Discuss the Book
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Questions for Discussion
- The story begins with Carolyn Polhemus's funeral.
How does Turow use this scene to set up the
competing agendas of the book?
- How does Rusty's obsession with Carolyn affect the
way you feel about him, first as the investigator,
then the prime suspect? What dual role does this
obsession play?
- Judge Larren Lyttle has a long history with Raymond
Horgan, the chief prosecutor who needs a conviction
to help get re-elected. How does this up the stakes in
the criminal trial?
- What is the role of the Night Saints case?
Is it ultimately important to the story?
- The story interweaves a flashback of Rusty's affair
with Carolyn, the present tense investigation of her
murder investigation and trial, and intimate family
scenes with Rusty, his wife, Barbara and his son, Nat.
Why are these family scenes so important? Do you
view them differently as you are reading them, and
then after the conclusion?
- Rusty Sabich is not indicted or charged with a crime
until a third of the way into the story. Why does Turow
wait so long? Why is it important that Sabich is not a
suspect in the first third of the story?
- Rusty reveals a difficult relationship with his own
father, and that he comes from a dysfunctional
family. What does that background make you think
about Rusty? And why does the author introduce
that background at that moment in the story?
- When Raymond Horgan testifies against Rusty
Sabich, what does it tell you about their relationship?
About Rusty's involvement in the case as an
investigator before he was charged with murder?
Does it affect the way you view Rusty's guilt or
innocence?
- Defense attorney Sandy Stern suggests that the case
against Rusty Sabich has been manufactured by the
prosecutor's office because of personal grudges. How
does this turn out to be a kind of clue? How does
Stern pursue this line of questioning later with the
police pathologist? How is it pivotal both in the trial
and in the ultimate conclusion?
- Rusty knows an essential piece of information that is not revealed until after the trial. Why do you think Turow did this?
