Innocent

It’s been more than two decades since Edward Hermann narrated Presumed Innocent, splendidly interpreting the voices of that book’s main characters: hapless protagonist Rusty Sabich on trial for the murder of his lover; his shrewd defense attorney, Sandy Stern; and the determined prosecutor, Tommy Molto. Now that Turow has brought the trio back for a sequel, cleverly arranging them, after all these years, in a roughly analogous situation, it’s only natural for Hermann to be back on board, too, performing with the same eloquence and subtlety that distinguished his earlier work. This time, following the author’s lead, he presents a more philosophic Sabich, an ill but no less wily Stern, and a kinder, gentler Molto. And because a new character, Chief Justice Sabich’s attractive young law clerk Anna Vostic, narrates several chapters, Hermann is assisted by Orlagh Cassidy, who smartly conveys both the wistfulness and strength of the new key player in this never less than engrossing multilayered drama-whodunit. A Grand Central hardcover (Reviews, Mar. 8). (May)