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Charles Holborne #5
The Waxwork Corpse
Charles Holborne is back – with his strangest case to date! Perfect for fans of John Grisham, Robert Bailey, Michael Connelly and Robert Dugoni.
A deadly crime has been dragged to the surface…
London, 1965
Charles Holborne, maverick barrister, will never fit in at the Bar; he is too working-class, too Jewish and too dangerous.
But that makes him the perfect outsider to prosecute a shocking murder case which has already made its way to the press.
By chance, a body was found, dumped in a lake. It had clearly been there for some time, but the conditions in the water have meant that it was nearly perfectly preserved.
The police have managed to match this ‘waxwork corpse’ to a missing woman and if her husband — a senior judge — was the one who killed her, the scandal threatens to rock the British justice to its foundations.
The waxwork corpse is not the only thing to be raised from the past. The investigation also dredges up a violent mistake made by Charles in his youth which, if revealed, could put his own life at stake…
THE WAXWORK CORPSE , based on a real Old Bailey case, is the fifth crime novel in an exciting historical series, the Charles Holborne Legal Thrillers — gritty, hard-boiled mysteries set in 1960s London.
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
A deadly crime has been dragged to the surface…
London, 1965
Charles Holborne, maverick barrister, will never fit in at the Bar; he is too working-class, too Jewish and too dangerous.
But that makes him the perfect outsider to prosecute a shocking murder case which has already made its way to the press.
By chance, a body was found, dumped in a lake. It had clearly been there for some time, but the conditions in the water have meant that it was nearly perfectly preserved.
The police have managed to match this ‘waxwork corpse’ to a missing woman and if her husband — a senior judge — was the one who killed her, the scandal threatens to rock the British justice to its foundations.
The waxwork corpse is not the only thing to be raised from the past. The investigation also dredges up a violent mistake made by Charles in his youth which, if revealed, could put his own life at stake…
THE WAXWORK CORPSE , based on a real Old Bailey case, is the fifth crime novel in an exciting historical series, the Charles Holborne Legal Thrillers — gritty, hard-boiled mysteries set in 1960s London.
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
353 pages, Paperback
First published December 23, 2019
107 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
About the author
Simon Michael
17 books67 followersI am the author of the semi-autobiographical Charles Holborne crime and courtroom drama series. I'm sometimes referred to as the “British John Grisham”. The series, currently nine books, is based on my East End Cockney roots and my 37 years as a barrister (trial attorney) during which I prosecuted and defended every sort of villainy, from murder to rape, to armed robbery. Set in 1960s gangland London, the thrillers feature the big political events and cases of the day, as we moved from crumbling Empire and grey post-war rationing, to the Kray twins, Profumo, Carnaby Street, flower power, sex drugs and rock ‘n’ roll. The books are populated by the mad judges, corrupt coppers, lying clients and charming rogues I encountered during what was the Wild West of British Justice. As Sir Robert Mark, a later Commissioner of Metropolitan Police was to say:."The CID was the most routinely corrupt organisation in London”, and so it was. But it sure was exciting for those in the trenches. I hope you'll enjoy the ride.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
March 13, 2020
Revisiting Charles Holborne, this time he is an established lawyer. Having seen off plenty of enemies already, Holborne is set to create a landmark case against an accused judge. Although at the same time, it seems as if Holborne’s past is finally catching up with him. Holborne is forced to juggle the courtroom and his own personal dramas in this interesting thriller.
I enjoyed parts of this novel but it didn’t fully grip me. Initially, I felt weighed down by the heavy legal elements of the story and was keen to see the court case develop. Once this occurred, the pace certainly intensified and I felt my interest was piqued. However, even this sometimes became heavy-going, particularly in the final few chapters.
Set in the 1960s, I relished in the references towards the Kray twins. For me, this made the story even more realistic. Knowing this is based on actual events made the court case all the more interesting and I liked seeing how Holborne dealt with it all. The side plot of the blackmailing felt rather weak in comparison and I think I would have appreciated the main story being developed further instead.
Michael makes many references to Holborne’s Jewish background. I think this was really important in creating such a rounded character. I could not totally relate to it but appreciated how this balanced out his cheeky, cockney personality. I sympathised with Holborne’s family circumstances and could easily imagine him sharing his tiny flat with his father – it sounded rather squashed!
Holborne is definitely a character who will make you smile. He is quick-witted and at times, rather entertaining. Michael places in many unexpected twists and turns, particularly in the closing parts of this narrative, suggesting that there are further instalments in this crime series to come. Although this novel did not fully engage my attention, I was interested to see how Holborne’s character had developed from the opening book. It is probably not a series I will revisit yet, the cultural references and gritty legal drama would probably appeal to many crime fiction fans.
With thanks to Sapere books for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed parts of this novel but it didn’t fully grip me. Initially, I felt weighed down by the heavy legal elements of the story and was keen to see the court case develop. Once this occurred, the pace certainly intensified and I felt my interest was piqued. However, even this sometimes became heavy-going, particularly in the final few chapters.
Set in the 1960s, I relished in the references towards the Kray twins. For me, this made the story even more realistic. Knowing this is based on actual events made the court case all the more interesting and I liked seeing how Holborne dealt with it all. The side plot of the blackmailing felt rather weak in comparison and I think I would have appreciated the main story being developed further instead.
Michael makes many references to Holborne’s Jewish background. I think this was really important in creating such a rounded character. I could not totally relate to it but appreciated how this balanced out his cheeky, cockney personality. I sympathised with Holborne’s family circumstances and could easily imagine him sharing his tiny flat with his father – it sounded rather squashed!
Holborne is definitely a character who will make you smile. He is quick-witted and at times, rather entertaining. Michael places in many unexpected twists and turns, particularly in the closing parts of this narrative, suggesting that there are further instalments in this crime series to come. Although this novel did not fully engage my attention, I was interested to see how Holborne’s character had developed from the opening book. It is probably not a series I will revisit yet, the cultural references and gritty legal drama would probably appeal to many crime fiction fans.
With thanks to Sapere books for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 20, 2019
The Waxwork Corpse is the fifth book in the Charles Holborne Legal Thrillers series and is a noir, gangster-esque novel set in 1960s London and featuring former criminal and antihero barrister, Mr Charles Holborne. It is preferable, though not essential, to have read the previous instalments before this as the stories are pretty much self-contained, however, if you jump right in here you will not be privy to Charles's evolution and development. Holborne has been called in to prosecute a senior judge whose fame is about to turn to infamy if the press has anything to do with it; they will go to any lengths to get to a story so long as it sells copies and makes them money. Holborne is the perfect man for the job given he's not a part of the old boys club type of sticking together and hence has little to lose. However, Charles's somewhat unsavoury past looks as though it may be coming out of the woodwork and threatens his high-flying career; a career he's fought hard to keep and he certainly doesn't want it to all go to the dogs now. But we all know that the truth will out in the end no matter how hard you wish it away.
