This is a fine start to what I hope will be an interesting series of British legal mysteries. From the very first pages, I was drawn into the busy Chambers, where we meet Charles Holcombe. He’s a successful barrister, though not much admired by most others in his Chambers. This partly arises from his East End Jewish background, compounded by not having come from the right university, and added to by practicing criminal law with clients who are disreputable. However, he has tried to distance himself from his past, married well and up, and is poised to take the next big step when his world falls apart and he goes from practicing law to running from it and going back to his roots in the London underworld of the time.

This is a well written novel, with a lot of legal details clearly explained, and a plot that moves along nicely. There were a couple of areas that might pose a problem for an American audience however. There’s a somewhat overlong discussion about barristers and silks, necessary to the plot, but not as clear as it could be. There is a presumption as well that the reader understands the issues of corruption that pervaded the Metropolitan Police force. And the real-life Kray brothers whose criminal exploits were at their height around this time – anyone not familiar with their influence should do a bit of reading up on them. I can’t help feeling they will be back in the series.

As the first in a series, it does a good job of laying the groundwork for the following books, but could also be read as a stand-alone – no great cliffhangers at the end of the story.

I’m looking forward to the next one (already in my queue).

Thanks to NetGallery, the publisher and author for a copy to read and review.

I always enjoy a legal thriller and feel that there are not enough of this genre currently available. Simon Michael clearly has considerable legal experience, which shines through across the whole book. This was a character driven book, which I loved and the characters were both honest and real, which makes reading a book so much easier. This is the first in a series, which is super and I will be getting more in the series straight away. Why this book hasn’t been turned into a tv series is a mystery! This was a thoroughly enjoyable read and I look forward to the next.

This book is about crime and corruption in 1960s London. Charles Holborne is a Barrister, Jewish, with an East End background. He has a beautiful wife, but his marriage is on the rocks and his face doesn’t fit with his work colleagues.

He makes his break with his first murder case and all starts to look up for him with his cases and respect.

I really enjoyed the depth of knowledge about the judicial system. It made me feel that the author had either worked in the legal system previously or had done his research very well. Also where DC Sloane steps in to highlight the corrupt DI Wheatley. Brilliant.

I found the last third of the book where it all came together the best part and am sure that it could have been condensed; it did feel a bit drawn out in places. However it was a good read and I rate it 4 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Thanks
My thanks go to the author Simon Michael and publisher, Sapere Books for a copy of this ebook in exchange for an independent review.

Thank you Arc and publisher for this advanced copy.
I am really happy I requested this as I have now found a new author which I want to read more by.
Having an interest in law and working in law it was right up my alley.
This is the first book in a new series starring solicitor Charles Holborne and it is a brilliant start to what I hope will become a very readable series.
The book is written at a really good pace and I read in 2.5 days (I do have to work!).
Definitely recommend.

This was a well written legal thriller that had lots of twists. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series, as this is the first book in a new series!

‘The clerks’ room is its usual, frenetic, five o’clock worst.’

London, 1960. Barrister Charles Holborne is not popular in his professional chambers: the criminal clients he represents are not welcomed by his class-conscious colleagues who mainly deal with civil cases. He’s only tolerated because his father-in-law is the head of the chambers. This is the era of gang wars (including the Krays), there is plenty of vice and violence, and at least a few corrupt police. Charles Holborne was once Charlie Horowitz, a Jewish East Ender, with a rough past. He abandoned his religion and in turn was abandoned by his family when he married Henrietta. Charles has worked hard to be successful, but he is often ostracised by his colleagues, many of whom went to school together and many of whom hold antisemitic views. His marriage to Henrietta is under strain: they are becoming distant from each other.

A high-profile murder case lands on Charles’s desk: could this bring him the recognition he is looking for? But Charles’s past is never very far away. A murder is committed, and Charles is arrested. Someone is trying to frame him, but who and why?

The first third of the novel revolves around the murder case and showcases Charles’s skills as a barrister. We see the tensions in his marriage and some of the friction between him and other members of the chambers. We also get glimpses into his past.

And then the novel changes direction. Charles and Henrietta’s marriage continues to disintegrate. Charles is arrested for murder and escapes from police custody. He tries to find out who is framing him and why. The pace of this part of the novel is frenetic but, for me, less believable. I enjoyed it because I wanted to know who had committed the murder. There are a few possibilities, and a few different motives.

For me, the highlight was the courtroom drama in the first third of the novel. This showcased Charles Holborne’s skills and provided a good view of the UK criminal justice system in the 1960s. The action kept me turning the pages, and I was mostly satisfied by the ending. I understand that this is the first in a series of Charles Holborne novels: I’m keen to read the next one.

