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In his best and most ambitious novel yet, Mick Herron, “the le Carré of the future” (BBC), offers an unsparing look at the corrupt web of media, global finance, spycraft, and politics that power our modern world.“This is a darker, scarier Herron. The gags are still there but the satire's more biting. The privatization of a secret service op and the manipulation of news is relevant and horribly credible.”—Ann Cleeves, author of the Vera Stanhope series
At Slough House—MI5’s show more London depository for demoted spies—Brexit has taken a toll. The “slow horses” have been pushed further into the cold, Slough House has been erased from official records, and its members are dying in unusual circumstances, at an unusual clip. No wonder Jackson Lamb's crew is feeling paranoid. But are they actually targets?
With a new populist movement taking hold of London's streets and the old order ensuring that everything's for sale to the highest bidder, the world's a dangerous place for those deemed surplus. Jackson Lamb and the slow horses are in a fight for their lives as they navigate dizzying layers of lies, power, and death. show less
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These stories, this genre, the dark (as-if-there-were-any-other) aspect of espionage, the colossal failures of the intelligence agencies, these seem to be intertwined with my DNA, though rarely as novels. "The Sandbaggers," Alec Guiness as Smiley, the hundreds of books on WWII spycraft and CIA stupidity, even Tom Stoppard's excellent "The Dog It Was That Died" -- these are my totems. Only recently have I delved into the fictions on the page, starting with the Smiley novels, which I had never read. And now, six (or is it seven?) entries into the series, I've "discovered" Mick Herron, the slow horses, and Jackson Lamb, and "Slough House" is without a doubt the best novel I've read in years, after slogging through Anthony Horowitz, Jo show more Nesbo, Tana French, and others.
Was the unfurling of the plot the reason I kept turning the page, or even the reason of the novel's existence? Even if one were to forecast the denouement of "The Red-Headed League" from its opening pages, wouldn't one be engaged otherwise? So it is with Herron's newest. I've just started on the Audio of Book One, "Slow Horses," and Herron seems to be in command from page one. It may be due in part to Gerard Doyle's excellent reading, but this series has just been elevated, in my estimation, to near-essential. show less
Was the unfurling of the plot the reason I kept turning the page, or even the reason of the novel's existence? Even if one were to forecast the denouement of "The Red-Headed League" from its opening pages, wouldn't one be engaged otherwise? So it is with Herron's newest. I've just started on the Audio of Book One, "Slow Horses," and Herron seems to be in command from page one. It may be due in part to Gerard Doyle's excellent reading, but this series has just been elevated, in my estimation, to near-essential. show less
How could I give anything less than five stars for any Slow Horses book? These books are incredible. Whip smart, wonderful if imperfect characters, always a few really bad guys to detest, and of course Dianna Taverner (Lady Di to those in the know) who is the easiest of all to hate. I'm always hoping that Lady Di gets her comeuppance, but, with the exception of Jackson Lamb who never loses in an altercation with her, she is loved and revered by all the big wigs at The Park. The book starts out with a real estate agent's tour with a potential buyer of Slough House. After all, Slough House and its occupants have been wiped off the books in Regeant's Park. The description of the sticky doors, plugged toilets and bloodstained carpets that show more all of Slough House groupies know about, are cleverly portrayed as chances for improvements by the agent for the potential buyer. Then we get to the real story which leaves Lamb and his group of misfits unhoused and in hiding as someone seems to have hired a hit man or hit people to wipe them permanently off the board. As always, Lamb knows exactly who to blame, and shows no hesitation facing her alone in a dark park. In the meantime, he has his own plan in place to take care of things and to save his misfits. As always at least one Slow Horse is wiped off the playing field, but in this case it potentially could be a huge favourite of all us groupies, and just when he has seemed to find love when he rescues a long-lost Slow Horse. You have to read this book, but be aware that the fate of this beloved character is left up in the air at the end. A sure way to encourage us all to quickly read the next book. But if you are a groupie like me, you won't need that big nudge. Read this series from the beginning, and be prepared to at least be swept off your feet, and maybe you will become a groupie too. show less
'Slough House' is my seventh visit with the British Security Service screwups who have been exiled from the shining high-tech HQ to the grimy dilapidation of Slough House where they live lives of demoralising drudgery, doing nugatory work for the irascible Jackson Lamb. Yet somehow, in book after book, Mick Herron finds highly plausible ways of putting these screwups in the cross-hairs of dangerous enemies. Mick Herron is not kind to his characters. He never gifts them glory, barely grants them a tolerable existence and never hesitates to kill one or two of them off if the plot requires it.
