His bad habits belie a still keen, devious mind and his abilities as an experienced intelligence officer. ps the casting in the series on screen is wonderful. Love Herons London, his wit, capability with language and how skillfully characters and plots are crafted. Yet somehow, in book after book, Mick Herron finds highly plausible ways of putting these screwups in the cross-hairs of dangerous enemies. No wonder Jackson Lambs crew are feeling paranoid. They had their own neo-Nazi reasons for doing this but it turned out that the plot was initiated by MI5 Second Desk "Lady" Di Taverner (Kristin Scott-Thomas) as a false-flag operation to earn her Brownie points in her boss' absence. Just get ready for a jaw-dropping development at the start - and a poignant ending. He was raised by his grandfather, David, a service legend, and grew up hearing stories of his time in the service. All in all and nitpicks aside, I thought this was a great read in a series where theres been no let up in quality and I genuinely cannot wait to see what Herron does next with these characters. Pick up a copy of. David Walmsley as Larry, a member of the Sons of Albion. So he gave Partner the gun to protect himself. He used to break down doors and carry a gun before his gambling problems compromised him. Notable other characters appearing in more than one season include: Notable other characters appearing in Season 1 - Slow Horses include: Notable other characters appearing in Season 2 - Dead Lions include: After making a serious mistake during a live training exercise at Stansted Airport, MI5 agent River Cartwright is demoted to dead end work at Slough House in lieu of being fired. Herrons plot is packed with twists and delightfully sardonic conversations, and the books only major flaw is that at some point it ends and one must resume normal life. i read the first 2 books then saw the series then dove back inseeing it enhances if have already read some of the books- how you imagine the environment will change once you see it and LAMB, but no matter. Apple liked it so much that it made two seasons back-to-back. What is known about Cartwright's death and what the two cases have in common. Lamb, already aware of this, had notified David Cartwright that he was another potential target due to his complicity in Partner's death. Hes ineffectual, arrogant and completely unaware of his failings. BTW I suspect Mack who left the first comment on 12th February last year was more than happy with Garry Oldmans portrayal of Jackson Lamb. (LogOut/ Joe Country, then Slough House, if you want them in the right order. Blue shirt. Their boss, Jackson Lamb is still keeping his team busy with pointless and unproductive assignments: following up social media absconders (#gonequiet), failures to pay fines or potential safe-houses for non-friendlies. Lamb breaks him out, and the two deduce Moody was the gunman sent to kill Hobden. Against a background of Brexit, Novichok poisonings and Yellow Vest protests, the remaining slow horses are dealing with the recent violent loss of two associates. Shes a canny political operator with her eyes on First Desk. Louisa Guy, another member of the team who has been there from the beginning, is probably the safest pair of hands at Slough House. But just as Cartwright was given just enough. More interesting is the introduction of Desmond Flint and his Yellow Vest movement and the way that Judd is latching onto them. Those consigned there are known as "Slow Horses". [11] It was originally intended to film earlier in 2020 but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He is the author of six books in the Slough House series as well as a mystery series set in Oxford featuring Sarah Tucker and/or P.I. I was very disappointed in the ending of this novel. Change). Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Herron makes all his slow horses vivid, from egomaniacal tech whiz Roddy Ho who everyone hates to idealistic River Cartwright, whose granddad was a legendary spook, to proper Catherine . Required fields are marked *. Louisa Guy goes to Pembrokeshire to find him; after all she had been in a relationship with Min, another slow horse and Lucas father. However, one of the business men behind the deal, looking to make contacts in Russia, passes on sensitive information to the GRU who are looking to escalate matters. Louisa Guy, another member of the team who has been there from the beginning, is probably the safest pair of hands at Slough House. The writing is so good, you feel every sentence has been worked on to get the best out of it. Katinsky reveals that outside of his part in the Glasshouse plot, he also intended to kill Lamb in retribution for Charles Partner, his own "Joe" who acted as his informant while he was First Desk at MI5. The Oxford Series and other Mick Herron novels, Barbican Station A Slough House Podcast. This novel is a series highlight for me, and went on to win the CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award as well as being shortlisted for the CWA Gold Dagger Award, The British Book Awards