Baldacci once again displays his storytelling prowess as he brings to life the fear and social injustice exhibited by society, the judicial system, and the corruption of public servants placed in positions of authority through the arrest of a black man accused of murder in the south. He also shows how the courage of individuals willing to stand up and take a risk can make a difference and bring attention to this malfeasance of Justice. Excellent choice for readers of John Grisham’s A Time To Kill, Greg Isles Natchez Burning Trilogy, and Harper Lee’s to Kill a Mockingbird.

Baldacci captivates with a thought provoking and impactful story. The story is well-paced and hits on so many emotions, I found it difficult to set down.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This new legal thriller of David Baldacci's is charged with racial tensions and interesting characters. If you love courtroom drama and Civil Rights stories from the South stemming from stagnant prejudices of decades past, grab this book that drops April 16th. We meet characters that we fall in love with and ones that we absolutely despise because of their mindset and actions. I loved all of the late 60s historical references, but probably most of all, the To Kill a Mockingbird and Atticus courtroom references.

It's 1968 in Virginia. The Lovings interracial marriage was just recognized as lawful. Plessy vs. Ferguson has been overturned with Brown vs Board of Education over a decade ago. Desegregation (of schools, military, workplace, establishments...everything) has supposedly already happened. Sadly, none of these events make a difference in this Southern setting. George Wallace would soon be the first 3rd party candidate to really make a three way race in the presidential elections. Vietnam is raging and hometown boys are deserting. The times were tumultuous, and Jim Crow was far from being dead in Freeman County Virginia as a Black man is wrongly accused as murdering his two upper class, White employers. It's about injustices; ignoring laws; making one's own laws; fighting for justice; and lingering, ugly prejudices.

Thank you, NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this ARC. Definitely read this book in 2024. It will evoke so many emotions and pull at your heartstrings. 4.5 stars. So glad I read this one.

I have read and enjoyed all of David Baldacci's books. This book is so well written. Historical fiction and courtroom drama. A true classic in my mind, this book will touch you deep down. Based in 1968 in rural Virginia, the book features racism as it existed at that time. A black man falsely accused of murdering a wealthy white couple. A local white male lawyer partners with a prominent black female lawyer to defend him. There are political effects of a big trial such as this as well. I found this novel to be a BOLD five-star read. Highly recommend.

This book was hard to read due to the subject matter. It evoked anger many times - which is par for the course when reading about racial prejudice. The sixties were definitely a turbulent time. I was a child in 1968 and remember only a little of the disparity of those times. But, what I do remember was that Blacks lived on a different side of town and did not intermingle with whites. I grew up in Maryland and can't remember a single Black in my elementary school classes. In high school in North Carolina I do remembered only one Black in my honors courses. Integration did not happen quickly or easily. I'm so glad that times have changed for the better, at least in the area I live in now. I hope that is true everywhere, but I'm sure it probably isn't.

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 and 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. And he quickly finds himself out of his depth when he realizes that what is 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 everyone. She comes to Freeman County and 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 writing, 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.

My Thoughts:
This book brings forward the turbulent times of the 1960s. It is always difficult to stand up for what is right when so many are opposed. This was a gripping, gut-wrenching trial from start to finish. The book grabbed me from the start and I couldn't put it down. I was fully invested the entire time. I have nothing but admiration for the two attorney, Lee and Dubose, for their dedication and persistence. Baldacci is a masterful storyteller!

Thanks to Grand Central Publishing through Netgalley for an advance copy.

A Calamity of Souls by David Baldacci is a story about a civil rights attorney in the ‘60s, only he doesn’t know it yet. John Robert Lee (Jack) was a young lawyer living in Fremont County, Virginia, where he had grown up. He had a small building where he lived and worked. He came from a lower middle class family made up of his parents, a mentally retarded older sister (37) and a brother who had retreated to Canada after serving in Viet Nam. He represented people who had committed small crimes in his town. It was only when Miss Jessup, the woman who was a maid next door, called on him that he ever considered representing a black man. It was her granddaughter’s husband and he was accused of killing elderly white folks in their home. Jack called on Jerome in the jail and was aghast at his condition and his state of being. He started with that. He was not a popular guy in the town with this decision but his parents had quietly raised him to be fair to everyone and this was not fair. People Jack had known his entire life ignored him or were outright hostile and threatening. Then Desiree DuBose, a black civil rights attorney showed up to be his partner.

