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)

Taken completely off-guard!

From start to finish I was on a hook. I kept trying to figure out how the story might end and I was thrown for a loop. There is a point where you think everything is wrapped up neatly just to find out that it is not at all.
This is a court-room drama, a mystery, a story about family dynamics...It contains coming of age and coming undone.
I really enjoyed it and at the same time it made me think. It is a good listen for any parent, Could this happen in your family?
The narrator is good. It is worth the listen.

Interesting

What did you love best about Defending Jacob?

I liked the questions raised in this book.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

It leaves a lot for each individual to evaluate and digest how or what they may do in such a position as some of these characters. It lost it's interesting edge when the authors personalities of the characters twisted the story and made it somewhat predictable - most common views in movies and books... (The "special" or unique view of a Jewish Lawyer or a Priest) - a more common majority stance may have added more.

Any additional comments?

This was a book selected by our book club. If this was made into a movie or TV series I would suggest the personal views of all sides of the situation be truly researched out bit more. For example: I definitely feel the the Catholic Church may have some conflict with the beliefs portrayed by the "father" in this book. And not to say that the "person" couldn't have those views however it's rare to imagine that someone, to dedicate their life to a faith, would have such conflict with some fundamental view of that faith. (I'm not Catholic) but I feel a little more research on that character could even add more to this book and the many questions and feelings it proposes. Also a little more development on the lawyer in similar aspects could enhance the process the book goes through. If the book played more to the commonality instead of the unique few of some of the publicly focused on characters I think the book would even pose more conflict in people and evoke the odd cross of feelings even better. Just my thoughts. I liked the ending and where it stands. I'm trying not to give anything away but it's worth a read for sure. Thanks

Unexpected

Would you listen to Defending Jacob again? Why?

Yes I enjoyed it. Legal drama spiced up with family drama.

What other book might you compare Defending Jacob to and why?

As good as a John Grisham novel

What about Grover Gardner’s performance did you like?

Nice easy listen

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

Riveting - do you really know your family

Any additional comments?

I will look for other stories by this author.

Defending Jacob is layered and complex

This is not just your average court-room thriller. It examines family dynamics, personality, character, and ethics as well as keeping you guessing and on the edge of your seat.

Highly recommended.

So close to being a great book

This book deserves a written review. I enjoyed this book very much but I can’t give it a full 5 star rating, rather a 4.5. The premise of the book was unique and I thought I had guessed the ending about mid way through but I was only half right. The ending though is where I had to knock off the half point. It seemed to me the book was so well thought out and the author actually rushed the ending or rather it didn’t seem that logical to me. Overall though, the hype of the book is deserved, it was a good book but just not quite where it would be an awesome book that you would tell people “you have to read this”.

Excellent Story

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

I preferred the audio version. I didn't have much time to try to read the book.. I felt like I was right there listening to the conversations. It came alive to me, something a book can't do.

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

This narrator is by far the greatest narrator in his field.He has so many different voices you knew who was speaking without having to find out who it was.

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

Jacobs dad was so determined to prove his son innocent. He was a wonderful father who showed great love and trust in his son.

Piccoult lover w/ Patterson on the side

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

couldn't stop listening

Who was your favorite character and why?

I loved his wife Lori because she was so introspective and was not afraid to ask the hard questions instead of just the practical ones.

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

I haven't but I would again

Any additional comments?

I love Piccoult, but find Patterson to be a little too plot driven. Landay had plenty of plot to keep things moving, but also more thought provoking moments especially about the decisions they had to make as a family. The addition of courtroom scenes really closed the deal for me. I loved it. I will be looking into other books by Landay.

Couldn't turn it off!

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

LOVED this audible book. Had me questing at every chapter. Great for book clubs...discussions are very interesting, morally provocative....best book I've read in awhile.

Couldn't stop listening

Would you listen to Defending Jacob again? Why?

I don't think I would listen to it again because some of the characters actions and lack of motives were frustrating

What does Grover Gardner bring to the story that you wouldn???t experience if you just read the book?

Andy Barber's growing panic and trying to hold it together.

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

Jacob - cause you just don't have a clue

Any additional comments?

Some audio books I like to listen to with a hard copy nearby for referring back to previous passages. This was one of those books

surprise sleeper story :) loved it-

Would you listen to Defending Jacob again? Why?

yes, the story was full of detail and it moved along in every chapter

Who was your favorite character and why?

Andy, because being a parent i could totally empathize with him

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

the inflection and the throw back 'Perry Mason' feeling of the mystery as it unraveled- loved his voice and narration

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

Andy- just his journey from beginning to end

Any additional comments?

highly recommend this book!