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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
  • 5 Stars
    6,265
  • 4 Stars
    4,504
  • 3 Stars
    1,638
  • 2 Stars
    353
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Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    6,417
  • 4 Stars
    3,491
  • 3 Stars
    1,110
  • 2 Stars
    237
  • 1 Stars
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Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    5,715
  • 4 Stars
    3,658
  • 3 Stars
    1,433
  • 2 Stars
    391
  • 1 Stars
    171

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

my thoughts

guessed most of book but never saw the ending coming. never bored when reading.

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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

Great Book!

Really enjoyed this book. I was definitely surprised by the ending and I'm rarely ever surprised!

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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

good read

I really enjoyed listening to the book be read. look forward to listening to another.

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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

Great Courtroom drama

Very entertaining courtroom proceedings. Really good story, character depth, and narration. Held my attention all the way through!

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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

Wow

Just read it - this was exceptional and I couldn’t wait to listen with every free minute I had

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

FINALLY finished!

I guess I’m the only one, but this was a painfully slow read for me. I didn’t enjoy it and especially struggled with the way the trial was narrated. They could have easily cut 3 hours of unimportant details from this book.

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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

Wow

This Story has some twist and turns that you do not expect. Its a great read, dosent feel heavy and the narration helps it along awesomely. One of the best reads. I highly recommend it.

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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

WoW I absolutely enjoyed this!! Compelling.

I really could not put it down.
very compelling wait out the back and forth it's worth it.

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