Jack was a quiet man as were his parents, but this kind of blatant behavior could not hold. He was convinced Jerome was innocent and set out to prove it. His home/office was set on fire. His sister was attacked. He put his heard down and quietly pursued what he knew was right. The worse it got, the more he dug in. There is so much to this story it is difficult to describe, and it happened in my lifetime, not 150 years ago. Baldacci has translated to the written page facts that we all know, but try to overlook. This young man put his life in danger for another human being. He learned things he’d never known about his family and his community. He didn’t think about color. As his parents had quietly taught him. It was a beautiful story in many ways as well as it was gruesome. Congratulations David Baldacci, on writing this important and timely book! I cannot say enough.

I was invited to read A Calamity of Souls by Grand Central Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #GrandCentralPublishing #DavidBaldacci #ACalamityOfSouls

In a tale that's reminiscent of A Time to Kill and To Kill a Mockingbird, David Baldacci has poured his soul into this amazing book. The book takes us back to the late 1960s in rural Virginia, a small town that has ignored the Civil Rights Movement and has continued on much as they have for years. Jack Lee and his family are forced to come to reckoning with their small town, and the people they thought they knew.

3.5 stars

It’s 1968, and it’s been fourteen years since the United States Supreme Court ordered the desegregation of public schools and four years since the Civil Rights Act outlawed segregation in public facilities, like drinking fountains and bathrooms.

This makes no difference in Freeman County, Virginia, where Whites and Blacks live on opposite sides of the McHenry River, and Blacks are expected to know their place.

Black maids and nannies can be seen working on the White side of town, but Black men are considered dangerous and not welcome in any occupation. Thus, it’s unusual for Black army veteran Jerome Washington to be employed by Anne and Leslie Randolph, one of the wealthiest and most prominent White couples in Freeman County. Jerome drives the elderly Randolphs around in their car, works in their yard, and repairs things around the property.

Jerome gets paid every Friday, forty dollars cash, which he needs for his wife and three children. One Friday, Jerome knocks on the Randolphs’ back door several times, and getting no answer, reluctantly ventures into the house.

Shortly afterward, Jerome is on his knees, his hands shackled behind his back, being viciously billy-clubbed by a white policeman, while another cop looks on. Anne and Leslie Randolph are in the dining room, dead and covered with blood. Jerome is arrested for murder, and in Freeman County, that means Jerome’s conviction is almost a certainty.

Even in Freeman County, however, a defendant is entitled to a lawyer, and White criminal defense attorney Jack Lee takes the case. Thirty-three-year-old Jack has always been aware of the unfair treatment of Blacks, vaguely thought it was wrong, but never did anything about it. Jack now has his chance, and he means to mount the best possible defense for Jerome Washington.

This infuriates White racists in Freeman County, and Jack is called names and violently attacked. Things get even more fraught when a female Black lawyer from Chicago, Desiree DuBose, becomes Jack’s co-counsel. Desiree works for the Legal Defense Fund and has spent her life fighting for Black rights.

The government stacks the deck against Jerome from the get-go. Working with representatives of segregationist George Wallace, who’s running for president, the state picks Virginia Attorney General Edmund Battle to prosecute Jerome, and Judge Josiah Ambrose to oversee the trial. This is massive firepower for an out-of-the-way town, and it’s clear the government has an agenda.

Though the odds are against them, Jack and Desiree mount a vigorous defense for Jerome. Along the way, they endure public hostility, threats, and violence.

Jack’s parents, Hilly and Frank, are ambivalent about Jack defending Jerome, and have other concerns as well. Jack’s older sister Lucy has the mind of a child, and Hilly—who had a dental procedure with nitrous oxide while she was pregnant—blames herself. And Jack’s father can barely stand to think about his son Jeff, a decorated soldier who had a crisis of conscience about Vietnam and deserted the army.

The book is a compelling courtroom drama and a realistic depiction of the struggle for Black civil rights. In his foreword, author David Baldacci explains that he grew up in Virginia during the 1960s and 1970s, and has personal knowledge of the racism, offensive language, and right-wing politics of the era.

