If you’re looking for a book that’s equal parts heart-wrenching and suspenseful, Charmaine Wilkerson’s Good Dirt should be at the top of your list. This gripping novel dives deep into the lives of the Freeman family, exploring how a tragic event from their past continues to shape their present.

At the center of the story is Ebony “Ebby” Freeman, a young woman from a wealthy Black family in New England. Her life has been marked by a devastating loss: the unsolved murder of her older brother, Baz, when she was just 10 years old. The crime not only shattered her family but also thrust Ebby into the public eye, where she’s remained ever since.

Now, as Ebby prepares to marry Henry Pepper, a rising star from a prominent white family, she hopes to finally leave the past behind. But when their relationship falls apart in a very public way, Ebby flees to the French countryside, seeking solace and escape. Instead, she finds herself drawn to uncovering her family’s history, inspired by a cherished heirloom: a 20-gallon stoneware jar known as “Old Mo.”

Crafted by an enslaved potter named Moses in the mid-1800s, Old Mo carries a hidden message that has been passed down through generations of the Freeman family. As Ebby delves into her ancestors’ stories, she discovers how this jar became a symbol of resilience, hope, and the enduring strength of family bonds.

Wilkerson masterfully weaves together multiple perspectives, from Ebby’s parents to her enslaved ancestors, and even Old Mo itself. The result is a rich, layered narrative that explores themes of intergenerational trauma, love, and the power of storytelling.

Good Dirt is more than just a novel—it’s a journey through time, grief, and the unbreakable ties that bind us to our past. If you loved Wilkerson’s debut, Black Cake, this book will not disappoint.