Andy Barber is an assistant district attorney. He, his wife, Laurie, and fourteen-year-old son, Jake live in a Boston suburb. One of Jake's classmates is brutally killed on his way to school and all the evidence points to Jacob. He is arrested and his father puts all his efforts into defending him.
The reader is kept in the dark as to whether Jacob is quilty or innocent so it makes it easy to identify with his father, who will do anything to protect his son. Unfortunately, his wife's emotions get lost in the process.
This is a disturbing novel but is compulsively readable. I taught middle school for seventeen years so felt compassion for Jake who had been bullied by the boy who was killed.
I also have two kids of my own and a granddaugter. Would I defend them as blindly as Andy Barber defended Jacob without any proof?
And how important is genetics in criminal behavior? Andy's own father is in prison for murder. Did Jacob inherit that gene? Did Andy? And does that matter at all?
This novel reads quickly but stays with you long after the last page.
4 comments:
Oh wow, this book does sound heavy but as a middle school teacher, I'm intrigued. I will definitely see if I can get this book at my local library.
I'm glad to hear that this one is good. I have it on my list at the library for either the eBook or audio - I'm not sure which. I'm looking forward to it.
This book sounds like it covers quite a few hot button issues. And yes, I can imagine I'd be asking the same questions as you in regards to my daughter if I read this one. Sounds like a great read.
You definitely have a lot of good reads on your blog. I'll see if there's any ray or ring I can join on bookcrossing. Thanks for the intro of good reads.
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