Defending Jacob

A Novel

By: William Landay

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Length: 12 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “A legal thriller that’s comparable to classics such as Scott Turow’s Presumed Innocent . . . tragic and shocking.”—Associated Press

NOW AN EMMY-NOMINATED ORIGINAL STREAMING SERIES • NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY Entertainment Weekly • Boston Globe • Kansas City Star

Andy Barber has been an assistant district attorney in his suburban Massachusetts county for more than twenty years. He is respected in his community, tenacious in the courtroom, and happy at home with his wife, Laurie, and son, Jacob. But when a shocking crime shatters their New England town, Andy is blindsided by what happens next: his fourteen-year-old son is charged with the murder of a fellow student.

Every parental instinct Andy has rallies to protect his boy. Jacob insists that he is innocent, and Andy believes him. Andy must. He’s his father. But as damning facts and shocking revelations surface, as a marriage threatens to crumble and the trial intensifies, and as the crisis reveals how little a father knows about his son, Andy will face a trial of his own—between loyalty and justice, between truth and allegation, between a past he’s tried to bury and a future he cannot conceive.

Award-winning author William Landay has written the consummate novel of an embattled family in crisis—a suspenseful, character-driven mystery that is also a spellbinding tale of guilt, betrayal, and the terrifying speed at which our lives can spin out of control.

©2012 William Landay (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Landay has proven himself to be an extraordinary writer, and Defending Jacob is an amazing novel. Do yourself a favor and read it. It’s that good.” (Nicholas Sparks, #1 New York Times best-selling author)

“Harrowing . . . This searing narrative proves the ancient Greek tragedians were right: the worst punishment is not death but living with what you—knowingly or unknowingly—have done.” ( Publishers Weekly, starred review)

“[Landay] reaches a new level of excellence with this riveting, knock-your-socks-off legal thriller. With its masterfully crafted characterizations and dialogue, emotional depth, and frightening implications, the novel rivals the best of Scott Turow and John Grisham. Don’t miss it.” ( Booklist, starred review)

Excellent, Awful, Suspenseful, Fantastic-Must Read

What did you love best about Defending Jacob?

The constant suspense-did Jacob do it? The father's unending desire to protect his son.

Andy Barber has been an assistant district attorney in his suburban Massachusetts county for more than 20 years. He is respected in his community, tenacious in the courtroom, and happy at home with his wife, Laurie, and son, Jacob. But when a shocking crime shatters their New England town, Andy is blindsided by what happens next: his 14-year-old son is charged with the murder of a fellow student.

Every parental instinct Andy has rallies to protect his boy. Jacob insists that he is innocent, and Andy believes him. Andy must. He’s his father. But as damning facts and shocking revelations surface, as a marriage threatens to crumble and the trial intensifies, and as the crisis reveals how little a father knows about his son, Andy will face a trial of his own - between loyalty and justice, between truth and allegation, between a past he’s tried to bury and a future he cannot conceive.

Award-winning author William Landay has written the consummate novel of an embattled family in crisis - a suspenseful, character-driven mystery that is also a spellbinding tale of guilt, betrayal, and the terrifying speed at which our lives can spin out of control.

©2012 William Landay

What was one of the most memorable moments of Defending Jacob?

The ending is one shocking turn after another-no spoilers!. I agree with the other reviewer DO NOT READ TOO MANY REVIEWS or it will ruin the experience for the new reader.

What about Grover Gardner’s performance did you like?

It was strong and perfect for the cast of characters-mostly male; Boston, Irish and other accents.

Who was the most memorable character of Defending Jacob and why?

Andy, his protectiveness of his son throughout all the 'challenges'.

Any additional comments?

I got this as a Daily Deal for under $6 but it is CREDIT WORTHY.

Harrowing - a story that will stay with you

Beware all reviews of this book - it is hard to write about without spoiling the experience and the plot. I had a certain expectation when I began the book, based on the summary. I was wrong.

But again a warning: if the summary has more than one paragraph, read only the first one.

The story is just pain good - and full of twists and turns.

As a parent of a difficult child, a child who had no friends at one point, this book was a little painful for me to read. But I encourage parents like me to read it anyway. It was, in the end, cathartic.

I will think about this story for a long time.

What is the big deal?

Very disappointing. No idea why this book got so much attention. Way too much left unexplained. Some answers are necessary in any story, and everything here was left to conjecture.

Kept the story moving

Keeping the story moving is not an easy task in a novel which specifically carries the major suspense of the story to the end. Generally, I get bored with the wait when the big moment comes close to the end, but the author did a great job of making the story itself even more central than the outcome. It helped me handily through several long commutes!

No parent wants to think their son....

Would you listen to Defending Jacob again? Why?

Yes. I would listen for the more subtle clues as to what happened in the end.

What about Grover Gardner’s performance did you like?

Great job in portraying each character.

Any additional comments?

A great read. An unexpected ending.

Very disturbing

Would you listen to Defending Jacob again? Why?

Not on your life.

Would you be willing to try another book from William Landay? Why or why not?

Not sure- it would depend

What does Grover Gardner bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I was not affected either way by the narration.

Any additional comments?

The saddest thing about this story was the habitual " defending Jacob" engaged in by his father, hence the name of the book.

Average

I wanted this book to be so much better than it was. A friend and I decided to read it together, so I kept plugging along. It was OK. I debated giving it a 2, but it was slightly better than that. There was an interesting turn at one point , but overall, I'm not sure I would recommend it. The narrator was lacking as well. If you want to read it, but it towards the bottom of your list. It will pass the time, but is certainly not a page-turner.

Wow.

This was a really good book. I did not want to stop listening to it the entire time. It kept me engaged with its characters and story.

Without giving anything away, I just want to say that the story line had me going the whole time.....It was highly recommended by other Audible listeners and once again I was not disappointed. I do have to say that at times I did chuckle at the Bostonian "accent"....but the narrator did a great job....switching back and forth between characters was almost flawless...I would/will listen to him again....in as much as the accent was weak @ times, his narration was very articulate and he was so easy to listen to.

I highly recommend this book like the other listeners.....its an excellent story line.

Pitiful, yet understandable

A well written book that had the perfect tempo, and I believe the perfect title. I understand both sides exhibited by Jacob’s mom and dad, as parenting makes one vacillate between loving your child and at times wanting to “knock some sense into them.” It really causes one to feel quite a range of emotions; that range is different for all, and in this case quite extreme, but regardless, is understood. A very sad read, but quite good in presenting parental conflict with regard to “loving” your child.

Great book!

Although the story topic was disturbing - it quickly draws you in. One of the best audible books I have listened to. Both the story and the narrator. It leaves me wanting to read more by the author and as well as to listen to more read by the narrator who was just perfect. I wish there would have been a prologue - it does leave questions unanswered - but I was on the edge of my seat until the end. Lots of unexpected twists.