The year is 1968 in a very racially divided USA. George Wallace is running for President on a racist platform. Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr have been assassinated. In a Jim Crow south it is nearly impossible for a black person to receive a fair trial by a jury of his peers. Herein lies the background for David Baldacci’s latest novel, set to be published on April 16, 2024. I expect it will be an instantaneous best seller.

Baldacci explains that it took him ten years to complete this exquisitely written passionate tale that chronicles dark days in USA history. The topic has been addressed before by Harper Lee in “ To Kill A Mockingbird “ and John Grisham in “ A Time to Kill.” The storyline has much in common with its predecessors, which is why my rating is a four, not five. Nonetheless, this book felt important and compelling in its own right, and I highly recommend it.

Lawyer, Jack Lee, living in small town southern Virginia , is approached by the grandmother of Jerome Washington, to help her grandson, a black Vietnam War hero, who has been accused of the cold blooded brutal murder of the elderly white couple who has employed him. Lee is in over his head. With the best of intentions, the fact is that he has never defended an accused murderer, nor a black man at that! In a town where racism thrives, and the jury is all white, Jack is unlikely to save Washington from the newly resurrected death penalty Enter Desiree DuBose, a black, smart as a whip, savvy attorney from Chicago who has years of experience fighting inequality in an unjust legal system.

As Jack and Desiree flounder and find their way as a team, Baldacci introduces a myriad of suspicious characters, some with evil in their hearts, others with secret motives for murder, and yet others still who might have profited from this heinous crime. Who committed this murder? What secret lies within the victims’ family? Can a racist judge and prosecutor be beaten? Will two lawyers of completely different backgrounds successfully work together to uncover and reveal concealed information?

The more I read of this book, the more I liked it. Combining historical fiction with a legal thriller, Baldacci tells a story that will long be remembered. Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an advance reader’s copy in exchange for my review.

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. As a huge fan of David Baldacci, I was so excited to get an advanced copy of his newest book. I have read most of his books and this was a real departure from his previous work, and I was not mad about it. With this book, I felt like I was reading a John Grisham novel. As a fan of John Grisham, I was delighted. A Calamity of Souls will remind you of A Time to Kill and To Kill a Mockingbird. Even though this novel is set in the late 1960’s, it really could have read as if it were taking place today. My jaw was on the floor and my heart was ripped out of my chest by the end the book. I could not predict the outcome. David Baldacci is an auto-buy author for me. I highly recommend this book.

A Calamity of Souls by David Baldacci is a courtroom drama/mystery set in southern Virginia in 1968 during the desegregation of the South. It is an exceptional, very highly recommended novel.

Jack Lee is a white lawyer from Freeman County, Virginia, who agrees to defend Black Vietnam veteran Jerome Washington who has been charged with murdering his employers, Leslie and Anne Randolph. Even though it is clear considering obvious evidence that Jerome is innocent, it soon becomes apparent that local prejudices and outside forces are all working against Jack and Jerome to ensure a guilty verdict and they won't hesitate to use physical violence. Then Desiree DuBose, a Black lawyer from Chicago sent by the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, arrives in Freeman County. She has devoted her life to furthering the causes of justice and equality for everyone and enters into a partnership with Jack to defend Jerome. The two work together to fight against a system that doesn't want to accept change of their prejudicial beliefs.

In the author's notes at the opening of the novel Baldacci explains that this novel has been in the works for over a decade and contains autobiographical elements in the story. This was a tumultuous time in history when George Wallace was running for president and vehemently opposed desegregation and Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy had been murdered. The historical context is an important element to the whole narrative.

The characters are all wonderfully, fully realized and come to life in A Calamity of Souls. The well-developed characters help set this one apart. The actual narrative is a subject that has been told before in several other excellent novels and this is a welcomed edition to that group. Baldacci's experience as a lawyer help make the preparations for the defense and the trial come to life. There are plenty of twists and evidence revealed to surprise you and make this an exceptional novel that should resonate with most readers.

Once you start reading you will not be able to put A Calamity of Souls aside. It will hold your complete attention and the pages will just fly by. In fact, I was so engrossed in the narrative that after I finished it I was surprised to see the length of the novel. Thanks to Grand Central for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The review will be published on Edelweiss, X, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

This was such an experience. I went through all the emotions while reading it. I loved the characters and the story. Fantastic all around. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.