This is a thoroughly enjoyable and captivating thriller set against a historical backdrop and both time and place are described superbly throughout. Michael's writes from personal experience having been a practising barrister for close to four decades. He has worked at the Old Bailey for a time and this story is based on a real case that took place there. I felt really quite emotional at times for Holborne as he doesn't fit in at work, as many of his colleagues come from middle or upper-class families whilst he is working class, but at home, London's East End, it's the opposite way around. To make matters worse he has been subjected to discrimination at work too; not just with regards to his lower-class status but also his religious views. The importance of family relationships is a recurring theme throughout the book, and I very much enjoyed getting to know more about the reluctant, fish-out-of-water main character. A fast-paced, gritty and exciting read, and a book that kept me highly entertained for its entirety. Many thanks to Sapere Books for an ARC.
This is a thoroughly enjoyable and captivating thriller set against a historical backdrop and both time and place are described superbly throughout. Michael's writes from personal experience having been a practising barrister for close to four decades. He has worked at the Old Bailey for a time and this story is based on a real case that took place there. I felt really quite emotional at times for Holborne as he doesn't fit in at work, as many of his colleagues come from middle or upper-class families whilst he is working class, but at home, London's East End, it's the opposite way around. To make matters worse he has been subjected to discrimination at work too; not just with regards to his lower-class status but also his religious views. The importance of family relationships is a recurring theme throughout the book, and I very much enjoyed getting to know more about the reluctant, fish-out-of-water main character. A fast-paced, gritty and exciting read, and a book that kept me highly entertained for its entirety. Many thanks to Sapere Books for an ARC.
February 4, 2020
The Waxwork Corpse by Simon Michael
Charles Holborne Legal Thriller #5
1940 – war – a bit about Charlie’s life during the air raids that will come back to haunt him in the books is then followed by…
1965 – a body found in deep water – leads to a very intriguing case that will bring Charlie on as Queen’s Counsel.
Thrown into the mix – Charlie’s family and issues related to his relationship with his parents and the religion he was born into but has pretty much left behind.
So...with threads aplenty and a case to prepare for this story was a humdinger. I wasn’t sure at first where it was going with the time jump, body, and all the rest but the race to the end, the twists and turns, the feeling I had at the end...well...this was such a good book that I immediately sent an email to my siblings telling them to look for this book and this series and also had to tweet about it, too.
What I liked:
* That the story is related to a real case from the past
* Charles: smart, human, a person I want to know better – a good lawyer but one who can see how the game is played
* That I did not like the murder victim and might have wanted to murder her myself
* The way the story picked up speed along the way
* The side story dealing with his family
* That it made me think about the religion I grew up with and left behind (not the one in the book – another one)
* The era and setting of the book
* The twists I was not able to anticipate
* Everything
Some of the thoughts I wrote down as I read:
* Oh my! Gobsmacked and then – Oh my! Again
* Gamesmanship
* Masterful
* English law cagier?
* Puzzling – a puzzle
* Smart – like it – caught my total interest – especially at page 210
* The Law – all just a dramatic exercise
* Tantalizing
* Cunning
* Really good
* Need to find the first four books to learn more about Charles
* Have to look up rams’ horn and listen to what it sounds like (and it reminded me of the sound my brother used to toot out of a long cow’s horn scaring neighbors as they passed by).
Did I like this book? Oh my...YES
Would I read more by this author/in this series? Without a doubt
Thank you to Sapere Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
Charles Holborne Legal Thriller #5
1940 – war – a bit about Charlie’s life during the air raids that will come back to haunt him in the books is then followed by…
1965 – a body found in deep water – leads to a very intriguing case that will bring Charlie on as Queen’s Counsel.
Thrown into the mix – Charlie’s family and issues related to his relationship with his parents and the religion he was born into but has pretty much left behind.
So...with threads aplenty and a case to prepare for this story was a humdinger. I wasn’t sure at first where it was going with the time jump, body, and all the rest but the race to the end, the twists and turns, the feeling I had at the end...well...this was such a good book that I immediately sent an email to my siblings telling them to look for this book and this series and also had to tweet about it, too.
What I liked:
* That the story is related to a real case from the past
* Charles: smart, human, a person I want to know better – a good lawyer but one who can see how the game is played
* That I did not like the murder victim and might have wanted to murder her myself
* The way the story picked up speed along the way
* The side story dealing with his family
* That it made me think about the religion I grew up with and left behind (not the one in the book – another one)
* The era and setting of the book
* The twists I was not able to anticipate
* Everything
Some of the thoughts I wrote down as I read:
* Oh my! Gobsmacked and then – Oh my! Again
* Gamesmanship
* Masterful
* English law cagier?
* Puzzling – a puzzle
* Smart – like it – caught my total interest – especially at page 210
* The Law – all just a dramatic exercise
* Tantalizing
* Cunning
* Really good
* Need to find the first four books to learn more about Charles
* Have to look up rams’ horn and listen to what it sounds like (and it reminded me of the sound my brother used to toot out of a long cow’s horn scaring neighbors as they passed by).
Did I like this book? Oh my...YES
Would I read more by this author/in this series? Without a doubt
Thank you to Sapere Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
December 25, 2019
‘Money for old rope, he thinks to himself.’
London 1965. Charles Holborne may never fit into the establishment at the Bar, but he’s certainly been capturing attention. While he usually works for the defence, in this case he is asked to work as part of an investigation that may lead to the prosecution of a well-known public figure for murder.
A body has been found in a lake. While it has clearly been there for some time, it is very well preserved. It is quickly identified as the body of a senior judge’s wife, reported missing some years earlier. But who killed her?
This case draws a lot of media attention, including from a person in Charles Holborne’s past. A mistake, which could still cost him dearly.
And, on a personal level, there are family issue for Charles to deal with, and the Kray Twins continue to lurk in the background. Charles is lonely since he split up with Sally, but his father has him reflecting on what is important. While the courtroom scenes are less central to this case than to other books in the series, there’s a twist.
This is the fifth book (so far) in the Charles Holborne series. While each one could be read on a standalone basis, reading them in order is far more satisfying. Charles Holborne is a complicated, believable character, far from perfect. A barrister you’d want in your corner.
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
London 1965. Charles Holborne may never fit into the establishment at the Bar, but he’s certainly been capturing attention. While he usually works for the defence, in this case he is asked to work as part of an investigation that may lead to the prosecution of a well-known public figure for murder.
A body has been found in a lake. While it has clearly been there for some time, it is very well preserved. It is quickly identified as the body of a senior judge’s wife, reported missing some years earlier. But who killed her?
This case draws a lot of media attention, including from a person in Charles Holborne’s past. A mistake, which could still cost him dearly.
And, on a personal level, there are family issue for Charles to deal with, and the Kray Twins continue to lurk in the background. Charles is lonely since he split up with Sally, but his father has him reflecting on what is important. While the courtroom scenes are less central to this case than to other books in the series, there’s a twist.
This is the fifth book (so far) in the Charles Holborne series. While each one could be read on a standalone basis, reading them in order is far more satisfying. Charles Holborne is a complicated, believable character, far from perfect. A barrister you’d want in your corner.
