A Calamity of Souls by David Baldacci
Published by Pan Macmillan 2024

If you are still waiting for a suitable follow-up to the Pulitzer prize winning  ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’, rather than Harper Lee’s disappointing sequel, ‘Go Set a Watchman’, then this is the book for you.

Despite the fact that the plot is about a falsely accused black defendant and much of the action takes place in the courtroom, the author hasn’t produced a pastiche, indeed there’s no direct equivalent to Atticus Finch, there’s no Scout and it takes place some 30 years after the trial of Tom Robinson.

That said, there are similarities: it’s about social justice and achieving a fair trial in an era and an area where neither can be guaranteed.

Set in 1968 in Southern Virginia, this is the story of two murders and two defence lawyers. It’s also about what happens when there is political corruption, prejudice and hatred towards one sector of society.

The historical context – more recent than right minded people would wish – and the struggle for Civil rights, together with superb writing and tight plotting makes for a tense and ultimately heartbreaking legal thriller.

Devastating, brilliant and worthy of all the plaudits it’s received. An absolute masterpiece.