Worthy Brown’s Daughter audiobook

Worthy Brown's Daughter is 2014 Harper publication written by Phillip Margolin. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.The 1860's, Matthew Penny and his young wife make the journey from Ohio to Oregon where he wished to set up a law practice. Tragically on the journey Rachel dies in an accident. Bereft, Matthew continues on with his plans and sets up a law office in Portland. He isn't really doing all that well with the firm, when he becomes embroiled in a case involving a man accused of stealing money from a strikingly beautiful woman. The man is found guilty but Matthew is certain he was conned.On another note Matthew meets a charming young lady named Heather. For the first time since Rachel's death he feels like he could have a chance at happiness. Fate intervenes when Worthy Brown visits Matthew will a shocking revelation. In return for this information, Worthy wants Matthew to sue Worthy's former owner. Why? Worthy and his daughter Roxanne were made a bargain that would set them free from slavery. They did their part, but Worthy was the only one set free. His daughter is still enslaved and Worthy wants her released.Matthew is faced the an unprecedented moral dilemma. He agreed to take Worthy's case, never suspecting the outcome of his involvement. In the 1860's Oregon was a new state and there were new rules or laws concerning slave ownership. Worthy, had a right to have his daughter returned, but once again fate intervened and Worthy finds himself imprisoned, facing the gallows. Can Matthew save him before it's too late?This is a compelling historical fiction mystery based in part on a real case. The attitude regarding blacks often led some to the helpless conclusion that they were not worth defending. They had no future, not way to educate themselves and very little money. This trap would lead Worthy to make a decision that would set a guilty man free, because he felt one man's life was worth more than another's. Matthew disagrees vehemently and fights for justice however he can get it. In the meantime the beautiful con artist sets her sights on Heather's widowed father and attempts to take Heather's inheritance from her. Once more Matthew must try to bring the wily mastermind to justice once and for all. So, there are two crimes Matthew is seeking to bring a close to. His future is also questionable as he isn't sure if he should try to tough it out in Oregon and maybe have a future with Heather, or to pack it all in and return to Ohio. Matthew's character is very honorable, despite his flaws. He is pretty hard on himself at times. Heather is also a likeable person and I admired her for sticking with the man she loved through some shocking truths and very difficult times. The political and judicial corruption was alive and well in 1860 as much as it is today. Men were bribed, promised powerful positions and blindsided by their own goals and greed. There were a lot of bad guys in this one, all with an agenda of their own. Overall this was an interesting crime drama that explored a painful period in our history. I give this one a B+

Worthy Brown is a humble man. He works hard for what he wants. For example he was a slave but now he is finally a free man. Not without a lot of hard work and pain. If there was any other way Mr. Brown would take it but there is not. Thus he takes himself down to Matthew Penny's office. Mr. Penny is an attorney. Mr. Brown's former employer made a deal with Mr. Brown that if he and his daughter worked for him for another year then he would release them both. As you can imagine, he broke that deal. Now Mr. Brown will do everything he can to get his daughter back and give her her freedom. I was first introduced to this author by reading his book, Sleight of Hand. After reading that book I knew I needed to check out this author's other books. When I got the chance to read Mr. Margolin's newest book, I knew I could not pass up the opportunity. Plus, I have always been fascinated by the South and this time period. Instantly, I was spellbound by this book and the story of Mr. Brown and his daughter. This book was so great that as soon as I finished the last word, I ran to by co-worker and raved about this book. I told her she needed to write down this author's name and this book and check it out when it became available. In fact this book was so good that I even compared it to another one of my all time favorite classic books that I read...To Kill a Mockingbird. Yes, I did just make this reference. Worthy Brown's Daughter is a must read and must keeper!

Worthy Brown’s Daughter was not only a great read, it is an important read! Worthy Brown’s slave owner Caleb Barbour moved from Georgia to Oregon promising Worthy his and his daughter, Roxanne, their freedom after arriving in Oregon. Caleb Barbour, a dishonest man, didn’t keep his word. When Worthy Brown challenged Barbour, Barbour threw Worthy Brown off his property keeping Worthy Brown’s teenage daughter, Roxanne. Worthy hires attorney Matthew Penny to help him get custody of his daughter. Worthy Brown’s Daughter was based upon two actual events. It was well researched and written in good form. Worthy Brown’s Daughter is a story that should be required reading at the middle school level and again in high school. Jason Culp did a very good job in storytelling.

Written with spare prose and compelling dialogue, this gripping story plunges readers into Oregon territory in 1860, on the brink of the Civil War when racial tensions were high. Recently widowed attorney Matthew is drawn into the case of former slave Worthy Brown, who asks Matthew to gain release of the daughter kept by his prior owner. The case turns into a murder trial when the despicable Barbour, abusive owner of Brown's daughter, is found dead on his front stairs with Brown standing nearby. Using his background as a criminal defense lawyer, the author creates dramatic courtroom scenes and builds suspense around characters' motives and actions. Full of pithy descriptions of Portland in its early old west and racist days, the story wraps around love, prejudice, principles, despair and hope in a legal thriller that keeps you in suspense. Some characters are one-dimensional—Matthew's love interest Heather is relentlessly kind, Barbour incessantly evil—but Matthew and Brown are complex with mixed motives. The ending is a genuine and satisfying surprise.

4.0 A great commercial page-turner, but also good as historical fiction. Margolin took over a decade with this little gem, and based it on actual events in Oregon as the Civil War came about. Given the subject matter, probably none of the big phfatt agents nor publishers now would touch this story and that is a shame.Margolin does a nuanced and balanced description of how the slavery issue impacted territories and young states and their inhabitants. The writing style is straightforward but does not pander to those who don't usually pick up a book or insist on romantzz novels. The author's legal background helps and lends authenticity. The details of time and place are important and not merely wallpaper. Minor complaint; the large print edition has numerous typos and errors, which are distracting.

