"Limitations" revisits some of Turow's past characters, but the jury's out on this courtroom drama.
Limitations, first released as a serial in the New York Times, was released in novel form in October. In it Scott Turow, whose 1985 novel, Presumed Innocent is number 5 on the Mystery Guild of America's list of Best Mystery Novels of All Time, takes the reader back to Kindle County and his old characters, Rusty Savich (now the Chief Judge) from Presumed Innocent and George Mason from Personal Injuries.
Limitations: Behind the Court of Appeals
The story behind this short novel centers around a high profile rape case that has come before the district appeals court. Mason, one of the judges, is conflicted as to the statute of limitations in the case and is haunted by things that happened in his own past. To add tension to the proceedings, Mason is being stalked with angry and threatening emails and text messages. Are they the work of a local gang leader or just some crank?
Ethical Struggles
As Mason deals with the court politics, his ailing wife, and the elusive stalker, he tries to weigh the merits of the case, coming up short each time. In the end, he must solve his own personal dilemma before he can rule on the case.
Not Enough Depth
Limitations is a quick read and it's enjoyable to be reminded of Turow's former main characters, but the novel just doesn't have enough depth and plot development to be satisfying. For instance, who is this gang chief and why would he be interested in Mason? Although the reader is told that the court is wary of this person, we don't really feel it. Limitations likely played well as a newspaper serial, but the book just doesn't have the body to stand on its own.
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