Nothing But The Truth (Charles Holborne Legal Thrillers Book 8) - Simon Michael

The past has finally caught up with Charles…

London, 1967

The psychopathic Kray twins rule London’s underworld, aided by their government connections, corrupt police and extreme violence.

Finally, Detective Superintendent “Nipper” Read’s taskforce has a chance to take them down.

The catch: Read needs barrister Charles Holborne to testify against them, while the Krays have evidence against him which would end his career and send him to prison.

Caught in the middle, and with his pregnant partner’s life and his career at stake, this time Charles has no choices left.

Can Charles put his past behind him once and for all? Will the Krays twins’ criminal hold over London finally be put to an end?

Or will everything come crashing down for Charles Holborne…?

NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH is the eighth crime novel in an exciting historical series, the Charles Holborne Legal Thrillers — gritty, hard-boiled mysteries set in 1960s London.

 

What did I think?

WOW!  I have loved every single book in Simon Michael's Charles Holborne series and if the previous seven books are the icing on the cake then Nothing But The Truth is the cherry on the top.  It is OUTSTANDING!  I don't think I've ever read a more perfect book; I was shocked, surprised, angered, amazed and I even cried.

Although it's the eighth book in the series, you can read it as a standalone as the essence of Charles' character is evident on every page, however, it is simply breathtaking for readers already invested in the series.  Charles has a long history with the Kray twins and their reign of terror could finally be coming to an end as the police are closing in.  Charles needs to be one step ahead of the twins if he's ever going to free himself from their grasp.  Can he do it?  You'll need to read the book to find out!

Weaving fact with fiction, Simon Michael has created a believable and atmospheric legal thriller that entertains from start to finish.  The court case scenes are always brilliant in these novels but oh my word, this one is stunning; I was on the edge of my seat and completely gripped as Charles wielded and deflected every single virtual punch.   

I have loved reading about the developments in Charles' personal life and he's a character I have come to know and love over the years.  He's more settled than he's ever been now that his relationship with Sally is standing on firmer ground but his mother's feelings towards him don't seem to be improving, even though her health is declining.  I love that Charles never gives up on her though - there really is nothing sharper than a mother's tongue and Millie's is particularly sharp.

Nothing But The Truth is a masterclass in crime writing; the characters are vivid and well-developed, the 1960s era is beautifully portrayed and the plot is sublime.  Whether it's the last we read of Charles Holborne or not, Nothing But The Truth is simply perfect in every way.  

I first used the word 'unputdownable' back in 2016 in my review of The Brief, the first book in the Charles Holborne series, and the eighth novel definitely deserves a similar accolade.   Nothing But The Truth is unputdownable, unforgettable and unmissable - words than can be applied to the whole series, in fact.  Very highly recommended.

I received a digital ARC from the author and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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The Final Shot: A 1960s London gangland thriller (Charles Holborne Legal Thrillers Book 7) - Simon Michael

 

Charles Holborne returns with another high-stakes case! Perfect for fans of John Grisham, Robert Bailey, Michael Connelly and Robert Dugoni.

They think it’s all over…

London, 1966

As England eagerly anticipates the World Cup Final, barrister Charles Holborne is briefed in another high-profile case.

Once a sadistic gangster, Reverend Stanley Sharpe found God while incarcerated and has run his own parish for a number of years since being released. But when he is convicted of murdering Frank Marshall, right-hand man to the Kray twins, he is sent back to prison for life.

Convinced that he is innocent, Reverend Sharpe’s wife begs Charles to apply to the Court of Appeal to reopen the case.

With his own question marks over whether Frank Marshall is really dead, Charles agrees to take the brief on.

But with the media now casting doubt over Sharpe’s redemption, Charles knows he is bound for failure unless he can find further evidence.

And to do so he must once again cross the most dangerous men in London…

THE FINAL SHOT is the seventh crime novel in an exciting historical series, the Charles Holborne Legal Thrillers — gritty, hard-boiled mysteries set in 1960s London.

What did I think?

The Final Shot is book 7 in the Charles Holborne legal thrillers series and it's written in such a way that you could definitely read it as a standalone, but I really do urge you to read the books in order as it's one of my favourite series and every single instalment is brilliant.

Set during the summer of 1966, when England is in the grip of World Cup fever and The Krays rule the shady London underworld, Charles Holborne is asked to advise on an appeal.  Stanley Sharpe gave up his life of crime to dedicate his life to the church and he is in prison for a crime he claims he did not commit.  The police have a confession from him, so why did he confess if he didn't do it?  

Charles Holborne never sees things in black and white, not when he knows the many shades of grey that lie within.  With The Krays having their fingers in many pies, nothing is ever as clear as it seems and if anyone will find out the truth, Charles will.  As well as the legal thriller side to the plot, Charles' personal life also plays a big part in the story.  Charles is no stranger to discrimination so he agrees to be shadowed by a young woman doing her pupillage.  Maria Hudson has set tongues wagging in chambers; she's female, American and black - what a shock to the system this must be in 1960's London!

Reconnected with his girlfriend Sally, Charles is in a much happier place now so it was lovely to see how his life has changed (for the better).  That's why it's worth reading the books in order as the reader becomes acquainted with Charles over the course of the series and you really do care about what happens to him.

Gripping, atmospheric and incredibly nostalgic, The Final Shot is a winner!  With the spirit of 1966 woven into the prose, I was gripped by World Cup Fever as well as the razor-sharp plot.  It's another unputdownable legal thriller from storyteller extraordinaire, Simon Michael.

I received an ARC from the author to read and review; all opinions are my own.

My rating:

Publishing on 19/01/22, pre-order now from Amazon UK