‘Slough House’ is seventh in the reject spies series by Mick Herron and it has a feel of being the last. There’s a circling of long-running threads and answers to questions still left hanging. But don’t be fooled as I was, eighth title ‘Bad Actors’ continues the story after this book.
The employees at Slough House may all be working there after banishment from MI5’s headquarters at Regent’s Park after some failure, misdemeanour or personal lapse, but beneath the surface they are all still spies. Some more capable than others. Some socially dysfunctional, some simply irritating. But when a couple notice they are being tailed, they take remedial action. Boss Jackson Lamb, who may daily deride, insult and openly mock his staff, will not stand for them – and the institution that is Slough House – being threatened. Lamb’s past experience as an active ‘joe’ means he knows all the tricks, he knows everyone, and he never forgets.
‘Lady Di’ Taverner, first desk at Regent’s Park, approved an off-the-books revenge attack on a Russian citizen in Russia for a nasty attack in the UK using a deadly nerve agent. Was she brave, morally correct, or politically naive? Who knows what she did? Who has she sold her soul to? And why is a team of her Park trainees now following the Slough House spies? Are the two things connected.
As always, Lamb [and Herron] walk a perilously thin line between insult and offence, Lamb’s language and behaviour is chosen to distract, offend, deter, antagonise, chasten and occasionally to motivate. Always, the story is about power. Who has it, who wants it, who is abusing it.
Slimy politician now PR Peter Judd joins a handful of newcomers including a bereaved dwarf seeking justice for his murdered partner, a loud-mouthed street protestor and an arrogant ambitious news producer. All have skin in the game. Can Lady Di handle the toxic mess she’s created, and will Jackson Lamb circle the wagons or attack his boss?
Herron’s not afraid to endanger and kill favourite characters. Or to bring back familiar faces. This series is a satirical account of our times, most certainly not politically correct, and should be re-read and enjoyed again from the beginning. Read ‘Slough House’ and lose yourself in an excellent story, but read novels 1-6 first.
Read more of my book reviews at http://www.sandradanby.com/book-reviews-a-z/

Loved this, couldn’t put it down. For the full review go to https://joebloggshere.tumblr.com/post/670830951096598528/slough-house-by-mick-herron-seventh-and-maybe-best - including links to the reviews for the previous books in the series

This, as others have said is the 7th in this series. I have come to the conclusion that these books are a little like marmite, you love or hate. I happen to love. That said I review this with caution. Unlike some of the other books in the series I do not think this is a stand alone book. The beauty of the series is the development of the characters and the history of Slough House and The Park are centrla to the enjoyment, I cannot judge how good this is if I had not read the previous books. I suspect there might be some confusion with the frequent references to past history.

I did not enjoy this book as much as the previous books. The humour is there and the quirky characters. I think there is still mileage in the series and will look forward to the next one but I found it to have a little too much politicking and the story to be a little lacking.

'Slough House' is the seventh book in the evergreen series by Mick Herron. While the books can be read as standalone, there is a story arc throughout the series as we follow the adventures of the ‘Slow Horses’ and their leader Jackson Lamb. As a newcomer to the series, I found myself able to dive into this newest novel without much bother. If I was familiar with the background, then I feel that I'd have added another star.
There are many stories built around the mysterious British Intelligence Services and Herron has a unique take on the theme by focusing on the ‘Slow Horses’ of the organisation. The individuals referred to by this nickname are all disgraced spies who have been relegated to work at Slough House as a form of punishment and to do with grunt research work for the ‘proper’ spies. The head of this division is one Jackson Lamb – a mix of intrigue and appalling in one person. Despite treating all of his underlings with deep disgust, Lamb is also protective of his disparate team and when they are placed in danger, he rises up and tackles the ‘First Desk’ to uncover the truth.
We are introduced to a large group of characters with the opening pages and a complex plot kicks off immediately. This is the type of novel that requires your full attention, but is absolutely worth the time. The story is set against a backdrop of Brexit, Russian poisonings, protests and the governments of Trump and Johnson. The author gives full rein to his sardonic humour and rapier wit. The repartee between the characters – in particular those ‘in power’ are hilarious.
Dark, sardonic and utterly worth reading. Now, I’m off to read the previous books in this series.

EXCERPT: The study remained like a showroom in a vacant property - books, chairs, curtains; the shelf with its odd collection of trophies: a glass globe, a hunk of concrete, a lump of metal that had been a Luger; the desk with its sheet of blotting paper, like something out of Dickens, and the letter opener, which was an actual stiletto, and had once belonged to Beria - and if David Cartwright had left secrets in his wake they'd be somewhere in that room, on those shelves, among a billion other words. River didn't know if he really believed that, but he knew for sure that he didn't know he didn't, and if River thought that way others might too, and act upon the possibility. Spook secrets were dangerous to friends and foes alike, and the old man had made plenty of both down the years. He could see one of either breed breaking a lock, finessing a window; could see them working round the study, looking for clues. If that was happening, River needed to stop it. Any trail his dead grandfather had left, no one was going to follow but him.

