First sentence: Early evening shadows blanketed the study lit only by desk candles and a sputtering fire in the hearth.

William Snopes, our protagonist, is a barrister. He reluctantly--oh-so-relunctantly--takes on a new case involving possible piracy. Captain Harold Tuttle, the defendant, swears he had a letter of marque giving him and his vessel, the Padget, royal permission to seize cargo from French ships. (It's more complicated than that.) But the letter has disappeared. As has his first mate. And it seems that soldiers were waiting for them to dock...and waiting to charge them with piracy. His cousin, Lady Madeleine Jameson, is urging Snopes to take the case....

The Barrister and the Letter of Marque is set in the Regency period. It is historical mystery with a bit of romance.

I found this one super disappointing. The main reason I personally had trouble with this one was suspending disbelief. Johnson used real life historical figures as his villains. I suppose I could forgive him using Beau Brummell. But his use of Princess Charlotte was just all kinds of wrong. I think it was character assassination. What did she ever do to you, Todd Johnson???? But Princess Charlotte died in November 1817. And our story opens in February 1818. So we're to believe a corpse is actively committing crimes???? Now, there was another Princess Charlotte living at this time, a daughter of George III and not George IV. But William Snopes has a private audience with George IV (the Regent) and refers to Princess Charlotte as his DAUGHTER. I just don't understand WHY Johnson had to use real historical figures--and a member of the royal family--AS VILLAINS in the first place???????

The suspense was also off. William Snopes and his colleagues were literally the last to know what was going on. This led to this reader (aka ME) yelling at him throughout the book.

The romance was weak. Since the suspense AND romance were both equally weak and the historical element was sending off alarms of inaccuracy, there wasn't much left for me to enjoy.

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.

As I began reading this book, I was invited to spend time in London, during the year of 1818. This was a well researched work of historical fiction, which was filled with legal drama and a multi-layered mystery.

I always learn things as I read historical fiction. I learned about the courts and legal system of England in the 1800’s. A person’s class could have a huge bearing on the outcome of their case. People of all classes were caught up in the same web of corruption, greed, lies and unfairness.

Smuggling was also a big part of the story and I was given insight as to how it sometimes happened and why. It was a way to move and trade much wanted and needed supplies, while avoiding unfair taxes.

My favorite character was William. William was amazingly clever, quick-witted and so very observant. I would have enjoyed being a guest in the courtroom as he was busy defending his client and out-maneuvering the prosecution.

I really enjoyed the teamwork of an unlikely cast of characters who worked together to accomplish a common goal. I found myself cheering them on.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishing through NetGalley, along with a paperback copy. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

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 Netgalley for an eARC of this book.
England in the early 1800s, describes a carrier's life. Interesting plot that keeps one guessing. Well developed characters. A bit slow moving but overall an enjoyable read.

I have a book on my shelf called The Deposit Slip. It’s a contemporary legal thriller, published in 2012, and was Todd M. Johnson’s debut novel. When I reviewed it, I had hopes it would be the first in a series involving the main character, a lawyer. Those hopes were dashed when the next two books, although also modern-day legal thrillers, featured different lead characters. Nine years later, Johnson brings readers his fourth title, and it’s a marked departure from The Deposit Slip and its successors. For one, it’s set in England. It also takes place in the early 19th century.

The Barrister and the Letter of Marque is a cumbersome title to say the least, although it succinctly sums up what the novel is about. It opens when William Snopes, a young heir leaves his father’s home and is promptly disinherited. His crime? To protest his father’s actions regarding a tenant family. The narrative then moves forward twenty years and finds William and his employees in court defending a suspected thief facing deportation. Snopes uses various sleights of hand and other tricks to present his case, and his methods bring him to the attention of Lady Jameson. At first glance, at least to this reader, there seems to be nothing that can be done. It’s difficult to prove something exists when it can’t be found and, for the same reason, it’s equally difficult to prove the same something doesn’t exist either. It’s only because we get the perspectives of the “bad guys (and gals)” that we know something nefarious is going on, but Snopes must figure everything out for himself.

