A Knock at Midnight

A Story of Hope, Justice, and Freedom

By: Brittany K. Barnett

Narrated by: Karen Chilton

Length: 13 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

LOS ANGELES TIMES BOOK PRIZE FINALIST
NAACP IMAGE AWARD NOMINEE

A “powerful and devastating” (The Washington Post) call to free those buried alive by America’s legal system, and an inspiring true story about unwavering belief in humanity - from a gifted young lawyer and important new voice in the movement to transform the system.

“An essential book for our time.... Brittany K. Barnett is a star.” (Van Jones, CEO of REFORM Alliance, CNN Host, and New York Times best-selling author)

Brittany K. Barnett was only a law student when she came across the case that would change her life forever - that of Sharanda Jones, single mother, business owner, and, like Brittany, Black daughter of the rural South. A victim of America’s devastating war on drugs, Sharanda had been torn away from her young daughter and was serving a life sentence without parole - for a first-time drug offense. In Sharanda, Brittany saw haunting echoes of her own life, as the daughter of a formerly incarcerated mother. As she studied this case, a system came into focus in which widespread racial injustice forms the core of America’s addiction to incarceration. Moved by Sharanda’s plight, Brittany set to work to gain her freedom.

This had never been the plan. Bright and ambitious, Brittany was a successful accountant on her way to a high-powered future in corporate law. But Sharanda’s case opened the door to a harrowing journey through the criminal justice system. By day she moved billion-dollar deals, and by night she worked pro bono to free clients in near hopeless legal battles. Ultimately, her path transformed her understanding of injustice in the courts, of genius languishing behind bars, and the very definition of freedom itself.

Brittany’s riveting memoir is at once a coming-of-age story and a powerful evocation of what it takes to bring hope and justice to a system built to resist them both.

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY KIRKUS REVIEWS

©2020 Brittany K. Barnett (P)2020 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"A Knock at Midnight is a book that is just right for this smoldering moment, a memoir that offers an irresistible invitation to examine the evolution and the impact of injustice in America.” (Michele Norris, contributing columnist at The Washington Post and founding director of The Race Card Project)

“A crusading lawyer battles unfair sentences meted out in the 'war on drugs' in this passionate memoir...An engrossing legal drama complete with wrenching reversals and redemptions, this account richly humanizes defendants while incisively analyzing deep flaws in America's justice system.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

“With a penetrating honesty, Brittany K. Barnett masterfully unlocks the mysterious doors of the prison system, revealing a long tradition of racial injustice and inequality. In the spirit of great films like Ava DuVernay’s 13th, A Knock at Midnight is both an educational tool and a call to action that will leave readers enlightened and inspired for years to come.” (Shaka Senghor, author of Writing My Wrongs)

great book, very eye opening!

I couldn't put this book down, and can't believe How ignorant I am/was on how biased and unjust the justice system can be!

Phenomenal book and reading

Absolutely incredible, heartbreaking, inspirational, and informative. I had no idea any of this was still going on, and Chris’s story just broke my heart. Brittany Barnett has clearly poured her heart and soul into this book. I would (and have) recommend it to anyone and everyone.

An Inspiring Soul - PTG

What makes Brittany an inspiration is her sincere ability to be inspired by others. She does not turn from suffering. She willingly takes on great pain in her work, but nowhere in the story is she ever alone. When she feels most defeated, her clients realize and reach out with notes. (They know their lawyer cares). A beautiful, moving, intensely-compassionate true story of Post Traumatic Growth, in herself as well as her loved ones, clients, and surrounding change-makers.

Outstanding book

Wow, this story has opened my eyes to the injustices of our legal system. Excellent!

Outstanding! A virtual page-turner!

A Knock at Midnight is an incredible read. Not only did I learn so much about our justice system and how so many people are buried alive due to outdated and overly aggressive drug laws, but it also highlighted the humanity and hope of those who are imprisoned and who were blessed to be able to see freedom once again with the help of Brittany. This book is one of the best that I have read in a very long time. I am considering getting a hard copy to have it in my collection. You won’t be disappointed. Bravo!!!

Outstanding Book

The way that Brittany told her story was very authentic and heartfelt. I did not want to stop listening. Brittany is a person that comes every other generation. I have the gut feeling that there are greater successes that will come her way!

Truly Teaches and Inspires (hopefully to act)

The story is captivating. Takes a topic that could be lost in legal mumbo jumbo and presents it in is humanity form, which is how this travesty should always be spoken. It has given true life to this institutional racist system and shown a light on all the political characters involved. It has the capability of moving a reader to an active supporter of the work. My hope is that it does. Ms. Barnett is true brilliance as a lawyer and a writer!! just so inspired by her on many levels, WHAT A HUMAN BEING!!! The book is a gift and a blueprint of sorts for anyone wanting to start work such as this or other areas of social equity need. Also, the narration added to the experience, having listened to several audible books.

Wonderful book - wonderful truths

I really enjoyed this book. It was extremely educational and I am so grateful that Ms Barnett shared these stories.

Moving and inspiring

Brilliantly written, and equally brilliantly narrated, this story will inspire you, infuriate you, stir your heart, move you to tears, and hopefully move you to action.

please read this!

nonfiction that reads like a journal in a lot of ways. poetic, personal, beautiful. heart wrenching first hand accounts of people impacted by the war on drugs, with historical and legal context that indirectly makes a very compelling argument for prison abolition. this is not the first book I've read on this topic, and it was still enlightening in many ways and I learned a lot about the hard, true evils of the prison industrial complex, and systemic racism. and the writing is simply beautiful. please read this.