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)

Will Keep You Guessing!

What did you like best about this story?

I liked this story but the subject was hard to take. What would I do if this were my child?

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

Yes, the time on vacation. I hated to think of that girl because it reminded me of Natalee Holloway.

Interesting family dynamics

Where does Defending Jacob rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It is probably a top ten.

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

When the mother decides to take justice into her own hands

Good story that kept you guessing

Would you listen to Defending Jacob again? Why?

No, it was a good story, but now that I know the ending there would not be a need to listen again.

Any additional comments?

I thought the book was a good overall read, but Andy's character was a bit annoying. The twist at the end was a huge surprise.

Intriguing...thought provoking.

Provides excellent discussion points for book club debates. Hard to wrap my mind around and distinguish between the boundaries of responsibility, The human mind and logic war with the emotions.

Great book

What did you love best about Defending Jacob?

Super riveting listening....a little long winded in the court room scenes perhaps ...but a great book overall.

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

Liked Grover Gardner's style of reading, speed and clarity

wellwritten story. really keeps reader involved.

Where does Defending Jacob rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Among my favorites. Abdorbing.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Abdorbing. A must read f or any parent.

Any additional comments?

Author keeps reader focused on story line.

Great book!

Where does Defending Jacob rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Loved this book! I couldn't stop listening to it! I usually save my audio books for my once a week long runs but I finished this in less then a week.

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

Loved the ending.

Any additional comments?

Grover Gardner was great! Loved his voice!

Good Read

The story is an interesting one and I like the way it was done with the grand jury. The plot does a nice job of keeping you wondering about Jacob's guilt or innocence. The reader did a great job of bringing life to the characters.

Monotone

Better than listening to nothing. Not one I would recommend but I didn't shut it down either.

Kept me captivated...

...but in the end there was a contradiction that was too glaring for it to be satisfactory. Most of the contradictions were because it is written from the perspective of one person and no one person can know everything. I have no problem with that.

I'll leave it at that rather than playing spoiler and in advertantly giving away the ending. Suffice it to say that the error is glaring and disconcerting and could have easily beeen resolved. You wonder whe edited the book.