If you haven't read any of the other Slough House books, don't start here. Mick Herron doesn't do 'previously, on Slough House' passages. He expects show more his readers to be up to speed on who did what to whom and why. Go back to 'Slow Horses' and savour the six books before this one.
The Slough House series is at a point where it is carried along by the momentum of its own history. Its path is set by the guardrails of contemporary politics, seen from the inside with the blinkers off, and kept human by the focus on the people who have become by now much more than a cast of characters.
Mick Herron pulls no punches when it comes to describing the mechanics of British politics and the (largely internal) threats to democracy. In this instalment, events are driven by the ambition of an Old Etonian using foreign money and clickbait media to subvert democracy to gain personal power. Think of him as Boris Johnson's cleverer elder brother. The political dynamic is depressingly plausible and beautifully described.
An unintended but not unwelcome consequence of the Tory Monster's scheming is that the occupants of Slough House find themselves targeted by an enemy power. This provides the opportunity to weave tense, violent action between the political plotting and once again puts the lives of the Slough House folks at risk.
While the plots of Herron's novels fit together with a precision that is satisfying to watch, what keeps me coming back is the quality of the writing and the depth of the characterisation. We see the world from the point of view of multiple characters and each time we learn as much about the characters themselves as we do about the next step in the plot. Herron's writing moves seamlessly from the lyrical to the cinematic and effortlessly strings individual perspectives onto his narrative thread like pearls catching the light.
I admire the fact that all of Herron's characters are flawed and some of them are almost completely broken and yet he makes me care about what happens to them, even the truly dislikable ones like Jackson Lamb, who I would hate to meet in person.
I recommend the audiobook version of the book. Sean Barrett's narration is more like a one-man show. He has developed the voices of the main characters so clearly that you know who's talking as soon as they open their mouths. He also delivers the authorial voice in a way that brings out the acid humour and the abstract thoughts with equal confidence. show less
I had to re-read this having read it first, and only subsequently worked my way though the first six Slough House novels. Now I can go on to number 8!
Many books don't warrant a re-read, and whilst I remembered much of the book as I went through it again it remained funny and compelling with brilliant characters, an enticing plot and just pitch-perfect prose.
Many books don't warrant a re-read, and whilst I remembered much of the book as I went through it again it remained funny and compelling with brilliant characters, an enticing plot and just pitch-perfect prose.
My carefully organized reading list just took a direct hit. When I receive the latest in this series, there is zero chance it’s going to sit there patiently waiting its turn. Because I already know that lurking inside is an intricate plot wrapped around plenty of wit & humour. All that remains is to dive in & find out what fresh hell Jackson Lamb (AKA Mick Herron) & his crew stumble into this time.
The last book ended rather cryptically, leaving me a tad uneasy as to the fate of the Slow Horses. And after the first few chapters, that feeling was back. With bells on. At first there’s just a whisper, a fleeting glimpse of a stranger having a really bad day. Something odd is happening & it’s clear there’s been a subtle shift in the show more status quo.
But let’s be honest. When it comes to this gang of MI5 rejects, “something odd” is hardly breaking news. It’s just that this time, things are a bit more….um….fatal. The Horses need someone on top of their game, a seasoned agent with the smooth moves to seamlessly infiltrate those behind the heinous plot.
Or…they could turn to the Ho. Roddy Ho, that is. During one of his routine hacks of the HR department, he notices odd thing #1: all the Slow Horses have been erased from the files. It seems they no longer exist. Huh…maybe he’d better run this by boss Jackson Lamb.
I’m not going to get into the plot. Just know that Herron is playing the long game & the seeds for this were planted a few books ago. There’s a persistent creepiness from the beginning that only intensifies as it becomes clear someone is manipulating events like a chess master. Ghosts from the past, novichok poisonings & Lady Di’s latest machinations are just some of the obstacles thrown in the path of the regular cast.
Herron’s dialogue remains one of the most enjoyable aspects of these books & each of the characters has lines that make you giggle. But it’s Roddy Ho who really shines in this outing. He sees himself as the love child of James Bond & Jason Bourne, a legendary spook who’s irresistible to anything with ovaries. Mind you, nothing could be further from the truth but don’t worry. The “HotRod” is not one to let something as trivial as reality alter his world view.
River, Louisa, Lech, Catherine, Shirley…they’re all back. And though they may squabble like siblings, it’s a given they’ll have each other’s back as events around them spiral out of control. Their interactions are often loud, sometimes violent & always entertaining. But in separate chapters, we spend one-on-one time with each & it’s in these private, sometimes poignant moments we hear their thoughts & fears.