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Sapere Books for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

Simon Michael's The Brief is the first book in a new series starring solicitor Charles Holborne and it is an excellent start to what will become a very readable series.

Holborne is an outsider both in Chambers and in society in general and the author uses this well throughout the story as Holborne fights against the odds.

The book is fast paced and was read within a day and is highly recommended

I'm happy I requested this ARC because I discovered a great author.
This was an action packed, tense, entertaining and enjoyable novel that kept me on the edge till the last page.
I loved everything in this book, from the cast of characters to the setting.
This book aged well and it's a great representation of a historical time.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

I like a good legal thriller and this one was extremely enjoyable.
Charles Holborne is a barrister in the early 1960s defending all sorts of criminals- he even knows the Kray brothers.
However Charlie is of Jewish orIgin, in fact his real name is Charlie Horowitz and he encounters a lot of anti Semitism in his working life, even amongst his own colleagues which I sadly know to be a realistic portrayal of what it was like for minorities working in the law at that time.
He is married to Henrietta, who is the daughter of a Viscount and he hasn’t spoken to his own family for many years as they did not agree with his choice of wife.
Unfortunately Charles and Henrietta are not getting on well as he works long hours and she feels neglected. They constantly argue and this is getting them both down.
The first part of the book is mainly about Charles’s legal career, particularly his defence of a robber falsely accused of murder and it also sets the scene regarding his failing marriage.
Then something awful happens and Charles also finds himself accused of a crime he did not commit. Now he is on the other side of the law and he has to use all his wits and legal knowledge to try and clear his name.
This was a great read, set in a world the author knew a lot about. I liked the 60s setting, solving a crime was very different in the days before technology, mobile phones and DNA.
In fact it was such a good read I immediately went online to see if I could get the second book in the series which is indeed an accolade from me.
I would definitely recommend this book, particularly if you like British noir thrillers.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

Set in the 1960s London, Charles Holborne is a barrister of Jewish origin who has renounced both his family and his religion in an attempt to fit in with his colleagues and his wife's elitist family.

The first half of the book is a courtroom drama that is cleverly written allowing the reader to experience Charles's skills as a barrister as well as his daily struggles against anti-semitism. We also see that Charles is devoted to his career at the expense of his marriage which is failing.

The second half of the book is less successful as it transforms into a thriller with Charles being framed for his wife's murder. His escape from police custody and his attempts to both find the real culprit and bring him to justice constitute a rip roaring ride.. While the pace of the book is maintained at a high level throughout, I found the believability of the narrative suffered. Nevertheless, the mystery of the who and why kept me racing through until the end.

Simon Michael's "The Brief" has been described as 'BritCrime at its best' and I would wholeheartedly agree, it's so impressive! It had me hooked from the very first page till the tense gripping end.
This is so much more than a legal thriller - intense, riveting, compelling and with plenty of action to keep you turning the pages . "The Brief" gives you a brilliant insight into the criminal justice system in the 1960's and the legal goings-on behind the scenes, with the frightening realisation that criminals could still hang for certain crimes committed back then. This wasn't some boring courtroom drama that dragged out but a very exciting and intriguing thriller incorporating the courtroom through court transcripts and police documents which I found a very original and novel way of portraying the facts of the trial. I loved the ambience of the book - London during the swinging 60's, the clubs and pubs, the criminals and the gang wars.
The final part of the book was a race against time and had me holding my breath - I hate injustices in stories and I desperately wanted a favourable outcome, you'll need to read the book to find out if Charles finally escapes his false charge of murder!
The authors attention to detail using his own personal experience as a barrister for many years is second to none and stunningly authentic. There's no over the top legal jargon or complex terminology. The brilliant writing style was easy to follow and understand, a captivating plot that has you screaming for justice and a list of characters that are very believable even the corrupt police officers - there's just nothing not to like in this book. I loved Charles (who is quite the anti-hero) with his honourable morals and hardworking intentions whilst struggling to come to terms with his background and family rejection.
I've been told that the sequel "An Honest Man" is even better still and I really can't wait to read more about Charles Holborne and the 1960's!!

This is the first of four Charles Holborne thrillers set in the 1960s and it provides a exceptional start to what is turning out to be an exceptional series of legal thrillers. Holborne is a Jew and does not fit in with the reactionary legal system of the time and he is kicking against the traces.

The plotting is sublime and the characters well drawn. There is a sense of time and place and the legal side is accurate and credible.