In 1818 William Snopes is a barrister in London, defending the poor against the rich. But that changes when Lady Madelaine Jameson pleads for help to save both a man’s life and her estate.
Captain Tuttle sails the Padget under a Letter of Marque – a document allowing him to seize the cargo of French traders operating illegally. Lady Madelaine has invested heavily in the Padget, and the ship’s return to London laden with tea taken from a French vessel is the answer to her prayers. But on arrival the vessel and her crew are seized and Captain Tuttle imprisoned under a charge of piracy, and the Letter of Marque which can prove his innocence has vanished.
Despite his hesitation, Snopes agrees to take the case. But he has formidable opponents, who think nothing of murdering those who get in their way.
This is a novel full of intrigue, in a very well depicted and atmospheric Dickens-esque setting. It’s a complicated and clever mystery with many twists, multiple layers and a superb cast of characters who are all well developed, some of whom I’d like to know more about in future stories. There are a few Americanisms here and there – the dreaded ‘gotten’ and ‘block’ for example – but this is a story which can easily rise above a few glitches with the overall quality of the writing.
Highly recommended.
9780764212369, Bethany House
Note: for transparency, I was sent an advance copy of this book, but I was not required to write any specific or favourable review. All views herein are my own.
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