Defending Jacob

Defending Jacob is an American crime drama novel written by novelist William Landay. The book was published in January 2012 by Random House. It tells the story of a father dealing with the accusation that his 14-year-old son is a murderer. Plot Andy Barber is an assistant district attorney in Newton, Massachusetts. He is investigating the murder of a 14-year-old boy, Ben Rifkin, who was a classmate of his son Jacob and was found stabbed to death in a park near their school. Andy initially suspects Leonard Patz, a known local pedophile, but soon, he discovers that Ben's friend hints at the animosity between Ben and Jacob. Andy searches Jacob's room and discovers a knife that fits the description of the murder weapon. Unsettled by finding a knife in his son's room, Andy disposes of the knife on the notion of this being what "any parent would do." The next day, he is suddenly pulled off the case when a fingerprint is found inside Ben's sweatshirt that matches that of Jacob. The finding shocks Andy and his wife, Laurie, but does not shake their belief in his innocence. Jacob claims that he found Ben dead in the park and tried to revive him. While Jacob spends the night in jail, Andy reveals to Laurie that his father, Billy Barber, is a convicted murderer and rapist who is serving his life sentence at a Connecticut state prison. At the request of Jacob's lawyer, Andy reluctantly meets with Billy. He seems to be indifferent to Jacob's situation. At the trial, incriminating evidence comes out, including a story Jacob posted online which reads like a narrative of Ben's murder. Just when things look bad for Jacob, Leonard Patz is found hanging in his house. He leaves behind a suicide note taking responsibility for Ben's murder and Jacob is cleared of all charges.