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Simon Michael
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Nothing But The Truth: It's the final showdown for Charles Holborne and the Kray twins... (Charles Holborne Legal Thrillers Book 8) Kindle Edition

by Simon Michael (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 out of 5 stars 652 ratings
A gritty gangland thriller set in 1960s London! Perfect for fans of John Grisham, Robert Bailey, Michael Connelly and Robert Dugoni.

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 TRUTHis the eighth crime novel in an exciting historical series, the Charles Holborne Legal Thrillers — gritty, hard-boiled mysteries set in 1960s London.

‘Weaving fact with fiction, Simon Michael has created a believable and atmospheric legal thriller that entertains from start to finish. It is a masterclass in crime writing; the characters are vivid and well-developed, the 1960s era is beautifully portrayed and the plot is sublime. It is unputdownable, unforgettable and unmissable - words than can be applied to the whole series, in fact. Very highly recommended’ — The Book Magnet blog

'Enormously entertaining. Simon Michael does a superb job conjuring the darkness of the 1960s' — William Shaw

‘well out of the ordinary and far into the realms of seriously good storytelling … superlative courtroom drama…’ — New Law Journal

‘Chilling suspense and climactic surprises’ — Publishers Weekly

THE CHARLES HOLBORNE LEGAL THRILLERS SERIES:
BOOK ONE: The Brief
BOOK TWO: An Honest Man
BOOK THREE: The Lighterman
BOOK FOUR: Corrupted
BOOK FIVE: The Waxwork Corpse
BOOK SIX: Force of Evil
BOOK SEVEN: The Final Shot
BOOK EIGHT: Nothing But The Truth
BOOK NINE: Death, Adjourned
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  1. Book 8 of 9
    Charles Holborne Legal Thrillers
  2. Print length
    343 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    October 28, 2022
  5. File size
    2.0 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BBGCF5WL
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sapere Books (October 28, 2022)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 28, 2022
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.0 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 343 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1800558058
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 652 ratings

About the author

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Simon Michael

Simon Michael

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Simon Michael, often referred to as “the British John Grisham”, is the author of the best-selling London 1960s legal crime thrillers featuring his antihero barrister, Charles Holborne. Holborne, born Charlie Horowitz, is a former heavyweight boxer and occasional criminal who was once known by his former East End associates at "the Yiddisher Brick Shithouse". Now he's a barrister, battling prejudice, entitlement and corruption in his West End profession.

Simon was published in the UK and the US in the 1980s and returned to writing when he retired from the law in 2016. The Charles Holborne series, now nine books, have garnered strong reviews for their authenticity and excitement and are under contract for a TV series.

Simon’s tales from the Bar and the plots for his novels are based on his criminal practice, his life and that of his own family. Refugees from the Spanish Inquisition, the Michael family arrived in the Port of London in 1492 and remained in the East End for the next 450 years. Simon believes himself to be the only member of the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple formerly to have been a council labourer, a van driver and a gardener. Once qualified he practised as a barrister for 37 years, working at the Old Bailey and other criminal courts, defending and prosecuting a wide selection of murderers, armed robbers, con artists and other assorted villainy. The era about which he writes, the 1960s, was the “wild west” of British justice, a time when the Krays, the Richardsons and other violent gangs fought for control of London’s organised crime, and the corrupt Metropolitan Police beat up suspects, twisted evidence and took a share of the criminal proceeds. Simon weaves into his thrillers real events of the time, the cases on which he worked, and his unusual family history.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
652 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoyed the storyline, characters, and plots. They found the history interesting and realistic, with real criminals intertwined in the plots. The author's writing made them feel, and the book provided enough background to read it as a stand-alone.

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5 customers mention "Storyline"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the storyline, characters, and plots. They find the history interesting and realistic, with a delightful twist.

