Worthy Brown's Daughter

By: Phillip Margolin

Narrated by: Jason Culp

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.

Six stars at least

Excellent story and well crafted. And Jason Culp is the best narrator I’ve run across. I wish he did way way more.

Based on a true story

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 month so this story about slavery in Oregon in 1960 is a perfect topic to read this month. Jason Culp did an excellent job narrating the book.

Terrific!

I have read all of Philip Margolin’s mystery thrillers. WORTHY BROWN is a complete departure from any of his other books.
It was a great read - historically insightful and mesmerizing.
I enjoyed every surprising minute of it.

One of his best!!

I liked the characters especially Worthy Brown and his attorney Matthew.
Mr Margolin based this on a true story. I don’t know why I didn’t read this book a long time ago(before audible) I think I got all of his books and couldn’t wait for the new releases. I highly recommend this book. And the narrator was just as good!