The French Vendetta:

Charles Holborne #11

by Simon Michael

A honeymoon turns into a nightmare for Charles Holborne! Perfect for fans of John Grisham, Robert Bailey, Michael Connelly and Robert Dugoni.

Who will pay for the sins of the past…?

France, 1969

When a rare gap opens in barrister Charles Holborne’s court diary, he and Sally seize the chance for their long-postponed honeymoon.

With baby Leia in tow, they seek peace in a friend’s farmhouse deep in the rural heart of Gascony — a picturesque land of vineyards, sleepy village squares and distant Pyrenean peaks.

But Charles soon discovers that the village’s charm hides something much darker.

Beneath the quiet seethes a poisonous web of old grudges and betrayals — a community still fighting the Second World War, where old crimes refuse to stay buried.

Drawn into a simmering vendetta between those who collaborated with the Nazis and those who resisted, Charles has no choice but to defend a client in a place with no judge, no rules, and no law.

With a firing squad waiting for the verdict, his defendant’s life is on the line…

THE FRENCH VENDETTA is the eleventh crime novel in an exciting historical series, the Charles Holborne Legal Thrillers — gritty, hard-boiled mysteries set in 1960s London.

‘A masterfully plotted blend of historical intrigue and legal thriller, drawing back the curtain on the day-to-day horrors of rural Vichy France. A wonderfully compelling historical mystery.’ — Vaseem Khan

THE CHARLES HOLBORNE LEGAL THRILLERS SERIES
BOOK The Brief
BOOK An Honest Man
BOOK The Lighterman
BOOK Corrupted
BOOK The Waxwork Corpse
BOOK Force of Evil
BOOK The Final Shot
BOOK Nothing But The Truth
BOOK Death, Adjourned
BOOK The Fall Guy
BOOK The French Vendetta

315 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 15, 2026

About the author

Simon Michael, often referred to as “the British John Grisham”, is a barrister and the author of the best-selling Charles Holborne Legal Thrillers.

The books are set primarily in London in the 1960s and 1970s, a period of huge social change, and they explore loyalty and prejudice, and what happens when justice collides with a corrupt Establishment. They’re historical and legal crime novels, but they’re also about memory, moral compromise, and the long shadow history casts over the present.

At their centre is barrister Charles Holborne, born Charlie Horowitz, a former East End heavyweight boxer and occasional criminal, who is drawn into cases shaped by gangs, organised crime, political interference and institutional corruption.

Moving between London’s courtrooms and the criminal underworld, the novels explore the tension between professional ambition and personal integrity, and the fragile line between justice and expediency. The series does not shy away from the class tensions and prejudices embedded within the legal profession of the time, including the racist, antisemitic and classist attitudes faced by those entering the Bar in the middle of the last century, echoes of which still resonate today. Combining legal authenticity with gritty urban realism, the series uses crime as a lens to examine how power operates within institutions, who the law ultimately serves, and what it costs to pursue truth when the system itself is under pressure.

Reviews

[Karolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is my review for The French Vendetta by Simon Michael

I thoroughly enjoyed this latest Charles Holborne Legal thriller which saw Charles, Sally and their young baby daughter Leia go on honeymoon to France. His father gave him a contact number for Nico Cohen as he lived in Paris just in case of an emergency and in the end, Charles had to use it as Sally took ill. Nico and his wife, Odette, took good care of them although Charles hardly spoke any French and Nico spoke little English but they got by. Nico offers Charles his picturesque farmhouse in Gascony but things aren't all that they seem.

This was a brilliantly written story set in 1969 and 1940s with Charles and his family travelling in France with little to none French language between him and Sally but luckily they got by. I believe the author did some indepth research before writing this book as the wealth of information contained within confirms this and adds depth to the story. The characters are intriguing, gripping and realistic. The descriptive writing was superb and everything was described in great detail. I really liked that it was a ‘now’ and ‘then’ story which are ones that I really enjoy. I would love to catch up on Charles Holborne's career since book one and hope to do so given time but I'm so pleased to be able to read this one.

Blurb :


A honeymoon turns into a nightmare for Charles Holborne! Perfect for fans of John Grisham, Robert Bailey, Michael Connelly and Robert Dugoni.

Who will pay for the sins of the past…?

France, 1969

When a rare gap opens in barrister Charles Holborne’s court diary, he and Sally seize the chance for their long-postponed honeymoon.

With baby Leia in tow, they seek peace in a friend’s farmhouse deep in the rural heart of Gascony — a picturesque land of vineyards, sleepy village squares and distant Pyrenean peaks.

