Sandy Stern, the brilliant defense attorney from "Presumed Innocent", faces an event so emotionally shattering that no part of his life is left untouched. It reveals a family caught in a maelstrom of hidden crimes, shocking secrets, and warring passions. The Burden of Proof, published in 1990, is Scott Turow's second novel, somewhat of a sequel to Presumed Innocent. Late one spring afternoon, Alejandro Stern, the brilliant defense lawyer from Presumed Innocent, comes home from a business trip to find that Clara, his wife of thirty years, has committed suicide. In this book, Turow probes the character of this fascinating and complex man as Stern tries to uncover the truth about his wife's life. The novel follows the story of defense attorney Stern in the aftermath of his wife's death and the growing realization that there is much about his marriage that he has never understood. Stern's bereavement coincides with his latest case, defending commodities broker Dixon Hartnell. Hartnell is a complex figure, one that Sandy admires but doesn't trust. Stern soon realizes that defending "Dix" will force him to tread a narrow path between zealous advocacy for a client and his ethical responsibilities to the courts.

The Burden of Proof is set in the fictional Midwestern Kindle County, the setting of Turow's other novels, and features or refers to characters that appear in those other stories.

The Burden of Proof by Scott Turow is a captivating book that delves into the world of legal drama. Written by renowned author Scott Turow, this book takes readers on a thrilling journey as they follow the protagonist through a complex web of secrets and lies. With its gripping storyline and well-developed characters, The Burden of Proof is a must-read for fans of legal thrillers.