Our Rating:
Library Formats:
Books, Large Print
Age Group:
Adult
Genre:
Thriller
I LOVED this book!
The characters are well-rounded and in-depth, with back stories delivered naturally rather than forced, the settings are vivid if squalid, and the plot is makes it hard to put down.
This is the first story in the ‘Slough House’ series, which focusses on a MI5 department made up of failures, lead by a terrible person actively trying to make them quit. They are misfits and losers who are supposed to stick to reviewing 1990’s parking tickets, but itch to do ‘real’ spy work.
This book revolves around a kidnapping by terrorists, and the Slough House team get themselves involved – some eagerly, some reluctantly, some ineptly.
Jackson Lamb, who leads the team, is one of the funniest and awful characters in literature; I found myself laughing out loud and cringing in equal amounts. Under his alcoholic, scruffy, rude exterior he is a genius and terrifyingly loyal to his team, whilst bullying and harassing them.
River Cartwright’s frustration and boredom are palpable. The grandson of a legend, he was unjustly made a ‘slow horse’ and is desperate to do anything to get back to the world of proper spies.
The supporting characters are all relatable if depressing. The alcoholic who has accepted their fate, the ignorant techie who just doesn’t care, the idiot who left a file on a train and it ruined their life… they’re all engaging and I found myself rooting for them even through all their flaws.
I highly recommend this and the rest of the series – always funny, always engaging, always cringeworthy!