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Customer Review
Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2021
Having read the latest book in this spy series, I went back to read the first to see if it was as enjoyable. The answer is yes. This first book introduces the reader to a cast of characters, most of them British spies (MI5) who have been sidelined for various mistakes they made in field operations. They have been relegated to Slough House, a run-down building compared to the other agents’ lodgings in Regent’s Park.
Jackson Lamb is the head of the Slough House group, derisively known as the “slow horses.” Lamb is opposed to personal hygiene and is challenging to get along with. He is, however, a formidable spy. His team gets the clerical drudgery work. All his group yearns to be back in action in the field and to be taken seriously. River Cartwright is a relatively new team member. He arrived at Slough House after a professional rival sabotaged an assignment he was running. Cartwright was blamed.
His latest task has been to collect the household trash of a retired investigative journalist, Robert Hobden. Cartwright upends the garbage in his office, rooting through eggshells, coffee grounds, vegetable scraps, and used tissues to find clues. Of what, he’s not sure. Lamb wasn’t specific. His attractive officemate, Sid, however, has bested him by copying a flash drive of Hobden’s computer files. Cartwright is both maddened and energized. Then Lamb sends him to deliver Sid’s prize to his nemesis at Regent’s Park, the one who got him sent to Slough House. He is not well pleased.
Meanwhile, a critical situation is developing that has British intelligence’s attention. A boy named Hassan Ahmed has been abducted off the street on his way to a comedy club. In a live feed, the kidnappers show Ahmed bound to a chair and state they will behead Ahmed in 48 hours. No other information is given. Another party listening to the live feed is Robert Hobden, whose journalistic instincts kick in, and he begins chasing the story. He has inside information.
Cartwright and Sid are on Hobden’s trail, sure that he has information that could help their efforts. While they watch Hobden, intruders break into Hobden’s apartment. The two agents move into action. One of them is shot and doesn’t get up. In the chaos that follows, Lamb and his team start looking much closer to home rather than at an unknown terrorist or neo-fascist group.
The author, Mick Herron, has a unique writing style that is both sharply witty and observant of human weaknesses. He offers a fast-paced plot and fleshed-out POV characters packaged with a generous dollop of British humor. If you’re looking for a supremely entertaining spy story, you need to read this one.
Jackson Lamb is the head of the Slough House group, derisively known as the “slow horses.” Lamb is opposed to personal hygiene and is challenging to get along with. He is, however, a formidable spy. His team gets the clerical drudgery work. All his group yearns to be back in action in the field and to be taken seriously. River Cartwright is a relatively new team member. He arrived at Slough House after a professional rival sabotaged an assignment he was running. Cartwright was blamed.
His latest task has been to collect the household trash of a retired investigative journalist, Robert Hobden. Cartwright upends the garbage in his office, rooting through eggshells, coffee grounds, vegetable scraps, and used tissues to find clues. Of what, he’s not sure. Lamb wasn’t specific. His attractive officemate, Sid, however, has bested him by copying a flash drive of Hobden’s computer files. Cartwright is both maddened and energized. Then Lamb sends him to deliver Sid’s prize to his nemesis at Regent’s Park, the one who got him sent to Slough House. He is not well pleased.
Meanwhile, a critical situation is developing that has British intelligence’s attention. A boy named Hassan Ahmed has been abducted off the street on his way to a comedy club. In a live feed, the kidnappers show Ahmed bound to a chair and state they will behead Ahmed in 48 hours. No other information is given. Another party listening to the live feed is Robert Hobden, whose journalistic instincts kick in, and he begins chasing the story. He has inside information.
Cartwright and Sid are on Hobden’s trail, sure that he has information that could help their efforts. While they watch Hobden, intruders break into Hobden’s apartment. The two agents move into action. One of them is shot and doesn’t get up. In the chaos that follows, Lamb and his team start looking much closer to home rather than at an unknown terrorist or neo-fascist group.
The author, Mick Herron, has a unique writing style that is both sharply witty and observant of human weaknesses. He offers a fast-paced plot and fleshed-out POV characters packaged with a generous dollop of British humor. If you’re looking for a supremely entertaining spy story, you need to read this one.
