The Fall Guy cover art

The Fall Guy

Rock 'n' Roll Murder in 1960s London (Charles Holborne Legal Thrillers, Book 10)

 Preview

Audible Standard 30-day free trial

Try Standard free
Select 1 audiobook a month from our entire collection.
Listen to your selected audiobooks as long as you're a member.
Get unlimited access to bingeable podcasts.
Standard auto renews for £5.99 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Fall Guy

By: Simon Michael
Narrated by: Colin Mace
Try Standard free

£5.99 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for £15.19

Buy Now for £15.19

About this listen

Charles Holborne faces a new courtroom drama! Perfect for fans of John Grisham, Robert Bailey, Michael Connelly and Robert Dugoni.

London, 1969

The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Who … Tin Pan Alley is the heart of London’s music scene.

It is also the dark heart of a ruthless business tainted by sex, drugs and corruption.

When a young fan is found dead from a heroin overdose at an American rock star’s accommodation and the band’s manager is charged with her murder, Charles Holborne, barrister, must defend him. But Holborne is getting married in two weeks, and for some reason DS Sean Sloane, his best man, refuses to speak to him.

Has Sloane been turned? What has a select group of corrupt Met officers known as ‘the Team’ to do with the case?

And is Holborne’s client the unscrupulous venal businessman he is portrayed or is he, perhaps, The Fall Guy?

THE FALL GUY is the tenth 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

BOOK SIX: Force of Evil

BOOK SEVEN: The Final Shot

BOOK EIGHT: Nothing But The Truth

BOOK NINE: Death, Adjourned

BOOK TEN: The Fall Guy

©2025 Simon Michael (P)2025 Simon Michael Thriller & Suspense Crime Exciting Fiction England Thriller

Critic reviews

'Simon Michael’s Charles Holborne is one of crime fiction’s most compelling creations. The courtroom scenes crackle with energy, but it’s the depth of character and chilling plausibility that makes The Fall Guy unforgettable. Unflinching and superbly written' – Adam Croft, bestselling author of ‘The Rutland Crime Series’
All stars
Most relevant
Simon Michael is a fantastic author. I really enjoy books with a sense of authenticity, and this one delivers in spades. I'm fascinated by the legal process, and it's clear that the author draws from deep personal knowledge and experience, which gives the story real credibility.

The main character, Charles, and his family feel incredibly real to me—sometimes uncannily so. Their experiences mirror aspects of my own life to the point where it feels like Simon Michael has been a fly on the wall! It's spooky in the best way—both endearing and engaging. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys intelligent, well-grounded legal drama.

I hope there will be many more in the series as I have already read all that are available.

First Class Read

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
This is the 10th book in the series and the pace has not reduced. A great story weaving in late 1960s rock music legend, a judge on his last trial, a cohort of Met police detctives on the take [well that's a bit far-fetched...not) and our hero CH weaving it all together. Also dealing with a personal tragedy too.
Colin Mace continues to be superb bringing the characters to life. He has got to be one of the best at this I believe.
Enjoy

Holborne At His Devious Best

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I was totally hooked throughout. Binged the whole book & sad to have finished it. This was well plotted & I enjoyed the slow reveal

One of the best so far

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I have read all of these books. this is the first one I have listened to on audible. I really enjoyed it. very good narrator more more more as always

brilliant

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I really enjoyed this. Loved the ending too! One of my most favourite book series of all time!

Loved it!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews