A Calamity of Souls

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars | 25,790 ratings

Price: 4.99

Last update: 12-14-2024


About this item

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.

From the Publisher

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Top reviews from the United States

KWyly
5.0 out of 5 stars Baldacci at the top of his game!
Reviewed in the United States on 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!
Steel Magnolia
5.0 out of 5 stars Time Well Spent
Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2024
This is a book written in chronological order about a mystery that is revealed a bit at a time. Everything fits together and there are many twists. It can hold the reader’s attention and the end makes excellent since. This is like real life in fast motion. Characters are well developed too.
becca
4.0 out of 5 stars Prime Baldacci!
Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2024
Great characters in a fast paced historical thriller.
Kept me reading to the end. With a surprise twist at the end.
Avid reader
5.0 out of 5 stars ONE OF BALDACCI'S BEST!
Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2024
I couldn't stop reading this book so when I couldn't read the book, I listened to it on Audible. I stayed up late to finish the book - it was that good. The story is set around the time of the Civil Rights movement in the 60's and it's the type of book that would probably be banned in some states that want to pretend "life wasn't like that". Strong characters and a powerful message especially to those that have forgotten or never experienced what it was like back then. Definitely one of Baldacci's best!
Elle
5.0 out of 5 stars Comes through again
Reviewed in the United States on 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
Peggy G.
5.0 out of 5 stars powerful and moving
Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2024
Baldacci has hit another home run, but this time it is much more than just an interesting or entertaining story. This story is provocative, painfully honest and moving. Having grown up in the south, the child of parents who were racist (but not intentionally mean or hateful), some of the book brought back painful memories. It is worth the time to read and to contemplate its implications!
Susan Brown
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome read
Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2024
I could barely put this book down. The characters were so real and the story could be about our present times. A wonderful description of the judicial system working against blacks. 2 people made a difference despite being different colors
Kris
4.0 out of 5 stars Important book with fast-moving plot
Reviewed in the United States on 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.

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