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
February 21, 2020
In a vast reservoir whilst on a dive a tightly wrapped body is found. Whilst a young woman has been missing, it is discovered this is not that woman. The woman whose body is found is someone who went missing thirteen years ago - a wife of a Judge and one who is very eminent now.
Judge Steele is a pillar of the community - three young children, stellar character and there is no one who will talk ill of him. On the other hand, there is no one either personal or professional who will talk well of his late wife - the stories are lurid and ugly and each one is worse than the other. That he stayed in the marriage "for the sake of the children" is the theory flouted but even that wears thin.
On discovering blood in the ceiling and on the floorboards of their former house the Judge is taken into custody and then the trial emerges. The prosecuting lawyer Charlie has his own demons - Jewish and not comfortable in an orthodox household he has broken away from family and has a bitter relationship with his mother. He puts together the pieces of Judge Steele's marriage and the final breakdown where he murdered his wife. The Judge however due to clever lawyering and an epic display of emotion masterfully crafted swings a jury for his acquittal.
It is only after the acquittal that Charlie puts together pieces of a puzzle which he knows is incomplete upto now and the final piece is very surprising.
Well written, masterfully played out by the two main characters of Judge Steele and Charlie and the supporting cast of family this was a very good book.
Judge Steele is a pillar of the community - three young children, stellar character and there is no one who will talk ill of him. On the other hand, there is no one either personal or professional who will talk well of his late wife - the stories are lurid and ugly and each one is worse than the other. That he stayed in the marriage "for the sake of the children" is the theory flouted but even that wears thin.
On discovering blood in the ceiling and on the floorboards of their former house the Judge is taken into custody and then the trial emerges. The prosecuting lawyer Charlie has his own demons - Jewish and not comfortable in an orthodox household he has broken away from family and has a bitter relationship with his mother. He puts together the pieces of Judge Steele's marriage and the final breakdown where he murdered his wife. The Judge however due to clever lawyering and an epic display of emotion masterfully crafted swings a jury for his acquittal.
It is only after the acquittal that Charlie puts together pieces of a puzzle which he knows is incomplete upto now and the final piece is very surprising.
Well written, masterfully played out by the two main characters of Judge Steele and Charlie and the supporting cast of family this was a very good book.
March 10, 2020
What a read; thrilling from beginning to end!
Charles Holborne, barrister, is taunted on a daily basis by his peers for being Jewish, working class and too damn good at his job. When a body is discovered in a lake, the powers that be approach Charles for advice on how to proceed. The corpse has been, unusually, almost perfectly preserved so now begins the process of building a case to hopefully take to court, but Charles' attention is divided by a blast from his past - and not a very welcome one . . .
I'm ashamed to say that I read the first book in this series and have skipped the next three. I really must go back to them as this is a stunningly good read! I'm not surprised that the author was himself a barrister as his legal knowledge shines through. Many years ago I saw a film starring Glenn Close called Jagged Edge which I've never forgotten, and this is every bit as thrilling and exciting. The tension was palpable when the accused was giving evidence; I even missed the tv news (something I watch religiously each lunchtime) and I was on the edge of my seat until the final word. This is one novel where it isn't all over til the fat lady sings and, trust me, she sings loudly! The story itself is very skilfully crafted, easing out the necessary information bit by bit and the writing flows beautifully. Gripping, amazing, cracking - there really aren't enough words to sum this one up. My highest recommendation and five sparkling stars, and worth each and every one of them!
Charles Holborne, barrister, is taunted on a daily basis by his peers for being Jewish, working class and too damn good at his job. When a body is discovered in a lake, the powers that be approach Charles for advice on how to proceed. The corpse has been, unusually, almost perfectly preserved so now begins the process of building a case to hopefully take to court, but Charles' attention is divided by a blast from his past - and not a very welcome one . . .
I'm ashamed to say that I read the first book in this series and have skipped the next three. I really must go back to them as this is a stunningly good read! I'm not surprised that the author was himself a barrister as his legal knowledge shines through. Many years ago I saw a film starring Glenn Close called Jagged Edge which I've never forgotten, and this is every bit as thrilling and exciting. The tension was palpable when the accused was giving evidence; I even missed the tv news (something I watch religiously each lunchtime) and I was on the edge of my seat until the final word. This is one novel where it isn't all over til the fat lady sings and, trust me, she sings loudly! The story itself is very skilfully crafted, easing out the necessary information bit by bit and the writing flows beautifully. Gripping, amazing, cracking - there really aren't enough words to sum this one up. My highest recommendation and five sparkling stars, and worth each and every one of them!
December 29, 2019
Charles Holbourne, a working class Jew from London’s East End and a former boxer, is a barrister in 1960s London. Unpopular with his peers because he is “Not quite one of us” and disowned by his family for turning his back on his Jewish heritage, his place as a misfit makes him the ideal person for the security services to turn to when a body is found in Wastwater and turns out to be that of the long-missing wife of a High Court judge.
During the investigation, Holbourne encounters a very unsavoury character from his past, introducing an exciting sub-plot to the story, and is reunited with his parents when they separate and his father moves in with him, adding a third thread to the tale.
The three threads are skilfully intertwined throughout the book leaving the reader keen to know how all of them are resolved. Holbourne’s skill and precision when it comes to legal and criminal affairs don’t always extend to his personal life – an all-too-realistic scenario making him a very believable character. In fact, I like all the characterisation – the Jewish family members manage to be obviously Jewish without resorting to clichés as do the gangland thugs.
A gripping and highly readable story that flows well from beginning to end. This is the fifth in the Charles Holbourne series; I have previously read the first and each book is a stand alone. I thoroughly enjoyed it and am keen to catch up on the books I have skipped.
During the investigation, Holbourne encounters a very unsavoury character from his past, introducing an exciting sub-plot to the story, and is reunited with his parents when they separate and his father moves in with him, adding a third thread to the tale.
The three threads are skilfully intertwined throughout the book leaving the reader keen to know how all of them are resolved. Holbourne’s skill and precision when it comes to legal and criminal affairs don’t always extend to his personal life – an all-too-realistic scenario making him a very believable character. In fact, I like all the characterisation – the Jewish family members manage to be obviously Jewish without resorting to clichés as do the gangland thugs.
A gripping and highly readable story that flows well from beginning to end. This is the fifth in the Charles Holbourne series; I have previously read the first and each book is a stand alone. I thoroughly enjoyed it and am keen to catch up on the books I have skipped.
January 12, 2020
In the latest book in the series, we find Charles Holborne being asked to help in a case involving a High Court judge, whose wife had been missing for over 13 years. It is actually based on a true case with certain areas changed however it does make for very good reading and unlike the previous books, barely mentions the Kray twins in this one. We are also given greater insight into the conflict which Charles has with his parents due to his lapse in the Jewish faith. I have found all Simon's books in this series very informative and true to life which just adds to their appeal. I would certainly recommend this novel.
