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Kindle County Legal Thriller #11
The Last Trial
In this explosive legal thriller from New York Times bestselling author Scott Turow, two formidable men collide: a celebrated criminal defense lawyer at the end of his career and his lifelong friend, a renowned doctor accused of murder.
At eighty-five years old, Alejandro "Sandy" Stern, a brilliant defense lawyer with his health failing but spirit intact, is on the brink of retirement. But when his old friend Dr. Kiril Pafko, a former Nobel Prize winner in Medicine, is faced with charges of insider trading, fraud, and murder, his entire life's work is put in jeopardy, and Stern decides to take on one last trial.
In a case that will be the defining coda to both men's accomplished lives, Stern probes beneath the surface of his friend's dazzling veneer as a distinguished cancer researcher. As the trial progresses, he will question everything he thought he knew about his friend. Despite Pafko's many failings, is he innocent of the terrible charges laid against him? How far will Stern go to save his friend, and -- no matter the trial's outcome -- will he ever know the truth?
Stern's duty to defend his client and his belief in the power of the judicial system both face a final, terrible test in the courtroom, where the evidence and reality are sometimes worlds apart.
Full of the deep insights into the spaces where the fragility of human nature and the justice system collide, Scott Turow's The Last Trial is a masterful legal thriller that unfolds in page-turning suspense -- and questions how we measure a life.
At eighty-five years old, Alejandro "Sandy" Stern, a brilliant defense lawyer with his health failing but spirit intact, is on the brink of retirement. But when his old friend Dr. Kiril Pafko, a former Nobel Prize winner in Medicine, is faced with charges of insider trading, fraud, and murder, his entire life's work is put in jeopardy, and Stern decides to take on one last trial.
In a case that will be the defining coda to both men's accomplished lives, Stern probes beneath the surface of his friend's dazzling veneer as a distinguished cancer researcher. As the trial progresses, he will question everything he thought he knew about his friend. Despite Pafko's many failings, is he innocent of the terrible charges laid against him? How far will Stern go to save his friend, and -- no matter the trial's outcome -- will he ever know the truth?
Stern's duty to defend his client and his belief in the power of the judicial system both face a final, terrible test in the courtroom, where the evidence and reality are sometimes worlds apart.
Full of the deep insights into the spaces where the fragility of human nature and the justice system collide, Scott Turow's The Last Trial is a masterful legal thriller that unfolds in page-turning suspense -- and questions how we measure a life.
464 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 12, 2020
4753 people are currently reading
11757 people want to read
About the author
Scott Turow
110 books2,577 followersScott Turow is the author of ten bestselling works of fiction, including IDENTICAL, INNOCENT, PRESUMED INNOCENT, and THE BURDEN OF PROOF, and two nonfiction books, including ONE L, about his experience as a law student. His books have been translated into more than forty languages, sold more than thirty million copies worldwide, and have been adapted into movies and television projects. He has frequently contributed essays and op-ed pieces to publications such as the New York Times, Washington Post, Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, and The Atlantic.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,226 reviews
June 17, 2020
4.0 stars— I decided to read Scott Turow’s “The Last Trial” after reading several duds in a row, hoping that the normally reliable Scott Turow wouldn’t disappoint... and he didn’t. What I love most about reading Scott Turow is that he writes the best courtroom narratives of any author past or present. His feel of the courtroom, the objections, the judge’s actions and reactions are spot on. After reading so many books from so called legal suspense authors who know little to nothing about the inside of a courtroom, reading “The Last Trial” was a breath of fresh air. Like all of his novels, Turow is very detailed and can be slow moving, but I enjoy a thorough novel when it is well planned and well thought out, and this is that novel. The book follows the final trial of a Turow regular, Sandy Stern, as he defends a doctor and researcher for the charges of murder, fraud and insider trading for doctoring research results that allegedly led to the death of multiple patients. The defense investigation and trial are very well done with twists and turns I never saw coming. Sandy Stern’s cross examination of the Government’s star witness is brilliant and entertaining as you witness a battle of wits between two very intelligent and formidable foes. The book also does a great job of tying up the loose ends in a believable but entertaining way. A big thumbs up from me for this one.
May 23, 2020
While I enjoyed spending time with Sandy Stern again, I realized that there might not be another book. Sandy is now 85 and at the end of his law career. This is about his final case. It was bland with mostly unlikeable characters, especially his client and two women who worked for him. For a legal thriller, it was not thrilling at all. There was no eagerness for the verdict. I’ve read this entire series and some stand alones, but I’m not sure I’ll read any future Turow books. Perhaps my tastes have changed over the years.
October 26, 2020
Beginning in 1987 with the publication of “Presumed Innocent,” Scott Turow set the standard for legal fiction, which, in my opinion, has never been surpassed. In the Kindle County series of books, Turow follows the career of Sandy Stern, a criminal defense attorney. “The Last Trial” is in fact Stern’s last case before he retires. His mental skills and health are declining but he’s determined to take on the case of his old friend, Pavel Pafko. Pafko developed a seemingly block-buster cancer drug, but when new information about the long term effects of that drug come to light Pavko takes actions that result in him being charged with fraud, insider trading, and murder.
Stern makes some serious missteps during the trial because of his declining abilities, but his daughter Marta, who is a partner in his practice, provides invaluable assistance to overcome them. Surprising help comes from his granddaughter Pinky who is considered a rebel and underachiever by the rest of the family.
Turow has examined the rule of law and the desire for justice in all of his books, but I think this is one of the best and truest statements he has ever made about it.