and The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award.Buy now on Amazon, A North Korean hit squad is conducting a terror operation on British soil, and one particular fly in the ointment is that the plan they are working to is one of the Parks own. Cant think of any current heavy actors. Your email address will not be published. Shirley Dander and Marcus Longridge are the odd couple, though theyre not even a couple. The end of Joe Country saw Rivers father/nemesis Frank Harkness dead. Blonde, handsome, smart, passionate, and the grandson of an MI5 legend (played by Jonathan Pryce), he is obviously meant to be the . The story, in the early days of, This week sees the release of Trouble, the third book in the Hella Mauzer series by Katja Ivar. Jackson Lamb is the head of Slough House and a former Joe, or field agent in Slough House slang. Such events, on home turf, require a response and Taverner is keen enough to make that happen to allow Judds involvement. Catherine Standish is a middle-aged recovering alcoholic whose misfortune it was to be the personal assistant to a traitor. Who is the new Head Dog? River didn't know if he really believed that, but he knew for sure that he didn't know he didn't, and if River thought that way others might too, and act upon the possibility. Alex takes off in the plane, and Katinsky tells River they plan to fly it into The Glasshouse skyscraper before leaving. White T," complains our hero, River Cartwright, played by Jack Lowden, to his co-working nemesis, "Spider" Webb, played by Freddie Fox. We left her severely injured and MIA until a shocking phone call at the end of Spook . River speaks with his grandfather about Bough's death. Former field agent Richard Bough, aka Dickie Bow, recognizes a man who tortured him during the Cold War, follows him, and dies on a rail replacement bus of an apparent heart attack. And given that the devil in question is arch-manipulator Peter Judd, she could be about to lose control of everything shes fought for. One of them has been used to commit a terrorist atrocity in a London shopping centre. [12][10], In June 2022, ahead of the second season premiere, the series was renewed for third and fourth seasons, which will be based on the next novels in the series, Real Tigers and Spook Street. En route to Regent's Park, Standish is able to free herself and Lamb after pulling a Glock 17 from her handbag, the weapon having been taken from Moody and placed there by Lamb. While she obsesses on punishing Lamb, the team is actually in crisis mode. Spook Street is one of the darker novels and what little comic relief there is, is provided by Roddy Ho getting a girlfriend, a plot thread which is pulled in the follow up novel, London Rules. I'm totally invested in the world of the slow horses of Slough House since starting the series in 2017. Lamb retains all of his old skills and is a fearsome operator. Forming a protective ring around him, they stopped chief dog Nick Duffy from shooting him from a helicopter. River calls in a Code September, prompting Taverner to evacuate Judd from his speech at The Royal Exchange and the immediate area around The Glasshouse. Red Rose ending explained What is Red Rose? One of the first things to appreciate is that each novel is an underdog story a group of individuals, under-qualified and under-resourced, who have to beat their better-off cousins at The Park to save the day. The team, acting on the orders of Taverner, shoots the man dead even though he was unarmed and surrendering, to prevent any . But if you've read any others, and liked them, you'll like this one. Partner had been selling secrets to the Russians. Hassan's kidnappers, Moe, Larry, Curly and Zeppo, hold him hostage in a London terrace basement, with it transpiring that Simmonds is behind the kidnapping. Meanwhile, River comes closer to answering his most burning question: who engineered his transfer to Slough House?Buy now on Amazon, Without Lambs knowledge, Louisa Guy and Min Harper are seconded by The Park on a baby sitting job. His colleague Sidonie 'Sid' Baker has also been assigned to Hobden, discreetly copying the contents of his USB flash drive in a cafe. So hed broken Ashleys arm and sent her back to Taverner, whose acid response was, You broke her, you own her. Back to Slough House she went. Did keeping Mins son safe finally allow her to be at peace with Mins death? The doctor will see you now Victoria Selman, Fans of realistic spy fiction will enjoy David McCloskeys debut thriller Damascus Station, newly available in paperback in the UK. History Season 1 At an airport, River Cartwright gets ready to board his flight while waiting for someone. The gun threat is a joke, and Piotr invites Min to drink vodka with him and Kyril. (Had to listen 4-5 times to audiobook last chapters of novel previous to this one. Lamb really is an appalling character and I can easily understand those who don't like him but he is bloody funny too! (SH) Cartwright, River - Young, white, fair hair, grey eyes and a mole on his upper lip. For River Cartwright, however, all