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Defending Jacob  By  cover art

Defending Jacob

By: William Landay
Narrated by: Grover Gardner
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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 GlobeKansas 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)

Featured Article: Go Beyond the Courthouse with These Legal Thriller Audiobooks


While listening to real-life litigations can be a bore, some of the most exciting mystery and crime plots unravel around courtroom proceedings. There's an exciting world of legal thriller audiobooks beyond the biggest names out there waiting to be discovered. Here are the best legal thrillers featuring scenes of courtroom drama and twisty legal plots that will keep you gripped and guessing until the gavel’s rapped.

What listeners say about Defending Jacob

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    6,181
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    4,486
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Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • 3 Stars
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Crime mystery? Legal drama? Philosophy!

Even though I remain unconvinced about arguments that violence may be hereditary, I enjoyed the thinking this book made me do. And I don't think it could have made me do that thinking if the characters, their concerns and anxieties, and their motivated actions weren't believable. Part crime mystery and part legal drama, the novel places you in the middle of at least 2 philosophical debates. The first is an age-old debate about the degree to which human behavior originates in nature or nurture. The second seems to be a newer one and focuses on the amount of responsibility parents should assume for the problematic behaviors of their minor children. Is it a parent's duty to shield and protect youth from the most deleterious consequences of their bad behavior? At what age does the protection end and the compelling them to take responsibility begin?

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Good to the end.

A bit of a surprise ending, but I understand the love of a mother. The story is well done and the narrator was very good.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • G
  • 10-07-16

I Did Not See the End Coming!

This was a good story, with a surprising twist. I predicted a few things that happened, but they were well written, and I was not disappointed that I had figured them out. So as not to have to warn listeners about a spoiler alert, I won't disclose the one aspect of the story I wish had been cleared up. It did take me a bit to get used to the narrator, but I ended up really liking his performance. Overall this is a good audio book, and I would recommend it to others.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Read only if you don't mind being depressed!

Lots of hours wondering about humanity and its foibles. Finished the book hoping the resolution would be acceptable. I am still waiting.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Well Done! (Defending Jacob)

My wife suggested this book for a road trip from Boston to Denver. It’s a great story and very well read. My daughter and I were riveted during the reading/listening sessions and couldn't wait to get back in the car to pick up where we left off the night before. It made driving I-80 through Iowa and Nebraska even better. (Even the 7 month old Golden pup/passenger was entranced!)

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Poor ending

Depressing with poor ending. Didn't like the narration. Had higher expectations but they didn't develop a key part of the story

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Weird - confusing

For the most part,the story line didn't grab me. I was sorry I had purchased it. It got a little better midway through. The ending came as a big surprise. Not sure I would recommend this book to anyone. I didn't feel it lived up to its reviews.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic!

Incredible book. Keeps you guessing until the end! I'm still in shock! The reading was okay, but the subject was awesome.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

fascinating story

Would you listen to Defending Jacob again? Why?

No. Narration doesn't do justice to story.

What did you like best about this story?

A really different perspective in that the accused teen's father is a DA.

What three words best describe Grover Gardner’s performance?

Only one voice.

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

You think you know your kid?

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Worth Reading

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

Yes I would this book keeps you guessing right up to the last page I love it!

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