It was only later that he returned to his first love — literature — and began his incredibly successful Kindle County series.
It’s this series that made Turow’s name, exploring crime and punishment in the fictional Kindle County.
Turow turned to his extensive legal experience to craft the complex plots and intriguing characters that have made the books so popular.
The careful balance of legal intrigue and thriller action has made the Kindle County series perfect for the screen, and many of the books have been adapted for film or television.
If you’re excited to get started in the world of Kindle County, check out this guide to how to read Scott Turow’s books in order.
About Scott Turow
Born in Chicago in 1949, Scott Turow loved reading from a young age.
So much so that he enrolled in Stanford University’s Creative Writing Program in 1970, with an Edith Mirrieless Fellowship.
In 1975, Turow switched from literature to law, enrolling in Harvard Law School. He graduated in 1978 and became an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Chicago.
During his time in school, Turow didn’t let his passion for literature fade. Instead, he wrote the non-fiction book One L, detailing his journey through the institution.
As an Assistant U.S. Attorney, Turow worked as the prosecution in numerous high-profile cases.
Undoubtedly, his experience with real-world crimes helped Turow create the twisting narratives of his thrillers.
Most of Scott Turow’s writing takes place in the legal community of the fictional Kindle County.
Starting with Presumed Innocent, the books detail crimes that are never quite as they seem.
Turow’s work goes beyond simple thrillers. The Kindle County series also deals with the complex morality of crime, and the murky depths of human nature.
Scott Turow Kindle County Books In Order
The best way to read the Kindle County series is in order, but many of the books can be enjoyed as standalone novels.
The second novel in the Kindle County series, Burden of Proof is a semi-sequel to Presumed Innocent.
Alejandro “Sandy” Stern is a successful defense lawyer with a skill at clever legal representation.
But his life is shattered when he returns home from a business trip to find his wife has committed suicide.
With the grief still fresh, Sandy is thrown right back into work.
Tasked with defending Dixon Hartnell, an untrustworthy commodities broker, Sandy struggles to separate the personal from the professional.
Meanwhile, he’s forced to confront the issues in his own life. What drove his wife to suicide? And why did she withdraw money from a trust fund before death?
Pros
The complex characters add depth to the story, offering a relatable link to a plot that deals with law and finance.
The returning characters from Presumed Innocent make it a worthy sequel that doesn’t require reading the first book.
Cons
The Burden of Proof is a long book, lacking the high-stakes drama you might expect from a courthouse.
Mack Malloy is a former police officer turned attorney who is counting down the days to retirement. He drinks too much, he swears too much, and he doesn’t work enough.
Bert Kamin is a star attorney at the same firm as Malloy. Until he goes missing, and 5 million dollars goes missing with him.
Now, he’s on the hook for embezzlement and Malloy finds his firm’s reputation is circling the drain.
To get the money — and the reputation — back Malloy has to track down Bert Kamin.
And he needs to work quickly and quietly to stop the firm from going under, even if it means entering the world of crime and corruption.
Pros
The novel keeps you on your toes, with twists and turns coming out of nowhere.
Turow’s experience in the legal world shines through, as the plot ruminates on the position of rich law firms.
Cons
Moving further from the courthouse, Pleading Guilty is a diversion from the usual books of Kindle County.
Corruption is running rampant in the legal community of Kindle County and personal injury lawyer Robbie Feaver revels in it.
His career and love life are looking better than ever, even if he offers the occasional bribe to ensure he stays on top.
But when Feaver’s secret bank account is discovered, he finds himself in a sticky situation.
Forced between time in prison or wearing a wire, he elects to spy on Brendan Tuohey, the Presiding Judge of Common Law Claims, and the person suspected to be at the heart of Kindle County corruption.
Paired up with FBI operative Evon Miller, Feaver must betray those around him, while trying to keep his own feet away from the fire.
Pros
The ins and outs of the legal system make for compelling plot turns.
A well-drawn cast of characters helps the reader get lost in the novel.
Cons
The legal jargon can become overwhelming. This is a law thriller for lawyers.
Attorney Arthur Raven has been tasked with the final appeal of Rommy Gandolph. Gandolph is currently on death row, convicted of a triple murder in 1991.
He’s desperate to prove his innocence, even if his lawyer seems uninterested in the case.
But when Raven looks into the case, he begins to doubt his presumptions.
There are multiple errors in the proceedings and rumor has it that another inmate has evidence that will prove crucial in exonerating Gandolph.
Can Raven save the life of an innocent man?
Pros
An intense look at the morality of death row, forcing you to examine your own beliefs.
The convincing characters help bring to life the overlap between personal life and professional life.
Cons
The ending is a bit of a letdown after an intriguing plot.
Testimony moves beyond the setting of Kindle County, even though it is part of the series.
Instead, it follows the ex-Kindle County attorney Bill ten Boom as he wrestles with a complex case.
Fermi Rincic is the sole survivor of a suspected massacre.
