Reversible Errors

Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable but Forgettable
Review: Though Scott Turrow is not one of my favorite authors, I sometimes wonder why. Perhaps it's because it takes him a while to get into his stories and maybe it's because his protagonists are not particularly lovable nor are the antagonists especially dastardly. Nevertheless, in hindsight, I have never read a Turrow novel that, ultimately I did not enjoy. Reversible Errors is such a book. The kind that at fifty or sixty pages you are wondering if it's worth finishing and at a hundred and fifty pages you are hooked.

Reversible Errors has five main characters; Arthur Raven, Rommy Gandolf, Larry Starczek, Muriel Wynn and Gillian Sullivan. The story takes place in an unnamed fictional midwest city.

Rommy "Squirrel" Gandolf has been on death row for ten years, convicted of a heinous triple homicide. His last appeal has been denied and the state Court of Appeals has enlisted corporate attorney, Arthur Raven to review the case and make sure that nothing has been missed before setting an execution date.

Arthur, described in the book as a steady plowhorse rather than a flashy racehorse, is a dull but standup guy who has a mentally disturbed older sister and is a bachelor in his late thirties or early forties.

Arthur has better things to do but he begrudgingly reviews the case along with his pretty young assistant.
There seems to be a paucity of inconsistencies to follow up on but there is one thing. Judge Sullivan who passed sentence on Rommy was subsequently sentenced to prison herself for taking bribes and was acknowledged to be an alcoholic.

Recently released from prison, at their lunch appointment, Arthur realizes Gillian Sullivan is still an attractive woman, one he still has a crush on after several years but he must ask some unpleasant questions for the sake of his client.

After getting nowhere with Gillian at lunch, she surprisingly asks to see him at his office where she gives him a letter she received from an inmate, Erno Erdai, who says he has important information regarding Rommy.

After going to the Maximum Security Prison, Arthur hears an amazing story, that if true, completely exonerates his client but can he convince the courts. Can he convince the prosecution. Can he convince the public.

Conclusion

Reversible Errors shuffles back and forth from the time of the crime in 1991 and present time. Detective Larry Starczek is the arresting detective and Muriel Wynn is the prosecuting attorney.

Reversible Errors is not a suspenseful novel. I will give nothing away by telling you that Rommy Gandolf, a mixed race, low IQ, thief is not guilty. That comes out on page ninety-six. Rather the story revolves around the battle between Starczek and Wynn to keep the defendant guilty and on track for execution and Raven's efforts with Sullivan's help to get a new trial or win Rommy's outright release.

In addition there are romantic angles, with a broken romance between Starczek and Wynn in 1991 and a awkward budding romance between Raven and Sullivan.

A couple problems I had with the story were related to the evidence, both initially and later. The convicting evidence was circumstantial and the case hinged mostly on Rommy's confession, this despite no history of violence and an IQ of 73. Later despite mounting evidence in favor of Rommy's innocence Wynn and especially Starczek refused to believe it. Also I had trouble following some of the colloquialisms used in some of the dialogue. This was not extensive and could fall on me as easily as the author.

After a slow start, a Turrow trademark, the story moves along nicely. At four hundred thirty-three pages it's medium length and easy reading style makes for fast pleasant read, worthy of four stars.


Rating:
Summary: A winner all the way
Review: One of the best legal mysteries. Add to that an attorney who is just plain average--but devoted to the law--an ex-judge who is also an ex-convict, and a prosecuting attorney carrying on an affair with the lead detective in the reopening of a triple-murder case. Sounds crass? It isn't. There are deeply moving passages in this novel written by a superb writer. Altogether a rare book that deserves to be read in one long sitting.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent story
Review: My fourth Turow book and the one I felt was his best work. Multiple story lines with engaging characters, romance, betrayal and murder, this book could almost fall into the category of "female" writer (ie Cornwell) except, Turow, in my opinion is simply a better writer than the women authors I've tried in similar categories. I bring up the point, simply because I feel this book does have appeal for both the more male oriented action thriller reader and the female oriented romance/emotional type story.

While much of the story is devoted to "non" action, and brings in characters just for favor, I didn't feel bogged down (like I did in a couple of the previous works).
While some may claim this work is a good argument against the death penalty, and I know the author works in that field in the law, I don't agree. Perhaps the one weak point in the story is the reason why I don't feel this does anything to sway my feelings, I didn't buy the reason's Turow came up with as to why an innocent man got the death penalty. In fiction, we accept the "it could never happen" or at least "it's one in a million" generally speaking, because, after all, it's fiction, that's the point. But in real life it doesn't work that way. This story, at least in today's climate, could probably never happen, so while it still makes a great story, it certainly doesn't qualify as an argument against the death penalty, any more than The Green Mile could be used as an argument, even though, in that fiction, the set up for an innocent being sentenced to death is far more believable.
At least times have changed.

Back to the story, Turow is excellent in writing dialogue and keeping the characters realistic and human like. If you've enjoyed Grisham, but would like to read a lawyer story that's not just a quick fun read, but has substantial meat to it, this is a great place to start.
If you want total action and gloss, then pass.

I give a strong recommendation, this is simply a great story, and even though Turow sets his story in the same town with characters from other books making appearances here, it doesn't matter where you start.

Rating:
Summary: A Court room mystery with two love stories.
Review: Reversible Errors is Scott Turow's seventh novel. As with Turow's other novels, this is set in the fictional Kindle County.

Arthur Raven, is the protagonist. He's plain and dull man who wishes he were good-looking and yearns for an exciting love life. He's a success as a corporate lawyer, not because he's brilliant, but because of dogged determination. He is forceably taken from his corporate world and is assigned a criminal case - the appeal of a death row prisoner, triple murderer Rommy 'Squirrel' Gandolph, against his forthcoming execution. Raven's investigation into Gandolph's claim that he didn't commit the 10-year-old murders brings him into conflict with a formidable prosecuting attorney, Muriel Wynn, and with police detective Larry Starczek. Wynn, with Starczek's help, made her name with her successful prosecution of the original case. Into Raven's life steps Gillian Sullivan, the judge who tried the case but soon after fell from grace when she was jailed for corruption.

The novel has two love stories contained within it's pages. But this does not slow the mystery narrative nor the courtroom antics. Most of the characters are believable and flawed.

Reversible Errors is a well written story. Which shows the interaction between law and life. This is an engrossing mystery.



Rating:
Summary: The case of Law v. Conscience
Review: Arthur Raven, a lawyer, is given a court appointed case. He doesn't really want to take it, but there will be consequences to not handling it. The case has been handled a couple of times before by others and each time the defendant has been guilty as charged. However, he's about to be executed and this is his hail mary attempt.
Arthur digs into it with all effort and discovers the man MAY be innocent. So he digs deeper. His digging brings up demons that are a decade old. The old cop, the old judge, the prosecutor, and even Arthur have to face internal conflicts that bring everybody to the point of exhaustion.
This story brings to the front what's right versus what can be done under the law. Sometimes what can be done under the law isn't the "right" thing to do. The conscience comes in to fight, and a lot of people are brought to their knees.
A must read.

Rating:
Summary: One of Turow's finest...
Review: A magnificently written court room drama with a man's life in the hinges. RE gives the reader an insightful look at what it takes to survive as a lawyer, a judge, a detective, and a condemned inmate. His characters come to life with just the right mix of detail so you look into their personality and personal lives like you know them as friends. A great mix of suspense and romance and mental disorder thrown in the normal Turow flair -- and the author's got yet another winning novel. Four stars!!