Do we really know our children? Do we really know our spouses? Do we really know our friends or our families? This is the central question that William Landay presents in his brilliantly written legal thriller. The novel opens with a bang – the death of a 14-year-old boy and Andy Barber, the protagonist, is the assistant district attorney.

As Barbar begins to investigate the death, small clues begin to point to his son Jacob, also a 14 year old and a classmate of the dead boy. Very quickly we go from an investigation into the trial of Jacob.

Barbar has to tell his wife that his father was a killer and has been imprisoned most of his life, and so was his grandfather and great-grandfather. His wife is stunned that Barbar never told her. The author brings in the genetic predisposition to murder, which is thrown around in the novel by the prosecution as a scientific given and not just a current theory making its rounds.

Landay clearly shows the isolation of the Barbar family to the point where you almost feel their pain. Barbar is totally convinced that Jacob is innocent throughout the entire novel. Is he?

There are twists and turns and the Barbers’ personalities play so well off each other, that it keeps you guessing even after you put down the book. Barbar and his wife see the events unfolding very differently and we watch as these two people struggle alone with these unimaginable happenings. This book will stay with you awhile, it will make you think, and what more can we ask of a book.

This book will also provide great discussions at book club starting with do we know our children, are we responsible for their actions, if we are when are we not – at age 21, 30? Would you do what Andy Barbar did, or his wife, or his father? Would you maintain a friendship with someone if their child killed someone?

Rating: 8.5 +++