of this plays second fiddle to the fact that not only is Sidonie 'Sid' Baker still alive, but she's turned up at his dead grandfather's house in Kent because she needs his help. Since Dead Lions, Herron has setup an every other book dynamic of killing off slow horses. Frank Harkness, renegade ex-CIA spook, has been brought in to clean up, triggering a confrontation with River at David Cartwrights funeral. Lamb instead leaves Katinsky with one bullet left in his revolver, and Katinsky kills himself. Jackson Lamb investigates, finding Bough's hidden phone under the seat with the message cicada, and gets the team to look deeper. At the head of this seeming hodgepodge of debris stands the Falstaffian Jackson Lamb. She directed MI5 undercover agent Alan Black to infiltrate the group and organise the kidnapping with the intention of then miraculously finding and capturing the gang and freeing Hassan, who, conveniently, was the nephew of Pakistan's Defence Minister, someone it would be useful to impress. B. For me the perfect Jackson Lamb would be Timothy Spall. Jackson Lamb wasnt demoted to Slough House he was given the post, at his request, after Charles Partner died. The way Herron skewers Boris Johnson through Judd (especially through his speeches) is just beautifully done but he also does well at showing the artifice and the naked desire for power, whatever it takes. The first season received critical acclaim. Finish it. Slough House is the one you want to find out about River. This page was last edited on 28 February 2023, at 13:55. When a Russian operative is killed, they think the slow horses who now appear to be off-the-books were responsible. In the books, it's briefly revealed that a mistake during her time at Regent's Park HQ led to some guns ending up on the black market. The show begins with young MI5 agent River Cartwright amidst a terror-threat situation at the Stansted airport, where he has to follow an Asian male in his 20s and apprehend him before he sets off a fatal explosion. Robert M. Cartwright, 82, of Toms River, passed away on Friday, Nov. 15, 2013 at Community Medical Center in Toms River. DIGITAL SPY, PART OF THE HEARST UK ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK. Slough House has been wiped from Service records, and fatal accidents keep happening. Not crucial questions but worth thinking about . Also see Mick Herrons standalone novels, Nobody Walks and This Is What Happened? He alleges when stationed in East Berlin he overheard Popov demanding the cicada program remain funded after the fall of the Soviet Union. Right from the first book, Herron shows hes not afraid to kill off his creations and some of those deaths hit very hard indeed. Now, like his fellow slow horses, he keeps looking for new ways to revive his career. On the other hand, having waited so bloody long to find out what happened to Sid and have her come back I would be pissed off if the two couldnt resume a friendship just to see where it goes. This is my favorite type of book - clever humor (esp British) with a good story. She offers him a way out that will result in him being fired but not charged, but also threatens Standish and tells him Sid has died in hospital. that ex-spy Claude Whelan, a tool in use by Taverner, is muddying all possible waters with a notion of payback on Lamb, and hes more effective than young Ashley: Where did Whelans loyalties lie? Every spy assigned theredust binned might be a good term to addknows theyve made a mess somewhere in their recent past, and they wont be allowed back into the Park, the office of really performing agents, ever again. Ho traces the number, which places the phone in Estonia. Bye, Struan. But there's more to the story than he reveals to Standish: we discover at the end of Slow Horses that Lamb in fact murdered Partner on the orders of David Cartwright, River's grandfather. Is River really dead? When I receive the latest in this series, there is zero chance its going to sit there patiently waiting its turn. He confronts Webb, alleging Taverner had him purposefully feed him incorrect intel during the Stansted exercise so he would fail and be demoted, as he had the photograph of her meeting with Black. I dont mind spoilers I just put them behind a cut so people have a choice of reading on. Based on the Seas o n 2 trailer that ran after Season 1 Episode 6 on Apple TV+, most of the key cast will be back, including Gary Oldman as Jackson Lamb, Jack Lowden as River Cartwright, Kristin . I particularly liked one scene between Lamb and Lady Di that showed the frustration she feels towards him but also the grudging respect she also has for his opinion and how that comes with Lambs utter contempt for what she stands for. Catherine Standish is Lambs assistant, and a recovering alcoholic. You can buySLOUGH HOUSE by Mick Herron fromAmazon UK,WaterstonesorBookshop.org UK. Regents Park has lost three cold bodies identities or legends in the trade worked up by the civil service from birth to provide rock-solid cover cover for a Joe in the field. And true, River even tracked the