Dead Lions

Slough House, Book 2

By: Mick Herron

Narrated by: Seán Barrett

London’s Slough House is where disgraced MI5 spies go to while away what’s left of their washed-up careers. Now they have a chance at redemption. An old Cold War-era spy is found dead on a bus outside Oxford, far from his usual haunts. Slough House’s head honcho, the despicable, irascible Jackson Lamb is convinced Dickie Bow was murdered.

As the agents dig into the circumstances, they uncover a shadowy tangle of ancient Cold War secrets that seem to lead back to a man named Alexander Popov, who is either a Soviet bogeyman or the most dangerous man in the world. How many more people will have to die to keep those secrets buried?

©2013 Mick Herron (P)2014 Isis Publishing Ltd

Great!

Every moment a joy. Buy it. I loved it. If you love intelligent, sharp, original, dark, witty thrillers

Brilliant mick heron

One of the sharpest, wittiest writers of spy thrillers. Dead lions continues the Slow Horses series in brilliant style, with anti-hero MI5 spook Jackson Lamb running his bunch of weirdos and wash-ups who find themselves in compromised situations, either of their own making or because of their position as has-beens, copping the blame for others’ cock-ups.

Absolutely superb

Brilliant book. Brilliant narration. Buy it. Don't look back, you'll love it if you love intelligent, sharp, original, dark, witty thrillers

The Slow Horses ride again!

I re-listened to this immediately after watching the new TV treatment of it (desperately disappointing casting in season 2 after the excellent work in all respects of bringing book 1 to the screen).

The original story here (if you’ve watched TV first) is far tighter, the Slow Horses far more an ensemble group (all are living breathing highly individual characters, each flawed in a different style, with unique implications). The story while superficially similar is different enough from the teleplay to be worth experiencing both. For my money, though, the highlight has got to be Molly Doran (a long running character) to whom absolutely no justice was done on the screen and Shirley Dander who the tv turned from “all the sex appeal of a traffic bollard” into a 21st century americanised (boring and entirely unbelievable) ideal of a pretty but kick-ass girlie heroine (take liberties with the stories, guys, but leave my favourite characters alone!!!)

So, whether you’ve seen the show first or not, listen to the book - the Sean Barrett reading if you have a choice - you’ll meet new friends and have a great time.

Another very enjoyable listen.

"What this place needs is a cat"

Can't recommend this series enough. the Characters are so 3 dimensional and Sean Barrett handles them all in style.

Good Brit MI5 drama

There is a plodding nature about the series about the Slow Horses of Slough house which is captivating. It is a little like Le Carre, with more humour. I enjoyed it.

Great writer, intriguing yarn

Everything fits. The characters, the writing and the plot work perfectly together for an immensely satisfying read - or in this case - listen. The narrator is an excellent fit. Highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys flawed heroes and cares about the coherence of the plot twists.

Hooked

Absolutely absorbed - mick Herron writing style is superb and well read . On to real tigers next