Dead Lions

Slough House, Book 2

By: Mick Herron

Narrated by: Gerard Doyle

London’s Slough House is where the washed-up MI5 spies go to while away what’s left of their careers. The “Slow Horses,” as they’re called, have all disgraced themselves in some way to get relegated here. Maybe they messed up an op badly, or got in the way of an ambitious colleague. Maybe they just got too dependent on the bottle—not unusual in this line of work. One thing these failed spies have in common, though, is they all want to be back in the action.

Now the Slow Horses have a chance at redemption. An old Cold War–era spy is found dead on a bus outside Oxford, far from his usual haunts. As the agents dig in to their fallen comrade’s circumstances, they uncover a shadowy tangle of ancient Cold War secrets. How many more people will have to die to keep those secrets buried?

©2022 Mick Herron (P)2022 Recorded Books

Better Paced Than the First One/Great Narrator

I didn't think I would ever read fiction. I read a lot of non-fiction but have trouble with novels.
That said, I love Mick Herron's Slough House series (so far).
This second book is better paced than the first one; many of the things I disliked about the style of the first one (overly long descriptions for example) were absent in this book.

I will agree with those readers who say that, in the end, the resolutions feel a bit anti-climactic. But the characters are so much fun, it doesn't really matter.

The narrator is excellent and does appropriate voice modulation for different characters without resorting to a radio-drama.

Of Cold Warriors and Dead Lions

Of Cold Warriors and Dead Lions

I have thoroughly enjoyed the television adaptation of #slowhorses and the way #jacksonlamb and his screw ups of #sloughhouse seem to be more capable then the reputations that landed them in exile from #mi5 headquarters at #regencypark . While the Slow Horses are often portrayed and generally considered as unfireable rejects who th service hopes will quit for being relegated to the shoddy, rundown walk-up offices of Slough Horse, it is obvious that, despite their shortcomings, they do have the qualities that made them good agents often to the chagrin of HQ.

As well as a bevy of down and out field agents hanging in limbo, MI-5 has countless low tier informants, retirees and washouts who may have once provided valuable services, such as Dicky Bow, a one-time spook who catches a glimpse of what he believed to be an old Russian agent he hadn't seen in decades. Reverting to his past training, he takes up surveillance on a train and in the process experiences what appears to be a heart attack. While once of minor significance, his retirement status barely warrants a reaction from Regency Park but, as an old protege or Jackson Lamb, this untimely passing sends off alarm bells that puts his team in motion including the possible grooming of a Russian oligarch with outsized ambitions.

As with the first book, Slow Horses, the adaption into the second season of the television series is extremely true. That doesn't mean that, if you're a fan of the series, you don't need to bother with the books. Quite the contrary. As I am using #audible, my desire to hear the story, despite knowing the outcome, motivates me to get out and walk the dog on some extremely cold days. And a story about good old fashioned cold warriors is a pleasant distraction on a cold winter's walk or, if you prefer the written word, curled up by a warm fire. Either way, an excellent read!

As good as Slow Horses! Strongly recommended.

Mick Herron is brilliant. Listened to two of the series, looking forward to the rest. Great reader too.

Great writing, great story

After reading the article about Mick Herron in the New Yorker, I knew I had to have a look. Extremely rewarding experience, including the audio.

Great Story magnificently told

Mick Herron rocks in his own understated yet compelling way. Man, this guy is good.