Slow Horses (Deluxe Edition) by Mick Herron
Product Details
Web ID: 16836575First book in a spy series
In the world of British Secret Services, there are two primary organizations. MI-6 is involved with foreign espionage (think Central Intelligence Agency, the C.I.A.). MI-5 is concerned with domestic counter-intelligence (think Federal Bureau of Investigation, the F.B.I.). This book, SLOW HORSES by author MICK HERRON, deals with the latter, MI-5. It appears to be part of a 14-book series. What makes the agencies successful are their people. However, humans sometimes make mistakes. What happens to the agents who screw up? They become “slow horses”, are kicked out the headquarters located at Regent Park and are assigned to Slough House in a far less desirable neighborhood. This is the story of a group of “slow horses”. Jackson Lamb is the head of Slough House. He was a former super operator for MI-5 but due to a misstep, he had been relegated to the “slow horses”. On his staff are several agents who were also demoted for miscues committed while on duty. One of the former “bright stars” of MI-5 so demoted is River Cartwright. His grandfather, David Cartwright (AKA “O.B.”), is a retired MI-5 high-ranking official who raised River from age 8 or so. River’s mother did not want the responsibility of raising the kid after her divorce. River’s misstep caused the death of citizen or citizens in a “Tube” station. Therefore, he became a “slow horse”. Others so designated were Roderick Ho a technology wizard; Sidonie “Sid” Baker who shares an office with Cartwright (what is her secret?); Jed Moody (he is not what he seems to be); and Catherine Standish an alcoholic who attends AA sessions. She is there because she found the body of Charles Partner who had been number 1 at MI-5 but committed suicide after his secrets were exposed. There are other “slow horses”: Min Harper, Louisa Guy and Struan Loy. All had secrets. At MI-5’s headquarters, James “Spider” Webb is Cartwright’s former partner who fed River bad intelligence about a bomber. Their boss is Diana “Lady Di” Taverner who is number 2 at the Agency. She has a private agenda that leads her astray. Ingrid Tearney is the actual head of the counter intelligence agency but is out of the country at the time of the story. Robert Hobden is a former superstar journalist whose star has flamed out. He has joined a group called the Voice of Albion. The group has kidnapped a 19-year-old man, a Pakistani named Hassan They are threatening to lop off his head on a live internet broadcast within 48 hours. They make no demands for his release because he will not be set free. Hassan’s uncle is the number person in Iran’s Directorate for Inter-Service Intelligence. Hassan dubs his captors Larry, Mo and Curly after the Three Stooges comedy team but they are deadly serious. In a race against time, the Slow Horses and the regular agents have to find and rescue Hassan for differing reasons. The major source of tension is will either group succeed? I am a big fan of spy thrillers. I would love to give this work five stars but because of the slow pace, I can only give it four stars. I would recommend this tale to fans of spy thrillers. RECOMMENDED! GO! BUY! READ!
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Intelligent and entertaining
Completely enjoyed the book. If you're looking for James Bond and martinis, shaken not stirred, you are in the wrong place. Interesting and very different sorts of characters. Various levels of intrigue, more than a little of it "inter-office". Very smartly written. No wasted words. There is a freshness in this authors writing that defies description. Highly recommended.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com