Patnode’s legal thriller dramatizes true historical events as a lawyer tackles racial injustice in the late 1800s.

Archibald Stirling is a wealthy lawyer who lives in Baltimore with his wife and son. Descended from a line of distinguished lawmen, he’s confident in his ability and his reputation, both of which lend him much sway in his community—but everything changes when his Black housekeeper, Elsie, asks him to help her son, Henry, who’s been accused of leading an uprising and murdering his white employer. It seems inevitable that Henry will be convicted and hanged for the crime, and at first, Archibald is hesitant to take the case. However, after learning more about the situation’s blatant injustice and failing to find Henry alternative representation, Archibald is moved by his moral compass to defend the young man. While he was expecting some pushback, Archibald is shocked by the intensity of the opposition from his community, including his own family. In his battle to win Henry and the other Black workers the justice they deserve, Archibald risks his career and his marriage, along with the safety of his son and his home. Archibald’s character arc is inspiring as he transforms from a casually bigoted white man of privilege into a passionate ally of the Black community, unwilling to back down even when it results in the unraveling of his life and reputation (“if this is the price I pay for seeking justice, then fair enough. My new life starts here”). While the narrative could benefit from deeper development of the supporting cast—some characters, like Archibald’s wife, read as flat representations of varying ideologies for Archibald to either reject or accept, rather than well-rounded people with multifaceted motivations—the strength of Archibald’s characterization and the significance of his relationships with Elsie and Henry succeed in carrying the emotional heart of the story. The plot is tense and propulsive, impressing the personal and physical stakes of the situation upon the reader, and Patnode breathes life into an important historical fight for justice.

An exciting courtroom drama that brings a historic trial to life.