Thanks to Sapere books for the ARC to review.
Thanks to Sapere books for the ARC to review.
Want to read
December 22, 2019Sapere Books
January 19, 2024
⭐️ 4.5 stars ⭐️
March 15, 2020
Set in England of the 1950s-1960s, The Waxwork Corpse by Simon Michael is a slow paced classical legal thriller yet with many unexpected twists.
Personally, I prefer novels set in our very recent times, except for some historical novels, but the ways in which the spirit of the old times is inserted into the story in this book are so smooth that one doesn´t need extra documentation or a long time journey. The historical part, which goes as far as the 1940s, during the bombing of London by the Germans is used as a useful background but there are no historical specificities besides the specific context as such.
The story in itself is catching and once I started to read the book I`ve refused to let it down. There were many reasons for that: the writing, the characters, the story in itself that although it has a certain degree of predictability it has unexpected emotional twists revealing hidden human truth, the construction of the story in itself, with its more than one layer of development. Do not expect The Waxwork Corpse to be a reading packed with action and activities and corpses every 2 pages. There is only one corpse whose life and encounters are reconstructed based on the testimonies of people close to her, but the person who did the murder is apparently known from the very beginning.
Charles Holborne, formerly Horowitz, a former boxer with a shady past, an unusual yet respected barrister, is prosecuting another barrister whose wife, disappeared for over 10 years, was finally discovered in the Lake District. That wife was a nasty unbearable aggressive character herself it seems, and probably the barrister acted in self defense, but why it took so long to recognize the murder and why he hid evidences for so long? The final answer will be known only in the end, and it is a surprising one, although following the logic of the story, without a spectacular turn of situation. The barrister will be declared ´not guilty´ although his career will be over anyway.
In parallel with the legal thriller, there is a personal story involving Holborne´s relationship with his Jewish heritage and his family in general which is going on, which in relationship with the thriller development itself gives an unique perspective on the bonding between fathers and sons as well.
The story is based on a real case and the author himself, Simon Michael, was a barrister for 37 years with experience in defending a very diverse category of culprits.
The Waxwork Corpse is the 5th from the Charles Holborne published by Sapere Books. For me, it was the first encounter with this unusual barrister and the fact that I haven´t read previous books from the series did not influence the understanding of the current book. However, I realized that I love the writing so much that I may be interested in exploring more of Holborne´s adventures.
Disclaimer: The book was generously offered to be by Sapere Books in exchange for an honest review, but the opinions are, as usual, my own.
Personally, I prefer novels set in our very recent times, except for some historical novels, but the ways in which the spirit of the old times is inserted into the story in this book are so smooth that one doesn´t need extra documentation or a long time journey. The historical part, which goes as far as the 1940s, during the bombing of London by the Germans is used as a useful background but there are no historical specificities besides the specific context as such.
The story in itself is catching and once I started to read the book I`ve refused to let it down. There were many reasons for that: the writing, the characters, the story in itself that although it has a certain degree of predictability it has unexpected emotional twists revealing hidden human truth, the construction of the story in itself, with its more than one layer of development. Do not expect The Waxwork Corpse to be a reading packed with action and activities and corpses every 2 pages. There is only one corpse whose life and encounters are reconstructed based on the testimonies of people close to her, but the person who did the murder is apparently known from the very beginning.
Charles Holborne, formerly Horowitz, a former boxer with a shady past, an unusual yet respected barrister, is prosecuting another barrister whose wife, disappeared for over 10 years, was finally discovered in the Lake District. That wife was a nasty unbearable aggressive character herself it seems, and probably the barrister acted in self defense, but why it took so long to recognize the murder and why he hid evidences for so long? The final answer will be known only in the end, and it is a surprising one, although following the logic of the story, without a spectacular turn of situation. The barrister will be declared ´not guilty´ although his career will be over anyway.
In parallel with the legal thriller, there is a personal story involving Holborne´s relationship with his Jewish heritage and his family in general which is going on, which in relationship with the thriller development itself gives an unique perspective on the bonding between fathers and sons as well.
The story is based on a real case and the author himself, Simon Michael, was a barrister for 37 years with experience in defending a very diverse category of culprits.
The Waxwork Corpse is the 5th from the Charles Holborne published by Sapere Books. For me, it was the first encounter with this unusual barrister and the fact that I haven´t read previous books from the series did not influence the understanding of the current book. However, I realized that I love the writing so much that I may be interested in exploring more of Holborne´s adventures.
Disclaimer: The book was generously offered to be by Sapere Books in exchange for an honest review, but the opinions are, as usual, my own.
February 25, 2020
I'm a huge fan of Simon Michael's Charles Holborne series and I made sure that I had this fifth instalment on preorder so that it dropped onto my kindle on release day. Although it took me a few weeks to get round to reading it, I can definitely say that it was well worth waiting for.
Simon Michael has taken the Charles Holborne series to the next level with The Waxwork Corpse; not only do we get to see Charles at his lowest ebb but, as it says on the cover, there is a huge twist in this book. I wasn't going to refer to this at all as it feels like a bit of a spoiler, but all I will say is that it's an absolutely brilliant jaw-dropping ending to an outstanding book.
My heart really went out to Charles in this book. The prejudice he experiences is a common theme throughout the whole series but it seems to really reach a head in The Waxwork Corpse. Not only do his peers look down their noses at him because of his Jewish ancestry and his East End upbringing, but his mother has basically disowned him because he refuses to conform to the Jewish faith. Millie Horowitz is a very bitter woman and when she stops speaking to Charles she turns her forked tongue on her long suffering husband.
Of course, it wouldn't be a Charles Holborne legal thriller without a court case and what a case it is! Charles is not afraid to take on a high profile case, after all he has nothing to lose and this case of the murdered wife of a judge resonates with Charles as he was in a similar situation in The Brief. This time, Charles is on the prosecution rather than being the accused and I loved reading about sifting through the collection of evidence and flashbacks to the judge's past.
I actually didn't think Simon Michael's writing had any room for improvement but oh my goodness some of the descriptions in The Waxwork Corpse gave me goosebumps. The description of Tiffen's Rock on the shore of Wastwater is simply sublime, but one sentence stood out among others and I'd like to share it here. During one of Charles' own flashbacks during the blitz, he is out with his cousin Izzy when the air raid sirens start sounding and with searchlights scanning the skies for enemy aircraft, Simon Michael writes:
"London holds its breath."
Never before have four words been so powerful and held such meaning. It feels like Simon Michael has carefully chosen every single one of his words and they all fit together perfectly to complete the jigsaw of The Waxwork Corpse.
Scarily true to life The Waxwork Corpse is actually based on a real life case and you can find out more about the Lady in the Lake in Wastwater if you google it. I love that crossover between fact and fiction in novels, although we love to escape through fiction there's something special about books that feel true to life. I always love it when a book interests me so much that I end up heading off to google to find out more.
