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)

Was that a Perry Mason episode I just heard?

It is a good story and the performance was very good. The delivery got to me a little. It seemed as if the reader was trained for 1950's cinema or radio. Still recommend it though.

Good book

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

Suspenseful twists and turns

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

The ending

Have you listened to any of Grover Gardner’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Never listened to him before

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

The dad he never doubted his son and not many parents could say that about their children

A thrilling story with unexpected turns...

What made the experience of listening to Defending Jacob the most enjoyable?

The character development was excellent, only to be exceeded by the story line.

What did you like best about this story?

The best part was unexpected turns in the story line.

Have you listened to any of Grover Gardner’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

N/a

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

I see the mother as being the most memorable character, probably because I too am a mother and could identify with her emotions and her moral quandary.

Any additional comments?

The performance was exceptional, so real.

somewhat predictable but enjoyable

Is there anything you would change about this book?

It was a good book for what it was - sort of suspense trying to be literary I think. The best part of the writing was that the author did a really good job with the unreliable narrator and I'd definitely keep that. The thing I didn't like was that it was a bit predictable. I pretty much knew how it was going to end about halfway through the book - not the specific details, but the basics of it. I'm not sure how that could be fixed, but it was a flaw in my opinion.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Predictable. I knew it was coming.

Which scene was your favorite?

The scene when Jacob's father is talking to the girl in his school and she says something about how he must be a good father. I thought it was a moving moment and the layers and bit of irony were well done.

Did Defending Jacob inspire you to do anything?

Kept me on the elliptical trainer a few extra minutes to get to the end of a chapter.

Authentic and Compelling

Would you listen to Defending Jacob again? Why?

Yes as having the perspective of how the story resolves makes me want to experience it thorough that lens to see what I missed the first time.

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

To answer would be to divulge a spoiler,

Which scene was your favorite?

See above!

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

Justice, genetics and the nature of criminality,

Good story - unsatisfying ending

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

I loved the narration

Any additional comments?

This book was really good and kept my attention the entire time. However, then ending was not satisfying. By that, I mean there were still unanswered questions and I HATE THAT. I won't use spoilers, but there were things that happened in the story that the author did not go back to and explain and I kept WAITING for the explanation. Other than that, I really enjoyed the story.

Very enjoyable book!

Very much enjoyed this book! I liked Both the twists and turns as well as the courtroom drama. Good work!

Interesting take on a murder mystery

As a parent this is a very unique and engaging approach to the typical murder mystery. There were a few slow moments, but still a mindless break from heavier works.

What would you do?

Any additional comments?

Your son is on trial for murdering a classmate. As the trial unfolds, little niggling doubts creep in about his innocence. Nothing solid, just disturbingly suggestive. What would you do? That's the story this book poses. Highly recommended.

Good story with twists

What did you like best about Defending Jacob? What did you like least?

I enjoyed this book and thought the story was interesting. Watch out for the twists they are numerous and sharp!