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)

I liked it a lot.

This story was interesting. I enjoyed it and would recommend it. Narration was good, story line kept you listening.

Oddly Interesting

I cannot rave about this book. I cannot even say I enjoyed it. The story confronts both family perceptions and the legal system at the same time. The main plot, a 14 year old accused of killing a classmate, is eerie enough. Then family secrets are revealed that make one even more uncomfortable (which is usually why they are kept secret in the frst place). To further complicate the matter, the father is a DA who is willing to do anything to defend his son from what he believes to be is an outrageous accusation.

Grover Cleveland's narration was well done. I found it difficult to not remember his narration of David Rosenfelt's Andy Carpenter series. With the father beng a lawyer, it was hard to keep them apart.

The characters were very believeable. The story is very believeable. The ending did not quite flow and left a lot hanging. I truly wondered how it was going to happen and I did not anticipate it, but it was not complete. There were a number of loose ends remaining. Maybe that is why I feel so unsettled about the whole project.

Great storyline, but slow

This was such a great storyline, but so slow. It dragged a ton and I feel there areas that could have been better described

best narration ever experienced & a worthy book

this book was not read to us it was lived for us. What a mind and emotion grabbing story.which was enhanced by the narration. I have listened to it three times back to back in order to catch every minute detail. I had put off obtaining this book for a reason I no longer remember and got it when I could not find anything I wanted . I am grateful that I did, although it will haunt me for a long time.

Defending Jacob

This was one of the first Audibles I got right after it came out. I remember being disappointed with it on my first listen through. I saw that AppleTV recently made this into a miniseries and I wanted to reread it as I couldn’t really remember much about it after eight years, just that I didn’t love it. After re-listening, I remember why. This is depressing and there is nothing to really redeem it. The story is interesting and will probably capture many. I just didn’t like the way it turns out. I will probably watch the miniseries to see how it translates on screen.

excellent on all fronts

it will keep you guessing almost to the very end
and even then, an unforseen twist.

An Amazing Mystery

Suspenseful throughout. Twist and turns in a very well written and narrated "who done it. " Hard to put down .

Some parts were predictable

Decent story, but the narrator had no variety in voice characters. He didn't do any female voice and even between male characters, it was the same voice

i couldnt put it down!

I loved it! Audible was great! Actor was excellent!
Unexpected ending! I definately recommend this book.

A Most Unbelievable Plot!!

You think you know what's coming, but you are wrong...!! Huge surprise! Don't miss this one.