“Justice is good in its own right and makes life among other people more dependable. Yet Stern accepted long ago that even perfect justice will not change who we are. The law is erected on many fictions and perhaps the falsest one of all is that humans, in the end, are rational. Without doubt, our life—so far as we can tell—is one of cause and effect. That is what science depends on. But our most intimate decisions are rarely based on the kinds of calculations of pluses and minuses Jeremy Bentham, or the free-market economists for that matter, have wanted to believe in. We are fundamentally emotional creatures. In the end, in the most consequential matters, we answer most faithfully to the heart’s cry, not the law’s.”
From the first book in the Kindle County series, Turow’s already prodigious writing skills have continued to expand and “The Last Trial” is an outstanding valedictory in this remarkable series.
Stern makes some serious missteps during the trial because of his declining abilities, but his daughter Marta, who is a partner in his practice, provides invaluable assistance to overcome them. Surprising help comes from his granddaughter Pinky who is considered a rebel and underachiever by the rest of the family.
Turow has examined the rule of law and the desire for justice in all of his books, but I think this is one of the best and truest statements he has ever made about it.
“Justice is good in its own right and makes life among other people more dependable. Yet Stern accepted long ago that even perfect justice will not change who we are. The law is erected on many fictions and perhaps the falsest one of all is that humans, in the end, are rational. Without doubt, our life—so far as we can tell—is one of cause and effect. That is what science depends on. But our most intimate decisions are rarely based on the kinds of calculations of pluses and minuses Jeremy Bentham, or the free-market economists for that matter, have wanted to believe in. We are fundamentally emotional creatures. In the end, in the most consequential matters, we answer most faithfully to the heart’s cry, not the law’s.”
From the first book in the Kindle County series, Turow’s already prodigious writing skills have continued to expand and “The Last Trial” is an outstanding valedictory in this remarkable series.
July 30, 2020
3 stars...1 for the first 100 pages, 1 for the last 100 pages and 1 for me for getting through the other 456 pages!
This read is for the legal procedural aficionados...almost to the letter a criminal/pharmaceutical court case. To the side are a few minor stories, within equally shallow relationships. All set amid over 600 pages of mainly court case!
There are a couple of legal surprises and decisions regarding what’s important in the later stages of life that added a smidgen of interest.
If you love novels that cover procedures (of any form) in great accurate detail, you’ll love this one!
This read is for the legal procedural aficionados...almost to the letter a criminal/pharmaceutical court case. To the side are a few minor stories, within equally shallow relationships. All set amid over 600 pages of mainly court case!
There are a couple of legal surprises and decisions regarding what’s important in the later stages of life that added a smidgen of interest.
If you love novels that cover procedures (of any form) in great accurate detail, you’ll love this one!
January 31, 2021
This book hit a special sweet spot for me--a legal thriller more about the legal than the thriller. Stern, the Kindle County defense lawyer, (whom I see as Raul Julia, who played Stern in the movie 'Presumed Innocent') intends to retire after one last defense. He's defending a Nobel-winning scientist/doctor accused of murder and fraud after the cancer miracle drug he invented develops a fatal side-effect.
Most of the book is the trial--the nuance of testimony and cross-examination, the subtle motives and shading of the witnesses, the lawyers' strategy of presentation, tone, and phrasing. I felt like the jury in the active trial scenes; I felt like co-counsel in the away-from-court scenes. Characters come to life, secrets are discovered, motivations and betrayals come to light, but overwhelmingly in the context of the ongoing trial. Like other Turow works, the story is character driven and the 'plot' is minimal. Do you love the machinations of really clever lawyers? This book is for you. Bored with technical testimony about FDA regulation of new drugs? Probably not for you.
Most of the book is the trial--the nuance of testimony and cross-examination, the subtle motives and shading of the witnesses, the lawyers' strategy of presentation, tone, and phrasing. I felt like the jury in the active trial scenes; I felt like co-counsel in the away-from-court scenes. Characters come to life, secrets are discovered, motivations and betrayals come to light, but overwhelmingly in the context of the ongoing trial. Like other Turow works, the story is character driven and the 'plot' is minimal. Do you love the machinations of really clever lawyers? This book is for you. Bored with technical testimony about FDA regulation of new drugs? Probably not for you.
June 12, 2020
This is my first Turow book. Interesting premise; a Nobel Prize defendant- doctor and owner of pharma company was accused of fraud, insider trading and murder with his new cancer drug. As much as I love legal thrillers, this one was way too detailed and refused to end.
September 10, 2024
Less a legal thriller than a character study, The Last Trial is also a chance for readers to say goodbye to a beloved character, that of Alejandro (Sandy) Stern, now 85 and defending his last client before retiring.
You may remember him in the first book in the series, Presumed Innocent. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Not that you have to read all 10 books in order to follow his career in order to appreciate this book.
Some reviewers were not kind about this book. Some comments reflected on his age…i.e., how can you believe an 85-year-old still practicing law?
Well, why not? Don’t be so quick to turn your back on those of us over a certain age! We are still capable! (No, I am not 85, yet!)
Okay, off my high horse – back to the review.
This is a compelling story – and even more so, because you aren’t quite sure you like the person he is defending – or know whether he is truly guilty or innocent.
But, because you like Sandy, you want to find out all the facts, and follow the case.
Turow still builds his story on the foundations of the archaic world of legal discourse and procedure. And if that isn’t to everybody’s liking, it might not be interesting to you as a reader. But for me, I am fascinated by the law – and I believe in fair justice – and I don’t like it when people get away with breaking the law, or side swiping it, or cover ups, or lies…well you know what I mean. So, does that put me more on the side of the prosecution? It depends on whether someone is being railroaded or not.