"Simon is an amazing writer! I enjoyed the story line, the characters, and the amazing history contained in the book." Read more

"...with the common theme of real criminals interlaced giving realism to the plots, while the back stories of Charles and his family resonate with me..." Read more

"...This reader highly recommends this series. It's a clever weave of factual social history, fictitious characters you care about, and a gripping..." Read more

"...The characters that we have come to know and love remain strong and intriguing. We really do care what happens to Charles and Sally...." Read more

3 customers mention "Character development"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the character development and settings in the books.

"Simon is an amazing writer! I enjoyed the story line, the characters, and the amazing history contained in the book." Read more

"...I love everything about these books: the characters, the setting (both time and location) and the plots...." Read more

"...It's a clever weave of factual social history, fictitious characters you care about, and a gripping storyline." Read more

3 customers mention "Writer"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the author's writing style. They find it engaging and mention that the book provides sufficient background information to read as a standalone.

"Simon is an amazing writer! I enjoyed the story line, the characters, and the amazing history contained in the book." Read more

"...book for our book club and all I can say is what an excellent writer this author is!..." Read more

"Such an excellent writer whose writing makes the reader feel they are on site watching the play unfold...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Glynn Young
    5.0 out of 5 stars And down fall the Krays - with a delightful twist
    Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    For more than a decade, the Kray Twins ruled London’s underworld. From the late 1950s to the late 1960s, identical twins Ronnie and Reggie Kray ran what they called “The firm,” involved in just about every criminal activity there was – drugs, prostitution, gambling, protection rackets, and more. The Krays are the subject of numerous books and five films. including “Legend” in 2015, starring Tom Hardy as both the twins.

    The Krays also have a somewhat starring role in the Charles Holborne legal thrillers by British author Simon Michael. And in the recently published eighth book in the series, z’Nothing But the Truth,” the Krays finally meet justice – with a little help from Holborne.

    Scotland Yard has had enough of the Krays – and Detective Superintendent Leonard Read has a highly secretive operation underway to nab them. It’s based away from Yard headquarters – the Krays have a lot of the police force on the payroll. When they’re arrested for involvement in a murder, they turn to defense attorney Charles Holborne. Like the Krays, he’s East End born and raised. His birth name is actually Horowitz; he changed it in an effort to escape his Jewish and East End roots. But those roots have a habit of ensnarling his feet. The simple fact is that the Krays have a file on Holborne – enough to get him disbarred and sent to prison.

    A Kray cousin is set up to take the fall for the murder rap, and it’s Holborne’s assignment to get him to plead guilty or defend him in such a way that he’s convicted. But there are some things Holborne simply cannot do, even if it means disobeying the Krays. What follows is one of the best literary sleights-of-hand that I’ve read in a very long time.

    Michael studied law at Kings College, London University and was called to the Bar in 1978. He worked primarily in the field of criminal law until the late 1990s, when he focused his practice on clinical negligence. He began writing in the 1980s and resumed it when he retired from legal practice.