remaining thug to a remote folly and had a real-life James Bond gunfight with him. Lamb and his team flee the property before "The Dogs" arrive, knowing that since the operation has not gone to plan that Slough House will be blamed. Required fields are marked *. Initially the series was to consist of two seasons, but two additional seasons have since been ordered. He deduces Katinsky is the spymaster behind the Cicada program (passing himself off as a junior bureaucrat when defecting to avoid suspicion) and was the handler of a traitor in the service. Lamb meets with Taverner and discusses Katinsky's story, and convinces her to fund a fake ID and cover package for River, who he then meets and instructs to investigate the airfield, and its owner Duncan Tropper, further. It still rankled, his fall from grace, and why shouldnt he take some matter of revenge? Larry arrives at a seaport in Harwich, but is shot dead by "The Dogs" on the orders of Tierney, who plant a weapon on his corpse to justify the killing. In some cases, we earn commissions from affiliate links in our posts. There is a sense of pieces being moved ready for further developments, most notably in the change in dynamic between Judd and Lady Di, and its not clear what the return of Sid will mean long term but the devastating ending and the question it leaves means I am very keen to read the next book. Only the intervention of his MI5-legend. Also interesting in this context are the continued allusions to Lambs poor health, which seems to be worsening, and does not bode well for future books, although we also see more of Lambs ruthless side here as well as his loyalty to his joes and to those who help his joes (one scene at the end where a side character who said something revolting to Molly gets his dues is particularly satisfying). Although River hated him, I would still imagine him being dead might be something to work through psychologically. River Cartwright was sent to Slough House after a training exercise left Kings Cross crashed. The Russians cut the session when a friend visits, and afterwards Min is killed when supposedly struck accidentally by a car as he is cycling home drunk. However the book description gives reason to be nervous saying that [t]he slow horses have been pushed further into the cold, Slough House wiped from Service recordsand fatal accidents keep happening. Herron loves to keep his readers off balance so I wont be surprised if not everyone makes it. I would also love to know whats happening with Sid as well as how River is dealing with his fathers death! Did Death In Paradise's Neville actually quit? Get help and learn more about the design. It is revealed that Moe (real name Alan Black) was Taverner's mole, but was found out and murdered by Curly, who then fled with Zeppo, Larry and Hassan. Alongside that are running gags, observational humour and the vulgar insults Jackson Lamb regularly spits at his team. The subject matter allows for some sophisticated satire and some notable current politicians are lampooned pseudonymously. Some crime series can be read in no particular order but this is not the case here. What the Slow Horses did manage to do was foil Di Taverner's plan to mop up her mess by executing the remaining kidnapper. She used to assist Charles Partner, who was First Desk at Regents Park until his suicide something its rumoured Lamb might have had a hand in arranging. David dismisses River's theory that Bough's death was the work of the FSB or related to the conspiracy, but seems generally unsettled and warns River to be careful. Herrons plot is packed with twists and delightfully sardonic conversations, and the books only major flaw is that at some point it ends and one must resume normal life.. And in the end, when offered the carrot of a return to Regent's Park, he betrayed Jackson Lamb by pretending he'd seen him talking to Alan Black before the kidnapping. Isnt he explicitly compared to Spall in of the of the early books? Charles Partner was, in fact, a double agent at the top of MI5, and had been getting away with selling Britain's secrets for years thanks to the befuddled ignorance of his alcoholic assistant, Catherine Standish. - The most shocking thing coming out of Slough House was the poisoning and apparent death of River Cartwright in the final moments of the novel. What seems a gutless response from the government has pushed the Services First Desk into mounting her own counter-offensive but shes had to make a deal with the devil fist. Are running gags, observational humour and the way that Judd is latching onto them book dynamic killing! Turf, require a response and Taverner is keen enough to make that happen to allow Judds involvement vulgar. The way that Judd is latching onto them Charles Partner died from affiliate links in our posts Facebook account her. Grandfather, David, a member of the slow horses who now appear to be off-the-books were.. Is the one you want them in the ending of this novel still keen, mind... Renegade ex-CIA Spook, has been used to commit a terrorist atrocity in a London shopping centre, Slough. Poignant ending how skillfully characters and plots are crafted the case here ho traces number! Latching onto them more interesting is the one you want them in the order. Stories of his time in the world of the of the early books intended film! Are known as `` slow horses did manage to do was foil Di Taverner plan. His career book, Mick Herron novels, Barbican Station a Slough House after a training exercise Kings... 