This story is tautly-plotted, oozing with suspense and mystery - a must-read for crime lovers everywhere.
And, it is not your typical crime, or murder victims.
You may remember him in the first book in the series, Presumed Innocent. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Not that you have to read all 10 books in order to follow his career in order to appreciate this book.
Some reviewers were not kind about this book. Some comments reflected on his age…i.e., how can you believe an 85-year-old still practicing law?
Well, why not? Don’t be so quick to turn your back on those of us over a certain age! We are still capable! (No, I am not 85, yet!)
Okay, off my high horse – back to the review.
This is a compelling story – and even more so, because you aren’t quite sure you like the person he is defending – or know whether he is truly guilty or innocent.
But, because you like Sandy, you want to find out all the facts, and follow the case.
Turow still builds his story on the foundations of the archaic world of legal discourse and procedure. And if that isn’t to everybody’s liking, it might not be interesting to you as a reader. But for me, I am fascinated by the law – and I believe in fair justice – and I don’t like it when people get away with breaking the law, or side swiping it, or cover ups, or lies…well you know what I mean. So, does that put me more on the side of the prosecution? It depends on whether someone is being railroaded or not.
This story is tautly-plotted, oozing with suspense and mystery - a must-read for crime lovers everywhere.
And, it is not your typical crime, or murder victims.
March 6, 2023
This is a great book dealing with the struggles of Cancer and aging. I would highly recommend it.
July 2, 2020
4 Stars
October 17, 2022
Firstly legal fiction is my favourite genre. Love the Sandy Stern character. However, for me, I found the legal detail too detailed. Especially relating to the whole process of getting new drugs developed, trialing, human trials and their successful marketing. Admittedly I am getting older. Did not finish - lasted halfway.
August 6, 2020
Courtroom drama at its best. Made more poignant because 85 year old Sandy Stern knows that he is at the end of the career that he loves and which has defined his entire life. He has serious health issues and he knows that this will be his last trial.
Along with his daughter Marta and granddaughter Pinky he is defending his 78 year old longtime friend Dr. Kiril Pafko the Nobel Prize winning doctor who has been accused of fraud, insider trading and murder.
Up to a point it reads, in part, like a trial transcript. I felt as if I was sitting on the jury.
I wish it didn’t deal with pharmaceuticals, drug trials, and the like (I’ve had enough of that recently), but I appreciated the details divulged about how the FDA goes about drug trials and approvals.
“Because the pharmaceutical industry tends to battle any effort by the FDA to promulgate new rules, the agency often is limited to publishing guidance. The drug makers who want their products approved tend to follow these advisories when it suits them….” (Pg.211)
This was a 5* read up until Chapter 32 which was way too long. The author simply regurgitated the entire previous 31 chapters. Could it be that he simply used the outline of his novel for this chapter?
The book simply lags beyond the court room drama and took forever to arrive at a conclusion.
Pinky is the most entertaining and interesting of all the characters and I hope the author will find a way to give us more Pinky.
Along with his daughter Marta and granddaughter Pinky he is defending his 78 year old longtime friend Dr. Kiril Pafko the Nobel Prize winning doctor who has been accused of fraud, insider trading and murder.
Up to a point it reads, in part, like a trial transcript. I felt as if I was sitting on the jury.
I wish it didn’t deal with pharmaceuticals, drug trials, and the like (I’ve had enough of that recently), but I appreciated the details divulged about how the FDA goes about drug trials and approvals.
“Because the pharmaceutical industry tends to battle any effort by the FDA to promulgate new rules, the agency often is limited to publishing guidance. The drug makers who want their products approved tend to follow these advisories when it suits them….” (Pg.211)
This was a 5* read up until Chapter 32 which was way too long. The author simply regurgitated the entire previous 31 chapters. Could it be that he simply used the outline of his novel for this chapter?
The book simply lags beyond the court room drama and took forever to arrive at a conclusion.
Pinky is the most entertaining and interesting of all the characters and I hope the author will find a way to give us more Pinky.
May 12, 2020
**Goodreads Giveaway**
4.5 stars
Octogenarian Sandy Stern has conquered cancer. He has lived a full life with family and a meritorious career. He knows that he has fewer days ahead of him than behind and acknowledges that he has taken for granted many moments in his past. As he embarks on what would be his last trial in defense of his friend Sandy has to face the fact that he is not the lawyer of his youth. He's not as quick on his feet in the courtroom. But what Sandy has is integrity. He solemnly believes in justice and considers himself her champion. His character is modest and compassionate.
Although The Last Trial is part of a long series it definitely stands alone. This being my first Scott Turow book I never felt like I was out of the loop or was left looking for more information. I was drawn into the story and the characters and found myself staying up well into the night (past 4am) to read the book's conclusion.
Special thanks to GoodReads, Grand Central Publishing and Scott Turow for access to this book.
4.5 stars
Octogenarian Sandy Stern has conquered cancer. He has lived a full life with family and a meritorious career. He knows that he has fewer days ahead of him than behind and acknowledges that he has taken for granted many moments in his past. As he embarks on what would be his last trial in defense of his friend Sandy has to face the fact that he is not the lawyer of his youth. He's not as quick on his feet in the courtroom. But what Sandy has is integrity. He solemnly believes in justice and considers himself her champion. His character is modest and compassionate.
Although The Last Trial is part of a long series it definitely stands alone. This being my first Scott Turow book I never felt like I was out of the loop or was left looking for more information. I was drawn into the story and the characters and found myself staying up well into the night (past 4am) to read the book's conclusion.
Special thanks to GoodReads, Grand Central Publishing and Scott Turow for access to this book.
