This author knows how to write a legal thriller! It has all the elements of a good one. All the books in the series are a solid bet. Recommended.

I really appreciate the free review copy!!

The Final Shot is my first read of a Simon Michael novel. I enjoyed it quite a bit and was pleased to learn more about gangsters in 60's London. Charles Holborne makes for a great lead character. I thought that the author laid the plot well and I enjoyed Holborne's relationship with Sally, and the character Maria. I will never get to Chambers and the London courts, so this novel presented a vicarious thrill. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Frank Marshall is dead and Stanley Sharpe, a well known criminal turned vicar is convicted for the murder. He believes Frank is still alive and so of course that would make him innocent, Charles Holborne, a well known barrister decides to take on the case and maybe prove Sharpe's innocence while dealing with the biggest criminals the Krays.

As far as legal thrillers go this was beautifully written!! Its obvious that the author's previous legal background has helped in the accuracy and details of the profession and proceedings. The characters were very well written, each unique, with their own characteristics and quirks. Charles, Sally, Maria had amazing development throughout the book. Even though this is part of the Charles Holborne book series, I read it as a standalone and was not at all confused!! Everything was written in a way that explained the past(which you may have missed in regards to the fact you have not read the previous 6 books), and other legal proceedings(which maybe unfamiliar to you because you aren't a lawyer or barrister maybe), so you weren't lost or uninterested. I also love how there were multiple subplots interconnecting with each other and the main plot itself. The writing style was gripping and had an easy, fast paced flow. I liked the different chapters of the criminal apartment(calling it this to avoid spoilers) and Charles on the case.

A few other things...
There were parts of the book which remain unexplained and sort of just left hanging, not in an anticipatory way but a bit disappointing. Like what happened to Judy and why did she say what she said on the stand and what will happen to Whealer?
Personally I felt that while Charles was in the dark and researching, we readers should have also remained in the dark until new information came to light. The readers were given quite a few bits of information, which fit well with the story and made for a great book, but I personally like the feeling of discovering more things along the way with the main character.

I am loving this series. The author really knows how to tell a story and I love how he develops his characters and the fact that characters make an appearance throughout the series. Once I start with one of his books I don't want to stop - the story is engaging and the author shows the battle of wits that Charles Holborne has to fight with gangsters and the police. Highly recommended

Picked this one because of the period it was set in, nothing more and found it a really enjoyable read.
Good characters, good story line and as a said, a nice, enjoyable read.
Another new author for me, so will keep an eye on his other books.
Recommend.

Normally I love novels like this but for some reason I couldn’t get into it. I picked it up and put it down so many times that it left me frustrated.

I’ve been a big fan of barrister, Charles Holborne since I was fortunate enough to receive the first book, The Brief, as a review copy and in my opinion this series has just got better and better. As ever “The Final Shot” is a great read with fantastic period detail.
It is set in 1966 and everyone, sports fan or not, knows what happened that Summer! As well as building up to the excitement of England’s World Cup win ( not a spoiler I hope) Simon Michael’s latest book again explores the murky world of the Kray twins and their attempt to frame an ex gangster turned Reverend. Sharpe has been accused of the murder of Frank Marshall, one of the Krays’ henchmen but he claims to be innocent. His wife engages Charles to appeal his conviction and he endeavours to find out the truth of the matter.
We also learn more about Charles’s personal life as his elderly parents suffer from increasing bad health and we meet Maria his new pupil who is as much an outsider as Charles himself.
This is a fantastic read- I was completely transported to the Summer of 1966 although I could not remember it myself as I was only 4 years old at the time! How lovely to be engrossed in a book set in an earlier time where there were different worries and excitements although there was definitely a comparison to be made with last year’s Euros when the whole country did seem to come together.
Charles is a great character whose good nature and innate sense of justice is portrayed well in all these books and for me it was a real treat to read this one. The author’s historical research is second to none and it is always clear that he has an immense legal knowledge.
I highly recommend this book and indeed the whole series.
Thanks to NetGalley and Sapere Books for my advance copy.

‘It takes six bullets to finish off Frank Marshall.’

London, 1966. While England eagerly anticipates the World Cup Final, barrister Charles Holborne is briefed in a high-profile case. The Reverend Stanley Sharpe, once a gangster, found religion while incarcerated. After his release, he was appointed to his own parish which he ran successfully for some years. But when he is convicted of the murder of Frank Marshall, right hand man to the Kray twins, he is sentenced to life in prison. Reverend Sharpe’s wife is convinced that he is innocent, even though he confessed, and asks Charles to apply to the Court of Appeal.

Frank Marshall’s body has not been found: Reverend Sharpe was convicted on circumstantial evidence. Charles wonders whether Frank Marshall is dead and agrees to take the brief.

In the meantime, Charles and his girlfriend Sally have reunited. Charles takes on a new pupil, Maria Hudson, and the health of his ageing parents causes Charles and his brother concern.

This is the seventh novel in this series, and I think the best (so far). Mr Michael manages the twists in both
Charles’s personal life and in his legal practice effectively and kept me turning the pages to find out what would happen next. Imagine: sixties London in the grip of World Cup fever, with the menace of the Kray twins behind the scenes. What really happened to Frank Marshall, and why?

This novel could be read as a standalone, but I’d recommend reading the series in order because the character development is both important and interesting.

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

This wonderful series just gets better and better. The seven books contain a marvellous snapshot of London life in the 50s and 60s and cover a broad range of subjects such as the law, gangland disputes, class struggles, family dynamics, anti semitism, integration, racism and snobbery in an intoxicating blend.

I love the way that the hero Charles Holborne is developing as a man and fights to make is way in society that looks down at him. Te depiction of 1966 London is sharp and accurate - I know because I was there (albeit a youngster!) and the plot was engrossing as always.

There is not much more to say except please give this wonderful series a try and ideally start with Book One - "The Brief" - you really won't regret it.

Charles Holborne returns The Final Shot which is book number 7 in the series by Simon Michael and it is another highly entertaining legal thriller that will keep readers hooked from the first to the last page.

This book is set in 1966 and the author cleverly weaves the sporting highlight of that year into the story. There is also the usual mix of both real and fiction characters all of whom add to the story.

Highly recommended.