At the heart of the story is Andy Barber, a dedicated and successful first assistant district attorney in a prestigious Boston suburb known for its affluence and tight-knit community. He balances a fulfilling career with a deep devotion to his wife, Laurie, and their teenage son, Jacob. As a senior staff attorney who reports directly to the elected District Attorney, Andy is accustomed to handling high-profile cases that allow him to showcase his legal acumen and commitment to justice.

The tranquility of Andy's life is violently disrupted when a local high school student, Ben Rifkin, is discovered dead in a picturesque park near the school. In a shocking turn of events, Andy's entire world is turned upside down when Jacob, his son, is arrested as the prime suspect in the murder. This case is not just a professional challenge for Andy; it becomes a crisis that threatens to unravel everything he holds dear.

Through this gripping narrative, Landay delves into profound questions that resonate with parents everywhere: Can we ever truly know our children? What lengths will a parent go to in order to protect their child? How do family dynamics shift when one's beliefs about a child's fundamental goodness are called into question? The author also explores the various influences that shape a child's behavior, including the long-standing debate between nature versus nurture and the potential impact of genetic predispositions.

Jacob is portrayed as a typical, yet complex, fourteen-year-old teenager. He embodies the struggles of adolescence, often behaving as a puzzle that his parents find difficult to piece together. Jacob grapples with social challenges at school, where he is deemed unpopular and, at times, odd by his peers. Despite being active on social media, he maintains a guarded demeanor with his parents, sharing little about his inner life and ongoing experiences.

Amid the turmoil, Andy carries a heavy secret that complicates his family’s situation even further: his father and grandfather both had histories of committing murder. This troubling family legacy weighs heavily on Andy’s conscience, especially as he fears the prosecution might exploit this information to argue for the existence of a "murder gene" in Jacob’s DNA. After Jacob's arrest, Andy confides this dark secret to Laurie, adding another layer of tension to their already strained family dynamics.

As the investigation develops and evidence begins to stack up against Jacob, the District Attorney makes the decision to remove Andy from the case, resulting in his suspension with pay. Investigators learn from Jacob's classmates that he had previously been bullied by Ben and that he possessed a knife, suggesting a potential motive for the murder. Compounding the stakes, Jacob’s fingerprint is discovered on the deceased boy’s jacket, casting an even darker shadow over the case.

The interactions between the Barbers and their legal counsel, as well as a psychologist hired for Jacob's defense, become some of the most engaging and revealing moments in the book. During these poignant meetings, the family is forced to confront uncomfortable truths about Jacob, ultimately challenging their perceptions of him. Landay, drawing from his experience as a former prosecutor, offers readers an insightful and realistic portrayal of both the prosecution and defense strategies, while providing a detailed look at courtroom procedures and the broader legal landscape.

As the trial draws to a gripping conclusion, readers encounter a surprising plot twist that shakes the very foundation of the story. More than just a shock, the resolution offers a brilliant and unsettling ending that leaves readers contemplating the complexities of trust, guilt, and the often ambiguous nature of justice, ensuring they are left both satisfied and deeply reflective long after finishing the novel.