June 30, 2020
While I understand some other readers' disappointment that The Last Trial isn't the legal thriller that Turow's readers have come to expect of him, I found it to be a compelling story nonetheless.
Less a legal thriller than a character study, The Last Trial is also a chance for readers to say goodbye to a beloved character, that of Alejandro (Sandy) Stern, now 85 and defending his last client before retiring.
Stern's physical and mental decline is unfolded, as is his always present vigor for practicing law. The reader, through Stern's eyes, has the opportunity to review the octagenarian's life. And there is a trial, with a defendant that is difficult to like or respect despite the man being a Nobel Prize winner.
Less a legal thriller than a character study, The Last Trial is also a chance for readers to say goodbye to a beloved character, that of Alejandro (Sandy) Stern, now 85 and defending his last client before retiring.
Stern's physical and mental decline is unfolded, as is his always present vigor for practicing law. The reader, through Stern's eyes, has the opportunity to review the octagenarian's life. And there is a trial, with a defendant that is difficult to like or respect despite the man being a Nobel Prize winner.
October 6, 2020
Entertaining, Informational and Educational. A True Legal Opus.
Sandy Stern at age 87, handles his last trial defending his closest friend against multiple charges from the Federal Government on multiple frauds and even the deaths of persons participating in clinical trials of a cancer drug.
Sandy feels it is an honorable thing to defend his friend and lifetime ally, Kiril Pafko, who he met more than fifty years ago. As he creates his defense and begins the trial defense, various pieces of information surface that lead Sandy to uncomfortable places. Though Sandy has been a participant in the trial, he isn't sure that all he was told is actually the unvarnished truth. Nor, does he really want to know, or does he? The internal conflicts along with the strategic plays he makes challenges his friendship and his health as the trial proceeds.
The writing was strong and sharp. The storyline follows the challenges of a criminal trial attorneys careful steps to suppress information that may paint the evidence in a less than stellar light, while the choice wording of information brings a more pleasant slant on the events critical to a trial. I found this a terrific insight into criminal trials. I have been a whistle blower in an insurance fraud trial so this was intriguing. Even more insightful was having watched the Casey Anthony trial every day live as it was broadcast including all the sidebars, I found I was comparing my observations with this drama frequently.
This is one of the most comprehensive trials, I have every read and I have been debating how to summarize what I read in a few paragraphs for more than a week after my completion. This had to be an onerous undertaking and I applaud Mr. Turow on such a massive feat. It was entertaining, informative and educational. Bravo. Recommend.
Sandy Stern at age 87, handles his last trial defending his closest friend against multiple charges from the Federal Government on multiple frauds and even the deaths of persons participating in clinical trials of a cancer drug.
Sandy feels it is an honorable thing to defend his friend and lifetime ally, Kiril Pafko, who he met more than fifty years ago. As he creates his defense and begins the trial defense, various pieces of information surface that lead Sandy to uncomfortable places. Though Sandy has been a participant in the trial, he isn't sure that all he was told is actually the unvarnished truth. Nor, does he really want to know, or does he? The internal conflicts along with the strategic plays he makes challenges his friendship and his health as the trial proceeds.
The writing was strong and sharp. The storyline follows the challenges of a criminal trial attorneys careful steps to suppress information that may paint the evidence in a less than stellar light, while the choice wording of information brings a more pleasant slant on the events critical to a trial. I found this a terrific insight into criminal trials. I have been a whistle blower in an insurance fraud trial so this was intriguing. Even more insightful was having watched the Casey Anthony trial every day live as it was broadcast including all the sidebars, I found I was comparing my observations with this drama frequently.
This is one of the most comprehensive trials, I have every read and I have been debating how to summarize what I read in a few paragraphs for more than a week after my completion. This had to be an onerous undertaking and I applaud Mr. Turow on such a massive feat. It was entertaining, informative and educational. Bravo. Recommend.
June 3, 2020
Well, it is still Scott Turow... but I have a feeling he may have lost the connection to his readers somewhat. This book, although expertly written, was not the explosive legal thriller he is so known for. I found the characters not very interesting (anymore) and the story dragged on too long.
I hope his next book will be better, that is, for me.
Thanks to Netgalley for this digital review copy.
I hope his next book will be better, that is, for me.
Thanks to Netgalley for this digital review copy.
June 27, 2020
Slow and wordy. Not really the legal thriller of Turow’s best works, more of a slog through the courtroom.
June 7, 2020
Featuring familiar Turow character, Sandy Stern, in the last trial of his career, this is sure to be another best seller. A solid courtroom procedural, it is Stern’s contemplations of the life he has led and his observations of the ravages of aging and the approaching end of life that resonates with the reader.
April 18, 2020
Thanks to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#TheLastTrial #NetGalley
The master of the legal thriller is back with a bang. Compelling and incisive - a literal page-turner. Whilst the quality of John Grisham's novels have been patchy at best in recent years, the same cannot be said of Scott Turrow. Turrow consistently churns out 5 star novels, and 'The Last Trial' is no different. A novel built on the foundations of the archaic world of legal discourse and procedure may not be everyone's first choice for a nightly read, but in Turrow's expert hands the Kafka-esque setting of the courtroom is transformed into a theatre where great human drama is played out. In other words, the courtroom is a mere cipher for the very human stories that Turrow excels at telling. Contextualised in the world of big pharma - so-called 'breakthrough drugs' in the treatment of near-terminal diseases, and the huge egos of the great, but not necessarily good, pioneers of experimental medicine, 'The Last Trial' has a compelling mystery at its heart. The maestro that he is, Turrow cuts through the wheat and chaffe of the white noise that constitutes jargon-filled world of law and medicine to pose one question: would a man like Kiril Pafko, Nobel Prize winner, and obscenely wealthy pioneer of a potentially game-changing cancer treatment, really falsify the results of a drug-trial that could harm rather than help the victims of the disease he seeks to eradicate. Logically, one would say no, but octogenarian defence lawyer, Sandy Stern, is confronted by evidence to the contrary. The balance of evidence favours the prosecution's case, but evidence can misleading. There is much to uncover about Kiril Pafko before the smoke and mirrors of subjective 'facts' can be vanquished to reveal the truth about the man who seeks the status of saviour, but may well be a fraud. Only by reading this enthralling, addictive legal thriller, will the truth be revealed. So, don't waste a minute, pick up this book NOW.