ABOUT 'SLOUGH HOUSE': Slough House - the crumbling office building to which failed spies, the 'slow horses', are banished - has been wiped from secret service records.

Reeling from recent losses in their ranks, the slow horses are worried they've been pushed further into the cold, and fatal accidents keep happening.

With a new populist movement taking a grip on London's streets, the aftermath of a blunder by the Russian secret service that left a British citizen dead, and the old order ensuring that everything's for sale to the highest bidder, the world's an uncomfortable place for those deemed surplus to requirements. The wise move would be to find a safe place and wait for the troubles to pass.

But the slow horses aren't famed for making wise decisions.

MY THOUGHTS: I have never read Mick Herron previously, although I had heard a lot of great things about his writing, and they are all true. I am not known for enjoying spy thrillers, but Slough House is not your traditional spy thriller. Its characters are misfits, those who have failed in some way, who the hierarchy would prefer to forget even exist. Slough House could best be described as a halfway house, but the question would be, halfway to where?

There is a lot of dialogue in Slough House, which I usually don't like, but Herron's wonderful one-liners had me almost hysterical at times. His dialogue is also clever in other ways. He has used reasonably recent events as a background for the plot in Slough House, although it was completed prior to the advent of Covid, so there's no reference to social distancing or the pandemic.

Slough House is #7 in the series, so I had no knowledge of any of the characters going into this book, something I intend to remedy. I became quite fond of this bunch of misfits who, although they outwardly show disdain and contempt for one another, have an underlying and undeniable deep loyalty. I need to know how they got to where they are, what has shaped, or misshapen them. They are a fascinating bunch for whom I feel great affection, and therefore I am going to start this series from the beginning. In fact, I am going to read everything this author has written.

Herron writes with wicked imagery, sardonic wit and black humour, which I love. I rank him right up there with Adrian McKinty and Ken Bruen.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

#SloughHouse #NetGalley

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T: @johnmurrays

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THE AUTHOR: Mick Herron was born in Newcastle and has a degree in English from Balliol College, Oxford. He is the author of seven books in the Slough House series as well as a mystery series set in Oxford featuring Sarah Tucker and/or P.I. Zoë Boehm. He now lives in Oxford and works in London.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to John Murray Press via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Slough House by Mick Herron for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com

This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage

An excellent well-written book, believable storyline, full of twists and turns, good ending. It's an intricate plot with a really good ending.

A follow on from several other books about spy’s who failed for one reason or another to meet MI5 expectations. Readers of previous books in this series will be familiar with this collection of misfits each having their own back story in tandem with the latest mystery to be solved by the assortment of failed espionage agents. Topical political issues, Russian agents, victims of poisoning, and remembered humour that the reader will find either amusing or irritating. For stalwarts of this series a welcome addition. However, no matter how enjoyable whilst reading, the premise has a jaded feel in that the topic is new, the stalwarts are doing more of the same. Perhaps the earlier books set the bar too high and the writer is unable to satisfy the high expectations of his more demanding loyal readers. Many thanks to author, publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.

Another great book in the Slough House series. I did find this one a bit darker and the plot more contrived. A good read nonetheless.

The seventh instalment in the Slough House series featuring the spy capers of a motley crew of MI5 misfits led by grumpy spymaster Jackson Lamb. Plenty of wit to lift this dark tale, making a great read.

I was a little disappointed by this episode for Slough House, especially considering all the glowing reviews. The beginning really chugged along for me...I found it a very slow start, and there were other points during the story where I just wanted to hurry things along - usually because there was too much Park/media mogul/corrupt government, and not enough from the misfits of Slough House.

It did get better, and I enjoyed the second half more as I felt it had more pace to it. I'm intrigued to see what happens with the dramatisation of these books.

This is a gripping thriller possibly the best so far in this series!
This is the seventh full novel in the Slough House series, and they just keep getting better.

The story uses the Novichok poisonings in Salisbury as a springboard for the events. I definitely recommend this book of your into great thrillers.

Mick Herron is an absolute delight, he combines complex twisting spy plots with dark humour and a razor sharp view of current events. As I wrote that I realised that excluding the humour that could have been a summary of the late John Le Carré although you could not imagine two more different lead characters than Jackson Lamb and George Smiley!

Slough House is the 7th in Herron’s series and they just keep getting better and better. There is a populist movement taking to the streets of London, think Jaquets Jaune, dark money trying to influence the activities and policy of MI6 and someone is ordering hits on ex members of Slough House. Slough House is brilliant, on point and full of surprise, read it now because if you wait some of the most contemporary references may slip from your memory.

