About the Book
Book: The Barrister and the Letter of Marque
Author: Todd M. Johnson
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Release Date: August 3, 2021
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.
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.
My Thoughts
I honestly did not know what to expect with this book. The cover right away drew me in and I am so glad it did. Mr. Johnson's passion exudes through the book and it's evident by the details in the story. The characters were engaging and well written. William definitely is the main character but we also get to meet Lady Jameson and some other sinister characters.
The story is full of suspense and the themes of justice are the brightest points throughout the story. The book reminded me of the classic mysteries. I really enjoyed it and can't wait to read more from this author. If you enjoy mysteries that are based on legal issues and have a strong historical background then this is the book for you!
My Rating: 4 Stars/Really Liked it
I received a copy of this book from Bethany House publishers. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
About the Author
Todd M. Johnson has been a practicing attorney for over 30 years. Todd's passion for writing blends well with his legal career, and his novels are drawn closely from his personal experiences as a trial lawyer.
A graduate of Princeton University and the University of Minnesota Law School, Todd taught for two years as an adjunct professor of International Law, and has served as a US diplomat in Hong Kong.
The Deposit Slip, Johnson's first novel, debuted in 2012. His second novel, Critical Reaction, was released in October 2013.
A third novel, Fatal Trust, is set in Todd's hometown of Minneapolis, and released in early summer 2017.
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