Since this is a Regency era novel, there is the usual mix of snooty gentlemen and ladies all concerned with their standing in society. We also see part of London’s criminal underside. The Prince Regent also makes an appearance, although he’s portrayed in a more positive light than in some of his other fictional appearances. Where this novel fails, however, is in the lack of historical accuracy about this time. First, there is the inclusion of two of the era’s more notable characters: Beau Brummell and Princess Charlotte, the Regent’s daughter. By According to everything I’ve read, Brummell was living in poverty in France in 1818, having fled there two years earlier to avoid his creditors. Princess Charlotte, meanwhile, had died in childbirth towards the end of the previous year. Their involvement here, therefore, rendered much of the plot implausible. Another important plot device is the publication of a “penny dreadful” story, but this type of serial literature wouldn’t come into fashion for another decade at least. The legal proceedings are interesting, with a couple of added plot twists, but Johnson had already lost me.

After finishing The Barrister and the Letter of Marque I felt more than a little letdown. I don’t keep much contemporary fiction on my shelves; that I’d hung on to The Deposit Slip was an indication of how much I’d enjoyed it. I’d hoped for a novel akin to that debut title, albeit in an historical setting. What could’ve been a good plot was betrayed by the historical issues as detailed above. The romance was there, but tried not to be, and felt a tad one-sided. Did Snopes’ emotions really help him decide whether to take on the case? Lastly, I felt a couple of questions remained unanswered and a couple of loose ends untied. These elements would make for a good sequel but given Johnson’s record, I don’t see one coming.

Disclaimer: Although I received an electronic advance copy of this book from the publisher, the opinions above are my own.

Wonderful legal thriller that follows a new barrister to the bench in this beautifully atmospheric setting of post-napoleonic War England. The economic hardships suffered during the war were strongly felt during this time of empty royal coffers and struggling estates. With charges of piracy, and hints of espionage that reach from the London underworld to the highest levels of society, the author has the perfect ingredients to concoct a masterfully penned historical legal thriller.

The joy in reading this novel is like peeling the many layers of an onion as the plot is slowly and expertly revealed with each turn of the page. The authors detailed historical research, knowledge of the law and talent with the pen has crafted a memorable story. I hope to meet barrister William Snopes again.

I received a complimentary copy from the author/publisher and Netgalley. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

4.5 stars

Wow! This twisty legal suspense set in the Regency era had me riveted to the page, never quite knowing what would happen next. It took a few chapters for me to get fully enthralled by the story, but there was enough that intrigued me to keep me reading. And boy… once William Snopes begins investigating the case (even before he completely agrees to take it) you won’t be able to put this book down until you’ve read the last word.

I don’t want to say too much about the plot because it’s so masterfully and intelligently drawn that you need to experience it for yourself, but I will say this: Very little is as it first appears, and no certain outcome is guaranteed. There are things we know that we know… and then there are things we think that we know… and then there are things that we don’t know at all. The same can be said about poor William & the rest of his legal team but, thanks to the various perspectives we are privy to during the narrative, often the things we think we know are things he doesn’t know yet. This adds to the overall mood of suspense that the story wears well and left me completely unsure how the case would turn out. Just about the time I thought I finally knew, something else would happen to upend all my assurances. Gah! This novel is so twisty and turny and atmospheric – it’s fabulous!

Bottom Line: The Barrister and the Letter of Marque by Todd M. Johnson is a riveting story that would do the great British mystery masters proud. The Regency setting contributes greatly to the suspenseful tone of the novel, as do the moments when we experience the story through a character other than our main hero, Barrister William Snopes. Johnson skillfully allows the tenets of the case to unfold with few hints as to how it will all play out, and in so doing he creates a handful of key players that we become deeply invested in. A dash of romance fed my love-story-loving heart, and I for one hope we get to spend more time in this world with these characters. Brilliantly done!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

The Barrister and the Letter of Marque
by Todd M. Johnson
Pub Date 03 Aug 2021
Bethany House, Bethany House Publishers
Christian | Historical Fiction | Mystery & Thrillers



I am reviewing a copy of The Barrister and the Letter of Marque through Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley:




William Snopes has witnessed firsthand the danger of only the wealthy having their voices heard, as a barrister and London and he's a strong advocate who defends the poorer classes against the powerful. But that all changes the day a struggling heiress, Lady Madeleine Jameson, arrives at his door.




