Believe it or not, we are in the final month of 2022! Please tell me I'm not the only one wondering where the time has gone! December tends to be a busy month, so I try to tackle lighter reads than I may normally gravitate toward during other parts of the year. This year, it seems those reads are taking me back to my comfort genre of mystery/thrillers. Having already completed my reading goal for the year, I've decided to kick off the month with a book by an author who I've never read. Scott Turow is one of those authors who I've always been aware of, but have never dived into. With thriller authors, especially those who write series, I find that I'm hesitant to either start a long-running series from the beginning or jump ahead to their current installment. The folks and Grand Central Publishing helped to force the subject a bit by sending me Turow's latest novel Suspect, the twelfth entry in his Kindle County Legal Thriller series.
As the series title would suggest, this book centers on a court case. The case in question sees the police chief Lucia Gomez accused of sexual misconduct by three of her officers. Each of the men claims that Gomez solicited sex in exchange for their subsequent promotions. Already somewhat of an outsider in this small town, Gomez knows that these accusations will tarnish her already precarious reputation. She also maintains that the complaints are patently false. Desperate to prove her innocence, she turns to an old friend and seasoned attorney Rik Dudek to act as her representation in the federal grand jury investigation.
Clarice "Pinky" Granum is about as unconventional of an investigator as you could possibly imagine. The granddaughter of a well-respected lawyer, Pinky spent much of her youth experimenting with different drugs, having casual romantic trists with both genders, and coming up short in every undertaking she attempted. Her last big failure came as she was booted from the police academy. Pinky has landed on her feet though. She now works as a licensed private investigator for Rik Dudek, looking into the minor cases that he takes on. When Rik agrees to represent disgraced police chief Gomez, Pinky knows she will need to keep her head down and stay out of trouble. She's about to find out, though, that keeping a low profile is easier said than done.
I'm always a bit hesitant about starting a series with the newest installment instead of beginning with the first book. As far as I can tell, Suspect works perfectly fine as a standalone read. Turow does a fine job of setting the stage for each of the characters and the stakes of the trial that the book follows. He deftly balances both the courtroom drama and the investigations that are occurring outside. The book delves into small-town politics, gender bias, corruption, and sexuality, using the thriller to keep the pace moving. As an introduction to the author, I found Suspect to be an engaging read with a main character that really helped to differentiate this book from others in the genre. I'll be eager to go back and read more of his work in the future.
For more information visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads.
(2022, 56)
I like the sound of Pinky. And it's nice that this one worked as a standalone even though it's part of a series. But I'm wondering how it got to be December so soon, too! Where did this year go?
ReplyDeleteI feel like I blinked and the year was over haha. At least I've got some stellar reading in this year!
DeleteThis is an author that I have wanted to read for a while. Good to know that this book can work as a stand alone.
ReplyDeleteHe's definitely worth a try!
DeleteI haven’t read Turrow for many years. I’ll put this series on my list!
ReplyDeleteThis one has me curious about his other books!
DeleteI have started so many series in the middle and if I like it, I'll go back and read the first books I missed. Good when it can be read a standalone though.
ReplyDeleteTime is always the obstacle I face when I consider going back to start from the beginning!
DeleteGood to know I can pick up with the newest. This sounds like series I would enjoy. Great review Ethan.
ReplyDeleteIt was a great intro to the series!
DeleteI’m so pleased this can be read as a stand-alone — I rediscovered Turow recently (oh god, or was that last year?) and enjoyed the book thoroughly! - Verushka at Pop. Edit. Lit.
ReplyDeleteOoh which book did you read?
DeleteI enjoy mystery thrillers as well and have seen his name around, but haven't had a chance to pick up one of his books. I do like starting from the beginning in a series too, but nice to know you don't have to here.
ReplyDeleteYes, I can't believe we're in December! Where did the time go, Ethan?
I'm looking at my TBR pile as I write this comment, and I still can't believe the end of the year is here!
Delete