Defending Jacob - William Landay

Defending Jacob

By William Landay

  • Release Date: 2012-01-31
  • Genre: Mysteries & Thrillers
Score: 4
4
From 3,911 Ratings

Description

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • NOW AN APPLE TV+ LIMITED SERIES STARRING CHRIS EVANS, MICHELLE DOCKERY, AND JAEDEN MARTELL • “A legal thriller that’s comparable to classics such as Scott Turow’s Presumed Innocent . . . tragic and shocking.”—Associated Press

This special ebook edition features exclusive bonus content:
• A new essay by the author about the inspiration for Defending Jacob and the book’s themes
• A behind-the-scenes interview with William Landay and Apple TV+ about the making of the TV series

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY Entertainment Weekly • The Boston Globe • Kansas City Star

Andy Barber has been an assistant district attorney for two decades. He is respected. Admired in the courtroom. Happy at home with the loves of his life: his wife, Laurie, and their teenage son, Jacob. Then Andy’s quiet suburb is stunned by a shocking crime: a young boy stabbed to death in a leafy park. And an even greater shock: The accused is Andy’s own son—shy, awkward, mysterious Jacob.

Andy believes in Jacob’s innocence. Any parent would. But the pressure mounts. Damning evidence. Doubt. A faltering marriage. The neighbors’ contempt. A murder trial that threatens to obliterate Andy’s family. It is the ultimate test for any parent: How far would you go to protect your child? It is a test of devotion. A test of how well a parent can know a child. For Andy Barber, a man with an iron will and a dark secret, it is a test of guilt and innocence in the deepest sense.

How far would you go?

Praise for Defending Jacob

“A novel like this comes along maybe once a decade . . . a tour de force, a full-blooded legal thriller about a murder trial and the way it shatters a family. With its relentless suspense, its mesmerizing prose, and a shocking twist at the end, it’s every bit as good as Scott Turow’s great Presumed Innocent. But it’s also something more: an indelible domestic drama that calls to mind Ordinary People and We Need to Talk About Kevin. A spellbinding and unforgettable literary crime novel.”—Joseph Finder

Defending Jacob is smart, sophisticated, and suspenseful—capturing both the complexity and stunning fragility of family life.”—Lee Child

“Powerful . . . leaves you gasping breathlessly at each shocking revelation.”—Lisa Gardner

“Disturbing, complex, and gripping, Defending Jacob is impossible to put down. William Landay is a stunning talent.”—Carla Neggers

“Riveting, suspenseful, and emotionally searing.”—Linwood Barclay

Reviews

  • Would not recommend

    2
    By Person with OCD
    This book from the very beginning, I had high hopes for. I wanted to read it then watch the tv show. This book was very slow and detail oriented to the point that it dragged it out and was not always entraining to read. The ending I never saw coming and even though the ending had a shock factor, I did not like it. It was extremely morbid. In my opinion this book was not written in a way that the reader could connect with the characters
  • Bella Historia

    5
    By Now hey
    Cada diálogo es bello la historia es algo para aprender wooo super
  • Enjoyable read

    4
    By CWalker212
    Overall, I enjoyed the store even though the father annoyed me at times with his willful ignorance of the situation. The ending drag on longer than it should, and the author could have easily cut out a chapter and still kept the current ending.
  • Kudos to Author for a masterpiece!

    5
    By worthweil
    I have read 1000 books in past 10 years. Most were non fiction because I was obsessed with personal knowledge. This book is like a great movie. You just can’t wait to see if the teenager did it. The characters and relationships jump off the pages! So many twists and turns. The ending just hits you like what the heck. The ending might depress you but it’s the ride that’s so exciting not the finish!
  • Page turner

    5
    By foreign_caitlin
    I had to read this book for one of my classes and it was the best book I’ve ever read for school. I couldn’t stop turning the pages or even put it down.
  • Amazing!

    5
    By DessyVo
    Defending Jacob was my doorway into a love for books. This book was incredible! It really shows you how far a parent’s love can go. I loved it. A must read.
  • Good Book

    4
    By mmmmlhghjj
    Great book. Story about what a man would do/believe for his own child.
  • Awesome

    5
    By Sarabear094
    I watched the TV show.! Loved it so far, so thought to read the book. It was amazing.!
  • Loved It

    5
    By Audit queen
    I did not see the ending coming. I went back and reread the last five pages several times. Wow! I really enjoyed the book. I would love to see the movie.
  • Mind blowing

    5
    By Gianna1067
    If you like twist endings you’ll absolutely adore this book. I couldn’t put my iPad down for a second, and I’m glad I didn’t. The characters are well thought out, and each obviously have their own flaws but that’s what makes them human. 9/10!