Baldacci tries to temper the novel’s Jim Crow ugliness with the inclusion of a few touching scenes, but they feel contrived and unrealistic. That said, the book is a page-turner that’s well worth reading, especially since America still struggles with race relations.

Thanks to Netgalley, David Baldacci, and Grand Central Publishing for a copy of the book.

In the tumultuous year of 1968 in Freeman County Virginia, a murder takes place. When an upstanding wealthy, white, elderly couple are found dead in their home, the local law enforcement isn’t willing to look any further than their black handy man, Jerome. Jack Lee, a white attorney steps up to fight back against racism and takes on Jerome Washington’s case. Jack has no idea how his life is about to change, but he has had it with the deeply unfair system and is willing to put forth whatever effort needed to defend his wrongfully-accused black defendant. Out of his depth, he’s deeply grateful when Desiree DuBose, a black lawyer from Chicago shows up at his door. Desiree has devoted her life to furthering the causes of justice and equality and is willing to second chair alongside Jack. As the case heats up, so does the hatred. Is there any hope for Jerome or is he doomed by the racism that’s railroading him to the electric chair? A compelling story full of emotions, a tale of race, power, justice, redemption, equality, and hope. Always a fan of Baldacci, this was his best book to date. Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

This book was amazing.

Completely different from anything that I have previously read from Mr.Baldacci, but one I would recommend whole heartedly. It is not easy to read as it deals with some very difficult topics- but it succeeds in pulling out emotions. Lots of them, and many different ones - anger, sadness , empathy, respect, but most of all…..frustration. Frustration that this story is based on truthful facts showcasing the kind of events that have made up parts of our history. A history that I hope we have learned from.

I’d like to think we are better than this now as a nation, and for the most part we are, but I think that we can always strive to be better.

Great job Mr. Baldacci. Truly amazing writing. This was an articulate, impressive and most of all, an enormously impactful story.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. The opinions above are mine and mine alone.

What an intriguing and interesting story!
The pacing of the story is fast and keeps you engaged to the point you don’t want to put the book down!
A very thought provoking story.
Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I am a huge fan of David Baldacci and have really enjoyed his John Puller, Memory Man, and Atlee Pine series. So whenever there is a chance to grab a copy of his latest release, I am chomping at the bit. However, I was not as enthralled with this book as others. It was definitely not his writing style or his ability to tell a wonderful story. The topic of the book is what made it nearly impossible for me to finish. I grew up during the racial riots in the south and lived through some difficult experiences. The intense hatred and unbelievable violence that individuals had to endure due to the color of their skin is extremely difficult to comprehend. While the author does a wonderful job bringing you into the story and having you invested in the characters and storyline, the subject itself is so difficult to read.

However, I am in the minority here and I would encourage you to read the book and make your own decision. I am looking forward to another gift of words by this amazing author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

This was such a great story. Baldacci never disappoints, and this was a different sort of book for him, as it was set in 1968. It deals with some difficult themes, but he handles them well. I am sure our patrons will love this one!

David Baldacci, reaching back into the memories of his childhood and the history of the tumultuous ‘60s, has created a story that is heart-wrenching, thought-provoking, and sobering. But, it’s also a story of courage, hope, and vision. All rolled into one, I think this novel is one of Mr Baldacci’s best.

A Calamity of Souls takes place in the 60s, just a short time after the assassinations of Robert Kennedy and Rev Martin Luther King. While the South is coming to grips with the changing political and social atmosphere, Jack Lee is a solo law practitioner in Freeman County, Virginia. His fairly quiet and ordered world is upended when he decides to defend a Black man accused of murdering an elderly white couple who are also prominent citizens. It would appear that the case is doomed, given the evidence the prosecution claims to have. But, with the help of a civil rights attorney from Chicago Jack moves forward with the case, despite threats and violence.

I enjoyed A Calamity of Souls. It is well-written with well-drawn characters. It presents many of the issues that Americans faced sixty years ago and, unfortunately, are still issues today. It’s also an enjoyable legal thriller with well-conceived courtroom scenes and dialogue.

This book can be an uncomfortable read and it’s difficult to imagine the indignities and mistreatment people received during that time. But, it’s an eye-opener and certainly reminds the reader that we should never ignore history. It can repeat itself. Thank you, Mr Baldacci, for A Calamity of Souls. It’s a powerful book. NetGalley provided an advance copy.

