Defending Jacob

This book will grab and completely occupy you from start to finish. It's suspenseful, engrossing and has some very unexpected events. The plot is timely, a 14-year-old boy, whose father is a district attorney, is accused of killing his classmate. Guilty or innocent, the accusation is devastating to Jacob and his family. How they deal with this disturbing news and the resulting nightmare is real and full of raw emotion.

As a former district attorney, Landay layers the story with nuances that come only from a real working knowledge of the subject. He keeps the suspense high and the reader guessing not only about Jacob's innocence but also the verdict at trial's end. As the evidence against Jacob ebbs and flows - the circle of doubt expands and contracts - twists and turns multiply and surprise - the plot stays fresh and interesting. In short an intense legal thriller with lots of courtroom drama and thought-provoking circumstances and events.