by Jodi Picoult
First published 2010
Jacob Hunt listens to his police scanner and rushes to crime scenes around his small town. The teenager excels at forensic analysis and usually knows more than the investigating officers. Jacob has Asperger's syndrome. He struggles to make eye contact or communicate his thoughts to others. When a brutal murder shakes the community, police turn their attention to Jacob. His neurological behaviors mirror signs of guilt in their eyes. Emma Hunt watches law enforcement target her son and faces the prejudice that constantly threatens her family. Theo Hunt sees his brother's condition disrupt their lives once again. The Hunt family wanted only to blend into their community. Now they stand exposed under public scrutiny. Jacob possesses brilliant analytical skills but cannot navigate social situations. The central question tears at this small family. Did Jacob commit murder?
Genres: fiction, mystery, crime, contemporary, psychological-thriller, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: family-drama, outsider, social-outcast
Setting: Small Town
532 pages · Hardcover · Atria
Content warnings: ableism, mental-illness