work, she committed suicide. Rusty obviously doesn't want his son to find out about Rusty and Anna's affair, either.

Answer: no

I assume that Turow does not want to spoil "Presumed Innocent" for those who've not read it. However, "Innocent" doesn't make much sense if you've not read the prequel.

Answer: The Burden of Proof

Alejandro "Sandy" Stern is a wonderful character in his own right. In "The Burden of Proof," his longtime wife Clara commits suicide, and Sandy works diligently to find out why. In the process, he falls in love with an attractive younger woman, who turns up later in "The Laws of Our Fathers." I recommend both books highly. I hope Turow does not kill Sandy off in the future.

Answer: Tommy's career has suffered for all of these reasons

Tommy's only really improper act is leaking evidence to his friend Nico, who is running for P.A. against Ray Horgan at the time of Carolyn's murder. However, Tommy and Nico do not frame Rusty--Barbara does so. Her plan works better than she wants it to.

Answer: All of these are valid reasons, but we never find out for sure

Barbara is a fascinating villain, and we can't quite hate her since 1) she's mentally ill; and 2) she's a loving mother.

Answer: He is beginning a new life in Skageon (a fictional town)

Rusty is still able to practice law, so he's thinking about becoming a public defender in Skageon.