But Charles soon discovers that the village’s charm hides something much darker.

Beneath the quiet seethes a poisonous web of old grudges and betrayals — a community still fighting the Second World War, where old crimes refuse to stay buried.

Drawn into a simmering vendetta between those who collaborated with the Nazis and those who resisted, Charles has no choice but to defend a client in a place with no judge, no rules, and no law.

With a firing squad waiting for the verdict, his defendant’s life is on the line…

THE FRENCH VENDETTA is the eleventh crime novel in an exciting historical series, the Charles Holborne Legal Thrillers — gritty, hard-boiled mysteries set in 1960s London.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The French Vendetta by Simon Michael is the 11th book in the Charles Holborne series and the first book I have read within this series - "Where have I been?"

This book was a superb read and so addictive I was hooked from the very first few pages till the very end and I loved reading this book, especially as it was fast paced and full of twists and turns throughout I could not turn the pages over quick enough to find out what happens next. WoW. .. . .

Who will pay for the sins of the past…?

Set in France, in 1969, barrister Charles Holborne’ has a very rare gap which opens in his busy schedule court diary, now he can relax with his wife Sally and they can finally have a chance to go on their long-postponed honeymoon. But, now with a baby called Leia in tow.
All excited and cases packed they all seek peace in a friend’s farmhouse deep in the rural heart of Gascony, which is a picturesque land of vineyards, sleepy village squares and distant Pyrenean peaks.

Charles soon discovers that the village’s charm hides something much darker than he could ever imagine.

Beneath the quiet seethes a poisonous web of old grudges and betrayals, this is a community still fighting the Second World War, and where old crimes refuse to stay buried.

Now, Charles is drawn into a simmering vendetta between those who collaborated with the Nazis and those who resisted, Charles has no choice but to defend a client in a place that has No Judge, No rules, and No laws to protect him and his client!

WoW . . . .The firing squad is waiting for the verdict of his client, and his defendant’s life is on the line…. . . . ..

WoW . . . this book was first class and I am looking forward reading more by this author. I highly recommend The French Vendetta, now to go back and read or listen to his other books within this series.

💙 The Charles Holborne Thriller Legal Series in order 💙
1. The Brief
2. An Honest Man
3. The Lighterman
4. Corrupted
5. The Waxwork Corpse
6. Force of Evil
7. The Final Shot
8. Nothing But The Truth
9. Death, Adjourned
10. The Fall Guy
11. The French Vendetta

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been a big fan of Simon Michael’ s Charles Holborne legal thrillers since I read the very first one back in 2019 and I really can’t get enough of them. This is number 11 and it is very different from the earlier ones in that it is set in France and it is told with two time lines - one in 1970 when Charles and Sally go on their honeymoon and one during the dark days of the French occupation in World War 2.
Would the book be as compelling as usual, how would Charles use his barrister skills in France where a completely different legal system is in place? I needn’t have worried on either count.
All I can say that the author manages to create as much tension and an even more compelling plot than I would have imagined. I raced through the pages, barely giving myself time to eat or sleep.
The descriptions of the South of France and the hatred stemming from the war years were entirely believable- this is an extremely well researched book. I have spent a lot of time in the South of France-I’m definitely a Francophile so this book was even more up my street than usual . The descriptions of the scenery and the “commune” were very authentic.
I liked all the characters, particularly Nico Cohen who posed as a Count after “inheriting “ the title from a fellow gambler and friend. His bravery during the war years surely echoed that of many who were put in his position in an occupied country.
Simon Michael has a way with words and certainly knows how to plot an exciting novel- this was an enjoyable and compelling read and I recommend “The French Vendetta”and all the other earlier books.
I’m now looking forward to Charles’s next adventure- hopefully I won’t have too long to wait!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.

[Michelle Ryles · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a huge fan of the Charles Holborne legal thrillers series, I couldn't wait to read book 11, The French Vendetta, and I was not disappointed. It's another outstanding instalment in this fantastic series and it also works particularly well as a standalone with it being set in France.

Charles and Sally are newly married and they are taking a well-deserved break in France with their young daughter Leia. Things don't go quite to plan and when Sally is taken ill Charles contacts his father's old friend who offers his cottage in the countryside to recuperate. Well this doesn't sound much like a legal thriller, I hear you say, but it wouldn't be a Charles Holborne book without a court case and this very unusual one is well worth waiting for.

