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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
    6,267
  • 4 Stars
    4,504
  • 3 Stars
    1,638
  • 2 Stars
    353
  • 1 Stars
    181
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    6,418
  • 4 Stars
    3,492
  • 3 Stars
    1,110
  • 2 Stars
    237
  • 1 Stars
    127
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    5,717
  • 4 Stars
    3,658
  • 3 Stars
    1,433
  • 2 Stars
    391
  • 1 Stars
    171

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

I really, really,really, hate the "F" word

I suppose I could go back and count the times that hated word was used in this book, but, I don't want to, please don't make me! So I'm going to be a bit sloppy and simply guess that between the two worst offending chapters it's usage totaled maybe 30 times. I mean, REALLY?

Yet, I loved this book! Great narrater (so natural), great sound quality, great editing, terrific direction. The author nailed the characters, especially the teens ( mother of four here)! Very glad I knew nothing of the story line that could ruin the middle and end for me - resist the urge to sneak a peek or read a spoiler.

The story is told through the eyes of one of the family members: a realistic, understandable, complicated (though seemingly simple) clueless and endearing character. I enjoy the way the story is revealed, it keeps you intrigued in a very well crafted, tidy way. Nothing sloppy, lazy, stupid or redundant about this writing style (ok , ok except the multiple F Bombs), not over stylized or over polished or stilted either.

I actually care about the main character in such a way that when it ended , I found my imagination curious about his welfare and couldn't help wondering what he is doing now. I believe there could be a sequel based simply on the fact that after getting attached to a character like this I hate to see him drift off into the ether- what a waste of "life" that is. Mr. Landay, can you bring him back? Pretty please?
I am trying to not spill the beans so I will stop here. LISTEN TO THIS BOOK!

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

I so wanted it to be better

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Probably wouldn't recommend this book to a friend because there are so many better ones.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

TV movie...(that's what it reads like--and that is not a good thing)

What three words best describe Grover Gardner’s performance?

Okay.

Do you think Defending Jacob needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No.

Any additional comments?

Several significant elements were "overblown". It strives to claim a level of intensity and interest that doesn't actually exist in the real world. So ultimately, it rings very forced and in some ways, repetitive...

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

Didn't live up others high ratings

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No. The narrator was annoying. Sounded like a much older New Yorker rather than middle aged Bostonian. The story was drawn out. It was hard to believe the father's inability to question his son. His denial of other aspects of his own life were also difficult to believe and undermined the story.

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

Engrossing!

Could not put down. Stayed up late to listen just a few minutes more, and more, ....

Outstanding narrator.

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

Great book, unpredictable.

What made the experience of listening to Defending Jacob the most enjoyable?

The various twists in the story.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Defending Jacob?

The wear and tear trials may impact on on a family and on each individual. Changes you forever. The love Andy has for his son-touching!

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

No

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

Hope. To see what her perspective was on the family.

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

WOW

This was an amazing book. It is so well written, it has great characters, it is very realistic, it is completely twisted and I can guarantee you will not put it down until the end... WHAT A WOW book!!!

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

Good, but too coarse

good mystery drama, yet the vulgarity used offtimes was off putting. the story with ask it's bizarre twists and turns, all off it's pointing tho the corruption common to mankind could and should have been told without having to thrust at the listener such low level of language.

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

Guilty or innocent?

A little too wordy. Interesting examination of law, court processes, parenting, psychology and adolescence. I got board with the repetitive delema of innocence vs the acceptance of truth.

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

Great book

It is a great book with a complex plot and many twists and turns along the way

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

Captivating

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

Captivating, disturbing, unsettling

Who was your favorite character and why?

The defence lawyer - because he was the only rational character in the book!

Any additional comments?

I love a good mystery, so I enjoyed this audiobook because the author kept you wondering

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