Many thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest novel by the wonderful David Baldacci. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!
It's 1968 in southern Virginia, when a Black man, Jerome Washington, is charged with killing the elderly wealthy white couple he works for. Jack Lee is a white lawyer who decides to represent Jerome, but fears that his legal skills may not be good enough to overcome all the odds stacked against his client. Enter Desiree DuBose, a Black lawyer from Chicago, who has devoted her life to furthering the causes of justice and equality for everyone. She enters into a partnership with Lee in a legal battle against the best prosecutor in the Commonwealth. Will they be able to prevent Jerome from going to the electric chair?
This is such a powerful book. Jack's speech after the trial is well worth the price of the book alone, and are words that each of us needs to really think about. Because while some things have changed from the horrible racial division in this book, many have not, and we all need to step up. Baldacci has once again created characters that make you feel about them and their experiences, which allow those bigger issues of power, racism and discrimination to feel so very personal. I also loved that these characters had recognizable flaws that made them feel more human. The courtroom scenes were gripping and wonderfully written. Highly recommended!
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