The novel, Defending Jacob, written by William Landay is a thought provoking book that digs deep into the complexities of family relationships, injustice, and the criminal law system all set up over the backdrop of the theme “nature vs nurture.”

The book starts with Andy Barber, a man in a seemingly perfect town, with a perfect family, and a perfect job as a District Attorney. That is until a fourteen year old classmate of his son, Ben Rifkin, is found stabbed to death. Andy arrives on scene distraught by the thought of a dead child but ready to pursue this case like he had done with so many other cases before. This is the moment Andy’s life gets turned upside down. Fingers start to point at his son Jacob, the online accusations get Andy taken off the case and the Barbers become  a new enemy to the town. 

The book explores the human capacity of murder, and takes us through all of the incriminating evidence against Jacob. Landay writes a complex take with a social perspective of the justice system that makes the reader feel like they’re watching the events unfold in front of them in real time.

Unlike other books, Landay does not romanticize the law system, rather he points out the looming shadow that is corruption in the justice system. Landay explores the motives of the new head prosecutor, Neal Londijuce, and how his motivations for prosecuting Jacob lie more on his drive to beat Andy, than to seek justice for Ben Rifkin’s family. 

Landay also explores the fragility of family relationships and how guilt can kill a family. Andy’s wife is a complex character who seemed to have a perfect life and be the perfect wife and mother, that is of course until Ben Rifkin ended up dead. Now Laurie is a broken woman who could not take the pressure of the town's eyes and criticism of her family. This forces the reader to question is blood thicker than water? Can you love a son who is a criminal? Can a parent believe their child is guilty? Can you love your son but put them in jail? Will the Barbers ever find normal again?

Through the book the trial reveals shocking details about the Barber’s dark family history causing the reader to question the time-old question of nature vs nurture. All in all, Landay takes the reader on a journey of guilt vs innocence and changes the narrative just when you think you have it figured out. The ending of the book is not tied up in a neat little bow, like so many crime novels have done before--but leaves the ending open to the reader to question-- which is a  reflection of the true complexity of the novel.