Slow Horses | 
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pickThat was...REALLY good. Fantastic pacing which feels especially important in this type of novel. I think there are certain passages that would be written differently in 2022 than 2010, but for a spy/has-been-spy novel involving various political and interpersonal clashes, violence, and detestable (white supremacist) foes, I didn't encounter an offensive authorial voice,
pickCame across this because the book is now a series on Apple TV starring Gary Oldman (one of my fave actors). Watched the series first then read the book, and enjoyed both immensely. Herron has been christened the new Le Carré, but he's quite a different writer - funny and more accessible, if less profound. The characterisation is great, the plot twisty and satisfyingly complex, the dialogue fantastic. Good modern spy thriller with satiral edge.
pickStarted out slow and with so many characters that I almost quit. Glad I hung in there because it picked up and the plot turned out to be a lot of fun.
pickI watched the Apple TV series adaptation of this book and really enjoyed it, so needed to checkout the book. This was a fun post-Cold War spy novel. The “slow horses” of Slough House are has-beens and fuck-ups, who have been relegated to busy work outside the MI5 inner circle at Regent‘s Park. The TV series is a very faithful adaptation of the first book, and I hope future seasons are in the works. Just started the 2nd book in the series.
so-soI've read three books in this series now, because I have zero executive function at the moment and it's easier to read these than find a series I'll like more. And they are very readable, technically competent, decent plots. But it is an ensemble cast of characters and I am only engaged by one. I keep reading to find out how this one character is getting on while being mildly annoyed by the rest. Also not enjoying the humour.
Interesting and quite different spy story. Now I'll have to watch it on AppleTV 🤓
1. Sadly many of my favorite authors have passed on. I like Leaphorn and Chee, Charley Moon, and Amelia Peabody. Presently the Gaslight Mystery team.
2. Both? I like guessing, but also a surprising twist.
3. Tagged Slow Horses on a friend's recommendation.
@ozma.of.oz
so-soJan 2021 - read before I watch / spy novel - slow to start and almost quit more than once but very glad to have stuck with it. Just fun and the characters interesting. James Bond for the every person - humans messing up with style.
This is the first book in a fantastic series set in London. Jackson Lamb is the foul-mouthed, awful genius in charge of Slough House - the place where MI5 sends its embarrassments. The best spy books I‘ve read in years! #20series20days @Andrew65
pickPhew, what a ride! The writing style took a little getting used to, but this is a fab spy novel that's more gritty than glam. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me!
pickWorth a read..True heir to Deighton/ Le Carre. Full review link below https://prathamesh87.wordpress.com/2020/01/03/book-review-slow-horses-by-mick-he...
What a story... one of the best spy novels I have read since the George Smiley series.. Jackson Lamb just cracks me up...
pickThis one was really good. A really fun spy romp with a bunch of misfits. Jackson Lamb deserves to be up there with George Smiley.
pickThe premise was excellent. The execution had some flaws. Overall, pick. I'll likely read the second in the series.
Round two with a broken down car. Worked better this morning, but I guess the radiator decided to crack this afternoon. At least I have a prettier view this time...
#losingmymind
pickA really good mystery and a great reader and glory be, there are sequels! #buildingamystery #timbittunes
pickAfter having accidentally read the 5th book in this series, I went back to the start. It‘s a great MI5, London-based thriller that goes into the politics of the intelligence community, and particularly the agents who have fallen from grace. A very easy and enjoyable read 👍🏻
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️
British spy novel - not my usual genre.
The 'slow horses', in question turn out to be an oddball collection of burnt-out, socially awkward, rejects from MI5 tossed into Slough House to wait out the rest of their now non-existent careers. It's a fun journey learning the inevitable lesson; you should never discount a slow horse.
