The Barrister and the Letter of Marque

Written by Todd M. Johnson

Narrated by Samuel Roukin

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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 3, 2021
• ISBN: 9781705029749

Reviews for The Barrister and the Letter of Marque

[lamb521 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Title: The Barrister and the Letter of MarqueAuthor: Todd M. JohnsonPages: 416Year: 2021Publisher: Bethany HouseMy rating is 4 out of 5 stars.The setting for the story is 1818 in London. William Snopes is the son of Lord Snopes but gave up his wealthy upbringing twenty years ago. He is estranged from his father and supports himself as a barrister. He has avoided taking cases involving the aristocracy his entire career until he meets Lady Madeine Jameson. He agrees to hear her out but secretly has already decided he will not take her case because she is of the aristocracy. After hearing her case and consulting his subordinates, he decides to decline her case but wants to do so in person. He arrives at her estate and it is not at all what he expected. He sees the condition of the estate and knows Lady Jameson has told him the truth and is in dire straits. He changes his mind and agrees to take her case, never realizing exactly the powers that he is up against.Lady Madeleine Jameson is desperate for Mr. Snopes to take her case. She has invested all her money, as well as quite a bit borrowed from a smuggler and a crooked lawyer, in the purchase of a ship. The ship is captained by her cousin. The ship has sailed with a Letter of Marque signed by King George, which allows the ship to seize foreign goods from other ships that are carrying smuggles goods. The captain seizes such a ship, arrives back in London after a year at sea only to be arrested for piracy immediately upon docking. As the captain arrives in his cabin to produce his Letter of Marque, which assures the legality of his actions, the letter is nowhere to be found. The ship and cargo are held by the crown, so the cargo can’t be sold. Piracy is a crime that carries the sentence of transportation to a prison colony or hanging. Lady Jameson will lose her worn down estate and could herself be arrested as she is part owner of the ship. What unravels as William and his aides investigate is challenge after challenge seeking answers and justice and a deadly plot involving those at the highest level of power.I enjoyed the plot of the story very much, though it was a bit slow in some parts. This is one of my favorite time periods to read about, so I also enjoyed that aspect. The aspect of class differences as far as how justice was meted out and how life was lived were accurate I thought. There was no personal relationship with God in the story, so I’m not really sure why this is marketed as a Christian book and published by a Christian publisher. There were also some historical errors but that didn’t detract from the entertainment value for me.Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility.

[vintagebeckie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Todd M. Johnson’s contemporary suspense novels checked all the boxes for me — complex legal wrangling, underdog characters to cheer for, and page-turning mystery. I found all that and more in his newest novel, The Barrister And The Letter of Marque. This historical mystery set in Regency England features a clever barrister with a reputation for creativity in the courtroom. Barrister William Snopes and his colleagues take on a case of piracy involving a missing Letter of Marque from the Crown. Mysterious and highly influential people in society seem to be behind the case, and Snopes must uncover their identities before it’s too late for his client.I found the legal aspects of The Barrister And The Letter of Marque fascinating. This is not a modern-day setting with Miranda rights and presumption of innocence. Johnson does a great job of bringing the 19th century English judicial system to life. Sleeping jurors, a hostile judge, and all the weight of the Crown join together to make Snopes’ job next to impossible. I loved how the characters had to use their wits and experience without modern forensics and communication. I think this is one of the reasons I could not put this book down. Another reason was the view of British society of the time — both the glittering ballrooms and the back alleys. The reader sees the veneer and the underbelly. Of course, the characters were wonderfully drawn — main and secondary. I loved how the author included historical figures in the novel, making me use my Google search and ponder the what-ifs of their stories. Barrister Snopes is a character to love — earnest and sincere with a heart that is both tender and calloused. His story is unfinished, hinting at more to come. I can’t wait!If you are a fan of courtroom drama, historical details, and a complex story, then The Barrister And The Letter of Marque is the book for you. While set in an earlier era, the book will definitely appeal to fans of Sherlock Holmes (books and TV series/movies). I am passing this book on to my husband, a fan of all things British mystery. Can’t wait to hear his thoughts.Highly Recommended.Audience: adults.(Thanks to Bethany House/NetGalley for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

[bookworm_lisa · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love historical fiction that is full of intrigue and mystery. The Barrister and the Letter of Marque carried the perfect amount of both that left me anticipating the turning of the page as I dove into the world that Todd M. Johnson created.Lady Jameson made an unfortunate financial decision that took her and her family to the point of ruin. Their ship was seized in port for piracy, even though a Letter of Marque had been obtained. The letter disappeared the moment it was needed the most. Leading to the retaining of a barrister, William Snopes. Snopes is not just any barrister, he is exceptional. He uses frowned upon techniques to bring about a favorable verdict for his clients. His cunning, style, confidence, and tenacity lead Lady Jameson to his office to seek his help.The book is reminiscent of the classics. Snopes is willing to hunt down the evidence to determine why the Padget has been seized. Why was a family at the point of bankruptcy targeted? Why was the captain thrown into prison without a trace to his whereabouts? So many pieces of the puzzle did not fit. Snopes could tell that the case of the Crown would not bear up to scrutiny.The plot is intricate with many players. I loved how Johnson was able to bring them together in a near-seamless fashion. It was an intricate story that was easy to follow along and interesting to read.The story contains non-graphic violence.Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