Exceptional, outstanding and completely brilliant, The Waxwork Corpse, is Simon Michael at his finest. This phenomenal series blasts all other legal thrillers out of the water and I can't recommend it highly enough. Simon Michael, you're accused of stealing all five stars. How do you plead? GUILTY!
Simon Michael has taken the Charles Holborne series to the next level with The Waxwork Corpse; not only do we get to see Charles at his lowest ebb but, as it says on the cover, there is a huge twist in this book. I wasn't going to refer to this at all as it feels like a bit of a spoiler, but all I will say is that it's an absolutely brilliant jaw-dropping ending to an outstanding book.
My heart really went out to Charles in this book. The prejudice he experiences is a common theme throughout the whole series but it seems to really reach a head in The Waxwork Corpse. Not only do his peers look down their noses at him because of his Jewish ancestry and his East End upbringing, but his mother has basically disowned him because he refuses to conform to the Jewish faith. Millie Horowitz is a very bitter woman and when she stops speaking to Charles she turns her forked tongue on her long suffering husband.
Of course, it wouldn't be a Charles Holborne legal thriller without a court case and what a case it is! Charles is not afraid to take on a high profile case, after all he has nothing to lose and this case of the murdered wife of a judge resonates with Charles as he was in a similar situation in The Brief. This time, Charles is on the prosecution rather than being the accused and I loved reading about sifting through the collection of evidence and flashbacks to the judge's past.
I actually didn't think Simon Michael's writing had any room for improvement but oh my goodness some of the descriptions in The Waxwork Corpse gave me goosebumps. The description of Tiffen's Rock on the shore of Wastwater is simply sublime, but one sentence stood out among others and I'd like to share it here. During one of Charles' own flashbacks during the blitz, he is out with his cousin Izzy when the air raid sirens start sounding and with searchlights scanning the skies for enemy aircraft, Simon Michael writes:
"London holds its breath."
Never before have four words been so powerful and held such meaning. It feels like Simon Michael has carefully chosen every single one of his words and they all fit together perfectly to complete the jigsaw of The Waxwork Corpse.
Scarily true to life The Waxwork Corpse is actually based on a real life case and you can find out more about the Lady in the Lake in Wastwater if you google it. I love that crossover between fact and fiction in novels, although we love to escape through fiction there's something special about books that feel true to life. I always love it when a book interests me so much that I end up heading off to google to find out more.
Exceptional, outstanding and completely brilliant, The Waxwork Corpse, is Simon Michael at his finest. This phenomenal series blasts all other legal thrillers out of the water and I can't recommend it highly enough. Simon Michael, you're accused of stealing all five stars. How do you plead? GUILTY!
January 6, 2020
Charles Holborne is a barrister in London in the 1960s and is called in on a very sensitive case. The wife of Sir Anthony Steele, one of England’s top judges, disappeared years ago. Her body has now been discovered and Sir Anthony is the prime suspect. Charles must review the evidence, determine if a case can be made, and if so, present the evidence in court for the Crown. It is essential for Charles to be sure of his facts since Sir Anthony is such an important man. While handling the most important case of his life, Charles must also face things from his own violent past coming back to haunt him as well as dealing with problems within his own family.
“The Waxwork Corpse” is the fifth book in this series, but the first I have read. The murder mystery itself stands on its own and I really enjoyed it. I was surprised when I read in the historical note at the end of the book that parts of the book are based on an actual case. The book is well researched and well-written. The case is intriguing and the twist at the end really surprised me. I like the way Charles works with the investigators to try to get to the truth of the case. I was a little disappointed with the way things ended in the case, but appreciate the plot twist.
I like the character of Charles and enjoyed the touching moments between him and his father. Charles has been estranged from his parents because Charles has rejected his Jewish religion and culture. The details about Jewish holidays and traditions included in the book fit in well with this storyline and are very informative and interesting. This subplot was easy to catch up on even though this is the first book I’ve read in this series. However, the subplot about Charles’s more violent past and how that time in his life leads to events in the present is harder to relate to without having read the prior books. That subplot was my least favorite part of the story. Overall, I really liked the book and am interested to see what happens next for Charles. Charles makes an interesting comment related to his personal life at the end that could affect future books and will be especially interesting to those who have been following the series from the beginning.
I received this book through the courtesy of Sapere books. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
“The Waxwork Corpse” is the fifth book in this series, but the first I have read. The murder mystery itself stands on its own and I really enjoyed it. I was surprised when I read in the historical note at the end of the book that parts of the book are based on an actual case. The book is well researched and well-written. The case is intriguing and the twist at the end really surprised me. I like the way Charles works with the investigators to try to get to the truth of the case. I was a little disappointed with the way things ended in the case, but appreciate the plot twist.
I like the character of Charles and enjoyed the touching moments between him and his father. Charles has been estranged from his parents because Charles has rejected his Jewish religion and culture. The details about Jewish holidays and traditions included in the book fit in well with this storyline and are very informative and interesting. This subplot was easy to catch up on even though this is the first book I’ve read in this series. However, the subplot about Charles’s more violent past and how that time in his life leads to events in the present is harder to relate to without having read the prior books. That subplot was my least favorite part of the story. Overall, I really liked the book and am interested to see what happens next for Charles. Charles makes an interesting comment related to his personal life at the end that could affect future books and will be especially interesting to those who have been following the series from the beginning.
I received this book through the courtesy of Sapere books. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
February 26, 2020
This was my first encounter with the work of author Simon Michael. However, The Waxwork Corpse is apparently the fifth book in a series of his featuring the adventures of the criminal law barrister Charles Holbourne. I thought at first that I would be a bit lost in a plot that would rely heavily on earlier events from the previous books – but far from it. The Waxwork Corpse is a thoroughly engaging stand-alone tale set in 1960s London, but with enough of the back story of Charles Horowitz’s former life, in wartime London in the East End Docks of the 1940s, to provide everything required to understand the complex character of this previous villain turned lawyer. The plot, as for the earlier books, is apparently based on a real case of which Simon Michael, a real criminal barrister turned author, had first-hand experience. Suitably modified to protect the real characters involved, the story starts with the discovery of a body by amateur divers in a deep lake in the lake district; the body is soon identified as the “missing” wife of an eminent Crown Court judge, which causes the Metropolitan Police huge problem when the judge himself is suspected of being responsible for her death. The book focuses on the police investigation and then the legal processes that are brought to bear, leading to the judge being charged with murder. Linked in to this tale are twists in the plot going back to Charles’s 1940s East End London life and the nefarious characters he knew then (including the Kray Twins). The book provides a thrilling tale with obviously very accurately related and fascinating happenings in the court room during the trial of the judge; the book then ends with a twist in the tale which I did not see coming and which will make any reader rethink the earlier story that had been unfolded. A thoroughly enjoyable book which I found difficult to put down, and although it stands alone it certainly made me keen to read some of the earlier books in the series, featuring the captivating character of Charles Holborne. I am very grateful to Sapere Books for providing me a copy for review.
December 27, 2019
I now actively look forward to the next Charles Holborne legal thriller and this book, the fifth in a burgeoning series, based on an actual murder case, clearly demonstrates why.
