A Calamity of Souls

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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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A Calamity of Souls by David Baldacci is the immovable object of history slamming into the irresistible force of truth. An examination of a fractured place and time where the mores of the past were confronted by the implacable ferocious tenacity of justice. A tour de force."―S. A. Cosby, bestselling author of ALL THE SINNERS BLEED and RAZORBLADE TEARS

A Calamity of Souls, the story of a murder in southern Virginia in the mid-1960’s, may be the best novel David Baldacci has ever written, which is saying a great deal.  It has a gripping plot and a shocking ending, and even better than that, is also a perfect evocation of a difficult time in America’s history, propelled by deep and moving characters and beautiful writing. It captured me completely from the very first page.”―Scott Turow, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

"This is David Baldacci at his best. Using the law and the courtroom as the stage for a searing parable on race and the cost and courage to do the right thing."―
Michael Connelly, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“Baldacci deftly weaves together legal thriller and historical drama—a tale of high tension, false assumptions and stubborn humanity, where the law is a crucible for who we imagine ourselves to be and how much effort still lies ahead.”―
Stacey Abrams, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“A high-octane legal thriller anchored by a family drama that will break your heart.”―
Ken Follett, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“From its disturbing opening onwards, I couldn’t stop turning the pages, fascinated, moved, horrified. Packed with a richness of detail and prose so evocative it works like a time-machine, effortlessly transporting you to a troubled time in U.S. history; with characters that linger in the mind long after you have finished the book. An instant classic, I will be recommending this to everyone I know. Not just a great American crime story; this is a great American novel.”―
Alex Michaelides, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“David Baldacci vividly recreates Virginia in the throes of the civil rights movement, when the laws had moved forward, but the people had not.
A Calamity of Souls is a big-hearted page-turner about fighting for what’s right in a world filled with wrong.”―Jeannette Walls, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“This is the book David Baldacci was meant to write. Of course it’s filled with rich characters and a mystery at its core, but what makes this novel such a standout is the way Baldacci pours his own past into it. Terrifying, dazzling, and a true reckoning,
A Calamity of Souls is a time machine that proves the Civil War never ended—and that the only way out is together.”―Brad Meltzer, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"
A Calamity of Souls is a modern masterpiece, a court room drama set in 1968 in a divided Virginia, a fraught powder keg in the American south. A young, inexperienced white attorney, Jack Lee, and his client, Jerome Washington, a hardworking black man beloved by his family, is falsely accused of murder. Jerome is in a fight for his life in a courtroom where he has been condemned before the gavel hits. This page turner is resplendent, timely and surprising, written in glorious prose that will captivate and enthrall readers. Nothing in Jerome and Jack's world is what it appears to be. There are secrets, and a shocking buried history among the families trapped in a legal system calcified in racism. In Baldacci's hands, this story is personal and the reader feels its urgency. This lustrous, atmospheric novel takes us back and moves us forward in one riveting read. An instant classic from America's favorite storyteller."―Adriana Trigiani, New York Times bestselling author

"Baldacci on top form - a tragic, gripping and intensely believable thriller."―
Peter James, Sunday Times bestselling author

"Bestseller Baldacci’s stirring latest... generates satisfying tension from Jack and Desiree’s clashing personalities, and his real-life experiences both as an attorney and as a child in 1960s Virginia lend the proceedings an air of uncommon authenticity. This ranks among the author’s best."―
Publishers Weekly

“A nuanced portrait of a time and place, brought to vivid life by a writer at the top of his game… Ever-popular Baldacci at his best will have his legions of readers flocking.”―
Booklist

About the Author

DAVID BALDACCI is a global #1 bestselling author, and one of the world's favorite storytellers. His books are published in over forty-five languages and in more than eighty countries, with 150 million copies sold worldwide. His works have been adapted for both feature film and television. David Baldacci is also the cofounder, along with his wife, of the Wish You Well Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting literacy efforts across America. Still a resident of his native Virginia, he invites you to visit him at DavidBaldacci.com and his foundation at WishYouWellFoundation.org.

Review:

4.5 out of 5

90.77% of customers are satisfied

5.0 out of 5 stars Baldacci at the top of his game!

