Deena Woods, a 39-year-old attorney, has come back to her childhood home in Brunswick, on the southeastern coast of Georgia. Following a painful divorce and losing her job at a prominent law firm in Atlanta, Deena is dealing with the loss of her dear mother and her father's remarriage to her late mother's best friend. She is striving to rebuild her life and is currently employed as a legal advisor for a civil engineering firm. During a visit to the islands, Deena encounters an elderly Black man armed and fearful of a company attempting to steal his property. Despite feeling shaken, Deena is determined to uncover more about the situation. Deena stumbles upon a corrupt scheme targeting the poorer neighborhoods in the area, primarily affecting its Black residents. Developers have been unethically purchasing homes or land that have been passed down through generations at way below market prices. Much of this land was obtained by former slaves after Emancipation, leading to families losing their ancestral properties. Deena works to expose a series of local injustices and potential murders. Drawing upon the bravery of her own Gullah-Geechee ancestors, she refuses to back down, even though her safety is clearly at risk.
Author Wanda M. Morris, who is a corporate attorney, has become quite an accomplished writer. What You Leave Behind is a gripping legal thriller, filled with emotion and insight. The story features an engaging set of characters, particularly the resilient Deena, who comes home to heal but rises above her own personal tragedy to help others. For those who recently enjoyed John Grisham's Camino Ghosts, this book is an excellent complementary read.
Rated 4.25 out of 5 stars.
Legal Thriller.
Publication Date: June 18, 2024.
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