Holborne is a maverick barrister who is practising in the early to mid 60s and at a time when London was dominated by the Krays and Richardson gangs and prejudice and snobbery predominated within the legal profession, Holborne is a Jew from a working class background who does not fit in and is not easily accepted by the majority of the legal fraternity.
For all his individualism and idiosyncrasies Holborne is deeply moral with a strong sense of duty and fair play even if his family life is torrid and he is now partially estranged from his orthodox Jewish parents and his domineering mother in particular who is unable to accept his rejection of orthodox Judaism and the restrictions it imposes.
Why am I dwelling on this subject?
Simply as I too was brought up in the 60s in an orthodox and inflexible orthodox Jewish household and similarly rebelled even if my parents, threatened but never actually followed through, as they do with Holborne, with their threats to ostracise and sit shiva for my associating with non-Jewish women.
No wonder I can identity with Simon Michael or his alter ego, Charles Holborne and I can certainly attest to the accuracy of his depiction of London Jewish life.
The plot was fascinating and the book crackled with excitement.
This was everything that a thriller should be - and more.
I understand that there is more to come from Simon Michael and I can hardly wait.
Holborne is a maverick barrister who is practising in the early to mid 60s and at a time when London was dominated by the Krays and Richardson gangs and prejudice and snobbery predominated within the legal profession, Holborne is a Jew from a working class background who does not fit in and is not easily accepted by the majority of the legal fraternity.
For all his individualism and idiosyncrasies Holborne is deeply moral with a strong sense of duty and fair play even if his family life is torrid and he is now partially estranged from his orthodox Jewish parents and his domineering mother in particular who is unable to accept his rejection of orthodox Judaism and the restrictions it imposes.
Why am I dwelling on this subject?
Simply as I too was brought up in the 60s in an orthodox and inflexible orthodox Jewish household and similarly rebelled even if my parents, threatened but never actually followed through, as they do with Holborne, with their threats to ostracise and sit shiva for my associating with non-Jewish women.
No wonder I can identity with Simon Michael or his alter ego, Charles Holborne and I can certainly attest to the accuracy of his depiction of London Jewish life.
The plot was fascinating and the book crackled with excitement.
This was everything that a thriller should be - and more.
I understand that there is more to come from Simon Michael and I can hardly wait.
March 13, 2020
I was super intrigued by this one. Luckily it works well as a standalone!
The story follows Charles Holborne who is a maverick barrister. He is too working-class and too Jewish for the Bar. This makes him perfect to prosecute a shocking murder case that has made it to the press and the main suspect is a senior judge who was the husband of the missing woman. Along with all of this, a violent mistake made by Charles in the 40s is being unburied. If revealed, could put his own life at stake.
This was intense and I could hardly put it down. I liked Charles of course, but I was more intrigued by the murder investigation and then the trial. I kept catching myself yelling at the book or gasping (much to my boyfriend's annoyance who had the utter mistake of asking what was up because then I had to try and explain all the drama! I think he was secretly amused and curious because he did ask how it ended later on).
So good. So good. I haven't read such a great thriller in a while. I am so happy this did well as a standalone. I am curious about the others now. Like I said...I like Charles and I am curious about him and some of the other mysteries.
I was worried about the mix of the murder mystery and the trial because one aspect is usually too quick or overshadows the other. But I think we had enough time to investigate and then see the trial play out. Perfect blend there.
AND THAT TWIST! WOW! Didn't see that coming. Kuddos to the author there.
All-in-all, I really loved this book. It was sooooooooooo good and if you like mysteries/thrillers, then I highly recommend this one. I'll give this 5 stars.
The story follows Charles Holborne who is a maverick barrister. He is too working-class and too Jewish for the Bar. This makes him perfect to prosecute a shocking murder case that has made it to the press and the main suspect is a senior judge who was the husband of the missing woman. Along with all of this, a violent mistake made by Charles in the 40s is being unburied. If revealed, could put his own life at stake.
This was intense and I could hardly put it down. I liked Charles of course, but I was more intrigued by the murder investigation and then the trial. I kept catching myself yelling at the book or gasping (much to my boyfriend's annoyance who had the utter mistake of asking what was up because then I had to try and explain all the drama! I think he was secretly amused and curious because he did ask how it ended later on).
So good. So good. I haven't read such a great thriller in a while. I am so happy this did well as a standalone. I am curious about the others now. Like I said...I like Charles and I am curious about him and some of the other mysteries.
I was worried about the mix of the murder mystery and the trial because one aspect is usually too quick or overshadows the other. But I think we had enough time to investigate and then see the trial play out. Perfect blend there.
AND THAT TWIST! WOW! Didn't see that coming. Kuddos to the author there.
All-in-all, I really loved this book. It was sooooooooooo good and if you like mysteries/thrillers, then I highly recommend this one. I'll give this 5 stars.
February 4, 2020
'The Waxwork Corpse' calls itself a legal thriller, but it shares many of the attributes of a police procedural. Think Law and Order with the emphasis on the lawyers.
It has a prologue in London during the Blitz, which I felt caught the period better than many thrillers. Most of the book, though, is set in 1965. It is a book firmly embedded in its period – so much so that I wondered if it was a reprint, but the copyright assures me that it was written in 2019.
Not only the period, but the legal procedures are totally convincing. At the end of the book there is a note about the author who, it turns out, was a practising barrister. His books are based on real cases and draw on his personal experience and this intimate knowledge of the law definitely shows through. Although it will appeal to lovers of the police procedural who are in the position of solving a whodunnit closely based on actual crimes, it can get a bit turgid at times. For example, court depositions are not literary works and many of them are reproduced in full. This can slow the narrative, but the subject matter is generally gripping enough and I would imagine that most people will have no trouble pushing through occasional dull passages.
Overall this is the sort of book that will appeal to people who like period piece detective mysteries. I imagine fans of Agatha Christie or even the Inspector Morse books, for example, may well be in for a treat.
It has a prologue in London during the Blitz, which I felt caught the period better than many thrillers. Most of the book, though, is set in 1965. It is a book firmly embedded in its period – so much so that I wondered if it was a reprint, but the copyright assures me that it was written in 2019.
Not only the period, but the legal procedures are totally convincing. At the end of the book there is a note about the author who, it turns out, was a practising barrister. His books are based on real cases and draw on his personal experience and this intimate knowledge of the law definitely shows through. Although it will appeal to lovers of the police procedural who are in the position of solving a whodunnit closely based on actual crimes, it can get a bit turgid at times. For example, court depositions are not literary works and many of them are reproduced in full. This can slow the narrative, but the subject matter is generally gripping enough and I would imagine that most people will have no trouble pushing through occasional dull passages.
Overall this is the sort of book that will appeal to people who like period piece detective mysteries. I imagine fans of Agatha Christie or even the Inspector Morse books, for example, may well be in for a treat.