The whole village is brought to life through Simon Michael's exquisite descriptive writing and I felt as if I was there with the Holbornes. Tensions are high in post-war France as friends and neighbours became enemies during the war. It is difficult to read about anti-Semitism but it's important to be reminded of such horrific prejudice and Simon Michael writes about it with sensitivity, honesty and respect.

I always love catching up with Charles and the balance between his personal and professional life is perfectly weighted as always. Charles and Sally are characters that I have grown to love over the years and I feel very protective of them, especially when they are put in harm's way and Charles doesn't half get himself into some scrapes!

Bursting with intrigue and suspense, The French Vendetta is an unforgettable, thought-provoking and powerful novel that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend. To quote myself from book one, The Brief, The French Vendetta is "absolutely unputdownable", as is the whole series.

[Jan Mawdesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by Ian Banks for Bluewolf Reviews and LiterallyPR
A sudden change of plans to a long overdue honeymoon with Sally and baby Leia sees Charles Holbrook taking up the offer of a friend’s farmhouse in Gascony, which seems idyllic, but rather than having a relaxing holiday, they are plunged into a tragedy which has roots stemming back to World War 2.
The latest enthralling book in the Charles Holbourne Legal Thriller series, The French Vendetta is based on an event that occurred in the region when a group of Resistance Fighters were betrayed by one of their own with horrific results.
Villagers in many ways have not moved on since the final days of the War even though 25 years later life is vastly different, but there are still old scores to be settled and justice for the dead seen to be delivered.
Charles innocently walks into this underlying tension between two closely located Villages and finds he must defend a woman who is innocent of being considered as a collaborator, in a Country whose Law he does not know, in a language he does not speak. If she is found guilty, she will be executed.
The more he investigates the charges and the history of the area, he realises the person who was the collaborator is alive and doing very well and has been for some considerable time.
How Michael Simon navigates his way through the legal and historic jungle of deeply embedded hatred, lies, misinformation and motive, sees a riveting story unfolding as it peals back the layers of hatred that span decades to reveal a truth kept well-hidden. Once the truth is revealed, an area once cruelly divided can finally heal and be reunited.
The French Vendetta is highly recommended.

[Rachel Sharp · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second novel I've read in the Charles Holborne crime series, featuring the accomplished barrister who rose from London's East End yet continues to face prejudice within the legal profession. Once again, the book did not disappoint.
The story unfolds across two timelines: wartime France during the Second World War, against the backdrop of the French Resistance and Nazi collaborators, and Charles's holiday in 1970 with his new wife. When the couple are deliberately steered towards a small rural village, Charles soon finds himself drawn into a decades-old mystery where long-buried secrets, betrayals and prejudices begin to resurface. Despite language barriers, his sharp legal mind, astute understanding of human behaviour within a kangaroo courtroom setting and streetwise instincts become crucial in uncovering the truth and preventing a grave injustice rooted in the past.
The two timelines work really well together, gradually revealing the story and keeping the reader invested in both periods. Drawing on the author's own family history, the novel is rich in historical detail, and I found myself wanting to discover more about how the legacy of the Second World War shaped French communities for generations after the war.
The characters are believable and engaging, and the settings are vividly described, making it easy to picture each scene. I will definitely put further novels in the series on my reading wish list and so I can dip back into Charles’ life.

[Jack Bush · Rating 5 out of 5]

For most of the book, I had a question hanging at the back of my mind: why? That is, why is most of this book about the wartime realities and cruelties of Vichy France, rather than about the 1960s London legal and criminal world with which the author has previously made us so familiar. The answer can be found in the author’s fascinating historical note at the end of the book, so I won’t include a spoiler here. But it does all eventually make sense and give a certain poignancy to the book, even if (like me) you do miss the familiar London backdrop. So with that caveat, it’s an excellent story, even if I still can’t believe that anyone would, for a moment, believe that Charles was born twenty years later than he actually was! Much of the historical stuff was completely new to me, eg the so-called “epuration sauvage” once Vichy France had fallen when vigilante justice was meted out to thousands of alleged collaborators. The ending is a bit soppy ( or feel-good, take your pick), but that’s the way the series has been going recently. And it does look like there will be more books featuring Charles Holborne, which for me is something definitely to look forward to, as this remains one of my absolute favourite crime fiction series.

[Sams_Fireside · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Sally lifts the fishfingers from the grill pan and turns off the gas under the tinned spaghetti."
This quote is so English and so comforting. 🇬🇧✨ I love fishfingers and spaghetti hoops, ideally with homemade chips! 🍟 Anyway, I digress.

