Rusty Sabich, protaganist of "Presumed Innocent", manages to get himself charged with murder a second time, and this time his wife is the victim.

This book is not quite as good as "Presumed Innocent", but that's kind of like saying that Godfather Part 2 isn't quite as good as Godfather Part 1. I read Presumed Innocent in one sitting while I read Innocent in a couple sittings over three days.

"Innocent" is a slightly different genre than the original. The first book started at the victim's funeral and went staight into the "murder plot": the investigation, Rusty suddenly being accused, and then the trial (which was covered gavel-to-gavel). It was told completely from Rusty's view, and was a courtroom thriller.

The second book is more psychological, with the first third of the books exploring the relationships between the characters, alternating with the present day "murder plot". When we get to trial, we jump to the defense case with Rusty testifying as first witness. It is told from the viewpoint's of Rusty, his son Nat, the prosecutor (his old enemy Tommy Molto), and Anna (Nat's girlfriend).

The characterizations are well done. I especially liked how in this book Molto has matured and has sort of become the protaganist. Rusty, on the other hand, hasn't changed much and what little he did change wasn't for the better. I knew from the first book that he wasn't the greatest person around, but midway through the second book I thought "Wow, Rusty's kind of a prick, isn't he?".

At first I thought it was unrealistic how he makes the exact same mistake that almost ruined him in Presumed Innocent, but now I'm not quite so sure. I mean, how many stories are there of recovering alcoholics who, despite being on thier last chance with their wives or employers, somehow end up drunk at the bar?

The "murder plot" is, for me, the best part of the book. Although I had a vague idea about what the defense would argue at trial, and about the origin of a mysterious piece of evidence that pops up midway, I had no idea where it was all going to end up. The outcome of the trial was pretty surprising.

Innocent isn't a perfect book, however. There were times in the book when the 28 year old Nat spoke in the most totally radical way, which I found jarring. Also, because it started out with the relationships, it began slow.

All in all, this book was worth the money I paid for it. I would recommend it to anyone who has read Presumed Innocent first.