Real Tigers

By: Mick Herron

Narrated by: Gerard Doyle

London: Slough House is the MI5 branch where disgraced operatives are reassigned after they’ve messed up too badly to be trusted with real intelligence work. The “Slow Horses,” as the failed spies of Slough House are called, are doomed to spend the rest of their careers pushing paper, but they all want back in on the action.

When one of their own is kidnapped and held for ransom, the agents of Slough House must defeat the odds, overturning all expectations of their competence, to breach the top-notch security of MI5’s intelligence headquarters, Regent’s Park, and steal valuable intel in exchange for their comrade’s safety. The kidnapping is only the tip of the iceberg, however—the agents uncover a larger web of intrigue that involves not only a group of private mercenaries but the highest authorities in the Secret Service. After years spent as the lowest on the totem pole, the Slow Horses suddenly find themselves caught in the midst of a conspiracy that threatens not only the future of Slough House, but of MI5 itself.

©2015 Mick Herron (P)2016 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

"Funny, clever.... Genuinely thrilling. The novel is equally noteworthy for its often lyrical prose." (Publishers Weekly)

"Delightful...with a dry humor reminiscent of Greene and Waugh." (Sunday Times)

"A great romp." (BBC Front Row)

I loved this book!

Would you listen to Real Tigers again? Why?

I think so. My favorite thing about this book was the language and turns of phrase. So I think I would appreciate this even more on a second listen.

Who was your favorite character and why?

River: He was young and cute. He tried really hard. But.......

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The ending was PERFECT!

Any additional comments?

If you root for the underdog, have ever had a bad boss, and like to laugh in the face of adversity, you will like this book.

I absolutely love this series

And they keep getting better and better!
I look forward to more Jackson Lamb, River Cartwright and the rest.
Great narration, too.

Great book;great narration

Lots of high-level intrigue. Lots of laughs. Great narrator. Very sophisticated plot. Worth the download

Best book so far in the series

Love how all the characters become more well rounded in each book. Now I can really see what events have occurred in their lives that have caused them to become the people they are. I’d love to see a series or a movie based on this series.

Excellent series

Gripping storylines and great character development. Although Jackson is a cantankerous, slippery old goat, His mind is sharp, I feel he has some good in him deep down. He protects his Joes! Lamb is my favorite character and is funny in a crude sort of way.

Gerard Doyle is an amazing narrator. I am always pleased to see his name in the narration line. Kudos to him.

Go ahead and give this a try, you won’t be sorry.

Believable and complex story, amazing reader

The reader is amazing, engaging, definitely one of the best, top of the performance game.

Witty and profane

The story is first rate as is the narration. I enjoy the contrast between the book and the show. Both are wonderful in their own way. Jackson Lamb is a tremendous invention.

Great book; awesome narration

This was fabulous. The Slow Horses get a chance to shine! Great job - by the men and women of Slough House, by the author, and by the narrator, Gerard Doyle.

My favorite of the series so far.

Fun, wry, cloak and dagger with humor.

Love the reader’s wry tone. Writing is good and snarky. Fun twist on MI5. Good series.

Really enjoying this series

Would you consider the audio edition of Real Tigers to be better than the print version?

I never read the print version, but both narrators (of Real Tigers and the previous book, Dead Lions) are great. I was sorry to find that the second book had a different reader but ended up loving them both.

What other book might you compare Real Tigers to and why?

Very Smiley's People, lots of spy stuff, gritty and a bit depressing but ultimately hopeful books. I don't read a ton of this kind of book so don't know who to compare them to.

Any additional comments?

Both Dead Lions and Real Tigers are great, the characters, though super annoying and even despicable, are fantastic and engaging and very real. Worth a listen!