House Rules by Jodi Picoult

House Rules is a novel by Jodi Picoult about a boy with Asperger's syndrome who was accused of murder. The novel shows the struggle between the boy and his family, the law, and his disability.
Jacob Hunt is eighteen years old and has Asperger's syndrome, which is a form of high-functioning autism. Jacob lives with his mother and brother, Emma and Theo Hunt. Jacob lives by a structured schedule and feels comfortable when all of his daily activities are planned. Any lack of structure or unexpected events cause him to feel anxious. He is obsessed with forensic analysis;the hobby consumes his life. The novel House Rules opens with Jacob setting up a crime scene (in which he is the victim) in order for his mother to solve. Jacob's need to engage in such activities as well as his obsession with detail often frustrates his mother and brother. When Jess Oglivy, Jacob's social skills counsellor, is killed, Jacob soon becomes a suspect. After arresting and releasing the first suspect, Mark Maguire, Detective Rich Matson asks Emma if he may talk to Jacob. After Jacob admits that he moved Jess's dead body, Jacob is arrested and charged with murder. The case goes to trial. In court, the prosecutor, Helen Sharp, raises the issues that all of Jacob's symptoms of Asperger's Syndrome are almost identical to the characteristics of those who are guilty. Also, the prosecution argues that most of the evidence proves that Jacob is the murderer... (Summary by Wikipedia)