[eyes92c · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Intrigue in high places!1818 London docks. A ship under guard, the captain Harold Tuttle disappeared, and rumours of piracy abound. Lady Madeline Jameson has invested family money in one last throw for solvency when her cousin obtains a Letter of Marque from the Regent. The Padgett returns triumphant to England with a valuable cargo of smuggled tea wrested from a French ship. In direct contravention of the law as it pertains to the East India Company and the tea trade.William Snopes is a barrister, the son of a Lord, who turned away from his heritage due to the despicable behaviour of his father.When Madeline visits to plead her case he little understands that the trail of breadcrumbs he has to follow will lead from the dangerous underbelly of society to the even more treacherous heights of society.Both Madeline and William are fascinating characters. Madeline in her passionate defence of the people and land she’s responsible for, William for his determination to rise to the challenge of defending cases in order to make a difference.Some illuminating forays into justice and the laws of the time plus the mystery of the situation made this a provocative read.A Bethany House ARC via NetGalley

[lifeofliterature · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Gripping from the very beginning, this novel takes interesting twists and turns that held my attention during the entire novel. This is my first book by this author, but I found that I greatly enjoyed his writing and his ability to create a complex plot with lots of components that tied together well. I liked that there were multiple voices (or point of views) in the novel, which allowed for a more complete overall picture of this very fascinating story. I thought the plot developed well and took the reader on quite a journey. The book shines with its focus on mystery. There are only hints of romance in the story. There are a few historical errors, but I could tell the author researched how courtrooms and law worked during Regency London. I liked this book a lot and will definitely read more by this author!I received a complimentary copy of this book from an Austen Prose tour with Laurel Ann Nattress. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

[vesper1931 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Due to the actions of his father, William Stokes leaves his home to venture to London to become a barrister. Twenty one years later, in 1818, he is approached by Lady Madeleine Jameson of Heathcote Estate in Essex. A cousin to Captain Harold Tuttle, accused of piracy because of the missing Letter of Marque. She wishes Stokes to defend her cousin in the court case.
A well-plotted entertaining Regency historical mystery, well-written, with its cast of interesting and likeable characters, main and secondary. A good start to what might be a new series
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[nadinec.keels · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

As a barrister in London during the Regency era, William Snopes makes it his usual business to defend the poor. But when Lady Madeleine Jameson brings him a case involving allegations of piracy against the captain of the ship she's invested in, the sense of injustice surrounding the mysterious case draws William's interest in The Barrister and the Letter of Marque by author Todd M. Johnson.A layered mystery unfolds in this historical legal thriller, and I was intrigued by William's nuanced view of pursuing justice and his unorthodox methods for doing so. The novel also involves a touch of romance that weaves naturally into the story.However, I realize that historical fiction isn't this author's norm, and the story isn't always true to the period. For instance, "penny dreadful" publications play an important role in this novel. But in reality, the publications weren't around until the 1830s. They were a sensation of the Victorian era, not the Regency, and they weren't called "penny dreadfuls" until the 1860s. They were originally called "penny bloods." There are other little historical issues, such as the narrator's reference to a "dreidel," a word that didn't exist in English until the 20th century. It seems strange to describe a circumstance of William's with a toy he may never have heard of, even by a different name.Also, I like to be gripped throughout a thriller or suspense story. But there were several times when this read felt long and slow to me, and I wasn't sure every scene was necessary.Nevertheless, I especially enjoyed the courtroom action, and the characters have additional brilliant moments. Other fans of legal thrillers may want to check this one out.____________Bethany House provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review.

[life2reinvent · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

After leaving his father’s prestige and wealth behind, William Snopes is a barrister scraping by in London. He has a strong sense of right and wrong, but his unconventional defense strategies disgust prosecutors and judges. A captain and his crew are arrested for piracy when bringing back a cargo hold of tea, for which the East India Tea Company has exclusive distribution rights. The captain claims to have a Letter of Marque, which allows its bearer to seize the cargo of foreign ships. The letter is nowhere to be found. The captain’s cousin, Lady Madeline Jameson, begs Snopes to defend her cousin, as she struggles to keep her family’s estate from financial ruin. The case becomes more complicated as more powerful and nefarious parties with their own agendas make it difficult - and risky - to figure out what really happened.Historical fiction fans will enjoy the twists and turns in The Barrister and the Letter Of Marque. There’s political intrigue both between and within countries and social classes. Lies are everywhere and told for countless reasons. The shortcoming is how firmly the characters are split between the good guys and the bad guys. When faced with adversity, the heroes faced the growing challenges with increasing grace. They defied death like comic book superheroes and quickly forgave each other for lies and deceptions. Meanwhile, the bad guys were weak and depraved, losing humanity as the story progressed. The characterizations led to a rapid move from ignorance to exacting knowledge of who did what, why they acted as they did, and what would be the appropriate way to mete out justice to the wrongdoers. Even with the stock characterizations, the story is well-paced and interesting. Thanks to NetGalley and Bethany House for the advance review copy.