Reviews

I remember liking this book and at the same time I can barely remember any of the particulars of the plot, so make of that what you will. Part of the appeal for me was this fun cast of outcast spy characters, each of whom gets some space in the book dedicated to their past and personality. I will likely continue with this series just for the characters, though I trust future plots will pass muster as well.

rosafb's review against another edition

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2.0

I had trouble with this book but it may have been because I was distracted and in and out of it too many times.

shelf_indulgent's review against another edition

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adventurous dark fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

lmbartelt's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

lesleyac's review against another edition

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adventurous funny tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

wintrovia's review against another edition

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4.0

I read this book after watching the superb TV adaptation but wish I had done it the other way around. The book is very good but my enjoyment was somewhat tarnished by the images from the televised version already being present and stopping me from building my own story world as I read. So it felt a bit like a novelisation of a TV series despite the book coming first. Completely my fault and nothing to do with the quality of the writing but, I suppose a compliment of how faithful the TV series recreated this novel. The story is centred around the grubby world of Slough House, an offshoot office of MI5 for washed out losers from the secret service to be put out to pasture where they can't do any harm. Only they then get pulled into a conspiracy involving the far-right and the upper echelon's of MI5 and the British Government. It's a fast-paced and well thought through story which sets up the world nicely for future entries in the series. I'm looking forward to reading more, this time I'll be sure to read ahead of the TV series.

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