I have loved all of the Jackson Lamb series so was excited to get an advance copy of Slough House. This is a classic Jackson Lamb book with all the usual characters excellently portrayed. It's a gripping read with a well paced plot and I enjoyed it immensely. I feel that it has a slightly weaker plot than some of the previous books in the series but Herron is still a stand out writer of this genre. It could be read as a stand alone but I would recommend starting at the beginning of the series. Highly recommended.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC.

A familiar cast of shambolic misanthropes joke, smoke, booze, and flatulate their way through spy capers, bang up to date political fallout, and familiar London locales. Great fun.

This is one of those arc that makes you wonder why you never read anything by this author before.
Because you loved this book, thought that the author must be a fantastic human being and enjoyed every moment of this book.
I loved it, loved the great characters, the humor and the complex plot that kept me reading and enterained.
An excellent book by an excellent author, I will surely read the rest of the series.
Strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

The latest Slough House novel is always a treat. This one — which is actually called Slough House — eviscerates a woeful establishment playing at populism for its own ends.

If you’re new to the series, the premise is this. There is a team where the intelligence services (“the Service”) redeploys all those who have failed in their work, for whatever reason. While they are kept on the payroll, they spend their days in Slough House, a dark, dank building above an empty shop near the Barbican, condemned to the kind of soul-sapping office work which most of us accept as our lot.

This makes for interestingly flawed characters (as it’s their flaws that got them sent there in the first place) and people who are desperate for action whenever the hint of an opportunity presents itself, as it invariably does. Slough House has a surprisingly high death rate, which also keeps things interesting over the course of the series.

In this outing, Slough House seems to have disappeared from the Service’s records. The Slow Horses, as its inmates are known, think they are being followed. London is unstable, the country is reeling from the aftermath of Russian poisonings of citizens. There are yellow-vest protestors on the street, and former Home Secretary Peter Judd, an unpleasant opportunist with a mop of blond hair, is behind the scenes agitating for various right-wing causes, although he doesn’t appear to believe in anything except himself.

Jackson Lamb is at the heart of these various dramas. He is in charge of Slough House, the only one who is apparently there by choice, for reasons that are never revealed. Unlike his charges, he is obnoxious but infallible, a superhero in an ill-fitting suit with a fag in his mouth, smelling of booze.

The orchestration of these various strands is beautifully complex. You are carried along by the story and can have confidence with Herron that you are not going to be dropped

Slough House would probably have been spot-on topical, if it weren’t for Covid. Even so, the horrendous Judd, wilfully inciting trouble just to the point where he (thinks he) can control it, the players behind the scenes manipulating events for their own advancement, regardless of who gets hurt, make this book angrier, funnier and darker than ever, with an ending that leaves you holding your breath for the next one.
*
I received a copy of Slough House from the publisher via Netgalley.

The seventh in a superb series of highly gripping and entertaining novels revolving around a group of “reject” intelligence operatives sentenced to serve out their remaining career years trawling through a series of mindless tasks in the dingy Slough House under the direction of the wonderfully ghastly Jackson Lamb, a Falstaffian figure of the grossest proportions, both literally and figuratively, the brilliant creation of author Mick Herron.

Herron does a terrific job of balancing tension with (somewhat black) humour on every page. Characters are finely drawn as complex relationships are developed whilst the plot thickens.

No spoilers here, but my only misgiving is that some of the references are so contemporary (Novichok nerve agent, les Gilets Jaunes, not to mention a prime minister with very referential physical and vocal characteristics) that I wonder how this novel might read in ten years time.

But it makes a great read for now. Roll on episode 8!

Another Slough house slow horses masterpiece by Mick Herron. Ex-Slough House Agents are dying whilst current agents are being followed and it all traces back to an unsanctioned revenge hit Diana Taverner organised in Russia with private backing.
The seventh book in the Slow Horses series is an extremely witty, well paced story with a number of well hidden twists and leaves the reader looking forward to book 8. The entire Slough House cast is well utilised throughout the book (including characters arisen from the past).
For a new reader I would read the preceding books before this one as it includes links to the past.
For those (like me) looking forward to the television series, when this book is translated to TV it definitely will not disappoint.
Great characters, great writing, great book.

Slough House.

Not a house. And not in Slough.

It's home to Jackson Lamb's crew of Slow Horses, spooks banished from the Park for...transgressions.

But it doesn't pay to underestimate them.

Out there in Spookland, it's all going to pot, Lady Di is on the warpath and Slough House has been wiped from the Service records. How much worse can things get?

Brilliant does not begin to describe the magnificence of this series. And the latest instalment is the best thing I've read in a long time

Jackson Lamb and his band of misfits certainly have a challenge in this latest book in the very enjoyable Slough House series.
This book has it all from political shenanigans, Russian hit squad on the lose and most of all the dark wit you come to know and love from the pen of Mick Herron.
This series keeps on getting better and better. Highly recommended.