Set in the pre-Civil Rights South, the novel explores the story of a young black man wrongfully accused and sentenced to death for a crime he didn't commit. A local schoolteacher, at the request of the man's godmother, attempts to help the condemned man gain a sense of dignity and self-worth in the final days of his life. The story grapples with issues of racial inequality, justice, humanity, and moral obligation.

The novel is a heartwarming tale of friendship and love that transcends the boundaries of time and age. Set in Alabama, it alternates between two storylines: one in the 1980s where an unhappy housewife befriends an elderly woman in a nursing home who tells her the story of an indomitable woman in the 1930s. The other story focuses on the life of that woman who runs a café with her sister-in-law, their strong bond, and the murder mystery surrounding them. The narratives intertwine to create a touching and inspiring story about the power of female friendship, resilience, and courage.

The novel follows the story of a teenage girl who witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend at the hands of a police officer. Living in a poor neighborhood but attending a predominantly white, wealthy private school, she must navigate the dichotomy of these two very different worlds while grappling with the trauma of her friend's death. As she becomes more involved in activism and advocacy, she must confront the reality of racism, police brutality, and societal injustice.

"Paris Trout" is a gripping narrative set in a small Georgia town in the 1950s. The story revolves around a local store owner, Paris Trout, who kills a young black girl and injures her mother over a debt dispute. His violent act sends shockwaves through the town and his refusal to accept guilt, along with his lawyer's struggle to defend him, exposes the deep-seated racial and social tensions in the community. The book explores themes of racism, violence, and the moral decay of a society that allows such acts to go unpunished.

The book is a fictional autobiography of a biracial man living in post-Reconstruction America. The protagonist, who is born to a white father and black mother, initially embraces his black heritage and becomes a successful ragtime musician. However, after witnessing a brutal racial attack, he decides to pass as white to avoid racial prejudice. Despite his financial success and comfortable life in white society, he struggles with his decision to deny his African-American heritage.