This is terrific story – different from Baldacci’s usual storylines and definitely worth reading.
I gave it the following SCORE:
Setting: Southern Virginia, 1968
Characters: Jack Lee, a good attorney who has never defended an accused murderer, Desiree Dubose, an experienced Black attorney from Chicago who works for the cause of racial equality, two Black defendants, accused of killing 2 white upper-class seniors, and an entire cast of the Virginia entitled, dead set on finding the defendants guilty at all costs.
Overview: The prosecutors, politicians, community leaders, and nationally known political figures will stop at nothing to find the two defendants quickly, slam-dunk guilty, including legal tricks, threats, and, heartbreakingly, murder. While Lee and Dubose constantly debate their own motivations, they have to be constantly alert and use creative means to accomplish their goal of innocence for the defendants.
Recommendation: I rate this book 5 stars
Extras: This story covers many of the difficult issues still current – racial prejudice, special needs children, and women’s’ freedom of choice - and, while getting a little preachy at times, hits home on so many levels. You cannot help cheering for the defense despite the heavy odds against them.
Thanx to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to provide this candid review.

Bestselling and award winning author, David Baldacci has outdone himself in his novel, A Calamity of Souls. The novel takes place in 1968, in the south where the prejudice against Blacks is rampant. Even though there are new laws in place, many lawmakers and citizens won’t follow them, and there are problems. Jack Lee, a white, small town attorney in Freemont County, Virginia, chooses to represent Jerome Washington, a black man who is charged with the brutal murders of a wealthy man and wife who he worked for. The evidence is circumstantial, and the prosecution manipulates it unfairly. Many residents harass Lee, and his life is endangered while trying to solve the case.

Baldacci is a master at developing his characters, and readers will feel like they are actually living through the period and feeling the pain that the Blacks felt during the time actually felt. The unfairness is frustrating, and definitely a travesty, and those who do their research will find that Baldacci has hit it right on.

His genius storytelling style will keep readers on the edge, and the story is fascinating and unputdownable. Although it is expected that Baldacci will write a good novel, this one is over the top and should even be read by younger readers who didn’t live during the period. Everyone needs to be aware of what took place in the south during those years.

All told, this novel makes most of us who were not in the south during that time ashamed of the attitude of the whites versus the blacks. So much prejudice and unfair practices were experienced during this time, and even though this novel is fiction, Baldacci has woven the characters into a historically correct setting that will make readers feel the pain of those who were mistreated. This novel deserves more than five stars and is highly recommended. Baldacci does it again.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

Set in 1968 Freeman County, Virginia A Calamity of Souls by David Baldacci revolves around a racially charged murder case and the lawyers representing the young Black man, a Vietnam War veteran, accused of murdering the affluent white couple who were his employers.

Representing Jerome Washington is criminal defense attorney, thirty-three-year-old John Robert “Jack” Lee, a White man and resident of Freeman County. Jack, despite being brought up to be respectful of everyone irrespective of the color of their skin or social class, has never done anything to raise his voice against racial discrimination and believes that this would be his chance to do the right thing – not an easy decision given the instant backlash he faces from his own community- both on the professional and personal front- and the threats directed toward him and his family members. Despite having Jerome’s best interests at heart, he is clearly out of his depth. He is approached by Desiree DuBose, an experienced Black lawyer from Chicago whose reputation precedes her. Desiree provides Jack with a much-needed reality check, helping him navigate the machinations of the prosecution who resort to every trick in the book to prevent Jerome from getting a fair trial. The narrative follows Jack and Desiree as they fight for justice for Jerome in the face of much adversity including personal threats from a racially divided community, political bigwigs who want to send a strong message to further their own agenda, and a corrupt criminal justice system that would readily convict an innocent Black man instead of searching for the real killer.

