Intrigue in high places!

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

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 n provocative read.

A Bethany House ARC via NetGalley