Love Books that go back in time and this Story was a GREAT ONE!!!!!

What A Excellent READ***** To all PhillIp Margolin Fans, pick this book up, You Won't be Disappointed :-)

A good, solid read - didn't think this would be a book that would do much for me, but found it to be interesting and a good story. Was definitely worth the time to read.

I liked this novel! I cared about the main characters. I was engaged in plot threads, especially Barbour’s murder. I enjoyed the historic details of Oregon as it established statehood.3.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 4 ⭐️

Phillip Margolin is one of those special authors who, when a reader picks up their book, they know they are in for an entertaining experience.I was sent this book from Amazon vine, in return for my review and I couldn't be happier that I picked this book.The time is 1860 and Oregon is really beginning to grow. Matthew Penny and his wife decide to move west from Ohio and travel by wagon train. However, Matthew losses his wife when a wagon is swept down a river crossing.With this burden behind him, he moves to Phoenix, Oregon where he's appointed to defend a man accused of theft. When he wins the case, another man approaches him and tells him that this man has information that Matthew can use to win another case he was preparing for. All this man wants is the promise from Matthew that if the information helps, Matthew would promise to return the favor. (For just a bit, it seems like the devil in Damn Yankees).Matthew wins the new case and what the man wants is Matthew's help in getting his daughter who is being kept as a slave by a wealthy but unscrupulous man.It's difficult not to give away plot but the story moves along swiftly. The characters are vividly drawn as is the setting of the early days of Portland, Oregon. We see such things as the first steam locomotive in that part of the country.This is one of the best books I've read this year. My heart was beating faster and faster as I approached the conclusion which was both appropriate and satisfying.

I have enjoyed Phillip Margolin’s legal thriller set in current times but this is a very different book for Margolin. This a historical novel set in 1860 Portland Oregon. Margolin states that he loosely based the story on a true legal case in 1861 Portland. According to Margolin when Oregon wrote its state constitution it did not allow black people to settle in Oregon but those there prior to statehood could stay and own land. The real case had a black family that was slaves to a white man. When statehood passed he freed the parents and one child but kept the other children as servants. The parents sued for their children to be freed and returned to them and they won the case. In this book Margolin has a black man freed after statehood but the slave owner Caleb Barbour an attorney refused to release his 14 year old daughter. Mr. Worthy Brown contacted attorney Mr. Penny to sue for her freedom. There are several plots going on at the same time and they all come together at the end of the book. Margolin has a knack for storytelling. This book is a fast, absorbing read and Margolin’s law expertise makes the book’s climax, a courtroom battle very realistic and exciting. The ending of the book is interesting and exciting. Phillip Margolin is a criminal defense attorney who has become a novelist so the legal aspect of the story is realistic. February is National Black history month so this story about slavery in Oregon in 1960 is a perfect topic to read this month. I read this as an audio book. Jason Culp did an excellent job narrating the book.

WORTHY BROWN’S DAUGHTERPhillip MargolinMr. Margolin has become famous writing legal thrillers; in fact he is the author the American Bar Association singled out as their pick for best writer of legal fiction. In his new book he is writing in a completely new genre, WORTHY BROWN’S DAUGHTER is a historical western with of course, a courtroom climax.Loosely based on true events in Portland, Oregon in the 1860’s, Worthy Brown, a freed black man asks attorney Matthew Penny help in rescuing his daughter being held illegally in servitude. Crooked attorney and landowner, Caleb Barbour won’t release the daughter, Roxanne. When Worthy is discovered standing over Caleb Barbour’s dead body Matthew knows he must defend Worthy as only they know the truth. Worthy is convinced the jury will be racist, and doesn’t have a chance.The wonderful colorful characters in the famous gritty westerns make their appearances. The crooked political system, the corrupt judge, the lovely damsel, the poor attorney and of course, the flamboyantly beautiful gold digging femme fatale who wraps men around her finger. All together a thoroughly enjoyable and nostalgic read at the hand of a talented writer and story teller.

I picked up a copy of "Worthy Brown's Daughter" at the paperback swap section of the library in Winona, Miss. I am a fan of historical fiction -- had it for a bit before I dipped into that one, but the writing is clear and draws in the reader quickly. Fast-paced. Has the good quality -- based on a true story, but the afterward explains how Phillip Margolin makes the story his own creation while blending historical details of Oregon in 1860 and relates the events to what's going on in the nation at that point as well. "Worthy Brown" in this tale, being a former slave, born in Africa and taken in a raid, transported, who was a slave in Georgia. His wife had already died when the rascal who'd kept him and his young daughter under his thumb even after they all moved to Oregon. Good history, though some shifts taken under the author's creative license.

VERY ENTERTAINING READING."Law was like that. Victory and elation one minute, and crushing defeat the next."—page 41WORTH BROWN'S DAUGHTER, by Phillip Margolin is a very entertaining read—an exceptionally well told historical novel, with a lawyerly twist. Set in the exciting city of Portland, during Oregon's first year of statehood, 1860, with side junkets to the glittering city of San Francisco and its nefarious Barbary Coast, this novel is a special treat for fans of the history of the western edge of the country. Recommendation: Highly recommended for all who might be interested in history, law and/or culture; and to those, who just enjoy good, engaging, illuminating storytelling. "…then he would be forced to admit that he had destroyed his reputation and career for the delusions and criminal ambitions of a madwoman."—page 236NOOKbook edition, 283 pages

A very good tale, although completely different for Margolin, of the Oregon frontier as recently widowed lawyer attempts to free a young black girl from indentured servitude (slavery) from a southerner. Recommnded.