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)

Amazing novel about the power of denial

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I have recommended this book to any friend who reads. It's a gripping tale of the investigation and trial of the suspected murderer of Ben Rifkin, DA Andy Barber's own son, 14 year old Jacob Barber is the prime suspect. The novel talks about Andy's removal from the case, the isolation of his family, the trial, and the aftermath. Much of the last few chapters roll over the reader like waves. But the genius of the nuanced, intricately written account is not about the trial scenes, but rather more about what happens to a family, to parental love and knowing, to the relationship between two parents who have raised a young man that they thought was one type of kid, and is shockingly revealed to potentially be someone they never really understood or knew.Andy Barber can't conceive of a world in which his son has committed murder and as a lawyer, easily dismisses any evidence to the contrary. His wife, Laurie, slowly descends into a world in which she can imagine such a thing taking place. Whether or not Jacob did kill Ben, the changes in the family dynamic and relationships is a glacial melt. You can't see it on the outside, but inside it is becoming weaker and weaker until it finally collapses.

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

Andy Barber was my favorite character. He was to unendingly practical and so completely blind to his son's faults, it's astonishing as well as incredibly frustrating. He looks so closely, he can't "see" what he's looking at.

Surprisingly Good!

Would you listen to Defending Jacob again? Why?

I never listen to or read the same book twice. There are so many compelling reads out there that I'm always anxious to get on to the next treasure. I would certainly read/listen to other William Landay books and would look for others narrated by Grover Gardner.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Andy Barber. As a father and a lawyer, the fatherly role never lost faith in the innocence of his son. A very real trait that is true to most parents.

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

Andy Barber. Grover Gardner's performance of Andy Barber really made the character real for me. Very nicely performed.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, I looked for opportunities to find time and a place to continue listening. I usually listen when running, so this motivated me to want to get out there for my next run so I could continue with the book!

Any additional comments?

Just a great story extremely well read by Grover Gardner!

Very entertaining

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

Unpredictable,

What did you like best about this story?

The ending was completely unpredictable. I also liked that we could not see into Jacob's mind any more than his parents could.

Which scene was your favorite?

The description of the car ride Jacob takes with his mother.

Good listen

What did you like best about this story?

The best part of the story was the ending, it was unexpected but not in a gasp kind of way.

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

The way he read the story made it feel real. His voice fit the character making it seem as though it was a man telling you the story and not reading it to you.

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

Not particularly a specific part, but the book does make you think about what would you do in this situation.

A book that stays in your mind

This book was both wonderful and horrible. The story was well written, it is the story that leaves you feeling horrible. Great book!

Great story and reading

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

I don't know. I just listened to it.

What did you like best about this story?

It maintained my interest.

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

No I haven't heard any others.

If you could take any character from Defending Jacob out to dinner, who would it be and why?

I would take the narrator. He would be the only one I would trust.

Any additional comments?

No

Good Stuff

This was a great read and it fit nicely in the headlines we see daily.

Give it a shot.

Storm Seal of Approval!

Awesome Suspense - Defending Jacob

This was recommended by a friend and I loved it. The book had a great storyline, the ending was not what I expected at all. I could not put this down, and had to keep listening until I finished it.

Inherent Drama Well Paced and Performed

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

Inherently compelling drama

Who was your favorite character and why?

The father

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

When they are on vacation and trouble stirs anew

Any additional comments?

This is a very good story, although troubling and nightmarish.

A disturbing, realistic murder trial

I found the characters in this novel believable and the story engaging. I particularly liked the way that the author worked with varying the narrative over time and different proceedings in court.
Beyond the underlying story of a murder and a trial, the novel deals well, in my opinion, with the difficult issues of parental responsibility, genetic tendency and the taint of being accused.