I do think there were some niggling writing issues. But I am happy to hunt down the next one - Dead Lions.
pickLoved this modern day spy novel about a group of disgraced agents stuck doing paperwork as punishment for various screw-ups. The plot whips by at a breakneck pace, and the writing is sharp and witty. It‘s the first book in a series, so I‘m looking forward to spending more time with the folks at Slough House in the future. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
“It‘s the cover-up that gets you in the end, Nick. She knows that, but she thinks she‘s the exception. That‘s what everybody thinks. And everybody‘s always wrong.”
Was looking for a change from the fantastical (almost everything I‘ve read since late November has been sci-fi or fantasy), so I started this book about disgraced British spies.
pickBring a book on the boat, the in-laws said, and you can read while we fish. We‘ll keep an eye on the Bebe, who has his own fishing pole and net.
So I did. I finished my book, and no one fell overboard or got dehydrated or sunburned.
pickRead this! Crime fiction with laughs.
"Their conversation had been focused at first (Jackson Lamb is a bastard), then becoming speculative (what makes Jackson Lamb such a bastard?) before drifting into the sentimental (wouldn‘t it be sweet if Jackson Lamb fell under a threshing machine?). "
pickYES. Have been in a bit of a reading slump, this showed up on several recommendation list and thought I would give it a try. A cracking little spy story set in the Slough House, the discard pile for spies who have failed at a point in their career but whose knowledge precludes discarding. A operation draws them back into the mainstream led by their boss, Jackson Lamb a overweight slob, who has forgotten more about fieldcraft than most ever learn.
pickThat was an unexpected delight. I picked this up because it showed up on a couple of lists, but I didn't really have high hopes. Then it turned out to be an absolute corker. Very British, but not so clever-clever that it made my brain ache. A good team, some fine twists and a satisfying conclusion. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
pickOur Thriller of the Month for August is Slow Horses, the first instalment from Mick Herron's incredibly gripping series of spy novels.
pickThis was a spy novel featuring misfit spies, who have been stuck in Slough House because they have messed up but are too important to just fire. The book started slow and it took a little while to get all the characters straight but once it got going the book had my interest. I listened to the audiobook and at first it was confusing because the scenes changed without much warning. I will read the next book in the series.
pickThe first few chapters were a little slow but once it got moving it kept picking up speed. A tremendous spy thriller. Very good.
pickThe first in Mick Herron's JACKSON LAMB SERIES is a smartly written, fast-paced espionage thriller with some great one-liners, a dark sense of humour and an overall vibe of SPOOKS meets Le Carre.
I had never heard of this book until it was mentioned on today's Morning Edition in a segment with librarian Nancy Pearl. I think I will read it for a task on one of my challenges -- an espionage thriller. Here's a link to the NPR story for more. http://www.npr.org/2017/01/12/507297654/fulfill-your-reading-resolutions-with-6-...
Did it again! Picked up book only to find it's the latest volume of a series. In this case Real Tigers 🐯 which is the newest. Had to order the first two books which are Slow Horses and Dead Lions. Tore through both just now and picked up so much back story I have to re-read Real Tigers with fresh eyes. Funny and cool spook action. Never underestimate the ones with nothing to lose!
Porter Square Books in Cambridge MA is HOPPING on a rainy Saturday afternoon! Bookseller Susannah is in love with Mick Herron. "He's the next generation's le Carre, if only I can convince them of that. Loads of dry, dark British sensibility, but totally modern. Can we give him some love?" YES WE CAN. #getindie
Barnes & Noble had an end cap of international detective mysteries. Twist my arm, why don't you? #impulsebuybook #augustphotochallenge #augustofpages
pickWitty, fast-moving spy caper involving the "Slow Horses", the Secret Service screwups who have been banished to the outer darkness of Slough House, watched over by flatulent, obese Jackson Lamb. I got a bit lost in places about who was double-crossing who, but I guess that was sort of the point. Includes a wonderfully waspish portrait of our current Foreign Secretary (Lord help us). A delight.
I wonder what a certain ex London mayor thought of this profile ;)
