[.ca] Limitations (ISBN 1585478644)

Appeals to the reader:
If you like legal thrillers, but don't want a 600-page doorstopper, this fast-moving short novel may be right for you. George Mason, an appeals court judge, must consider whether a case of rape can be tried, years after the actual sexual assault occurred. The writing is stiff at times, and the reader must have an appetite for the details of U.S. appellate court procedures. However, once past the beginning pages of setup, Turow hooks you into the story. The rape case has aspects which remind George too closely of his own sexual experiences as a young man. The son of George's loyal secretary is a gang member who may be involved in a series of anonymous emails threatening George's life. The case touches on hot-button issues of sex and race. The rights and wrongs are subtle, and Turow gives all viewpoints a fair say. He successfully combines the legal side of the story with an action thriller. The characters are vivid, from an eccentric fellow judge (bordering on loony, but brilliant) to scarily realistic gangsters. The suspense keeps building until the completely unexpected solution.