Worthy Brown's Daughter    by Phillip Margolin Order:  USA  Can Harper, 2014 (2014) Hardcover, CD, e-Book     Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth Worthy Brown's Daughter by Phillip Margolin is designated as an historical legal thriller. It is a departure for Margolin as his work is usually written in the modern day. This tale takes place in the Oregon Territory. The author has taken a true story of racism in the 19th century, fictionalizing it as he researched the whole event. It is hard to read at times when one realizes that a white man, by the name of Caleb Barbour, was taking clear advantage of a black man and his daughter, Roxanne. Worthy Brown agreed to work for his and his daughter's freedom by helping his owner start up his farm, even though slavery was outlawed in Oregon. A promise was made that if Worthy helped him, his owner would free both the Browns. When the farm was well established, Brown found himself a free man. But his daughter was kept by the owner who reneged on his promise. As you have probably surmised, Roxanne was a pretty young thing and Caleb wanted her for more than her work as his housekeeper. Margolin manages to keep his readers on tenterhooks as events unfold in the drama. There's murder, a terrible fire, a naked girl escaping her fate, a good man with another man's death on his conscience, a possible hanging - as well as a love story that emerges from the ashes. Worthy Brown's Daughter is another coup for Margolin and a good read for us all to enjoy. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Historical books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews