Virtual Literary Lunch – Simon Michael – 4th October 2021

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On Monday 4^th October we welcomed 63 members to our first virtual literary lunch. We enjoyed having a lovely chat whilst eating a variety of lunches including radish leaves, salads and soup and one member even joined us doing her ironing. It was all very relaxed and the conversations were equally varied.

Our speaker and author Simon Michael joined us at 1pm.

Simon was the first of his family to be born just outside of Bow Bells. His family came to the UK in 1492 during the time of the Spanish Inquisition when his family escaped persecution as Sephardi Jews. They settled in London. Simon now lives in Marple Bridge in Cheshire.

He told us that his route to the bar was not a straightforward one. He wasn’t privately educated nor had the financial support of his parents to study but he was determined to study law. Simon studied Law at Kings College, London University, before being called to the Bar by the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple in 1978.He worked for the local council as a labourer to pave his way.

There are four Inns of Court whose members comprise the bar of England and Wales. The four Inns are Gray’s Inn, Lincoln’s Inn, Inner Temple, and Middle Temple. Simon told us that he chose to join the Inner Temple. He just loved the history of the Inn which includes a cupboard made from a cabin hatch from the original Golden Hinde and rose bushes dating back to the War of the Roses. He said that a visit was recommended and if you could ask a barrister for a tour, you may also have a delicious lunch!

He explained that a wig and gown could cost up to £1,000 today which he could not pay and was fortunate to find a second-hand wig from a robing attendant who agreed to take payment in instalments. It was previously owned by Morris Drake QC which had been used for over 40 years which needed to be professionally cleaned and re threaded. He also told us about the tin holding the wig and its very interesting history.

Since his call to the Bar in 1978 Simon has been involved in some of the most notorious criminal trials to hit the headlines. These cases now form the background to his best-selling legal thrillers featuring his barrister antihero, Charles Holborne. He explained that Charles is based on his own experiences and cases and are factually correct.

He enthralled us with a couple of readings from of his books and stories of corruption.

A multiple Amazon No 1 worldwide bestseller, Simon is often referred to as the “British John Grisham. Until the late 1990s he worked almost exclusively in the field of criminal law, prosecuting, and defending enough murderers, armed robbers, con artists and other assorted villainy to provide him with a lifetime of true crime plots. Thereafter he specialised in clinical negligence and was listed in the Legal 500 as a Tier 1 specialist in his field. He retired early from the Bar to resume his literary career which started in the 1980s with books published in the UK and the USA.

He is the father of three children of whom he is inordinately proud, none of whom reads his books!

Simon’s talk was both entertaining and fascinating. We would highly recommend Simon for a Group or WI meeting in the future,

What our members thought:

Simon, I look forward to reading your books. Thank you for a most interesting talk. I have not met any judges before but did not imagine any could be so charming and delightful to listen to. VM

Thank you for a wonderful talk. You would be wonderful at reading your books on the radio or podcasts or acting in your Hollywood blockbuster. ML

Wonderful way to spend my lunch time – thank you Simon for being an amazing Speaker. Another success Alia & Wendy – thank you. SP

Many thanks, a fascinating intriguing talk I’m choosing your book for our book club this week. HC

Thank you, an excellent talk, I have read all 6 books and really looking forward to the next. KY

Simon is offering a WI discount to order directly from him and he is more than happy to dedicate a book if you wish to give as a gift or even want it for yourself.

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Virtual Literary Lunch – Simon Michael – 4th October 2021