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  • The Brief

  • Charles Holborne, Book 1
  • By: Simon Michael
  • Narrated by: Colin Mace
  • Length: 8 hrs and 9 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (2,302 ratings)

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The Brief cover art

The Brief

By: Simon Michael
Narrated by: Colin Mace
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Summary

London in the 1960s: gang wars, corrupt police, vice and pornography. Ex-boxer Charles Holborne has plenty of opportunities to build his reputation with the criminal classes as a barrister who delivers. But Charles, an East End boy made good, is not all he seems, and his past is snapping at his heels.

When his philandering wife has her throat slashed, Holborne finds himself on the wrong side of the law and on the run. Can he discover the truth of the brutal slaying and escape the hangman's noose?

Based upon real Old Bailey cases and genuine court documents, The Brief is the first in barrister Simon Michael's series of compelling criminal dramas, an evocative slice of sleazy glamour from the swinging '60s. Simon Michael delivers an authentic and addictive listen for any crime fan.

©2015 Simon Michael (P)2017 Audible, Ltd.

What listeners say about The Brief

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Interesting

Enjoyed this book story and narrator will listen to the following books and hope they will be as good

13 people found this helpful

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VERY, VERY GOOD

Now that I have finished both books written by a barrister, and to use a cliche (and I was told never to use cliche's at Pitman's training college) ... "It blew me away".

It was the absolute perfect combination of author, Simon Michael and narrator, Colin Mace. Thank you both for creating such literary perfection and voice acting. See my review for An Honest Man. Even more superb.

12 people found this helpful

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Well worth listening to

Thoroughly enjoyable listen leading well into book 2. Comfortable Colin Mace territory who brings the characters alive.

6 people found this helpful

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Got me hooked

Brilliant story. Excellent narration. Impressed with the accents. It kept me hooked to the very end

4 people found this helpful

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Excellent plot and a very likeable protagonist!

This book hooked me in from the first. The reader was excellent! I highly recommend.

3 people found this helpful

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Excellent legal thrillers

I enjoyed The Brief, Simon Michael's first book, and I also enjoyed the sequel very much. Crime drama and courtroom drama set in 1960s London. Interesting lead character, a criminal barrister from a less privileged background. Great narration.

3 people found this helpful

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Brilliant

I really enjoyed this book. The narrator had some great accents and made you feel like Charles Holborne was a living breathing character

2 people found this helpful

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Well worth listening to

A very good storyline with a good ending. The narration was brilliant with realistic accents.

2 people found this helpful

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Great listen, really enjoyed.

Great story love that the twists and turns stop you from guessing the whole plot from the start.

2 people found this helpful

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What a find

First listen for me of Charles Holborne story by Simon Michael. Just like a book that you keep turning the next page I kept listening
Thoroughly recommend this book

1 person found this helpful

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  • Grandcalia
  • 12-09-17

Excellent book

Excellently written, superbly narrated. Full of classic law drama filled with suspense and intrigue. I highly recommend this book. The performance absolutely brings these well -developed characters and circumstances to life. Well done author and performer.

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  • AP
  • 20-12-22

Wonderful, engaging story

Simon Michael's a new favorite! His courtroom cross examinations are the best I've ever read. Charles Holburne is honest, smart, and not boring. Colin Mace does the story credit with excellent character portrayal.