As usual, the author includes plenty of sly commentary about the state of the world we live in. And once again he ends things in a way that has me fearing what I’ll find in the next book. It can’t arrive soon enough. show less
The last book ended rather cryptically, leaving me a tad uneasy as to the fate of the Slow Horses. And after the first few chapters, that feeling was back. With bells on. At first there’s just a whisper, a fleeting glimpse of a stranger having a really bad day. Something odd is happening & it’s clear there’s been a subtle shift in the show more status quo.
But let’s be honest. When it comes to this gang of MI5 rejects, “something odd” is hardly breaking news. It’s just that this time, things are a bit more….um….fatal. The Horses need someone on top of their game, a seasoned agent with the smooth moves to seamlessly infiltrate those behind the heinous plot.
Or…they could turn to the Ho. Roddy Ho, that is. During one of his routine hacks of the HR department, he notices odd thing #1: all the Slow Horses have been erased from the files. It seems they no longer exist. Huh…maybe he’d better run this by boss Jackson Lamb.
I’m not going to get into the plot. Just know that Herron is playing the long game & the seeds for this were planted a few books ago. There’s a persistent creepiness from the beginning that only intensifies as it becomes clear someone is manipulating events like a chess master. Ghosts from the past, novichok poisonings & Lady Di’s latest machinations are just some of the obstacles thrown in the path of the regular cast.
Herron’s dialogue remains one of the most enjoyable aspects of these books & each of the characters has lines that make you giggle. But it’s Roddy Ho who really shines in this outing. He sees himself as the love child of James Bond & Jason Bourne, a legendary spook who’s irresistible to anything with ovaries. Mind you, nothing could be further from the truth but don’t worry. The “HotRod” is not one to let something as trivial as reality alter his world view.
River, Louisa, Lech, Catherine, Shirley…they’re all back. And though they may squabble like siblings, it’s a given they’ll have each other’s back as events around them spiral out of control. Their interactions are often loud, sometimes violent & always entertaining. But in separate chapters, we spend one-on-one time with each & it’s in these private, sometimes poignant moments we hear their thoughts & fears.
As usual, the author includes plenty of sly commentary about the state of the world we live in. And once again he ends things in a way that has me fearing what I’ll find in the next book. It can’t arrive soon enough. show less
Mick Herron's "Slough House" is the latest in his series about members of the British Secret Service who are out of favor with their superiors. The big bosses work in comfortable offices in Regent's Park, but the employees of Slough House (who are nicknamed "slow horses") spend their days in a broken-down and filthy building with few modern conveniences. Worst of all, their leader is Jackson Lamb, a nasty and conniving individual who appears to do nothing but is aware of everything. Although Lamb fiercely protects his "joes" (slang for spies) from their enemies, he verbally abuses his subordinates in a way that, under normal circumstances, would get him fired.
The circuitous plot involves Diana Taverner (aka Lady Di), who occupies First show more Desk at MI5. As an act of retaliation, she surreptitiously arranges a hit against a Russian agent. Such revenge killings rarely end well. A vicious cycle of retribution ensues, and for reasons that are not entirely clear, members of Slough House are targeted. Lamb's team includes Catherine Standish, Louisa Guy, River Cartwright, Lech Wicinski, and Shirley Dander. Each has a quirky personality, and most of them struggle with inner demons. There is also Roddy Ho, a computer genius who is socially clueless and generally obnoxious. Among the villains are the unscrupulous and scheming Peter Rudd and his associate, Damien Cantor, a smug right-wing media mogul. The slow horses will need to elude their pursuers, but are they mentally and physically equipped to take on trained assassins?
"Slough House" is hilarious, satirical, cynical, and politically incorrect. Overall, it has more style than substance, and the story line can be confusing at times. Still, one cannot help but admire the author's cleverness, wit, and savage indictment of a world in which depraved men and women exploit the weak and vulnerable. In this disordered universe, principled people who want to survive must be vigilant, paranoid, and on guard for predators who may be lurking around the corner, ready to strike. show less
The circuitous plot involves Diana Taverner (aka Lady Di), who occupies First show more Desk at MI5. As an act of retaliation, she surreptitiously arranges a hit against a Russian agent. Such revenge killings rarely end well. A vicious cycle of retribution ensues, and for reasons that are not entirely clear, members of Slough House are targeted. Lamb's team includes Catherine Standish, Louisa Guy, River Cartwright, Lech Wicinski, and Shirley Dander. Each has a quirky personality, and most of them struggle with inner demons. There is also Roddy Ho, a computer genius who is socially clueless and generally obnoxious. Among the villains are the unscrupulous and scheming Peter Rudd and his associate, Damien Cantor, a smug right-wing media mogul. The slow horses will need to elude their pursuers, but are they mentally and physically equipped to take on trained assassins?
