Scott Turow in conversation with Brian Dennehy (LAO)

With his blockbuster debut novel, Presumed Innocent, Scott Turow invented the modern legal thriller. The hit film adaptation starred Harrison Ford, Brian Dennehy and Raul Julia. In this LiveTALKS Los Angeles event, Dennehy will be speaking with the master suspense novelist about his latest book, Identical, and his craft, which has resulted in over 25 million books sold. In addition they will discuss the book to film/tv adapation. Over the course of his long career, award-winning actor Brian Dennehy has starred in such diverse films as Ratatouille, Romeo + Juliet, Tommy Boy, First Blood and Cocoon, as well as the adaptation of Turow's The Burden of Proof.

Scott Turow is the author of nine best-selling works of fiction includingInnocent, Presumed Innocent and The Burden of Proof, and two non-fiction books including One L, about his experience as a law student. His books have been translated into more than 25 languages, sold more than 25 million copies worldwide, and have been adapted into film and television projects. He frequently contributes essays and op-ed pieces to publications such as theNew York Times, Washington Post, Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, Playboy, and The Atlantic.

Over twenty years ago, Turow wrote Presumed Innocent – the #1 bestseller that revolutionized publishing and invented the legal thriller. The novel remained on The New York Times bestseller list for 45 weeks, selling over 650,000 copies in hardcover and 6 million copies in paperback! That book not only launched Scott’s career, it also marked the beginning of one of the most successful categories in the suspense genre. As John Grisham said, “WhenPresumed Innocent was published in 1987, I was struggling to finish my first novel. Scott Turow re-energized the legal suspense genre with that book, and it inspired me to keep plugging along. Scott is still the best lawyer-novelist.”

Identical is loosely based on the myth of Castor and Pollux, the twin sons (one mortal and one immortal) of Zeus. As the story goes, when Castor was killed, Pollux begged Zeus to share his immortality with his brother so that the twins could remain together – Zeus allowed it, and they were transformed into the constellation Gemini. Identical tells the story of Paul and Cass Giannis, identical twins, whose future was bright until one fateful day in 1983 when Athena “Dita” Kronon—then-girlfriend of Cass Giannis—was murdered after her family’s summer party.

Veteran actor Brian Dennehy has received countless honors over his storied career on stage and screen: a Golden Globe, two Tonys, Emmy nominations, and the adoration of generations of fans. His role in the 1997 film adapation of Presumed Innocent is what inspired Live Talks to invite him to lead this conversation. This winter, Mr. Denehy will be in residence in Los Angeles as he appears at the Mark Taper Forum in as Thomas in the “Steward of Christendom.”

Tickets cannot be sold.