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)

Read This Book!

I️ will be looking for more books by this author. He exceeded all expectations with this book. Excellent character development combined with one twisted yarn, I’ve not enjoyed a new-to-me author this much in I️ don’t know when. I️ won’t say more as I️ won’t spoil it for you.

Great suspense story

Great story with moral complexities and uncertainty. It kept my attention to the last minute. If you enjoy suspense and mystery, you will enjoy this book.

The performance was also engaging and a good fit for the story.

Kept me interested

Well written. Didn't like every character, but didn't roll my eyes about their stupid behavior

All I can say is WOW!

I could not stop listening to this book. Such a fascinating portrayal of a family. I recommend to anyone.

Novel about family told through a criminal accusation plot

It is first a beautiful novel about family and second a criminal justice mystery. I will recommend this novel to all of my friends who appreciate quality literary fiction but usually avoid courtroom dramas.

Heavy subject matter, dealt with sensitively

Good book, well written and well read. Many parents with see themselves in different characters within the book. Unexpected ending that I did not see coming and wrapped up fast.

Enjoyable, one-listen wonder.

The story was engaging and a page turner - so to speak. I went back and forth "Is he guilty? Yes or No?" But the ending was too much for me. I will not be able to listen to it again. I was disappointed.

One of the best books this year!

What did you love best about Defending Jacob?

Great combination of legal thriller and human emotion. Keeps you on the edge of your chair with the direction of the story changing constantly.

What did you like best about this story?

While some of the story was predictable, other key elements were not

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

His reading was excellent. He got the feeling of the characters out.

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

The end. Don't want to give it away.

Excellent ending!

Best story I've read in a long time. I can't remember the last time I was so anxious to see how the story ended. I wish William Landay had more books published. I'll read every one I can find.

Bravo 👏🏼

This writer clearly knows what they’re doing. This was written so clearly for a book that was so complex and intriguing. My jaw was literally dropped somewhere in last 30 minutes. I recommend this book to anyone who likes mysteries and crime/law novels.

And I’m very picky and not easily impressed, at all.