A Calamity of Souls
By David Baldacci
- Release Date: 2024-04-16
- Genre: Mysteries & Thrillers
Description
Set in the tumultuous year of 1968 in southern Virginia, a racially charged murder case sets a duo of white and Black lawyers against a deeply unfair system as they work to defend their wrongfully accused Black defendants in this courtroom drama from #1 New York Times bestselling author David Baldacci.
Jack Lee is a white lawyer from Freeman County, Virginia, who has never done anything to push back against racism—until he decides to represent Jerome Washington, a Black man charged with brutally killing an elderly wealthy white couple. Doubting his decision, Lee fears that his legal skills may not be enough to prevail in a case where the odds are already stacked against both him and his client. He quickly finds himself out of his depth when he realizes that what's at stake is far greater than the outcome of a murder trial.
Desiree DuBose is a Black lawyer from Chicago who has devoted her life to furthering the causes of justice and equality for all. She enters a fractious and unwieldy partnership with Lee in a legal battle against the best prosecutor in the Commonwealth. Yet DuBose is also aware that powerful outside forces are at work to blunt the victories achieved by the Civil Rights era.
Lee and DuBose could not be more dissimilar. On their own, neither one can stop the prosecution’s deliberate march towards a guilty verdict and the electric chair. But together, the pair fight for what once seemed impossible: a chance for a fair trial and true justice.
Over a decade in the making, A Calamity of Souls breathes richly imagined and detailed life into a bygone era, taking the reader through a world that will seem both foreign and familiar.
Reviews
Can a novel be a page turner when you read it online?
5By From USAAWell written, engaging crime story. Well done. Tries to deal with the sorrowful prejudices that still divide America. Easy read…Baldacci never disappoints
5By Widget186A cautionary tale for our times. We need to fight heading any further back to the cruel past. Heed all the good words in this powerful story.Wow
5By RickyRoo8323An amazing read from start to finish!Justice, Race, and Redemption
5By RashRaidia757The story takes place in the south during the 60’s, and it dives into some heavy stuff, like racism, injustice, and personal truth. The courtroom scenes had me hooked, and the main characters in a struggle felt really real. It was an emotional, intense, and made me think long after I put it down. Definitely one of my favorite reads in a while.Baldacci’s Best
5By LDPOMSCould not put this book down. Clearly, one of Balducci‘s best and most thoughtfully written story yet. This is more than a novel. It is a riveting story that is as germaine to contemporary life as it is to the time in which it portrays.Too political for my liking
2By K feim MIWhile the trial part was interesting, the book was uncharacteristically preachy for Baldacci. I read fiction to escape from all the political noise. If you do likewise, I would of pass on this novel.???
1By Cate S. MorrisonAm I the only person that sees an issue with the censorship?….Excellent book
5By KarinaAndersonReally enjoyed reading this one. Love the characters and can’t wait for book two. They have a ways to goExceptional writing and story
5By Margaret PanopoulosA Very well written, informative book that keeps you guessing till the endPage Turner!!!
5By Emhead00This is an amazing read! I don’t think I did anything else during the course of this book! I could not stop reading until I absolutely finished it! Job well done Mr. Baldacci!Formulaic
1By KbayhamNo originality to the story whatsoever. Seemed like I’ve seen this movie and read this book a dozen times before. Is DB getting lazy? If this book is any indication, then the answer is yes.A Calamity of Souls
5By ReadingbytheseaVery good story, had some interesting twist. The characters, their feeling and believes were well written.A Calamity of Souls
5By fayeartistBaldacci at his best. Nuanced and erudite and human . Bravo!His best book yet!
5By Law TikI have read all of Baldacci’s books and by far this was the prize winner! Regardless of your personal or political beliefs, there is no denying how things were in the 1960s - there was racism not only in the US but also most of the world. Baldacci captures all of the issues of the day in a story that will have you in tears at times, unhappy at times, but in the end very glad you read this book!One of his best
5By Serene 2023I had forgotten how much I like this author. The story and its historical background is very moving, sobering, and so d….. good!Fantastic!
5By curlupandreadabookThis book was gut wrenching at times to read, but it was excellent at the same time. One of his best works.Excellent!
5By Carol Ann McD.Couldn’t put it down.Baldacci did not disappoint
5By ci6475Another good read from Baldacci. Too bad we’re still waiting for the better world hoped for in the book.Very well written and a spellbinder. Could not stop reading.
5By danbatExcellent book
