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  • Defending Jacob

  • By: William Landay
  • Narrated by: Eric Meyers
  • Length: 14 hrs and 39 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (308 ratings)
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Defending Jacob cover art

Defending Jacob

By: William Landay
Narrated by: Eric Meyers
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Summary

Andy Barber's job is to put killers behind bars. So when a boy from his son Jacob's school is found stabbed to death, Andy is doubly determined to find and prosecute the perpetrator. Until a crucial piece of evidence turns up linking Jacob to the murder. In the face of every parent's worst nightmare, Andy and his wife Laurie will do anything to defend their child. Because, deep down, they know him better than anyone. Don't they?

©2012 William Landay (P)2012 W F Howes Ltd

What listeners say about Defending Jacob

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    160
  • 4 Stars
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  • 2 Stars
    8
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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • 4 Stars
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  • 3 Stars
    30
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

We need to talk about Jacob

Written in a similar vein to "We need to talk about Kevin". You have this feeling of doom from the outset and actually partly dread the reveal as you know it's going to be bad.

This is the first time I've got so into a book, I'll put off other housework to listen to it! It's not a simple case of did the son commit a murder, it's the impact it has on the family and the past the father has to face for the first time.

A great listen, you'll enjoy it.

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7 people found this helpful

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

‘enjoyed this - on the ‘We Need to Talk About Kevin’ theme (sort of..)

I’d recommend this as worth a listen, ‘nicely written if pretty improbable in parts; diverting & well-narrated, ‘kept me listening.

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4 people found this helpful

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

Heartwrenching, doomed and simply perfect

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I recommend it highly, but not when one is in the mood for a light read. This is a story narrated by a father and District Attourney that finds himself on the other side of the barricade defending Jacob, his teenage son who is accused of murdering a classmate.

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

The ending is somehow unresolved but heartbreaiking and memorable,

What about Eric Meyers’s performance did you like?

He was perfect in conveying the attitude of the narrating protagonist, who tries to remain calm while his world slowly but inexorably disintegrates

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There are several moments in the story where your heart really aches for the protagonist,
I found it particularly moving when he "discovers" the cruel teenagers' internet world, and what they say to and about his son, or when by chance they meet the family of the murdered boy.

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2 people found this helpful

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

Engaging and riveting.

This was very well read, I felt like Andy was talking directly to me and that I really knew him by the end. Ultimately, this is a book about the complexity of family, what it means to be a parent and the reality of unconditional love. Highly recommended.

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1 person found this helpful

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

A gripping tale, well told

I really couldn't put this book down, I just had to know how the story unfolded. Some aspects of how it was written was frustrating with odd queries / inaccuracies (eg how did police have the boy's fingerprints? ) but overall, the plot was carefully crafted abd well told by the narrator.

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1 person found this helpful

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

Was ok

But long winded about 3/4 to long not the best I’ve read, not the best.

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

Wow

Not my usual style of book but absolutely brilliant. And very well narrated. Thanks

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

Surprisingly good

I’ve had this in my library for a while but then randomly listened to it 2 or 3 books after Jodi Picoults “Nineteen minutes” and as I started I did consider listening to something else instead but I continued and they are very different books, just with a similar theme.

This was so sad, so well written, what would you do to protect your children? Could we believe our child capable of heinous acts? It was harrowing and the courtroom scenes tense. I just wanted everything to be ok for Andy and his family.

It flips between three different periods but nothing is jarring, it flows beautifully and makes perfect sense. Eric Meyers was amazing.



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

A reasonably good story

I wasn't hooked by this story but it was a decent one and kept me occupied for 15 hours.
I have one mild complaint. We never get a definitive answer to the main question. And that niggled me, coming away from the story.

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

Best twist I have ever read

Well written and great story. I will say that the back and forth between the main charactor and the lawyer started to get very annoying. The end though, WOW!!! Stick with it, Great conversation starter about what would you do?

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