Tautly-plotted, oozing with suspense and mystery - a must-read for crime lovers everywhere.
#TheLastTrial #NetGalley
The master of the legal thriller is back with a bang. Compelling and incisive - a literal page-turner. Whilst the quality of John Grisham's novels have been patchy at best in recent years, the same cannot be said of Scott Turrow. Turrow consistently churns out 5 star novels, and 'The Last Trial' is no different. A novel built on the foundations of the archaic world of legal discourse and procedure may not be everyone's first choice for a nightly read, but in Turrow's expert hands the Kafka-esque setting of the courtroom is transformed into a theatre where great human drama is played out. In other words, the courtroom is a mere cipher for the very human stories that Turrow excels at telling. Contextualised in the world of big pharma - so-called 'breakthrough drugs' in the treatment of near-terminal diseases, and the huge egos of the great, but not necessarily good, pioneers of experimental medicine, 'The Last Trial' has a compelling mystery at its heart. The maestro that he is, Turrow cuts through the wheat and chaffe of the white noise that constitutes jargon-filled world of law and medicine to pose one question: would a man like Kiril Pafko, Nobel Prize winner, and obscenely wealthy pioneer of a potentially game-changing cancer treatment, really falsify the results of a drug-trial that could harm rather than help the victims of the disease he seeks to eradicate. Logically, one would say no, but octogenarian defence lawyer, Sandy Stern, is confronted by evidence to the contrary. The balance of evidence favours the prosecution's case, but evidence can misleading. There is much to uncover about Kiril Pafko before the smoke and mirrors of subjective 'facts' can be vanquished to reveal the truth about the man who seeks the status of saviour, but may well be a fraud. Only by reading this enthralling, addictive legal thriller, will the truth be revealed. So, don't waste a minute, pick up this book NOW.
Tautly-plotted, oozing with suspense and mystery - a must-read for crime lovers everywhere.
May 17, 2020
In 1987, readers were introduced to Alejandro "Sandy" Stern in what has become Scott Turow's masterpiece, PRESUMED INNOCENT. We saw the slick defense attorney representing Rusty Sabich, the chief deputy prosecutor of Kindle County, Illinois, when he was accused of murdering the woman with whom he was having an affair. That case seemed unwinnable, and readers like myself tore through the pages of this groundbreaking novel, which has since resulted in a plethora of courtroom dramas.
However, outside of Turow’s contemporary, John Grisham, I cannot name another author who has consistently brought us top-notch legal thrillers that shatter the threshold of mere fiction. Modern-day classics such as PRESUMED INNOCENT belong among classic literary fiction like TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, JUDGMENT AT NUREMBERG and even Grisham's A TIME TO KILL. These are novels that reach through the pages and into the heart, mind and soul of the reader, asking you to stand beside the jurors and make your own moral judgment on all that you have witnessed.
We have seen Sandy Stern in a number of Turow's novels since his debut, but now THE LAST TRIAL finds us going along with Stern on one final ride. Now 85 years old with white hair, he has beaten cancer, is a two-time widower and has survived a near-fatal car accident less than a year before the events of this book. He walks with the assistance of a cane and at times makes slight mental slips during his courtroom presentation. But he is still just as sharp as he always was and may have one or two final tricks up his sleeve before he and his career descend into the sunset.
The defendant in this case is Nobel Prize winner Kiril Pafko, the founder of Pafko Therapeutics (PT). Back in 2014, the FDA designated PT's g-Livia as a breakthrough therapy in the treatment of cancer. During the 18-month clinical trial, there were a handful of deaths that were not reported on the trial database. The FDA approved g-Livia, and it went to market. The drug helped cure many people of cancer, including Stern. Unfortunately, when people taking g-Livia started dying in agony, the truth about the clinical trial reporting data was made public, which means that Pafko could be found guilty of murder. To compound things, he reported to the press that he was unaware of any sudden deaths of g-Livia patients and promptly sold $20 million in PT stock. Therefore, he could be further indicted for fraud, insider trading and a number of other federal statutes.
Stern will definitely have his hands full as his opponent, prosecutor Moses Appleton, is committed to making Pafko pay. Moses is quite a religious man and firmly believes in an eye-for-an-eye brand of justice. Even though there is much mutual respect between them, Moses has no intention of taking it easy on Stern, even in his last trial. Pafko claims he knew nothing about falsifying the clinical trial data and blames a woman named Wendy Hoh, from the Taiwan-based third party company that oversaw the data, for doing this. Based on Wendy's testimony, the jury could be persuaded to look beyond the murder indictment, which is huge.
Even though Stern owes Pafko his life and wants to end his career with a big win, he cannot do it alone. The partner in his small firm is none other than his daughter, Marta. She takes second chair throughout the case and handles a good part of the witness testimony. The judge is Sonia “Sonny” Klonsky, who he has known for over 30 years. That being said, when Stern has a few mental slippages and blurts out improper statements, Sonny is quick to admonish him and even calls counsel into her chambers when he shares his personal experience with Pafko and g-Livia, which he had been warned not to do.