Overnight a village of over 400 Roma refugees has been cleared. Rincic claims they were driven into an abandoned mineshaft which was then brought to collapse.
Due to suspected involvement from American troops, ten Boom has been brought in to lead the investigation. To find the truth, he must navigate a tense political situation.
Pros
There are a lot of political and moral forces at play, and Turow weaves them skilfully.
A slow introduction of information keeps the reader intrigued.
Cons
Bill ten Boom isn’t the most compelling lead character that Turow has written, and his story is less interesting than the main plot.
The Last Trial sees the return of Kindle County regular Sandy Stern, as he prepares to take on his final trial.
With retirement around the corner, Sandy Stern is tempted to return to the courtroom by his old friend, Dr. Kiril Pafko.
Pafko is a Nobel Prize winner and cancer researcher — and now he’s on trial for murder and fraud.
Stern is determined to defend his friend, but the evidence, and the judicial process, put his beliefs to the test. What will the courtroom reveal about Stern’s long-held beliefs?
Pros
It’s exciting to see the return of Sandy Stern and to track his progress from the man we met so many novels ago.
The perspective of an aging attorney adds depth to a standard legal proceeding.
Cons
Featuring recognizable characters and a familiar setting, The Last Trial feels predictable in places.
Lucia Gomez has been rising through the ranks in the Kindle County police department.
It’s been hard to walk the line of success without stepping on any toes, but she’s proud of her work.
Until it all comes tumbling down. Gomez finds herself accused of sleeping with higher-ups for promotions and now her entire livelihood is under threat.
Gomez attempts to clear her name with the help of attorney Rik Dudek and P.I. Clarice Granum.
Dudek is an old friend and he’s determined to do his best for Gomez. But might the investigation uncover some things better left unknown?
Pros
Turow might have started writing in the 1980s, but books like Scandal help keep Kindle County modern.
False assumptions and internal biases consistently play with your expectations, as the story keeps you guessing.
Cons
The first part of the book is slow.
Scott Turow Standalone Novel Reading Order
Only tangentially related to Kindle County, these Scott Turow books stand on their own.
No one has ever said that Harvard Law School is easygoing, but you might be surprised at just how terrifying, overwhelming, and elating a year at the prestigious school can be.
Turow wrote One L based on his own experiences attending the first year of Harvard Law School (he eventually graduated cum laude).
A non-fiction book about the realities of studying for a law degree, One L has the same thrilling tone you expect to find from a Turow book.
One L might be the first book written by Turow, but I don’t recommend putting it at the start of your reading list.
Pros
Turow effectively captures the intensity of attending Harvard Law School.
Although he was yet to become the thriller writer we know him as, One L features the same stylistic beats.
Fans of Scott Turow should be prepared for a total change in direction with Hard Listening, which is why we recommend leaving this book until the end of your Scott Turow reading list.
It’s also not just a Scott Turow book: authors Sam Barry, Stephen King, Amy Tan, Dave Barry, Greg Iles, James McBride, Matt Groening, Mitch Albom, and Ridley Pearson all contributed.
Instead of crime and punishment, Hard Listening is the story of the band Rock Bottom Remainders.
Formed in 1992, the charity band consisted of a bunch of authors (the ones that wrote the book).
Pros
A truly unexpected story, and an unusual look at the life of a rock band.
As the band is made up of some of America’s best-loved writers, Hard Listening features some incredible storytelling.
Cons
If you came to Scott Turow for hard-hitting legal procedures, then the change in tone of Hard Listening might not appeal.
Final Thoughts
Scott Turow has used his extensive experience in the legal profession to flesh out complex plots set in the fictional setting of Kindle County.
With his first Kindle County book written in the 1980s, Turow has kept the world up to date with an expanding cast of characters and the introduction of modern policing methods.
If you’re interested in discovering the works of Scott Turow, the Kindle County series is the best place to start.
Although a series, the majority of novels are only loosely connected by setting and theme.
With that said, I recommend reading the Kindle County novels in order.
Watching the world expand with each novel helps build a rich portrait of the legal system the characters inhabit.
Once you’ve read the Kindle County series, try Ordinary Heroes. It functions as a standalone novel, although a few background Kindle County characters make an appearance.
Turow’s non-fiction books are also worth a read, even if they take a different tone from his fiction.
I hope this guide has prepared you for entering the murky underbelly of the legal profession with Scott Turow’s novels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do You Need To Read Scott Turow’s Novels In Order?
Scott Turow’s Kindle County books are loosely connected, but they don’t need to be read in order.
Follow them chronologically to build a rounded view of the world.
Are Scott Turow Books Good?
For fans of legal intrigue, Scott Turow’s books are worth the read. His legal experience adds complexity and realism to his Kindle County books.
Hi, my name is Anna Davis and I have been working with books for five years now. I got a job at my local library, so I could be closer to all of the books! I created this website in the hopes of inspiring others to start reading again. Who knows, maybe you’ll find your new favorite book from my site!
