A gritty urban legal thriller you don’t want to miss! Perfect for fans of John Grisham, Robert Bailey, Michael Connelly and Robert Dugoni.
Has Charles picked the wrong side…?
London, 1969
The Kray twins, the nemeses of Charles Holborne, barrister, are finally convicted of multiple murders and sent away for the longest prison terms ever imposed by a British court.
But with London in the grip of a housing crisis and unscrupulous landlords hiking rents, there are new ruthless enforcers terrorising destitute East Enders.
When a tenant dies during a violent altercation with bailiffs, Charles is instructed to represent the businessmen charged with conspiracy to murder. There is motive, an eyewitness and a confession – seemingly an open and shut case.
But Charles suspects his clients are pawns in a much more dangerous game being played by shadowy Establishment figures.
But are his instincts wrong this time? Is he being manipulated into defending a guilty man?
And as dark secrets are revealed, will he have to choose between moral integrity and professional success?
DEATH, ADJOURNED is the ninth crime novel in an exciting historical series, the Charles Holborne Legal Thrillers — gritty, hard-boiled mysteries set in 1960s London.
What did I think?
I am delighted that Simon Michael has decided to continue his fantastic Charles Holborne series after Charlie's final showdown with the Kray twins in book 8, Nothing But The Truth. The Krays may be behind bars but crime is continuing in London and Charles has a new defendant to represent and it's one who might be guilty this time.
As with all of the Charles Holborne books we are whisked away to court as the trial plays out and I did actually feel as if I was sitting in the public gallery, especially when one particularly jawdropping, gasp-out-loud scene plays out. I almost dropped my Kindle!
The writing as always is flawless, vivid and immersive and the plotting is perfect. I couldn't have put money on the outcome of the trial as I flipped between guilty and not guilty so often. The subject matter of council built housing is actually very thought-provoking and I've always worried about companies tendering for jobs at a price that is too good to be true as they will inevitably cut corners in order to cut costs. The historical note at the end is very sobering (and scary) to read.
As riveting as Charles' legal cases always are, I also enjoy reading about what's going on in his personal life as it really brings the character to life and I feel like I am catching up with an old friend. My heart always goes out to Charles when he visits his parents in the residential home as his mother's vicious tongue may be silent now but Charles still loves her unconditionally, despite her never having done the same for him.
Gripping, immersive and thought-provoking, Death, Adjourned is another riveting instalment in the fabulous Charles Holborne Legal Thrillers series and long may it continue. Keep ‘em coming, Simon!
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