Known for his critically acclaimed contemporary thrillers,
New York Times
bestselling author Phillip Margolin explores intriguing new territory
in Worthy Brown's Daughter, a compelling historical drama, set in
nineteenth-century Oregon, that combines a heartbreaking story of
slavery and murder with classic Margolin plot twists.
One of a handful of lawyers in the
new state of Oregon, recently widowed Matthew Penny agrees to help
Worthy Brown, a newly freed slave, rescue his fifteen year old daughter,
Roxanne, from their former master, a powerful Portland lawyer. Worthy's
lawsuit sets in motion events that lead to Worthy's arrest for murder
and create an agonizing moral dilemma that could send either Worthy or
Matthew to the hangman.
At the same time, hanging judge
Jed Tyler, a powerful politician with a barren personal life, becomes
infatuated with a beautiful gold-digger who is scheming to murder
Benjamin Gillette, Oregon's wealthiest businessman. When Gillette
appears to die from natural causes, Sharon Hill produces a forged
contract of marriage and Tyler must decide if he will sacrifice his
reputation to defend that of the woman who inspired his irrational
obsession.
At Worthy's trial, Matthew saves
Worthy by producing a stunning courtroom surprise and his attempt to
stop the deadly fortune hunter ends in a violent climax.