A Calamity of Souls takes place in the deep south in the late sixties. Jack Lee is a white lawyer defending an African American man who is accused of murdering a wealthy white couple. Jack Lee is scared yet brave, knowing that he will soon become the target of hatred.

This book pulled me in from the first sentence! I felt like I was right there. The characters are amazing. Some I love and some not so much. Many times I felt sick to my stomach reading the hate that went on and still goes on for no reason other then someone being different. Hate is taught, we are not born with it. Some parts are hard to read but must be read. The author did a great job bring it all to life. I laughed, I cried, I cringed. I enjoyed this book so much and learned a lot.
The ending blindsighted me and that's not easy to do. I hope we will see more of these characters in future books.

I highly recommend this book to everyone. Thank you netgalley for providing a free advanced copy.

This is a racially-charged legal thriller, addressing a Black man charged with murdering the white couple he worked for in VA in the 1960s. There's also a political angle, as pro-segregation presidential candidate George Wallace gets invested in the outcome.
*
It's a fairly long book, and did take me a little bit to get into it, but once the trial starts, it's absolutely fascinating. A lot of it is upsetting and tough to read, how pervasive and overt the racism was. It's also far too easy to compare to very recent political commentary.
*
I did think it took a long time to develop any nuance in the characters. They come off as fairly one-dimensional at first, with the white lawyer representing all that is good, and every other white person being evil. That did get better, but the protagonist was a bit insufferable at first.
*
The other issue I had with this is that when characters are introduced, the race is only mentioned when they're Black, and it's assumed for white characters. ("the librarian, a fussy old woman" vs "a shirtless Black boy on the sidewalk". The author had a deliberate and thoughtful approach to how he handled using the n-word in dialogue, it was disappointing that he wasn't as thoughtful in the character descriptions.
*
Overall I think it was pretty good, I'd give it 3.5 stars.

Southern Virginia, 1968. Jack, a young white lawyer, decides to represent Jerome, a black man charged with the brutal murders of his wealthy white employers. As the importance of this decision begins to weigh on him, Jack doubts that his legal skills are good enough to keep Jerome out of jail. Desiree, a black lawyer from Chicago with far more experience in this kind of case, comes to town to help Jack, but even her skills might not be enough.

David Baldacci is one of my favorite authors and I have read almost every book he has written, but none of them moved me as much as this book. I read that it took him over ten years to write it, and I can see why. While not autobiographical – he is too young to have been a practicing attorney in 1968 – it’s obvious that he knows what he’s writing about.

Of course I was rooting for Jack and Desiree to clear Jerome of the charges, but at times during the story, I truly doubted that would come to pass. The attitudes and prejudices of many of the town’s residents appalled me – and did a double whammy on my heart when I realized that this is often still the case today, more than 50 years later. Have we as a nation really not learned *anything from our past?

For these reasons and more, this was not an easy book to read, but I’m glad I did, and have been singing its praise to every reader who will listen. That said, however, I feel like it might be a case of preaching to the choir – those that really need the lessons taught in the book either won’t read it at all or won’t like it, while those that do are already on board with the issues presented.

I cried.

Yep. I cried more than once. Sometimes (as expected), sad tears. Sometimes surprisingly happy and hopeful tears. I loved this one.

I approached with some hesitation – I was afraid that it was going be yet another white author telling a Black person’s tale. It wasn’t though. Baldacci is telling a story of heartbreak, complexity, and history that not only exposes the racism of the past, but the still relevant challenges of today.

The best character of all was Helly – she was so very complex.

This is a really good book and absolutely worth the read.

• ARC via Publisher

A big thanks to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an early copy to read and review.

Another captivating read from Baldacci. The first chapter was difficult to read due to the racially charged violence…and so it took me some time to get into the pace of the novel.

Fantastic courtroom scenes and inspiring monologues. While I prefer Baldacci’s more modern-set novels, this was a pleasant surprise for me.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Good story, reminded me of Grisham. Late 60s, turbulent times, especially in the south. A struggling attorney takes on a murder case of a black man murdering a white couple. This is his first case and, of course, it’s racially charged. To add insult to injury, the wife is also charged. An experienced attorney, not only black, but a women (!!) swoops in to assist. While she’s looking to exonerate the accused, she’s also politically motivated. There are the usual twists and turns, but it was, in my opinion, a page turner. I’ve always enjoyed the author’s books, and if this is what he’s going to put out, I hope he’ll continue to write the occasional legal thriller.

