An Unsolved Murder Haunts an Elite Black Family in New England

In her latest novel Good Dirt, Charmaine Wilkerson explores how trauma maintains transmission from one generation to the next to shape both familial bonds and ancestral heritage. This new novel shares many elements with her debut novel Black Cake which achieved critical success. Among New England's elite, Ebony “Ebby” Freeman leads a 29-year-old lifestyle as she resides in the small community of Black families. Henry Pepper stands as the fiancé of Ebony Freeman while the community hopes their impending wedding ceremony will help her restore happiness after dealing with childhood trauma.

At the age of 10 Ebby discovered her brother Baz's dead body in her father's study because unknown intruders had murdered him. Breaking by his side rested the fragments from the family artifact "Old Mo" which had been created by a slave potter in the 1800s. No one solved the murder despite the intense media exposure about the case. An international photography organization awarded the picture of young Ebby whose blood-soaked appearance brought worldwide recognition as "the survivor of a suburban disaster who was a Black child." Soh and Ed maintained strict protection of their daughter since the day she survived.

Our current times bring new attention to Ebby after her romantic engagement with Henry ends dramatically. Through public disgrace Henry's proposal breaks off with Ebby who feels completely humiliated. To escape her familial reputation she takes refuge at a French countryside farm where she spends her time writing about her past. During her visit she starts documenting the family history because echoes of their narrative from her parents and grandparents drew her attention to "Old Mo".

The novel unfolds through the perspectives of six generations of Ebby’s family, from enslaved ancestors to modern-day relatives, as well as others connected to the family. Even the jar, Old Mo, gets a voice in the narrative.

Enslaved potter Moses created Old Mo in South Carolina while carving the initials "MO" into the clay jar. Despite belonging to Martin Oldham who persecuted enslaved people through his cruel ownership the hidden "MO" initials vailed as a personal reference on this artifact. The work of Moses which suffered through slavery transformed into a powerful symbol for his descendants who followed.

One of those generations includes Edward “Willis” Freeman, Ebby’s great-great-great-grandfather, who carried Old Mo on his daring escape to freedom. Later, in his Massachusetts home, the jar became a tool for sharing secret messages among free and enslaved people. Over time, it symbolized hope and the belief that even in dark times, something good can emerge.

The special aspect of Good Dirt emerges from its focus on craftspeople specifically including Moses instead of typical agricultural details typically appearing in slavery literature. Through his portrayal of the Freeman and Bliss families Wilkerson undermines conventional expectations about race. Throughout the 1600s the operators have maintained ownership of property in Massachusetts while their members pursued farming and various traditional occupations including law and politics. Their power emerges from enduring challenges along with their triumphs instead of proximity to white-norms or feats of exceptionalism.

Wilkerson captures these themes beautifully in a moment when Soh reflects on her family’s place in their community, even after Henry leaves Ebby at the altar:

“This is what it means to be Isabella ‘Sojourner’ Bliss Freeman,” Wilkerson writes:

Daughter of one of New England’s oldest and wealthiest African American families. Top honors at both universities. Attorney and mother. Lifelong volunteer. Champion fund-raiser. Still the only Black woman in her neighborhood, after all these years, with all that this unfortunate statistic has entailed. Alas, Soh needs to be above slapping that superficial fool in his face, because there are people who are just waiting for a sign that a woman like Soh is beneath them.

Ebby remains firmly conscious about how society sees her because she battles to handle her dual sadness about Henry and her brother against social attention regarding her family's narrative. Through reflection Ebby realizes "Love leaves a memory in the heart even though your head knows it shouldn't."

In Wild Caught the narrative follows Baz's mysterious death and becomes a moving exploration about love and loss alongside the power passed down through family legacies. The narrative bases its depth upon extensive study while culminating in a positive rewarding conclusion.