fantastic narration

This is the very first time I felt the need to write a brief review and if I'm honest these words are more about the narrator than the author who however is pretty damn good and writes a great tale, but a bad or average reader can completely destroy even the most accomplished writing, and I have been an avid audio book listener for many years now both on Audible and previously through my local library...certainly not the case with Colin Mace who reads with consummate skill bringing each character to life with a tremendous performance..... 'voice acting' at it's very highest ...Thank you Mr Mace you are a wonder!

15 people found this helpful

A MASTERPIECE OF STORY TELLING AND NARRATION

This most engaging novel of a 1960's barrister, corrupt police, and London gang warfare. Downloaded this immediately after Simon Michael's first novel, The Brief, and this is even better, putting it mildly. I felt I was there, living and breathing the protagonist's life, utterly mesmerising.

A gem among the dross of crime/ thrillers of today. It will also be a crime (ha, ha) not to listen to the superb narrator, Colin Mace, who without a doubt, masters all the characters. You live and breathe the moment. A mature combination of the highest order.

5 people found this helpful

Excellent listen - why are there no more?

This is the second in a series of books about the London barrister Charles Holborne but disappointingly, Audible only offer this one and the first book “The Brief”. I was looking forward to listening to the whole lot.

I enjoyed this novel for its original plot and characters you can care about. Set in 1960s London it touches on the gangland world of the Crays but with only some contextual violence.

I found it an absorbing and entertaining listen with some unexpected turns and a satisfying concern with the importance of truth and justice. It’s an intricate plot but quite understandable and touches on issues around antisemitism, in the context of the period.

Quite a bit of the action is set in the courtroom, where there are arguably some stereotypical characters but I enjoyed these exchanges and after all, the courtroom is a place of drama and theatre.

I thought the narration was fine, some quite believable cockney, very well paced and adding to the characters’ ability to engage the listener.

3 people found this helpful

Not Historically Accurate but an entertaining read

There appear to be a few anomalies regarding the setting and incorrect references that were not of early sixties life in London (i.e. 1962), however, it’s a really good story and a great performance so these can be overlooked.

3 people found this helpful

Courtroom drama with back story.

Listened to this over two days. Compelling plot, well read. unexpected twist at the end.

3 people found this helpful

Really good series

Such a shame the next two are not available on audio but need to go back to reading so I can continue to follow Charles. Loving the series.

2 people found this helpful

Excellent

Great follow on from the first book, really enjoying this book series. Can’t wait for the next one.

1 person found this helpful

Compelling second outing for Charles!

Author Simon Michael has excelled himself in this sequel to The Brief.
Barrister Charles, is the honest man of the title, in a London where bent briefs, gangland criminals & corrupt coppers thrive.
This case, all it's twists & turns, the drama of the courtroom and the exemplary narration by Colin Mace make for compelling listening. The ending sets one up for book 3, The Lighterman: The Kray Twins Are Out for Revenge... BUT sadly Audible have not used the same narrator, so bidding my time before using a credit.

A real page turner

After listening to the first book in this series I couldn't wait to find out what happened nest in the protagonists life. These books could easily be listened to singly but there is a continuing storyline through the series. Thriller? Murder mystery? Gangland drama? Family saga? All of these in one book. Highly recommend.

A great listen

Brilliant second book in the series, highly listenable and fast-paced with a great narrator and a compelling plot. Different to what I usually listen to but got lured in by the first book and really enjoyed both.