I had had William Landay’s legal thriller “Defending Jacob” on my to-be-read list for quite awhile, ever since high praise about it came out after it was published in 2012. So I recommended it to my book club to discuss this month for a fast winter read, and it didn’t disappoint. I’m actually surprised that the suspense-filled “Defending Jacob” hasn’t been made into a movie by now (though it’s still in development I think). The twisted novel “Gone Girl” will beat it to the box office in 2014.
“Defending Jacob” has all the elements of a riveting “Presumed Innocent” courtroom crime drama. It reminded me a bit of the 1987 Scott Turow classic mixed perhaps slightly with Lionel Shriver’s 2003 novel “We Need to Talk About Kevin” — it’s just a bit different and maybe not as intense. But if you liked those, there’s a good chance, you should jump to get this one as well.
Landay’s novel is about a district attorney and his wife whose 14-year-old son, Jacob, is accused of killing a classmate. The evidence against Jacob doesn’t look good, though his parents believe in him and will do what it takes to prove his innocence. As his murder trial approaches and things seem desperate, the defense must guard against potential accusations in court that Jacob inherited a genetic disposition to commit murder based on his father’s violent family. On top of that, it must poke holes through all of the prosecution’s evidence.
“Defending Jacob” keeps you guessing till the end whether Jacob is guilty or not. Narrated by the father, the story portrays a family of three at the edge of its breaking point. It raises questions about what the responsibilities of parents’ with troubled teens have to each other, to their kid and to the public at large. I found the novel to be very compelling on this level.
My only qualm with the book perhaps was the redundancy with which it goes over the evidence before the trial then the same during the trial. I felt some of the book’s repetition in the middle slowed it just a bit. But the ending is definitely a doozy and a page-turner. I’m hesitant to say anymore, but just to get it if you like a good thought-provoking legal-crime thriller, then you’ll just fly right through it.
How about you — have you read this one? And what did you think of it?
This one was really amazing on audio, and I still find myself thinking about that ending quite often. I will be interested to see if they can do it justice on screen.
Yeah I agree Carrie. The ending is quite a thinker. Hope it comes to the big screen.
I received the ARC but didn’t get around to it at the time. I still have it and cannot wait to read it eventually. This year. I promise. This year.
Yeah it seems worth it. A fast read whenever you need one of those!
Everyone seems to be raving over this one. It’s not my usual sort of read, but I might have to try it to know what everyone else is talking about.
Test it out Kristen. I only read legal thrillers once very blue moon too, but it’s interesting.
I liked it too. I wrote about it briefly today. I thought it was pretty suspenseful, although I liked Gone Girl a bit more for its suspense.
I’ll check it out on your site Bryan. thanks. Cheers.
I listened to the audio version of this last year and absolutely loved it. I also listened to We Need to Talk About Kevin, which I heard afterwards (thank goodness, because Shriver’s book was awesome). I am glad you enjoyed it!
Yeah I’m sure that audios would be great on both of these. Pretty intense!
I’m surprised it hasn’t hit the big screen yet. It’s been around for awhile. Another blogger just recently read it too and he compared it to the Kevin book…which I still have a hard time shaking from my brain.
Yeah I wonder who would be the right actors for Defending Jacob. Hmm. I got to think about that. It should be out eventually.
Sounds fascinating to me. Couldnt imagine the nightmare of your child being accused of killing someone. I like court time stories.
Yeah you might like this one. Check it out. thanks for stopping by Erin!
This does look like a good one. I have a few ebook legal thrillers to read a well, your post reminded me, books by Paul Levine. Have you read him?
Harvee
Book Dilettante
Hmm Harvee — I don’t know Paul Levine. I will have to check his books out. thanks for the tip. Yeah this one was quite good.