Pafko explains away the $20 million in stock as claiming he “sold” it to his grandchildren and, in essence, was not conducting any insider trading with the unsuspecting public. That will be a harder sell to the jury because it requires them to try and understand his frame of mind and intentions while handling the stock transaction. Aside from those few personal gaffes, the trial seems to be going along well, and the jury is quite responsive to Stern. The big problems will lie in the testimony of two people who are not on Pafko's side --- his son and colleague at PT, Lep, and his former lover and one-time PT CEO, Innis McVie. Another wild card is Pafko's long-suffering wife, Donatella, who adores Lep and had to have known about her husband's indiscretions.
THE LAST TRIAL plays out in highly suspenseful fashion as readers embark on a roller coaster ride that will see their support of Pafko waver with each passing chapter. Still, everyone wants to see Stern wrap up his career with a win --- but Turow has surprises and roadblocks up his literary sleeve that will make this very difficult. As a character, Stern really does go out with a bang. If he was a stage actor, a theater reviewer would have written about how he “commanded” the stage and kept the audience rapt in attention waiting for his next move. He is just that good!
In this weighty novel, Turow probably delves deeper into various areas of the law than we have ever seen him go before in prior books. As for me, the Sandy Stern in my head remains Raul Julia…and at a suave 85 years old, he is still bringing it.
Reviewed by Ray Palen
However, outside of Turow’s contemporary, John Grisham, I cannot name another author who has consistently brought us top-notch legal thrillers that shatter the threshold of mere fiction. Modern-day classics such as PRESUMED INNOCENT belong among classic literary fiction like TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, JUDGMENT AT NUREMBERG and even Grisham's A TIME TO KILL. These are novels that reach through the pages and into the heart, mind and soul of the reader, asking you to stand beside the jurors and make your own moral judgment on all that you have witnessed.
We have seen Sandy Stern in a number of Turow's novels since his debut, but now THE LAST TRIAL finds us going along with Stern on one final ride. Now 85 years old with white hair, he has beaten cancer, is a two-time widower and has survived a near-fatal car accident less than a year before the events of this book. He walks with the assistance of a cane and at times makes slight mental slips during his courtroom presentation. But he is still just as sharp as he always was and may have one or two final tricks up his sleeve before he and his career descend into the sunset.
The defendant in this case is Nobel Prize winner Kiril Pafko, the founder of Pafko Therapeutics (PT). Back in 2014, the FDA designated PT's g-Livia as a breakthrough therapy in the treatment of cancer. During the 18-month clinical trial, there were a handful of deaths that were not reported on the trial database. The FDA approved g-Livia, and it went to market. The drug helped cure many people of cancer, including Stern. Unfortunately, when people taking g-Livia started dying in agony, the truth about the clinical trial reporting data was made public, which means that Pafko could be found guilty of murder. To compound things, he reported to the press that he was unaware of any sudden deaths of g-Livia patients and promptly sold $20 million in PT stock. Therefore, he could be further indicted for fraud, insider trading and a number of other federal statutes.
Stern will definitely have his hands full as his opponent, prosecutor Moses Appleton, is committed to making Pafko pay. Moses is quite a religious man and firmly believes in an eye-for-an-eye brand of justice. Even though there is much mutual respect between them, Moses has no intention of taking it easy on Stern, even in his last trial. Pafko claims he knew nothing about falsifying the clinical trial data and blames a woman named Wendy Hoh, from the Taiwan-based third party company that oversaw the data, for doing this. Based on Wendy's testimony, the jury could be persuaded to look beyond the murder indictment, which is huge.
Even though Stern owes Pafko his life and wants to end his career with a big win, he cannot do it alone. The partner in his small firm is none other than his daughter, Marta. She takes second chair throughout the case and handles a good part of the witness testimony. The judge is Sonia “Sonny” Klonsky, who he has known for over 30 years. That being said, when Stern has a few mental slippages and blurts out improper statements, Sonny is quick to admonish him and even calls counsel into her chambers when he shares his personal experience with Pafko and g-Livia, which he had been warned not to do.
Pafko explains away the $20 million in stock as claiming he “sold” it to his grandchildren and, in essence, was not conducting any insider trading with the unsuspecting public. That will be a harder sell to the jury because it requires them to try and understand his frame of mind and intentions while handling the stock transaction. Aside from those few personal gaffes, the trial seems to be going along well, and the jury is quite responsive to Stern. The big problems will lie in the testimony of two people who are not on Pafko's side --- his son and colleague at PT, Lep, and his former lover and one-time PT CEO, Innis McVie. Another wild card is Pafko's long-suffering wife, Donatella, who adores Lep and had to have known about her husband's indiscretions.
THE LAST TRIAL plays out in highly suspenseful fashion as readers embark on a roller coaster ride that will see their support of Pafko waver with each passing chapter. Still, everyone wants to see Stern wrap up his career with a win --- but Turow has surprises and roadblocks up his literary sleeve that will make this very difficult. As a character, Stern really does go out with a bang. If he was a stage actor, a theater reviewer would have written about how he “commanded” the stage and kept the audience rapt in attention waiting for his next move. He is just that good!
In this weighty novel, Turow probably delves deeper into various areas of the law than we have ever seen him go before in prior books. As for me, the Sandy Stern in my head remains Raul Julia…and at a suave 85 years old, he is still bringing it.
