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)

Good story, poor choice in narrator.

I don't like to criticize any one at their job. But, I didn't feel like his voice, pace, and diction fit an emotional fictional father. It sounded more like Walter Cronkite or Paul Harvey were telling the story. I see that he does a lot of history and nonfiction. I thought the whole time I was listening that he would be better suited to nonfiction. It was very distracting for me. I really enjoyed the story but found myself less able to sink into it because of the newsman like narration.

So. Good.

I chose this book after hearing that it was to be made into a series on Apple TV. The premise sounded mysterious and interesting, and since I don’t yet have Apple TV but did have a free credit, I figured I’d try it out. It held my interest throughout and had unexpected twists and turns...one of which I truly did not see coming. Great “read”!

Wow!

okay, let me start off by saying that i have NOT watched the TV miniseries starring Chris Evans and based on this book. As a result, I had no idea where it was going. I assumed it was about Jacob (boy, was i wrong...). I won't give away the twist at the end for those who haven't watched it either, but I NEVER SAW THAT COMING! Wow!

Great read! Great narrator!

Great book. Excellent narration.

Great story and narrator was really good. Very happy I listened. Definitely kept my attention yet was an easy listen.

Slow building but worth it in the end

The story doesn't have much to build on from the get go but the author does a nice job of never really losing your interest. The highs aren't very high and the lows are real low but overall a well written story that surprises

Worth the Read

Would you consider the audio edition of Defending Jacob to be better than the print version?

I didn't read the book, but any audiobook that is read well is better than the print version.

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

The best moment was the scene where Jacob's mom and he met their end.

What about Grover Gardner’s performance did you like?

He was expressive without overplaying the parts.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No.

Any additional comments?

The author could drag out scenes, repeating the point unnecessarily. A little editing could have done wonders for the book.

Not the ending you will expect

It is not often that a book takes me by surprise but Defending Jacob did, I so did not see that ending coming, I don’t want to give too much away you just need to read this book. This novel revolves around the Barber family; Andy Barber, top Assistant DA, his wife Laurie and their 14 year old son Jacob; living in the prestige town of Newton Massachusetts. Jacob is accused of murdering his classmate, Ben Rifkin and in the state of Massachusetts must be tried as an adult. Throughout the book Jacob claims he is innocents, William Landay will keep you dithering throughout the book- guilty .. not gulity – he certainly had me question Jacob’s guilt or innocents. To throw you off we hear Andy being questioned in front of a grand jury – but why? Defending Jacob is well written, Landry will keep you on your toes with lots of twist and turn but the ending will definitely leave you with your mouth open. A must read!

Grover Gardner narrated this book and was superb.

Great story!

This was a great story! My only complaint was the lack of any contractions! In everyday speech it is uncommon to hear “can not” or “did not” in lieu of “can’t” or “didn’t “. I found this distracting.

A surprising book!

If you could sum up Defending Jacob in three words, what would they be?

interesting, captivating, surprising

What other book might you compare Defending Jacob to and why?

John Grisham type books because of the courtroom aspect

Which character – as performed by Grover Gardner – was your favorite?

The dad

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

Ligudus (sp?)

Any additional comments?

Very well written

Good story, a bit long at times

Any additional comments?

The book was good, not my favorite, but the narrator kept it going for me. The length of the book could have been shorter. The story was interesting though. I like how the author weaved the Grand Jury testimony throughout the telling of the real tail. I found that to be a cleaver way of keeping you in suspense of what had happened. It is also about a father's undying love for his son, in the face of him being accused of murder.