With mystery and suspense, and lots of twists and turns, The Barrister and the Letter of Marque by Todd M. Johnson takes us right into the world of Charles Dickens.
William Snopes is a London Barrister who is a strong advocate for the poorer classes against the more powerful upper class. Lady Madeleine Jameson invests in a merchant ship in an effort to save her father’s estate. That ship was granted a Letter of Marque - most unusual - which would allow them to seize cargo from French ships operating illegally in the Indian Ocean.
However, when the ship returned to London, the cargo is seized and the captain is arrested for piracy. The Letter of Marque has mysteriously vanished!
Snopes takes the case, but learns that their are forces at work against Lady Jameson, and him as well, that are far more sinister than either had imagined.
This one starts very slowly as the characters and background are introduced. Then the pace picks up rather dramatically.
This is my first time to read any of Johnson’s work. This book is well written, with authentic characters and well-researched historical details. Fans of historical fiction are sure to enjoy this one.
Many thanks to Net Galley and Bethany House for my copy of this book. The opinions are my own.
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