Reviewed by Ray Palen
June 27, 2020
The writing is good but the story is predictable and hard to get through. "Legal thriller?" Lots of legalese to slog through and not much thriller aspect to the story. Appears to be a fond farewell to the cast of characters in Scott Turow's series of novels.
September 17, 2020
This book was tedious and waaaaaaaaay too long. The technical aspects included and the dull characters were abominable.
July 6, 2021
This “courtroom drama” is good to follow, the prosecution & defense tactics are good.
The Kindle County legal series are in Cook County, Chicago.
The Last Trial of “Stern and Stern” legal partnership in Cook County, Chicago. The office of aging Sandy Stern(85) and Marta Stern(his daughter).
They are defending Dr. Kirin Pafko(78), a friend with a “Nobel Prize winner in medicine”. Kirin leads Pafko Therapeutics (PT) with a newly released FDA-approved cancer drug, g-Livia.
During the 18-month g-Livia drug clinical trial, deaths were not reported on the FDA trials.
Inconsistent Drug or Manufacturing problem? The drug did help cure many people of cancer.
But are sued for not following standard treatments & drug reactions with g-Livia in allergic patients. Prosecution by United States Attorney characters - experienced Moses Appleton & young Daniel Feld.
Kirin sold Stock, “rather than riding the market” during the problem. Questions on trading laws & Kirin’s stockbroker? Kirin sales to grandchildren or another person?
The ending is good. An unfavorable verdict, who was involved with tradings & why does Kirin fly to Argentina?
1. Authors similar to Scott Turow
The Kindle County legal series are in Cook County, Chicago.
The Last Trial of “Stern and Stern” legal partnership in Cook County, Chicago. The office of aging Sandy Stern(85) and Marta Stern(his daughter).
They are defending Dr. Kirin Pafko(78), a friend with a “Nobel Prize winner in medicine”. Kirin leads Pafko Therapeutics (PT) with a newly released FDA-approved cancer drug, g-Livia.
During the 18-month g-Livia drug clinical trial, deaths were not reported on the FDA trials.
Inconsistent Drug or Manufacturing problem? The drug did help cure many people of cancer.
But are sued for not following standard treatments & drug reactions with g-Livia in allergic patients. Prosecution by United States Attorney characters - experienced Moses Appleton & young Daniel Feld.
Kirin sold Stock, “rather than riding the market” during the problem. Questions on trading laws & Kirin’s stockbroker? Kirin sales to grandchildren or another person?
The ending is good. An unfavorable verdict, who was involved with tradings & why does Kirin fly to Argentina?
1. Authors similar to Scott Turow
October 23, 2020
Two five star ratings in two days? The world must be nearing an end! Joking, of course.
I have a feeling, there will be a lot of people for whom this is a long and dragging legal novel, following a case with a lot of boring details about drug companies developing new products. They are making a mistake. This is NOT primarily a legal thriller. This is a character study of the effects of aging on Sandy Stern, the defense attorney we've seen in both Presumed Innocent and Innocent as well as his own story in The Burden of Proof.
I have a feeling that it was the relationship of Sandy Stern and Rusty Sabich that really gave Turow the entry point to tell the first story of Rusty Sabich. Stern is, I believe, Turow's alter ego in his books more than Sabich ever was. He identifies with Stern. Interestingly, it was "The Burden of Proof," a story about Sandy, that was my least favorite of Turow's books I have read. It didn't do much for me, but I suspect I might feel differently about it if I looked at it at 53 than it did at 23.
In this book, Sandy is now 85 years old. He practices law with his daughter and his paralegal is his granddaughter, Pinky, easily the great minor character of this book. He's recovered from the lung cancer that was brought on by his lifetime of smoking, saved by his friend, Kiril Pafko, another Argentinean living in Kindle County. Kiril, a Nobel prize winning doctor, developed the drug that saved Sandy's life. Now, Sandy is defending him against charges of fraud, insider trading, and murder because his drug may kill some of the people that used it. He's charged with covering it up.
Again, though, that trial is the background of the story. It's really the story of a man who's had a good life, in many ways, but is now a widower for a second time. He feels distanced from his own children except for Marta, his legal partner, who treats him more like a mother during the book than a daughter. His closest relationship in the family is to the one of his grandchildren he feels most connection with...the offbeat Pinky. Pinky is bright. Pinky is also tattooed, pierced, into punk music (reading between the lines a bit), and is a recovered addict. Sandy speculates that, for one decade, defending her was the center of his legal practice. Her mother has so much trouble with her that she now lives with her grandfather, bonded only to him and his dead wife's dog. The two are an interesting pair, and demonstrate more familial love over the course of the book than anyone else.
This is a wonderful story of aging, becoming comfortable with your mortality, and, best of all, becoming truly comfortable with the life you have lived. In an odd way, it's a hopeful story. Nothing is as dark as it seems. There are a lot of grays in Turow's books, but this one has a bright and hopeful ending. I enjoyed reading it very much.
I have a feeling, there will be a lot of people for whom this is a long and dragging legal novel, following a case with a lot of boring details about drug companies developing new products. They are making a mistake. This is NOT primarily a legal thriller. This is a character study of the effects of aging on Sandy Stern, the defense attorney we've seen in both Presumed Innocent and Innocent as well as his own story in The Burden of Proof.
I have a feeling that it was the relationship of Sandy Stern and Rusty Sabich that really gave Turow the entry point to tell the first story of Rusty Sabich. Stern is, I believe, Turow's alter ego in his books more than Sabich ever was. He identifies with Stern. Interestingly, it was "The Burden of Proof," a story about Sandy, that was my least favorite of Turow's books I have read. It didn't do much for me, but I suspect I might feel differently about it if I looked at it at 53 than it did at 23.