    “Nothing But the Truth” has the feel of a final volume in the Charles Holborne series, as it’s difficult to imagine Holborne without the Krays breathing down his neck at every turn. But if Simon can write a story with such a delightfully unexpected turn as this one, I’m confident he can figure out how to keep Holborne moving ahead.
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great writing and historical context
    Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Simon is an amazing writer! I enjoyed the story line, the characters, and the amazing history contained in the book.
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  • Colleen Fernandes
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I read this book for our book club and all I can say is what an excellent writer this author is! After finishing this book, I went back and read book 1 which does give you more background. Because the author gives you enough background, you can read it as a stand alone.
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  • Di
    5.0 out of 5 stars Just Brilliant!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I've had this book in my to-read pile for a while now, but I kept putting off reading it because then the anticipation would be over! And sure enough, I've got that let-down feeling now, because I've nothing to look forward to. I love everything about these books: the characters, the setting (both time and location) and the plots. They're interesting, with the common theme of real criminals interlaced giving realism to the plots, while the back stories of Charles and his family resonate with me in so many ways. I really hope this isn't the last in the series! I may have to consider reading them all again, soon.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping legal series set in 1960s London
    Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Simon Michael takes you into 1960s London effortlessly. The horror of the Kray brothers gangland activities, police corruption and the intellectual legal jockeying of Charles Holborne is riveting. Simon Michael also understands the legal profession in a way that creates essential authenticity to the story. This reader highly recommends this series. It's a clever weave of factual social history, fictitious characters you care about, and a gripping storyline.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Richard Seligman
    5.0 out of 5 stars Simon Michael Does It Again!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Simon Michael's eighth book in the Charles Holborne series of legal thrillers, "Nothing But The Truth", is among the very best volume in an outstanding collection. The characters that we have come to know and love remain strong and intriguing. We really do care what happens to Charles and Sally. Among the other characters, both the "good guys" and the "bad guys" are multi-dimensional and highly believable. Those who enjoy British courtroom drama, particularly involving the criminal justice system, will not be disappointed. "Nothing But the Truth" is a terrific read and it's not necessary to have read the previous seven books to follow what is happening in this one. However, I strongly recommend reading all of them!
    One person found this helpful
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  • DDunn
    5.0 out of 5 stars All's well finally
    Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Such an excellent writer whose writing makes the reader feel they are on site watching the play unfold. I thoroughly enjoyed the unusual twist to resolve the case.
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  • Michelle Hart
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2023
    I read this book as part of a book club and wow!! I will definitely start from the beginning of the series to read them all. But! This book worked as a stand alone as well because the writing is so good!!
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Michelle Ryles
    5.0 out of 5 stars Unputdownable, unforgettable and unmissable
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 28, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    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.
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Captivating
    Reviewed in Australia on April 10, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    The perfect read for those who love: London, legal drama, engaging characters and a great story. Woven in to the books are clever references to social history of the 60s, as well as the remarkable criminal activity, and police corruption, in London at that time.
    Beautifully written- easily read (I devoured 8 in 4 weeks) but such a use of language - I love words and am reasonably educated, but had to look up several words - which were exactly right once defined!
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  • Cathyreadsalot
    4.0 out of 5 stars A vEry enjoyable series
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 13, 2023
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    I have really enjoyed Charlie's journey and I do hope he and Sally feature again . Brilliant 60s era mixed with court room and legal drama ( with genuine and authentic details ) has made this series a real treat . Charles is a great character and I shall miss him.!the
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  • Mandrek Larl
    5.0 out of 5 stars The crème de la crème …
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 14, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    If this the eighth outing for Simon Michael's Charles Holborn/Charlie Horowitz character is to be the last, as suggested by the by-line "the final showdown for Charles Holborne and the Kray twins", then he has saved the best for last because this is the crème de la crème of the series, all of which with the exception of book seven "The Final Shot" that laboured Holborn's domestic arrangements at the expense of the crime story I gave five stars.

    Once again Simon Michael cleverly weaves fact and fiction. Fact Detective Superintendent "Nipper" Read is closing in on the Kray twins and their Firm; and fiction Holborn needs to do something special to break-free of the twins' grip and not let them take him down with them; and Michael resolves the conflict between the two with an audacious twist in a breathtakingly brilliant plot [enough said, no spoilers here].

    Although other reviewers have suggested that you could read "Nothing But The Truth" as a standalone there are a lot of references, both explicit and implicit, to the previous books, and unlike many other authors Simon Michael doesn't waste words retelling the backstory. So without an understanding of the hold that the Krays have over Holborn or the role that Holborn's "father-in-law" Robeson played in the earlier books the plot and Holborn's actions would make less sense. So yes, you could read it as a standalone but better still do yourself a favour and start at book one and work your way through the series, it's worth the time and effort to better understand this magnificent final showdown.

    ----

    PS I've written before that these books with their 1960's setting and the styles and prejudices of the time, as well as the continuing fascination that we seem to have with the Krays, would make an excellent TV series and after reading this instalment I am more than convinced than ever that there's many hours of good television here.
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 8, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    A wonderful read. Could not put the book down until the last page. One doesn't know the ending until the end
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