This is my first book by Simon Michael, and I really liked it. A lot of the book is written across two timelines, 1942 and 1970, and is set predominantly in a tiny village in France. Much of it is loosely based on true events and characters, which makes it all the more chilling. 👀

Once Charles arrives in the small French village, he discovers, in a somewhat strange way, that he is surrounded by secrets, strangers, and a lot of anger. Seemingly without reason, he is thrown into the middle of the village's version of a court case and finds himself defending the accused. ⚖️

Eventually, all the mysteries are solved, but not without upset and danger along the way. 😬 Even though this is the eleventh Charles Holborne thriller, it doesn't matter if you haven't read the others—I haven't, and I didn't even know it was the eleventh until after I'd finished! 📚

Thank you to Sapere Books and Literally PR for the gifted copy of The French Vendetta by Simon Michael and for including me on the blog tour. ❤️

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a gripping change of setting for the Charles Holborne series. Taking Charles and Sally out of the courtroom and dropping them into rural France gave the story a completely different atmosphere - quiet villages, old war scars, and that constant feeling that something bad was bubbling under the surface.
I really enjoyed the way the book explored the aftermath of WWII and how long resentment and betrayal can linger within a community. The tension slowly builds until it feels almost impossible for Charles to escape the mess he’s walked into. The “no judge, no law” angle made things especially intense and gave the story a darker edge than some of the earlier books.
Charles remains a fantastic lead - calm, intelligent, and determined even when completely out of his depth. I also loved seeing more of Sally and baby Leia woven into the story because it raised the stakes emotionally.
For me, this was a solid 4-star read. A little slower in places than I expected, but once the mystery and village vendetta fully kicked in, I was completely hooked. Perfect for fans of legal thrillers with a historical twist.

[Greville Waterman · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been fascinating to see how Simon Michael has managed to navigate his wonder Charles Holborne series of legal thrillers into safe water given the demise of the Kray twins who were his ongoing nemeses throughout the first 8 books of the series.

He has succeeded triumphantly and this, the eleventh book in the series takes Charles and Sally into the French countryside where the issues regarding resistance and collaboration during the German occupation remain unresolved with many still ready to take the law into their own hands.

Charles is inveigled into this situation thinking he and his family are about to have a peaceful holiday but all hell is unleashed and he finds himself at the forefront of a kangaroo court where the only penalty if found guilty is death.

The trial scenes are brilliantly handled as is always the case given the author's own legal background and the book is a fascinating read and a total triumph and breath of fresh air.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

This is Book 11 in Simon's Charles Holborne Legal Thrillers Series and this time our favourite barrister is in France.

Poor Charles doesn't seem to catch a break!

After FINALLY organising and going on his postponed honeymoon with Sally and baby Leila, the trio head to France and after an illness, find themselves in the centre of a dark Web of local lies, grudges and deceit.

Charles has to once again, defend those who need it.

The one thing I love about Simon is his ability to bring the past to life. The amount of research into not only 70s France but also World War 2 feels immense and has been so cleverly woven together into this thrilling ride!

Can Charles solve the mysteries and help put a broken village back together again? You will have to read on and see.

You will be in one heck of a rollercoaster ride!

🌞 Thanks to the publisher for sending me an early copy! All words are my own 🌞

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

In The French Vendetta, (Charles Holborne Legal Thrillers Book 11) by Simon Michael, London barrister Charles Holborne and wife Sally set off on their long-postponed honeymoon. They stop in Paris to visit an old family friend, and unexpected events bring them to their friend's second home in the rural heart of Gascony amidst vineyards and sleepy village squares beneath the peaks of the Pyrenees. But something is not right, and quickly they become involved in old grudges dating back to the Occupation during WWII. The novel is set in 1970, so the vendetta brewing beneath the surface of the seemingly idyllic village is very close to the surface. This is a page turner and a fascinating legal thriller set in extremely unusual circumstances. Recommended. Thanks to Netgalley for providing an advance reading copy, and for introducing me to the Charles Holborne series.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

📆 dual timeline.
👀 3rd person
🐢 -🐇 fast-paced

This is the 11th book in the Charles Holborne Legal Thrillers series, but the first one I have read. I think it was perfectly readable as a standalone and whilst I'm sure I was missing some of Charles' backstory, I was perfectly able to fill in the gaps.

I loved the dual timeline element, of course the wartime one was my favorite of the two, but the 1970 story blended perfectly into it. I have to admit that I don't fully understand the British legal system (I don't know what "called to the bar" means for example) yet didn't find that this affected my enjoyment, or understanding, of the story at all.