July 8, 2020
Over the past couple of weeks I have read all 5 Charles Holborne books and thoroughly enjoyed them. From a position of relevant ignorance concerning the niceties of the UK legal system (as a superannuated fighter pilot), I found them authentic, realistic and accurate with regards to 1960s London. As a Londoner myself, I well remember the Krays and the Richardsons and 'Mad' Frankie Fraser - not, I hasten to add, from personal experience. My family came from the East End and they had a large clothing factory in Bow; I believe that my great uncle played for West Ham before the First World War. But quite apart from the authenticity, I thought the books were well written with good punctuation, the plots well thought out, and all of them total 'page turners'. Just a couple of small points. I don't think that Charles was really old enough to have trained as a fighter pilot and be awarded a DFC before the end of the war. And in the last book his battered Austin Healey morphs into a MG, and finally a MG Sprite. It should be an Austin Healey Sprite or an MG Midget - although to be fair they were both the same car, the only difference being the badge. But what an excellent series; better in plot and better written than Grisham in my view and I look forward to the next book.
December 20, 2019
Great next instalment in the Charles Holborne legal thriller series- I’ve read and enjoyed the first four books so was excited to see this pop up on NetGalley.
In this book Charles is asked to help to investigate and then prosecute someone accused of murdering his wife. However it is all to be kept top secret as the accused is extremely well known.
Meanwhile an incident from Charles’s past comes back to haunt him and he has to use all his skills to save himself.
The reader also learns more about Charles’s relationship with his family, particularly with his father, when there are family issues at home for his parents. Charles reconnects with his Jewish background in order to support his Dad and even goes to the synagogue on the high holy days.
In fact the main theme of this book seems to be father and son relationships and what one is prepared to do to keep family together.
As ever this is a fast paced, exciting read which, in this instance , kept me entertained on a long haul flight. I love the sixties references and also the fact that the author bases his books on real cases he has tried.
I’m now looking forward to the next one in the series and hoping Simon Michael will not take too long to write it.
In this book Charles is asked to help to investigate and then prosecute someone accused of murdering his wife. However it is all to be kept top secret as the accused is extremely well known.
Meanwhile an incident from Charles’s past comes back to haunt him and he has to use all his skills to save himself.
The reader also learns more about Charles’s relationship with his family, particularly with his father, when there are family issues at home for his parents. Charles reconnects with his Jewish background in order to support his Dad and even goes to the synagogue on the high holy days.
In fact the main theme of this book seems to be father and son relationships and what one is prepared to do to keep family together.
As ever this is a fast paced, exciting read which, in this instance , kept me entertained on a long haul flight. I love the sixties references and also the fact that the author bases his books on real cases he has tried.
I’m now looking forward to the next one in the series and hoping Simon Michael will not take too long to write it.
January 8, 2020
We follow Charles Holborne in this series of Novels who is a young Jewish barrister in post war London.
We learn a little more about his past at the start of the book which helps gives us some insight into how he became a law abiding citizen after spending his teenage years being a criminal.
As we learn about the victim in the case it’s clear she was a thoroughly unpleasant woman, and Charles and his partner Jones are left trying to figure out what exactly happened to her, and basically how her husband didn’t kill her for being so utterly awful! 😂
The more I read this novel the more I enjoyed it, I enjoyed the characters and the police investigation side of it (always a fan of thriller/mysteries!) even though this is pegged as a ‘legal’ thriller which isn’t something I’d usually pick up.
It had a really unpredictable ending and it was a good tale of how a parent will go to anything lengths to protect their children, the twist at the end was a surprise!
This book was sent to me by Sapere books in exchange for an honest review
We learn a little more about his past at the start of the book which helps gives us some insight into how he became a law abiding citizen after spending his teenage years being a criminal.
As we learn about the victim in the case it’s clear she was a thoroughly unpleasant woman, and Charles and his partner Jones are left trying to figure out what exactly happened to her, and basically how her husband didn’t kill her for being so utterly awful! 😂
The more I read this novel the more I enjoyed it, I enjoyed the characters and the police investigation side of it (always a fan of thriller/mysteries!) even though this is pegged as a ‘legal’ thriller which isn’t something I’d usually pick up.
It had a really unpredictable ending and it was a good tale of how a parent will go to anything lengths to protect their children, the twist at the end was a surprise!
This book was sent to me by Sapere books in exchange for an honest review
July 8, 2020
Another excellent read
I chose this rating partly because the book was gripping on number of levels, professional and personal, and partly because this a the last of the current 5 book series and every one of them was totally believable and I found myself becoming totally "invested" in Charles Holborne as well other characters in the various stories. It is true that one has be prepared to put in the work necessary to plough through witness statements act as well as some of the long winded procedures of the courts but having made that effort, is rewarded with a greater understanding of the skill of the barrister(s) trying and defending the cases. All the books are leavened with both humorous and serious sub plots, most of which relate to the main character's race, religion and upbringing and these form an important rounding of the characters, thereby allowing the reader to understand, like, become irritated etc and generally care about a number of them and what happens to them. An excellent read throughout.
I chose this rating partly because the book was gripping on number of levels, professional and personal, and partly because this a the last of the current 5 book series and every one of them was totally believable and I found myself becoming totally "invested" in Charles Holborne as well other characters in the various stories. It is true that one has be prepared to put in the work necessary to plough through witness statements act as well as some of the long winded procedures of the courts but having made that effort, is rewarded with a greater understanding of the skill of the barrister(s) trying and defending the cases. All the books are leavened with both humorous and serious sub plots, most of which relate to the main character's race, religion and upbringing and these form an important rounding of the characters, thereby allowing the reader to understand, like, become irritated etc and generally care about a number of them and what happens to them. An excellent read throughout.
March 28, 2021
Just gets better
This is the fifth book in the series and to my mind the best yet. It lacks the other books "feel" of 60's London but more than makes up for it with a compelling murder case and what seemed a more in-depth presentation of the trial.
This was very much a Charles Holborne solo performance. No girl friend trouble, little personal trouble, a little family appearance and Kray twins lurking in the background. Because of there seemed to be more room for the development of the main character.
I read the first four books one after another which made them seem to be parts of one big book. On reflection they seem, to me, the first three seemed to improve with each book whilst the fourth didn't, although still a very good read and may have been a result of "Holborne ennui" due to my binge reading. This however it's right back on form and is, as I have said, the best yet.
This is the fifth book in the series and to my mind the best yet. It lacks the other books "feel" of 60's London but more than makes up for it with a compelling murder case and what seemed a more in-depth presentation of the trial.
This was very much a Charles Holborne solo performance. No girl friend trouble, little personal trouble, a little family appearance and Kray twins lurking in the background. Because of there seemed to be more room for the development of the main character.
I read the first four books one after another which made them seem to be parts of one big book. On reflection they seem, to me, the first three seemed to improve with each book whilst the fourth didn't, although still a very good read and may have been a result of "Holborne ennui" due to my binge reading. This however it's right back on form and is, as I have said, the best yet.
