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)

Fabulous

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

Couldn't stop listening

What about Grover Gardner’s performance did you like?

Mesmerizing

Any additional comments?

This was my first experiencing listening in lieu of reading. I was mesmerized and couldn't stop listening. I am a lawyer and found the legal aspects to be very realistic, which is important. The story was wonderful, exciting and moving. The narrator was excellent. A great listen.

Just Okay

The story was good but not good enough to keep me as the reader focused. At times, it was too long and drawn out, especially in the court room . It became very mundane and I would find myself drifting off thinking of other things besides the story...Needed more twists. I would say this book was "just okay". For the record, Grover Gardner is one of my favorite Narrators and did a fantastic job of keeping the characters separated.

Reveals what is possible beyond a simple label called "murderer"

(Spoiler alert)
I listened to the book after reading comments of some reviewers saying that they were disappointed by the sketchy ending of the story. However, now I see that this plot was intentional because the author points out what it really means when someone is a murderer. Perhaps the law is the least thing we can use in response to discovering that one has killed another being.

Also, I see that the mom killed her son, who may tuen out to be assumed to turn out to be a serial killer.

I really loved this one!!

I loved the narrator and the story! Their was lots of twists and turns and I really couldn't guess the ending until it happened. Loved it!!

Wow

Throughly enjoyed the story and the narrator. It is a very innovative storyline and the legal wrangling going on through gives the story extra heft. Hard to stop listening-which is the highest compliment.

This story is a parents nightmare

I could not put this book down. I am grateful for the incentive to stay on the cross trainer just to hear one more chapter. The narration was terrific and terrible in conveying the horror of having to question your own child's guilt and staying true and loyal to the family you believe in.

Engaging.

The book kept me interested and focused the whole way through, and it kept me guessing til the very end.

haunting story

What did you love best about Defending Jacob?

This story and performance was absolutely spellbinding. I have been haunted all day after competing it. Well done!

What about Grover Gardner’s performance did you like?

He performed as well as his performance in The Stand.... excellent.

Loved the story but not the ending

I thought the storyline was solid. The narrator was excellent. It basically made use of "the bad seed" idea that people can inherit a tendency towards murder and antisocial personality disorder. It kept my interest throughout but I hated the ending.

Wasn't thrilled

I can't remember if this came up as something I'd enjoy based on my past purchases or if it was a best seller but I wasn't thrilled. The narrator, Grover Gardner was very difficult to get past. I couldn't tell who was who in the story and found myself going back 30 seconds to try to figure it out. The story itself was ok. For a 'thriller" I didn't find myself being thrilled.