And the Letter-the sole proof his actions were legal-has mysteriously vanished. 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. 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. In a last-ditch effort to save her faltering estate, Lady Jameson invested in a merchant brig, the Padget. That changes the day a struggling heiress, Lady Madeleine Jameson, arrives at his door. “A fascinating glimpse into a Regency London readers seldom see.” - Roseanna M.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. “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 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 “… a mystery worthy of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. While faith elements are subtle, this enthralling novel will appeal to fans of both legal thrillers and historical inspirationals.”- Publishers Weekly “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. Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (August 3, 2021)

Genre: Historical Mystery, Suspense, Inspirational Fiction 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. Moved by the lady's distress, intrigued by the Letter, and goaded by an opposing solicitor, Snopes takes the case. 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.

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.

The barrister and the letter of marque