In this book, Sandy is now 85 years old. He practices law with his daughter and his paralegal is his granddaughter, Pinky, easily the great minor character of this book. He's recovered from the lung cancer that was brought on by his lifetime of smoking, saved by his friend, Kiril Pafko, another Argentinean living in Kindle County. Kiril, a Nobel prize winning doctor, developed the drug that saved Sandy's life. Now, Sandy is defending him against charges of fraud, insider trading, and murder because his drug may kill some of the people that used it. He's charged with covering it up.
Again, though, that trial is the background of the story. It's really the story of a man who's had a good life, in many ways, but is now a widower for a second time. He feels distanced from his own children except for Marta, his legal partner, who treats him more like a mother during the book than a daughter. His closest relationship in the family is to the one of his grandchildren he feels most connection with...the offbeat Pinky. Pinky is bright. Pinky is also tattooed, pierced, into punk music (reading between the lines a bit), and is a recovered addict. Sandy speculates that, for one decade, defending her was the center of his legal practice. Her mother has so much trouble with her that she now lives with her grandfather, bonded only to him and his dead wife's dog. The two are an interesting pair, and demonstrate more familial love over the course of the book than anyone else.
This is a wonderful story of aging, becoming comfortable with your mortality, and, best of all, becoming truly comfortable with the life you have lived. In an odd way, it's a hopeful story. Nothing is as dark as it seems. There are a lot of grays in Turow's books, but this one has a bright and hopeful ending. I enjoyed reading it very much.
July 13, 2020
I tend to enjoy legal thrillers and thought this one might be enjoyable due to my working in the financial field and the trial dealing with topics of insider trading, front running, initial public offerings, etc. Oh, yeah, they tacked a murder charge on there as well. When I compare Turow to other legal writers like Grisham and Connelly I am tempted to liken it to a stream with Grisham and Connelly rushing along at breakneck pace but with modest depth. As the saying goes, still waters run deep and that is where I feel Turow thrives. Great depth of legal insight, a bit of plodding in the area of character development but ultimately a satisfying story. I may not have agreed with the jury but the twists and turns kept it interesting. Good way to wind up the Kindle County series.
April 1, 2020
Fans of courtroom drama will love this detailed and attention grabbing legal thriller which presents lawyer Sandy Stern's last trial before he retires.
Battling the fear that he lacks the necessary rigor, he nonetheless puts his all into defending an old friend- the doctor who saved his life- on a murder charge.
New readers, and those who have been following along with the series, will be eager to discover if Sandy still has what it takes to win Dr. Pafko's case- and if that is actually the right outcome.
This ARC was provided by Grand Central Publishing/Hachette, in exchange for an honest review
Battling the fear that he lacks the necessary rigor, he nonetheless puts his all into defending an old friend- the doctor who saved his life- on a murder charge.
New readers, and those who have been following along with the series, will be eager to discover if Sandy still has what it takes to win Dr. Pafko's case- and if that is actually the right outcome.
This ARC was provided by Grand Central Publishing/Hachette, in exchange for an honest review
August 30, 2020
I thought I would never get through this book, which I would certainly not classify as a “thriller.” The defense’s closing statement was so long and boring that I fell asleep. I can only imagine what an actual jury would have done.
This book would have been better if it were 100 pages less. I’m not sure how it made the New York Times best seller list.
This book would have been better if it were 100 pages less. I’m not sure how it made the New York Times best seller list.
June 9, 2020
This is not a pulse pounding legal thriller but it is still a page turner. Turrow makes the law, legal strategies and the reasoning of the Judge in her rulings fascinating. The author imbues his flawed characters with depth. The motivations of various characters are not always what they seem on the surface and if the motivations are what they seem, there is a deeper history behind them. And yes, there is a gentle twist near the end, but it is a twist that is entirely believable. Turrow also touches on the Argentinian Jewish Immigrant experience in America, a bit of history I was not that familiar with. There is so much more I could say but just know that this was a real pleasure to read!
July 1, 2020
A very dry, bland focus on the procedural aspects of a criminal litigation trial. Although the writing itself was excellent, there was zero human interest to be found in the plot, the characters lacked all emotional appeal, the dialogue was boring, and the “drama” was methodical and plodding. It always felt as if the author were constantly lecturing the reader as to the perils and pitfalls of pharmaceutical research and FDA approval, which is not the most riveting of novel ideas. I’m usually fascinated by legal dramas (by training and by practice) and I had a tough time keeping my eyes open; I’m not sure if any non-lawyer readers are going to fare any better. Disappointed.
Three (blah) stars.
Three (blah) stars.
July 9, 2020
It pains me to give this only 2 stars. I have read and enjoyed several in the Sandy Stern series but this book was so disappointing. I assume, as the title suggests, this is the last in the series. What a sad way to end. Sandy is a great character but this book was so tiresome to read ; pages and pages of boring court testimony about FDA regulations, scientific research, and insider trading laws. Even the lawyers referred to it as gobbledygook! I only forced myself to finish it because of my affection for Stern, and the last few pages redeemed it somewhat.
June 6, 2020
Brilliant.
As with all of Mr. Turow’s novels, this was a meaty exploration of human nature. The characters were complex and their relationships were deeply textured. The courtroom scenes were, of course, compelling. A major work by one of our nation’s most gifted storytellers.
As with all of Mr. Turow’s novels, this was a meaty exploration of human nature. The characters were complex and their relationships were deeply textured. The courtroom scenes were, of course, compelling. A major work by one of our nation’s most gifted storytellers.
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