June 14, 2024
I am devouring this series, one book after another, but this wasn’t my favourite. It’s extremely well written, and the court scenes are full of their normal tension, but I didn’t feel the main storyline (inspired, we learn at the end, by a famous real-life case) was quite enough to sustain a whole book. Based on the earlier books in the series, I was always waiting for the Kray twins to drop by to give someone a beating, or for a major 1960s politician to be caught with their pants down! Admittedly, there is a blackmail subplot, but its inclusion did feel a bit artificial. And, with apologies, I did start to get bored with the saga of Charles’s family. That said, other people rate this book as their favourite (and indeed seem to love the family bits), so perhaps mine is only a very personal view. In any event, it doesn’t matter as I still thoroughly enjoyed the story and am already looking forward to reading the next in the series.
January 1, 2020
Charles Holborne - successful barrister but also maverick, Jew and Eastender with dodgy acquaintances, is definitely not one of the establishment, which makes him perfect to assist the police in a prominent investigation. A corpse has been found, almost perfectly preserved and the prime suspect is a senior establishment figure. Anxious to avoid any hint of a cover up the police realise that Charles is just the man to help them and gives him the biggest case of his career.
As well as the problems raised by the case other things concern Charles. An event from his teenage days during the blitz surfaces, his family appears to be disintegrating and he has split up from his girlfriend. What happens is a fascinating tale – I particularly enjoyed how life in Court and in Chambers was described and the twists as events unfolded.
Thanks to Sapere Books for a review copy.
As well as the problems raised by the case other things concern Charles. An event from his teenage days during the blitz surfaces, his family appears to be disintegrating and he has split up from his girlfriend. What happens is a fascinating tale – I particularly enjoyed how life in Court and in Chambers was described and the twists as events unfolded.
Thanks to Sapere Books for a review copy.
December 26, 2019
I rarely read courtroom dramas. This is the first ' Charles Holborne' tale that I have read and want to tackle the rest of the series. Enjoyed the opening scene at World War 2 then moves forward to 1965. Was impressed by the character of Charlie Holborne, a working class Jew who manages to become a qualified barrister and enter the Temple. Various unresolved conflicts of his own past threaten to bring him down, whilst he leads the prosecution of the establishment judge accused of killing his wife back in 1953. Charlie also has to face tensions within his own family that are breaking out.
Felt that the courtroom drama was convincing and genuinely could not predict the outcome, whilst the twist at the end was splendid. Really can't fault any aspect of this book.
Felt that the courtroom drama was convincing and genuinely could not predict the outcome, whilst the twist at the end was splendid. Really can't fault any aspect of this book.
January 17, 2020
I throughly enjoy this, the first “Holborne” book I have read and the first Simon Michael book I have read. During the book you become as much intrigued with Horowitz’s Jewish background as you do in the trial of Steel. Is still, the High Court Judge guilty of Obstruction, Manslaughter or Murder, will “Holbourne” remain removed from his Jewish faith and background, will he meet father Harry half way or will he appease his mother Millie, and rejoin the faith. Both tales provide a great story line and in both cases end with a surprise. I look forward to reading the other Charles Holbourne cases and discovering more of his background. A throughly enjoyable book
January 19, 2020
The Waxwork Corpse is a well-written, totally engrossing legal thriller with interesting characters. In this book, Charles Holborne, Barrister at Law, acting on this occasion for the prosecution, comes up against a high profile judge accused of murdering his wife. The story-line is excellent. I felt emotions swinging back and forth between sympathy and suspicion, understanding and horror regarding the accused man and the crime he is accused of committing. The twist at the end of the novel was completely unforeseen and intriguing. I highly recommend this novel. Thanks to Sapere Books and the author for the ARC.
Read
December 28, 2019Simon michaels, anyone who enjoys legal stories, true or fictious will just love Simons tales, apart from the usual words of brilliance from devoted fans who will not hesitate to buy the next tale from this writers pen. The proof reading is excellent, the story line puts Simon in the same league as Grisham and Childs, whats more i would not hesitate to recommend waxwork corpse to my maiden aunt or come to that the previous four books. When i say it took a day and a half to read the book, shows the unputdownable aspect. Please do not leave the next book too far away.
March 17, 2020
This is book five in the Charles Holbourne series but the first that I have read. I had no issues with following the storyline, it works perfectly as a stand-alone. And it left me wanting to know more about the lead character and his family.
According to the synopsis there are two situations in this novel that Charles has to deal with. The trial concerning the death of the woman found in Wastwater and a personal threat to him concerning events in his past. These events form the opening chapter for the book and showed how much life had changed for Charles since then.
But for me there was a third thread and that concerned his family life and how his reluctance to accept their faith caused a rift. Strangely for a legal drama it was this part of the novel that was my favourite, even though I did enjoy the other storylines. His relationship with his parents, especially his mother, was one that had me rolling my eyes but also smiling. And I always enjoy reading about different cultures and religions. The way his faith also affected his relationship with his colleagues was also one I found fascinating, and unfortunately believable.
The court proceedings were interesting, they made me think how a case such as this would be handled if somebody so powerful was stood in the dock. A favourite part was when the suspect was giving his explanation of events, I wasn’t sure whether to feel sympathetic or revulsion. Surprisingly I did guess correctly about what the end result would be, it’s cleverly done.
I will definitely be following this series, I want to know more about the gangland association, his family life and what cases he faces in the future.
According to the synopsis there are two situations in this novel that Charles has to deal with. The trial concerning the death of the woman found in Wastwater and a personal threat to him concerning events in his past. These events form the opening chapter for the book and showed how much life had changed for Charles since then.
But for me there was a third thread and that concerned his family life and how his reluctance to accept their faith caused a rift. Strangely for a legal drama it was this part of the novel that was my favourite, even though I did enjoy the other storylines. His relationship with his parents, especially his mother, was one that had me rolling my eyes but also smiling. And I always enjoy reading about different cultures and religions. The way his faith also affected his relationship with his colleagues was also one I found fascinating, and unfortunately believable.
The court proceedings were interesting, they made me think how a case such as this would be handled if somebody so powerful was stood in the dock. A favourite part was when the suspect was giving his explanation of events, I wasn’t sure whether to feel sympathetic or revulsion. Surprisingly I did guess correctly about what the end result would be, it’s cleverly done.
I will definitely be following this series, I want to know more about the gangland association, his family life and what cases he faces in the future.
May 1, 2020
This novel follows Charles investigation and prosecution of a Court of Appeal judge for the murder of his wife 10 years ago, in doing so delving deeper into Charles' background and family life.
I wouldn't call this a legal thriller in the same way the first in the series is, it is more the process of a legal investigation and prosecution- think of Poriot with Poriot also being the prosecutor of the court case at the end as well.
I did guess the murderer and the motive, but at least this novel seemingly has a happy ending.
I wouldn't call this a legal thriller in the same way the first in the series is, it is more the process of a legal investigation and prosecution- think of Poriot with Poriot also being the prosecutor of the court case at the end as well.
I did guess the murderer and the motive, but at least this novel seemingly has a happy ending.
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