"Slough House" is hilarious, satirical, cynical, and politically incorrect. Overall, it has more style than substance, and the story line can be confusing at times. Still, one cannot help but admire the author's cleverness, wit, and savage indictment of a world in which depraved men and women exploit the weak and vulnerable. In this disordered universe, principled people who want to survive must be vigilant, paranoid, and on guard for predators who may be lurking around the corner, ready to strike. show less
I guess if you are reading this you have also read the previous books in this series and what can I say except this is more brilliance in that same vein, there is no disappointment here at all.
I love the characters, how they die and get replaced, but everything else continues relentlessly. That feeling that this character may not survive the novel gives them an impermanence, and paradoxically, a presence for this same very same reason.
I think Jackson Lamb is one of the best characters I have ever encountered in the world of fiction and I sure as hell would not want to meet him in the flesh. To be sure, he is the worst human imaginable and the best human imaginable.
This whole series is so cinematic I could imagine it being made for TV show more and it would be great TV. But my fear is that Jackson Lamb would get sanitised. That continuing rant against the Gay, American, dwarf is just classic Jackson Lamb. But I'm afraid that it would take a producer with strong intestines to let that go through and yet, this is the essence of the man, rude to the nth degree, super perceptive of other people's weaknesses then amplifying that right back at them. No-one is spared his scathing flame thrower of disempowerment, and yet, when the wrong person gets hurt he is right there, behind and in front of them breaking bones to equalise that slight.
I just hope this series keeps going, if it stops it will not be the readers that are getting bored. show less
I love the characters, how they die and get replaced, but everything else continues relentlessly. That feeling that this character may not survive the novel gives them an impermanence, and paradoxically, a presence for this same very same reason.
I think Jackson Lamb is one of the best characters I have ever encountered in the world of fiction and I sure as hell would not want to meet him in the flesh. To be sure, he is the worst human imaginable and the best human imaginable.
This whole series is so cinematic I could imagine it being made for TV show more and it would be great TV. But my fear is that Jackson Lamb would get sanitised. That continuing rant against the Gay, American, dwarf is just classic Jackson Lamb. But I'm afraid that it would take a producer with strong intestines to let that go through and yet, this is the essence of the man, rude to the nth degree, super perceptive of other people's weaknesses then amplifying that right back at them. No-one is spared his scathing flame thrower of disempowerment, and yet, when the wrong person gets hurt he is right there, behind and in front of them breaking bones to equalise that slight.
I just hope this series keeps going, if it stops it will not be the readers that are getting bored. show less
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Author Information
48+ Works 14,601 Members
Mick Herron is a British author, born in Newcastle upon Tyne. He writes mystery and thriller novels and short stories. He is the author of Slow Horses, Dead Lions, Real Tigers, and Spook Street, in the Jackson Lamb series. His other works include Down Cemetery Road, Smoke & Whispers, The Last Voice You Hear, Why We Die, The List: A Novella, and show more Spook Street. He won the 2013 CWA Goldsboro Gold Dagger for his novel, Dead Lions. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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- Canonical title
- Slough House
- Original title
- Slough House
- Original publication date
- 2021
- People/Characters
- Jackson Lamb; River Cartwright; Diana Taverner; Louisa Guy; Roderick "Roddy" Ho; Shirley Dander (show all 20); Lech Wicinski; Catherine Standish; Molly Doran; Peter Judd; Damien Cantor; Oliver Nash; Reece Nesmith; Sid Baker; Kay White; Struan Loy; Tommo Doyle; Desmond Flint; Ashley Khan; Vassily Rasnokov
- Important places
- Aldersgate Street, London, England; Brewer Street London, England; Old Street Station, London, England; Bunhill Fields, London, England
- Epigraph
- The simplest way to explain the behaviour of any bureaucratic organisation is to assume that it is controlled by a cabal of its enemies. - Robert Conquest's third law of politics
- Dedication
- For Jo
- First words
- Her morning turned out shorter than she’d planned.
- Quotations
- Addiction loves challenge, because challenge provides an excuse to fail.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)And while the smoker speaks no words aloud, the dark and empty rooms below take up an echo regardless, and for a while it whispers round Slough House, don’t die, until all that is left is its tail, die, and this persists for a while, die, die, and then it stops.
- Original language
- English
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Statistics
- Members
- 812
- Popularity
- 34,000
- Reviews
- 33
- Rating
- (4.12)
- Languages
- English, German
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 21
- ASINs
- 6