In a last minute 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. But 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.




Snopes takes the case., Moved by the lady's distress, intrigued by the Letter, and goaded by an opposing solicitor, Snopes takes the case. But as he digs into the mystery he learns that the forces arrayed against Lady Jameson, and now himself, are even more perilous than he'd imagined.



I give The Barrister and the Letter of the Marquee five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

Although I, personally, have enjoyed Todd M. Johnson's contemporary fiction better than his new historical tale--The Barrister and the Letter of Marque--the author certainly didn't disappoint in this amazing novel. His obvious deep research, historical details, and vivid descriptions transport the reader to a time and place unfamiliar to most of us, I suspect. The page-turning plot delves into the legal system of 1818 London, piracy on the high seas, and intrigue in the upper echelons of British society. Johnson is a master of creating impossible situations, raising the stakes to painful proportions, and enticing readers to care deeply about his fascinating characters.

A new to me author and I can say that I’m glad I took the chance. Admittedly, this book took me longer to get into than I usually prefer, but once I did, I was glued to the end. The author delivers the story in short bursts, which took me awhile to sink into the cadence. The very beginning scene on the ship captured my attention and interest, but then the story slowed as the various players and locations were introduced. Once I was firmly rooted, I was curious about how Snopes could possibly win this case that kept staking the odds against him. With a group of side characters like Edmund and Obadiah, I began to see a success coming forward. The how and why were delivered brilliantly and found myself truly holding my breath and rushing to the end. Madeline and Snopes are both on a mission to see justice carried out and Captain Tuttle is so worthy of this seemingly hopeless plight. I am so glad I took a chance on this one and pushed through to the end. Just like when you meet someone new and need time to get to know their nuances, I just needed time to understand Johnson’s style of writing.

I received a complimentary copy, with thanks, from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are solely my own and freely given.

What I liked:

William Snopes; a tenacious Barrister who's like a bulldog when it comes to digging up evidence to prove Captain Tuttle is innocent of piracy charges. He’s a staunch defender of the underdog & reminded me a bit of Robin Hood. Lady Jameson; cousin of Captain Tuttle, who also invested in a merchant brig, The Padget, where he was accused of committing the crime. Distressed, she seeks the help of Mr. Snopes to challenge the charge against her cousin. What follows is a story quite twisty, intriguing, and delves into the darker side of historic London. I loved the immersive atmosphere Johnson created throughout the pages that made me feel as if I were a part of it.

What I didn't like:

It seemed to drag on in the beginning & much more detailed than I care for in a book. I skimmed most of the first 50-60 percent or so to get to the meat of the story—the gathering of witnesses, the finding of evidence & finally the courtroom proceedings. Once I got past that hump, the story moved quite quickly and ended in a surprising way. This is no reflection on the author, for his writing is (as I had stated) immersive & atmospheric.

In conclusion:

If you like a good Sherlock Holmes mystery with some twists & turns, I think you would enjoy The Barrister and the Letter of Marque. I found the story concept interesting and watching Mr. Snopes in action both in & out of the courtroom. I especially loved the ending, surprising & stunning at the same time!

*I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House and was not obligated to leave a favorable review. All opinions are mine. *

William Snopes abandoned his privileged life to become a barrister. Over his 20 year career, he has declined political cases or those involving the upper classes, preferring to offer legal representation to those who have been denied it through lack of status or funds.

His stance changes when Lady Madeleine Jameson asks him to defend her cousin, Captain Harold Tuttle, against a charge of piracy, which carries a death sentence should he be found guilty, and save her family from financial ruin. A Letter of Marque issued by the Crown which would prove Tuttle's innocence has mysteriously disappeared. He is intrigued by the story she tells and also by the lady herself, but is reluctant to accept the case until he knows more. Snopes' preliminary enquiries meet with little success as he is unable to ascertain the whereabouts of Captain Tuttle or the identity of the other two investors in the Padget venture.