A long time in the making and a departure from his fast-paced action-packed thrillers, A Calamity of Souls by David Baldacci is a brilliantly crafted, deeply thought-provoking novel that combines elements of literary fiction, legal and family drama, historical fiction and suspense. Though the premise might not strike you as completely new or original, the strength of this novel lies in its execution – the rich historical context, realistic characters, and intriguing murder mystery with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing until the final reveal. The author does a commendable job of establishing the setting – the racial tension in years after the passing of the Civil Rights Act, the volatile socio-political landscape and a legal system conveniently manipulated by those wielding political and judicial power. Several sub-plots featuring Jack and his family members are seamlessly woven into the narrative, allowing us to get to know Jack as a person and follow his personal journey throughout the events described in this novel. Both Jack and Desiree are well-defined characters, as are the supporting characters, each of whom has a significant role to play. Jack and Desiree’s partnership isn’t necessarily an easy one. They are from diverse backgrounds and despite being motivated to do the right thing it is expected that they would be wary of one another initially and I loved how the author addresses the differences in their convictions and life experiences and as they gradually grow to respect the other’s perspective even though they might not always agree with one another.

Please note that this is not light reading. The author captures a time and place where racial tensions are high and needless to say, which features several nasty characters, racially motivated violence and upsetting dialogue, heavy with racial slurs. Some moments will break your heart and some will leave you seething with anger. Despite the length of the novel and the large cast of characters, at no point does the narrative become repetitive or difficult to follow. Relatively slower paced but intense and immersive, this is an exceptionally well-written novel.

David Baldacci is a master storyteller and this novel will definitely be considered among his best works - the kind of story that stays with you long after you turn the last page. I promptly ordered a personal copy for my collection as soon as I finished reading the ARC.

Do read the Author’s Note where he discusses his inspiration for this novel and the autobiographical elements that he incorporated into the narrative.

Many thanks to Grand Central Publishing for the gifted ARC via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Calamity of Souls by David Baldacci is a book that you will never forget. The book puts you in the tumultuous times of 1968 in Virginia when many white people and black people struggled to get along. The laws had changed but the minds of many white people in Virginia had not. Jack Lee is a white lawyer who has spent his life in Freeman County, Virginia. Jerome Washington, a black man, who worked for a wealthy white couple is accused of murdering them. Jerome was their driver, handy man, and did many other jobs around the house for them. Jerome's mother is someone that Jack and his family know. When Jerome is arrested she comes looking for Jack to help with the case against Jerome. Jerome has never battled against racism, but believes in equality for all. After meeting Jerome and thinking it through, Jack decides to take the case.

Jack soon finds out that he's taken on more than just Jerome's case. He's also taken on the small minded people that are filled with hate before even knowing someone. This case has a national following as it's also quite political. Desiree DuBose is a black lawyer from Chicago who travels all over the country fighting for the rights of black people who are treated unfairly. She's fought in front of the Supreme Court and won. She's well known and she decides to head to Virginia to offer Jack her help. The big guns have been brought in to argue the case and even a judge was handpicked to hear the case. As things turn violent, Jack wonders if it's worth what he, Desiree, and his family have to go through for justice. It's an important case, but a lot is lost as this case is fought in court and outside of court. Will Jack and Desiree be able to convince a jury of 12 white people that their client is innocent? Will the violence get to Jack and Desiree? Will Jerome be able to get back home to his young kids or will he get the death penalty?

This is a very important book covering a very difficult time in the past. At times it is very hard to read the things happening, but stick it out! This book and the characters in it will be with me for a very long time. A Calamity of Souls is available now and one of David Baldacci's very best books. I rate Calamity of Souls 5 stars with my very highest recommendation. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an advanced copy of Calamity of Souls in exchange for a fair review. #CalamityofSouls

"A Calamity of Souls" by David Baldacci introduces readers to Jack Lee, a white lawyer from Freeman County, Virginia, who confronts his own complacency towards racism when he takes on the case of Jerome Washington, a Black man accused of a heinous crime. Doubting his abilities and fearing the odds stacked against him and his client, Lee partners with Desiree DuBose, a passionate Black lawyer from Chicago devoted to justice and equality. As they navigate a legal battle against formidable opposition, they realize that the case is emblematic of larger societal forces at play. Despite their differences, Lee and DuBose unite to fight for a fair trial and true justice, challenging the status quo and confronting powerful outside influences. With meticulous detail and vivid storytelling, Baldacci's novel immerses readers in a world that is both distant and familiar, offering a compelling exploration of justice, race, and the complexities of the human experience.

A Calamity of Souls by David Baldacci is an eye opening look at the amount of prejudice in the 1960's. The way the case unravels keeps readers guessing the outcome.