Fortunate Son by David Marlett

Meet James Annesley, son of 18th Century Ireland. Though you may 

have never heard his name before, his story has already touched you in profound ways. Now, for the first time, novelist David Marlett brings that incredible story to life.


Stretching from the dirty streets of Ireland to the endless possibilities of Colonial America, from drama on the high seas with the Royal Navy to a life-and-death race across England and up the Scottish Highlands, from the prospect of a hangman’s noose to a fate decided in the halls of justice, FORTUNATE SON is a powerful, relentless epic. Here 

nobility, duels, love, courage, revenge, honor, and treachery among 

family, friends and ancient enemies abound. And at its center is the 

most momentous trial in Irish history – the trial of Annesley v. 

Anglesea from which our modern “attorney/client privilege” was 

forged, and our concept of a “jury of one's peers” was put to the test. 

Carefully researched, vividly evoked, and lovingly brought to the page, FORTUNATE SON is an unforgettable work of fiction based on fact, one that will resonate deep within you long after you finish it.

David Marlett is an attorney, artist, and self-trained historian who grew 

up in a storytelling Texas family. He attended Texas Tech University where he earned multiple degrees in finance, economics and accounting. Subsequently, he earned his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law. David has created and written stories and screenplays since childhood, and is particularly interested in richly textured history and the drama behind major courtroom battles. 

He is a serial entrepreneur focused primarily on the arts. (He once owned eight bookstores across the United States.) David currently speaks and lectures at conferences and universities on trans- media, 

storytelling, entrepreneurship in the arts, and crowdfunding. He has been a featured contributor to Movie Maker magazine, Digital Book World, and many other publications. He has developed and sold a 

number of film scripts and has directed/ acted in many regional theatrical performances. David is also a photoartist whose work has appeared in several galleries across the United States. He lives outside 

Dallas, Texas, and has four children. His second novel, American Red, another historical courtroom drama, is due to be published in late 2014. 

I will be reviewing this historical courtroom drama on May 4th. Thanks to Aaron at The Story Plant, I received this novel yesterday and cannot wait to start reading it.  

It is available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble as well as other ebook stores. If you read it before my review, feel free to leave a comment...no spoilers, though!