K. · October 1, 2024

It was payday and quitting time. Jerome knocked on the back door of the house. When the elderly couple he worked for did not answer, he opened the back door and went inside. What he walked in on was a sight straight out of a horror film. Blood was everywhere. Two police officers rush into the room and Jerome is arrested on the spot.It was 1968 in George Wallace’s uber racially charged South and a black man found at the crime scene was obviously guilty. The officers were ready to string him up from the nearest tree. But settled with verbally abusing him and roughing him up a bit. New laws and all.Enter Jack Lee, an average run of the mill Southern attorney. Perhaps destined for greatness if he can save Jerome with an all white Southern jury and the racism that permeates the southern states in the sixties. With twists and turns, this hold your breath novel, captures the reader and doesn’t let go. Baldacci’s sensitivity in handling this racially charged topic should be applauded. He chose a tough topic and stayed true to the historical climate of the 1960s. The characters rang true, the dialogue was authentic, and the challenges of exonerating Jerome were many.Well written and expertly researched, the author wrote from his heart and even included some incidences from his own experience of growing up in the south, and wrote a book the reader can’t put down. A powerful book and a timely book for Americans who might be wondering why is everyone so angry.Do not miss reading the notes the author included in the front and back of this highly recommend this novel. I could not put the book down. David Baldachi is at the top of his game and this book just might keep him there! Kudos Baldicci for this five star read!

5.0 out of 5 stars Comes through again

E. · August 25, 2024

I love all his books. He is such an awesome author. He always keeps you on the edge of your seat with his great writing skills and his twist and turns. Once you pick up one of his books, you just can't put it down. Including this one. I think this one is a little different than most of his books. But it is a great read, It grabs you right from the 1st chapter until the totally unexpected end. This gets to the core of humanity, and everyone should read. Thank you again, David, for writing and sharing it with us. Gid bless, be safe, and keep up the great work

4.0 out of 5 stars Important book with fast-moving plot

K. · August 15, 2024

This is a page-turner that is also, I think, an important book. The story is set in the American South during the 1960s and depicts the racial tensions and injustices of the time. Having lived through this era, I first thought some of the background was a little heavy handed, but on reflection I can see that younger readers less familiar with what things were like then probably need the details. The courtroom scenes are riveting, but it is the honest depiction of the American past that gives the book significance and illuminates the struggles ongoing today.

5.0 out of 5 stars Jack

K.C. · October 7, 2024

David Baldacci can spin a good yarn. Very well written novel and very good plot. Enjoyed every minute.a lot of truth in what was written.

5.0 out of 5 stars A very power message

D.B. · October 3, 2024

Well written and well researched. Difficult to put down, excellent story telling and character developemnt . it would make a wonderful and engaging movie.

5.0 out of 5 stars A True, Factual Fictional Tale

A.C. · August 27, 2024

A moving, historical tale, a hybrid of fiction and fact, past and present, personal, regional and national. Baldacci’s skill and heart as a writer and human being serve to deliver a poignant and powerful novel with well developed characters, pacing and plot line, like his other work.In addition, it is telling a bigger story of American history and culture that leads up to our present circumstances and choices. The arc of the moral universe is comprised of many individual choices and actions. Thank you, Mr. Baldacci, for writing this story.

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable Read

E. · September 3, 2024

The suspense was minimal but the story, so enjoyable. Baldacci is always a great courtroom writer. His characters really come to life in this tale of the good, the bad, and the truly sad.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book

A. · October 4, 2024

Historical legal fiction page turner.

Great story!

G.C. · September 12, 2024

A well written account of the history of this era. A very interesting story!

Amazing read

A.C. · October 6, 2024

Baldacci surprises with this book, not the spy thrillers one usually expects from him. Its a powerful book set in the 1960s, the story woven around 2 murders eventually ending up in courtroom battle for justice against racism. Absorbing, extremely well written with the mystery unfolding in the end.

If you lived in 1960es, read this book.

O.A. · October 4, 2024

This book shows how it was only for about 60 years in USA. The colors didn't have any rights. Ordinary people and sheriffs could do what they wanted. This book is so near the truth that I couldn't stop reading.

Bok med förstörd omslag

F.f.h. · October 1, 2024

Boken har jag inte läst än då den kom idag.

good read

L. · August 3, 2024

another good read from this author

A Calamity of Souls

4.6

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