The pacing was excellent, and the chapters were the perfect length to hold my attention. As I mentioned previously, this is the first book I've read in this series but I'm definitely planning to read more.

[Kerrie Dorman · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first read by Simon Michael. I whizzed through it, looking forward to reimmersing myself with the characters and in the story daily. The historical element was a sharp reminder of the atrocities of WW2 and an insight into the damaged lasting relationships with all the ripples and repercussions as a result. I would have liked to get to know Sally a little more, and I felt there were a couple of little loose ends that could have been tidied up, which would have propelled my rating to a fifth star. Most definitely a recommended read. Simon MichaelSimon Michael

[Staceywh_17 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The French Vendetta is only the second book I've read from Michael, the first being The Brief, which I think was the series opener. I've a lot of in-between catching up to do...

The author has a way of pulling you into the story from the first chapter, and what I planned to be a few chapters reading quickly turned into a few hours to binge the book. It had me hooked!

Taking place across dual timelines the plot spans Paris and London. Pace was fast, tensions were high, and the action never wavered.

It was great to catch up with Charles again. He's a likeable character and I do enjoy the glimpses we get into his personal life. It makes him become more than just a name on a page.

Enjoyably good.

[vince weldon · Rating 5 out of 5]

11 books in and this series continues to please and satisfy...this time the actions moved away from the grime and corruption of 60s London to rural France still living in the shadow of occupation and the bitter divisions that were felt across remote communities.

Author Simon Michael takes us away from the formal British courtroom for the first time and has main protagonist Charles Holborne utilising his legal skills and sharp brain to protect the innocent facing a kangaroo court intent on justice, or at least their version of it ...and he takes us along for the ride, chapter by chapter ....highly recommended

[Alice Chambers · Rating 5 out of 5]

When London barrister Charles Holborn travels to rural France in 1970 he is hoping for a quiet escape. Instead, he finds a village still ruled by old loyalties, buried secrets and unresolved guilt.
Drawn into a simmering vendetta between those who collaborated with the Nazis and those who resisted, Charles has no choice but to defend a client in a place with no judge, no rules, and no law.

I loved it! Simon Michael draws you into the story on page 1 and doesn’t let you breathe until the end. He is a master at writing legal thrillers. A must read if you enjoy thrillers, history and a fantastic story.

[Ruth Matheson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall 4.5*

Whilst the other stories in this series are set in London, this one finds Charles and his family heading to France for both an overdue honeymoon and a holiday. Nothing is ever that easy in Holbourne's life and he finds himself caught up in village furore regarding the war, even though it is 25 years later. Sally is of course livid especially when things deteriorate, but ultimately knows that her husband has to be true to himself. The story is a great reminder that we should not forget the atrocities which rural France suffered although the village here is quite extreme - just to be warned !

[Guy Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read all the Charles Holborne books and enjoyed them immensely delighted to find a new story.I love legal thrillers, be they Scott Turow or Grisham who made legal thrillers a genre virtually.The British authors are in no way represented in this, until I started reading this series all set in various decades, 1950's,1960's and this one in 1970.
This is different in the sense there is no high court legal drama, but there is court drama, set in the French Pyrenees and between 1943 and 1970 it is a thoroughly enjoyable read.
Highly recommended .

[Cherie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different and equally brilliant adventure for Charles and Sally

I have thoroughly enjoyed all of Charlie's adventures in London. This was a very different story. Set 25 years after the war and the German occupation of France, Charles is unwittingly pulled into unravelling stories and misunderstandings, concerning some horrendous wartime events which still affect the villagers in 1970. I look forward to reading more of his adventures.

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another corker

As a Met detective and lover of history I derive great pleasure from this book series. I wasn’t quite sure what to make of this one as it is quite different from the others, but am happy to say I throughly enjoyed it, and as always I’m looking forward to the next in the series.

[Biggus · Rating 2 out of 5]

Everyone's allowed a bad one. This book aside, I think this is one of the best 'series' I've read, so it isn't as if I am a naysayer. This just isn't a good book. Weak story, weaker ending, and the characters seemed out of whack somehow. Oh well, like I said, happens to the best of them. :)

[john hurley · Rating 5 out of 5]

great reading could not put it down

Great read could not put it down.i can’t wait for the next one keep up the good work and thanks

[June Holstead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another enjoyable read from Simon.

Bit different from his previous books. I think I preferred the previous more, but thats not to say this wasn't good, because it is.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://sarahreads4.wordpress.com/202...

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another hit from this much underrated author
Easy to read keeps you turning the pages and great court case climax plus the links to real events and proper adds to the authentic feel more please