I’ve been a big fan of barrister, Charles Holborne since I was fortunate enough to receive the first book, The Brief, as a review copy and in my opinion this series has just got better and better. As ever “The Final Shot” is a great read with fantastic period detail. It is set in 1966 and everyone, sports fan or not, knows what happened that Summer! As well as building up to the excitement of England’s World Cup win ( not a spoiler I hope) Simon Michael’s latest book again explores the murky world of the Kray twins and their attempt to frame an ex gangster turned Reverend. Sharpe has been accused of the murder of Frank Marshall, one of the Krays’ henchmen but he claims to be innocent. His wife engages Charles to appeal his conviction and he endeavours to find out the truth of the matter. We also learn more about Charles’s personal life as his elderly parents suffer from increasing bad health and we meet Maria his new pupil who is as much an outsider as Charles himself. This is a fantastic read- I was completely transported to the Summer of 1966 although I could not remember it myself as I was only 4 years old at the time! How lovely to be engrossed in a book set in an earlier time where there were different worries and excitements although there was definitely a comparison to be made with last year’s Euros when the whole country did seem to come together. Charles is a great character whose good nature and innate sense of justice is portrayed well in all these books and for me it was a real treat to read this one. The author’s historical research is second to none and it is always clear that he has an immense legal knowledge. I highly recommend this book and indeed the whole series. Thanks to NetGalley and Sapere Books for my advance copy.