What a roller coaster of a novel. Jack Lee is a “hometown hero” white male lawyer who defends a black man accused of murder. Desiree DuBose is a black female lawyer from Chicago, sent by the Legal Defense Fund, who arrives in 1968 Virginia to help. Plenty of plot twists keep tension high. Much of the story is heartbreaking and tragic although the novel ends with a bit of hope for the future. Probably the best Baldacci novel I’ve ever read.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Hands down my favorite David Baldacci book this far. I was not expecting all of this when I requested it from NetGalley, but I knew I couldn’t fail getting a Baldacci book. Interesting enough my parents were teaching in Southern Virginia during the time of desegregation and were right in the middle of all of the protests and the hate on both sides of the fence. It seems strange to look back at it now, but honestly, it wasn’t that long ago.
Jack Lee, a white lawyer, who was raised by parents who saw both side of the black and white lines raised a fine young man who saw the color of peoples skin, but didn’t understand why there was so much hate. He was asked to defend a black man who was accused of killing a wealthy white couple. There was so much on the line for both the defendant and the attorney and his family. This is just so beautifully written. When Baldacci describes a man as lean as a cattail, I knew that I would love every single page. If I could give this 10 stars I would!

1968 Richmond Virginia is the racially volatile setting of David Baldacci’s latest, a combination legal thriller and historical fiction with social commentary. The story pairs two attorneys who are seemingly polar opposites in defense of a black man charged in the killings of an elderly couple, pillars of the county.
Jack Lee , born and raised in Richmond, has mostly ignored the racism and brutality rampant in the lives of its Black citizens. Despite this, he takes on the defense of the accused and soon realizes his legal skills might not be up to the task as the case becomes very high profile, involving Virginia’s entire legal and political establishment in the prosecution of the man.
Enter Desiree DuBose, a Chicago-based civil rights attorney to add her substantial legal skills and political savvy to the defense. The two attorneys form an uneasy alliance to help save a man whose life is in their hands. They face secrets, political corruption, and danger as the case threatens to expose things that many in Richmond don’t want uncovered.
In spite of its often brutal and sad content, “A Calamity of Souls” is one of the best David Baldacci books I have read. I wonder if a sequel is planned, as the Lee and DuBose have definite partnership potential.

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for an advance copy for review

This book is like a whirlwind of emotions wrapped up in a gripping tale of justice and redemption. From the very first page, I was drawn into a world where the echoes of racism reverberate through every facet of society, and justice feels like an elusive dream.

Jack Lee, a white lawyer from Freeman County, Virginia, embarks on a journey that challenges his beliefs and forces him to confront the pervasive racism that has long plagued his community. Representing Jerome Washington, a Black man accused of a heinous crime, Jack grapples with doubt and fear as he navigates a legal system stacked against him and his client.

And then there's Desiree DuBose, the fierce and fabulous lawyer from Chicago who swoops in to shake things up. She's like a breath of fresh air in Jack's world, and their partnership is like watching a buddy cop movie—I couldn't get enough of their banter and camaraderie. Together, they face off against formidable adversaries, both in the courtroom and beyond, as they fight for a fair trial and true justice.

Baldacci's storytelling prowess shines brightly in "A Calamity of Souls." This novel is not merely a tale of legal battles; it is a poignant exploration of race, power, and the enduring struggle for equality. With each turn of the page, I found myself captivated, enraged, and deeply moved by the profound themes and richly drawn characters.

This book is more than just a gripping read—it is a catalyst for reflection and dialogue on the pressing issues of racism and discrimination in society. Baldacci's masterful narrative weaves together intricate layers of emotion and insight, leaving a lasting impact on the reader.

Honestly, "A Calamity of Souls" is more than just a book—it's an experience. It's like going on a wild adventure with characters you can't help but root for, and coming out the other side feeling like you've been through something truly special. David Baldacci has outdone himself with this one, and I can't recommend it enough.

ARC provided by NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing in exchange for an honest review. The Calamity of Souls is set in the south in the 60s where a black man is accused of killing his white employer. When a local white public defender teams up with a black lawyer from Chicago, they take on the case.

Parts of this story can be hard to stomach but it’s important that we realize this things happened. Even though this book exposes the vial and hatred of mankind, it also brings hope and the desire to do better for our neighbors. I highly recommend this book! Baldacci hit the nail on the head!

