About the Book ~
As a barrister in 1818 London, William Snopes has witnessed firsthand the danger of only the wealthy having their voices heard, and he's a strong advocate who defends the poorer classes against the powerful. That changes the day a struggling heiress, Lady Madeleine Jameson, arrives at his door.
In a last-ditch effort to save her faltering estate, Lady Jameson invested in a merchant brig, the Padget. The ship was granted a rare privilege by the king's regent: a Letter of Marque authorizing the captain to seize the cargo of French traders operating illegally in the Indian Sea. Yet when the Padget returns to London, her crew is met by soldiers ready to take possession of their goods and arrest the captain for piracy. And the Letter--the sole proof his actions were legal--has mysteriously vanished.
Moved by the lady's distress, intrigued by the Letter, and goaded by an opposing solicitor, Snopes takes the case. But as he delves deeper into the mystery, he learns that the forces arrayed against Lady Jameson, and now himself, are even more perilous than he'd imagined.
For more information about Todd M. Johnson and his books, check out his website here!
My Thoughts ~
The Barrister and the Letter of Marque by Todd M. Johnson will sweep you into the past for a thrilling legal mystery!
The Barrister and the Letter of Marque was such a unique story! It's like Sherlock Holmes meets Downton Abbey meets Law and Order meets Regency England. William Snopes, after rejecting his father's title, worked as a barrister for the people among the lower classes, the downtrodden, and the "downstairs" workers, which gave a broader view of the era than usually found in fiction. The hint of romance culminating in the lovely promise of someday reduced my heart to quite the gooey state. Additionally, the legal mystery was unique and complicated, driving the story forward; however, the pacing felt a little slow at times. The plethora of characters were intriguing, but I would have loved to have gotten to know them a little more.
The Barrister and the Letter of Marque held other interesting, thoughtful layers. Truth, honor, and the shady lines we are willing to cross in the name of justice are woven throughout this mystery. As the characters reconcile these themes with their faith, one can't help but view their personal circumstances through this fictional lens, one that elicits conviction and insight in such a subtle manner.
Three Stars ~ The Barrister and the Letter of Marque by Todd M. Johnson takes legal fiction to a new level! The Barrister and the Letter of Marque is a standalone, but the ending gives hope for more.
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