Slough House is where failed MI5 agents are left to rot until they get so fed up with the mundane tasks they are assigned that they resign. When a young man is kidnapped by a far-right group who threatens to behead him and stream it live, it looks as if the members of Slough House are going to take the fall for the failure of MI5.
The Slough House series of books by Mick Herron completely passed me by, and then I saw the fantastic TV series Slow Horses so I decided to give the books a try. I'm one of those people who much prefers to read the book before watching a series or film but with there already being 3 series of Slow Horses it's a bit late for that. Since there are currently eight books in the series I hope that I'll be able to catch up before series 4 is released.
I'm going to start by apologising as I know that some of this review is going to blur the line between the TV series and the book. Hopefully, it might encourage viewers to try the books.
The storyline of the first season of the TV series is very true to the first book in the Slough House series, Slow Horses, with only minor alterations. What I found from reading the book was a greater insight into the characters that fill Slough House. We learn more about the individuals and the failings that resulted in them seeing out their days consigned to such a dark and dismal place. The descriptions of the building and the work they are assigned are vivid. We also learn that the world of spies and spy-craft isn't as glamorous as James Bond would have us believe.
Author Mick Herron paints a striking picture of Slough House and its boss, Jackson Lamb. Blinds are drawn not only to keep out prying eyes but also to remind the residents of a world outside and to prevent accidental rays of sunshine from piercing the gloom. Lamb is happy in his little kingdom with no one to answer to. He's a laughing stock at Regent's Park, where MI5 are based, and within Slough House itself, but he doesn't want to change the status quo. As a result of this, everyone underestimates Lamb and we quickly learn that lurking behind his slovenly appearance is a sharp mind that always puts him a step ahead of everyone else. His manners may be unsavoury but he always gets the job done. If he can wind people up in the process he's delighted.
The story gives us a glimpse into the political machinations of individuals, groups and organisations, people out to manipulate the public for personal gain in most cases.
From the intense opening scenes, Slow Horses is a breathtaking race against time to save not only the life of a young man but also the already poor reputations of the residents of Slough House. I'm definitely hooked by the series and it won't be long before I pick up the second book in the series, Dead Lions.
No comments:
Post a Comment