I’ve never been a huge David Baldacci fan, although I have enjoyed all of his books I’ve read, particularly the King and Maxwell series. Legal thrillers are among my favorite genres, so I was particularly interested in Baldacci’s Calamity of Souls, provided to me by Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

This one is set in Virginia in the mid to late 1960’s, and features a legal hero named Jack Lee, who is representing an African-American man named Jerome Washington, charged with the brutal murder of a wealthy white couple. Set in the early days following several legal decisions that are designed to provide at least a semblance of fairness to all citizens, regardless of color, the book lays out the situation in Virginia early on, as the deputy reading Jerome his Miranda rights at the jail “…knew that the legalese upon the paper was designed to help those people, who had committed crimes, usually against white folks.”

Jack is a product of his environment: his father has taught him that while his family “…may not break bread with colored folks, but we don’t break bread with rich folks, either.” Jack knows he is up against an entrenched system that is anything but fair: “…I have a better chance of becoming president of the United States than Jerome Washington has of ever walking out a free man from this.”

Jack teams up with an African-American attorney from Chicago, who has spent many of her years of extensive legal experience fighting for justice. Together, they fight for a fair trial for Jerome, and work to save him from what seems like a foregone conclusion to his trial: a trip to the electric chair.

Fans who have spent many years reading and watching similar stories (To Kill A Mockingbird, anyone?) will likely blaze through this one thinking they know exactly how it will turn out. But those of us who despair at the recent years of renewed overt racism in this country will appreciate the storytelling skill of Mr. Baldacci, whose own experience as an attorney has contributed to his success as someone who can entertain as well as inform the reader.

Recommended for fans of legal thrillers, as well as anyone who wants to have some hope for racial justice in and out of the courtroom. Four stars.

Baldacci chose a great descriptive word for his title. It definitely was A Calamity of Souls!

From a clerical error to the instability of a veteran of WWI to a triple Purple Heart recipient returning from Vietnam to the racial bias in a Virginia courthouse in 1968.

So well written, touching at the harsh truth of inequality playing out in a courtroom controlled by corrupt politicians swaying narrative for their small minded candidate to continue to hold one race over another. Never understanding a great nation can never realize its full potential until all its citizens are allowed to realize theirs.

A story like this confirms the premise that to protest makes change occur, but attitudes are slow to come along for the ride. But real change transforms attitudes. And with that you have sustained change. -Baldacci

Read it, think about how attitude affects community, nation and world.

Thank you NetGalley, Hachette Book Group, and David Baldacci for the opportunity to read this Advanced Copy of A Calamity of Souls.

Thanks to NetGalley for an arc, and for no pressure for a positive review. I requested this because I am a David Baldacci fan, but I confess to leaving it on my shelf for while because I wasn't sure I wanted to read yet another book about the black/white divide in our country. When I started, I read it in two days. I remember being alive in 1968, and racial inequalities were much worse than they are today. We should be grateful for the progress we have made. The injustice was palpable in this story, and the characters were so real that I could feel the pain. The courtroom action was compelling and unacceptable for those of us who believe in the rule of law. I highly recommend this story.

A thrilling historical legal drama that will keep you on the edge of your seat!

In the racially charged year of 1968, A Calamity of Souls takes us back to southern Virginia, where a murder trial sets two lawyers against a deeply unfair system. Jack Lee, a white lawyer torn between his prejudices and his desire for justice, teams up with Desiree DuBose, a brilliant Black lawyer from Chicago. Together, they fight for the wrongfully accused, navigating a treacherous path filled with powerful forces determined to silence the truth.

With its intricate plot and richly drawn characters, A Calamity of Souls is a captivating read that explores the themes of racial injustice, prejudice, and the fight for equality. It's a reminder of the struggles faced during a turbulent era in American history, and a testament to the power of collaboration and unwavering determination.

Thank you to NetGalley for the early access to this gripping novel. A Calamity of Souls is an unforgettable tale that will stay with you long after you finish reading it. Get ready to be engrossed in a story that will challenge your beliefs and inspire you to fight for what's right.

The author states this book was strated 10 years ago and kept getting shelved. Unfortunately, it has marinated too long.

There is no question David can write. Just go to his Memory Man series. Re-read Absolute Power. Read the "popcorn"novels over this "cause" ones. The characters are real. The word Art puts you in the scene. The issue is the story was written by Grisham 30+ years ago and the civil unrest was covered last year by Lehane.

The only thing they didn't cover that is new here is giving the lectures that Media spouts day in and day out. I agree with the book on this point: Look to Atticus Finch. I'm just saying, skip this book on the way.