Simon Michael

Simon Michael is a British novelist and former criminal barrister whose historical crime fiction explores justice, power, and moral consequences during periods of profound social change. His Charles Holborne series draws on real legal experience and lived history to examine how the law operates when institutions are under pressure and finding the truth carries a human cost.

Simon studied Law at King’s College, London University before being called to the Bar by the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple in 1978. For more than two decades he worked primarily in criminal law, prosecuting and defending serious cases in courts including the Old Bailey, before later specialising in clinical negligence. He was subsequently recognised in the Legal 500 as a Tier 1 practitioner in his field.

After retiring from the Bar, Simon returned to a literary career that began in the 1980s with novels published in both the United Kingdom and the United States. The Charles Holborne series is rooted in real cases and historical events from the 1960s and 1970s.

Born and raised in London and now living in Cheshire, Simon continues to write, speak, and engage with readers across the UK.