The Barrister and
the Letter of Marque
by
Todd M. Johnson
A Review
Todd M. Johnson has written a fun piece of historical fiction. Based in the early 19th century, Lady Madeleine Jameson has gone into great debt to purchase and support the first voyage of the brig Padget after its service in the earlier war with France. Captain Harold Tuttle had received a Letter of Marque, allowing him, his crew, and the ship to capture smugglers and claim their cargo as its own. But when the ship returns to London full of tea captured from pirateers in the Indian Ocean, the Letter has disappeared and the Captain and his crew are arrested for piracy.
At that point, Lady Jameson contacts William Snopes, barrister, to defend Captain Tuttle, her cousin, at trial. It becomes immediately clear that something is amiss. Rather than allowing the defendant months to prepare for trial, he is given days. At the same time Captain Tuttle has disappeared - not to be found in any of the city’s jails. Potential witnesses have also fled town. It would be a difficult case.
The result is an exciting story that takes the reader throughout the streets of London and into the English countryside. The author mixes the best and worst of smugglers, politicians, and lawyers, to create an attention holding story for this reader. The plot involves some well known historical figures (i.e. the dandy Beau Brummell), though with some non-historical settings and events. We become familiar with the infamous Newgate Prison, the Old Bailey courthouse, etc. I can only hope that the author has enough imagination to continue the story into future volumes; alas, it does not appear likely.
The plot, characters, and setting, easily make for a five-star book.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.
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