The Barrister and the Letter of Marque By Todd M. Johnson

Summary

From: Rebecca Maney

Book Title: The Barrister and the Letter of Marque Book Author: Todd M. Johnson What do you like about this book:
"Who are these people? Why are they doing this? What do they want?"

What a brilliant historical thriller; begging the rather predictable question of "who done it", while simultaneously focusing on the unpredictability of "who" will come to the aid of the innocent, ensuring that readers will remain steadfastly engaged until the very end. Some rather unlikely heroes come forward with the truth, legitimizing the barrister's confident statement that, "the case will . . . be won or lost in the courtroom."

The barrister being referred to is of course the notoriously clever William Snopes, whose cunning, unorthodox methodology has begrudgingly earned the man a great deal of respect. This case however, is different from any other, for William must decide whether or not Lady Jameson and her uncle, Captain Harold Tuttle, are worth facing down the Crown, for the Letter of Marque has simply disappeared. . . . . assuming it had ever existed.

In spite of the rather methodical beginning, as most legal plots tend to require, this story gained momentum rather quickly as each and every character darted in and out of the shadows of possibilities, climbed in and out and around every obstacle and relentlessly pushed towards the inevitable certainty that the light of truth would prevail . . . and in this case, not a moment too soon.

"If lies are so unnatural, then remind me what truth is in this world, Mr. Snopes, and how it can be hidden so. I've forgotten.

Father Thomas will tell you from his profession that it is God's most fundamental trait. The essence of who He is. In the courtroom, truth is tool and brick: powerful to wield and the only foundation for real justice."

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, and also purchased a copy. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.