Snopes devises his own plan to flush out those involved. Unfortunately, the repercussions place himself, his team and Lady Madeleine in danger. When Snopes eventually gains access to Tuttle, the trial is scheduled to commence within a matter of days. Snopes and his team struggle to make a case for their client's defence in such a short time, but they are a tenacious lot and uncover an elaborate plot which suggests that the people behind it have wealth and power at their disposal. But who are they?

William Snopes is a very likeable character. He is honest, kind and passionate about what he does for a living. His other passion is music, which often winds through his thoughts. Despite his honesty, he is willing to bend the rules to achieve his aims and is often accused of courtroom trickery by his peers. His methods certainly make the courtroom scenes entertaining. Although he outmanoeuvres the Prosecution a number of times during the trial, he does suffer a series of set backs that threaten to derail his defence. An unsympathetic judge and witnesses that disappear or prove hostile make his task that much harder.

With time running out before the trial winds up, Lady Madeleine makes one last desperate bid to find a crucial witness. Help comes from an unexpected quarter and reveals to William that she has not been entirely truthful in her dealings with him.

I loved all aspects of this novel. Todd M. Johnson's experience as a trial lawyer made those courtroom scenes come alive and his depiction of post Napoleonic War England suggests a familiarity with the era which also enlivened this brilliant courtroom tale.

There is the basis for an excellent series here. Whether or not Johnson follows that path, I hope he writes more historical mysteries in this vein.

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 Edmond Shaw, 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.

This has all of the enjoyment of an Austen era Dickens mystery (not that there is such a thing, but that would be awesome), but loses a full star (from me) for starting way too many unresolved personal subplots.

A great mystery! I was a bit confused at the beginning with the introduction of so many characters, but I quickly was drawn into the story. The writing is very well done, and the story kept me engaged throughout. New pieces of evidence were brought forth at just the right time to keep me guessing and on the edge of my seat. William was an easy character to like with his determination to do what was right, despite the possible repercussions. Madeleine’s tenacity was admirable. The light hint of romance was nice too. I look forward to reading more books by this author. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC. All thoughts are my own.

While the plot of this book promised to be intriguing, I struggled with this book. The multiple POV changes and and slow pace of the beginning of this story made it difficult to get into. I also struggled liking any of the characters. I think I just didn’t really get into the writing style of this book and it just wasn’t for me.

The Barrister and the Letter of Marque is a novel that centers around a barrister, William Snopes, as he tries to prove the innocence of Captain Harold Tuttle. The charge is piracy and his only defense is that of a Letter of Marque the Captain claims he possessed when he boarded a French vessel and confiscated their cargo of tea. Unfortunately, the letter had mysteriously vanished without a trace and any hope of freeing Captain Tuttle vanishing with it. Captain Tuttle’s cousin Lady Jameson, is also on a pursuit to prove his innocence to prevent the death of a very beloved cousin as well as her own families downfall that is tied to the cargo of the Padget. This story has a lot of twists and turns as the hands behind this scheme are trying desperately to prevent their identities being known. I loved the parts of the book that had Barrister Snope in the courtroom cross examining witnesses and using his quick witted mind to uncover some very intriguing evidence. If you like mysteries and courtroom discussions this book is definitely for you.

Wonderful read that was well written and atmospheric. Grand characters, intricately plotted, and memorable. Easy recommendation to family and friends.

Mystery, intrigue, and pirates? The Barrister and the Letter of Marque drew me like a kid to a candy shop. Throw in that it had tones of Charles Dickens and Arthur Conan Doyle, two of my favorite classical authors, and I was hooked. It had less romance than I usually prefer, but the mystery more than made up for that.

Lady Jameson has a problem, her cousin, captain of the Padget a worse one. Without someone to champion the injustices being done, the captain would lose his life and Lady Jameson would lose her home and likely her ailing father as well. But Barrister William Snopes refuses to work with the upper class, until he sees for himself how desperate a situation Lady Jameson and her family are in. And wow is it an unjust situation! It got my ire up so that I felt like begging William to get going on the case.

The story revolved mostly around William and his partners as they untangled the web that threaten to destroy Lady Jameson and her family, something William made a career fighting against.

I definitely recommend reading this story, especially if you’re a fan of Doyle and Dickens.

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC guidelines.