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saraheholtom's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
patrislav's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
sandman_1961's review
4.0
If you like the humour and atmosphere of Slow Horses you will enjoy these.
Two very smart novellas, allied to Slough House/Slow Horses. Both feature John Bachelor, an MI5 operative whose job is to care for retired ‘assets’. This is jokingly referred to as being a ‘milkman’.
Those of us of a certain vintage will remember the milkman-paying daily visits.
The List covers events following the (natural) death of one of John’s charges and the discovery of a secret bank account and…a list. The Drop is set sometime later and follows on from The List; so best to read in that order
These novellas fill in gaps between the main Slow Horses stories very nicely. Both stories stand on their own and are sharp and clever. The writing, as with all Mick Herron’s slow horse is smart, inventive and has some very clever humour.
Many reviewers compare Herron’s writing to LeCarre. I don’t see the need to do this. It’s like comparing Pink Lady and Granny Smith apples. Each has a perfect niche, both are great to eat in their own right.
Can we get a story of when Solomon Dortmund was active? He seems like a smart cookie!
Two very smart novellas, allied to Slough House/Slow Horses. Both feature John Bachelor, an MI5 operative whose job is to care for retired ‘assets’. This is jokingly referred to as being a ‘milkman’.
Those of us of a certain vintage will remember the milkman-paying daily visits.
The List covers events following the (natural) death of one of John’s charges and the discovery of a secret bank account and…a list. The Drop is set sometime later and follows on from The List; so best to read in that order
These novellas fill in gaps between the main Slow Horses stories very nicely. Both stories stand on their own and are sharp and clever. The writing, as with all Mick Herron’s slow horse is smart, inventive and has some very clever humour.
Many reviewers compare Herron’s writing to LeCarre. I don’t see the need to do this. It’s like comparing Pink Lady and Granny Smith apples. Each has a perfect niche, both are great to eat in their own right.
Can we get a story of when Solomon Dortmund was active? He seems like a smart cookie!
erictlee's review
5.0
When I first discovered Mick Herron’s ‘Slough House’ series of books, I got completely hooked, and read all six of them in a binge lasting 24 days. And now, like so many other fans of his espionage fiction (often compared — and rightly so — to John LeCarré), I am forced to wait impatiently for the next book to come out.
Fortunately, Herron has written several novellas to fill the gap, and the two included in this volume — and they really are two chapters of the same story — are exactly what those addicted to Jackson Lamb and his motley crew of secret agents need.
There’s a plot twist or two (I won’t give these away) and the book feels very up-to-date, with its references to Brexit. Lamb’s appearances are brief and he’s not the centre of the story, which is fine.
My appetite now whetted, I cannot wait for the 7th full-length novel in the ‘Slough House’ series to appear next month.
Fortunately, Herron has written several novellas to fill the gap, and the two included in this volume — and they really are two chapters of the same story — are exactly what those addicted to Jackson Lamb and his motley crew of secret agents need.
There’s a plot twist or two (I won’t give these away) and the book feels very up-to-date, with its references to Brexit. Lamb’s appearances are brief and he’s not the centre of the story, which is fine.
My appetite now whetted, I cannot wait for the 7th full-length novel in the ‘Slough House’ series to appear next month.
edgwareviabank's review
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.0
I put "The Drop" on my list after reading an enthusiastic review, and feeling intrigued by the plot's premise. A secret information drop in modern-day Central London? Sign me up!
I was hoping this would give me an idea of whether the Slough House series could be for me. In that sense, it was probably the wrong place to start, as it's more of a spin-off, made of two connected short story that take place outside of the main narrative (though some of the key characters appear more or less briefly).
The first story, "The Drop", stood out to me for the careful, characterisation of the old, worn-out spies that drive the narrative. Solomon Dortmund comes across as particularly endearing - I'd read entire novels where he's the protagonist (too bad that, as far as I know, there are none). The second story didn't engage me quite as much, though I appreciated the way it picked up from where "The Drop" had left off. I'm still curious about the Slough House novels, and will eventually pick some of them up; I expect them to be very similar in style and pace.
I was hoping this would give me an idea of whether the Slough House series could be for me. In that sense, it was probably the wrong place to start, as it's more of a spin-off, made of two connected short story that take place outside of the main narrative (though some of the key characters appear more or less briefly).
The first story, "The Drop", stood out to me for the careful, characterisation of the old, worn-out spies that drive the narrative. Solomon Dortmund comes across as particularly endearing - I'd read entire novels where he's the protagonist (too bad that, as far as I know, there are none). The second story didn't engage me quite as much, though I appreciated the way it picked up from where "The Drop" had left off. I'm still curious about the Slough House novels, and will eventually pick some of them up; I expect them to be very similar in style and pace.
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