The Barrister and the Letter of the Marque by Todd M. Johnson (Review and Blog Tour)

 Join the virtual book tour of THE BARRISTER AND THE LETTER OF MARQUE, Todd M. Johnson’s highly acclaimed historical mystery, August 2-15, 2021. Over twenty-five popular on-line influencers specializing in historical mystery, suspense, and inspirational fiction will join in the celebration of its release with an interview, spotlights, exclusive excerpts, and reviews of this new Regency-era novel set in London, England.

Are you a fan of historical mysteries?  If so, what is one of your favorites?

A ship has returned to the London harbor full of valuable tea and ready to disembark.  Suddenly, they are boarded and seized by redcoats who take away the captain.  They insist the ship is a pirate ship, while the captain insists that the Prince Regent gave him a letter of marque that allows him to seize cargo from the French.  Why would the Prince do this when there is a fragile peace with France?  Where has the captain been taken and why?

William Snopes is a barrister in London in 1818.  He has forsaken his rich and powerful father to take up a career where he is able to be a voice for the overlooked.  Lady Madeleine Jameson is not his sort of client, but when she explains her cousin’s arrest and her seized ship, Snopes realizes that something does not add up.  He takes that case.  Will he be able solve the mystery before they all lose their lives?

I LOVED this novel.  The writing was excellent, and the plot was very engaging. The characters were wonderfully drawn and intriguing. I would really like this to be a series as I want to know what is next in store for William Snopes and crew.  Author Todd M. Johnson has over thirty years of experience as a trial attorney, and it wonderfully shines in this novel.  It felt like a perfect combination of the adventure of The Scarlett Pimpernel, the trials of a John Grisham novel, and the world of Jane Austen. 

Favorite Quotes:

“My lord, a man’s life is at stake, and you’re arguing formalities!”

“This was a singular woman.  He would wait two lifetimes for her as long as he was certain there was a chance.”

Overall, Barrister and the Letter of the Marque is an excellent historical mystery novel and is not to be missed for fans of great mysteries or regency era novels.

Book Source:  Review Copy from Bethany House.  Thank-you!

QUICK FACTS

·       Title: The Barrister and the Letter of Marque: A Novel

·       Author: Todd M. Johnson

·       Genre: Historical Mystery, Suspense, Inspirational Fiction

·       Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (August 3, 2021)

·       Length: (416) pages

·       Hardcover ISBN: 978-0764239137

·       Trade Paperback ISBN: 978-0764212369

·       eBook ASIN: B08LG91Y95

·       Audiobook ASIN: B0983VZ6XZ

·       Tour Dates: August 2 – 15, 2021

 

BOOK DESCRIPTION

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.

ADVANCE PRAISE

“Johnson debuts with a tense story of powerful interests teaming up to thwart a legal challenge in Georgian-era England…Johnson steeps his story in legal maneuvering, layers of intrigue, midnight chases, and even a hint of romance. While faith elements are subtle, this enthralling novel will appeal to fans of both legal thrillers and historical inspirationals.”— Publishers Weekly

“… a mystery worthy of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. This richly historical and lively paced story has all the makings of a modern classic.”— Jocelyn Green, Christy Award-winning author of Shadows of the White City

“At once atmospheric and gripping, Johnson's latest is a luminous and refreshing new offering in inspirational historical fiction.”— Rachel McMillan, bestselling author of The London Restoration, and The Mozart Code

“A fascinating glimpse into a Regency London readers seldom see.”— Roseanna M. White, bestselling author of Edwardian fiction

 

AUTHOR BIO

Todd M. Johnson

is the author of three legal thrillers: The Deposit Slip (2012), Critical Reaction (2013), and Fatal Trust (2017), and The Barrister and the Letter of Marque (2021), his first foray into historical mystery. He has been a practicing attorney for over 30 years, specializing as a trial lawyer. A graduate of Princeton University and the University of Minnesota Law School, he also taught for two years as adjunct professor of International Law and served as a US diplomat in Hong Kong. He lives outside Minneapolis, Minnesota, with his wife and daughter.

 

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TOUR SCHEDULE

Aug 02          The Readathon (Review)

Aug 02          From Pemberley to Milton (Excerpt)

Aug 02          Austenprose—A Jane Austen Blog (Review)

Aug 03          Life of Literature (Review)

Aug 03          Captivated Reading (Spotlight)

Aug 04          Laura's Reviews (Review)

Aug 04          The Green Mockingbird (Review)

Aug 05          My Jane Austen Book Club (Spotlight)

Aug 05          Reading is My Superpower (Review)

Aug 06          Among the Reads (Excerpt)

Aug 06          The Blue Stocking (Review)

Aug 07          Gwendalyn's Books (Review)

Aug 07          Reading with Emily (Review)

Aug 08          Storeybook Reviews (Spotlight)

Aug 08          Rosanne E. Lortz (Review)

Aug 09          Heidi Reads (Excerpt)

Aug 09          Bookworm Lisa (Review)

Aug 10          The Caffeinated Bibliophile (Spotlight)

Aug 10          Wishful Endings (Review)

Aug 10          My Bookish Bliss (Review)

Aug 11          By the Book (Interview)

Aug 11          A Bookish Way of Life (Review)

Aug 12          Books, Teacups, & Reviews (Review)

Aug 12          A Darn Good Read (Review)

Aug 13          Fire & Ice (Review)

Aug 14          The Lit Bitch (Spotlight)

Aug 14          The Book Diva Reads (Spotlight)

Aug 15          Vesper's Place (Review)

PURCHASE LINKS

 

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