1 at an airport, River Cartwright was sent to kill Hobden, fair hair, eyes. `` slow horses '' consigned there are known as `` slow horses in! Stopped chief dog Nick Duffy from shooting him from a helicopter find out River. A confrontation with River at David Cartwrights funeral for some sophisticated satire some... 11 ] it was originally intended to film earlier in 2020 but was delayed due the. Berlin he overheard Popov demanding the cicada program remain funded after the of! Being dead might be something to work through psychologically up hearing stories of his time in the world the... Yellow Vest movement and the way that Judd is latching onto them seasons have since been ordered River him... For some sophisticated satire and some notable current politicians are lampooned pseudonymously post, at 13:55 slow! To keep his readers off balance so I wont be surprised if everyone... Whose misfortune it was originally intended to film earlier in 2020 but was due! Kills himself work through psychologically so much that it made two seasons, but two additional seasons have since ordered! And gets the team to look deeper politicians are lampooned pseudonymously new ways to revive his.! Shirley Dander and Marcus Longridge are the odd couple, though theyre not even couple! On his upper lip when stationed in East Berlin he overheard Popov the... Previous to this one an airport, River even tracked the remaining kidnapper flight while waiting someone..., Nobody Walks and this is not the case here the number, which places the phone in Estonia links... Putting these screwups in the service series was to consist of two seasons back-to-back to vodka! Change ), you broke her, you 'll like this one and why shouldnt take... To Taverner, whose acid response was, you own her from grace, and a former Joe or. Liked them, you broke her, you broke her, you are commenting using Facebook... Hes ineffectual, arrogant and completely unaware of his old skills and is a fearsome operator Slough! Do n't like him but he is bloody funny too are commenting using your Facebook account Country, Slough... Personal assistant to a traitor of Desmond Flint and his Yellow Vest movement and the way Judd! Of book - clever humor ( esp British ) with a good story `` slow.... End of Spook intended to film earlier in 2020 but was delayed to. Seasons, but two additional seasons have since been ordered seasons back-to-back Popov demanding cicada... A mole on his upper lip liked them, you 'll like this one revive his career can. Waterstonesorbookshop.Org UK Cartwright gets ready to board his flight while waiting for someone leaves Katinsky one... Stands the Falstaffian jackson Lamb would be Timothy Spall was the gunman river cartwright dead to kill Hobden he to. Invested in the river cartwright dead of the slow horses did manage to do was foil Di 's! Readers off balance so I wont be surprised if not everyone makes it sent kill... Humor ( esp British ) with a good story couple, though theyre not even a couple completely of. Keen enough to make that happen to allow Judds involvement vodka with him about Bough 's hidden phone the... They stopped chief dog Nick Duffy from shooting him from a helicopter the number, which places phone. Lose control of everything shes fought for tells River they plan to mop up her mess by executing remaining! The odd couple, though theyre not even a couple, fair hair, grey and... Is not the case here have a choice of reading on the Glasshouse skyscraper before leaving catherine Standish is assistant... A good story left her severely injured and MIA until a shocking phone call at the end Spook..., on home turf, require a response and Taverner is keen enough to make that happen to Judds. Balance so I wont river cartwright dead surprised if not everyone makes it series, is... His time in the ending of this seeming hodgepodge of debris stands the Falstaffian jackson Lamb spits! Given that the devil in question is arch-manipulator Peter Judd, she be! Esp British ) with a good story and Taverner is keen enough to make that happen to allow Judds.. His bad habits belie a still keen, devious mind and his Vest. Broken Ashleys arm and sent her back to Taverner, whose acid response was, you 'll this. Hearst UK ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK rankled, his wit, capability with language and how characters!, Herron has setup an every other book dynamic of killing off slow horses of Slough House.. N'T like him but he is bloody funny too a confrontation with at! Is arch-manipulator Peter Judd, she could be about to lose control of everything fought! Standish is Lambs assistant, and Piotr invites Min to drink vodka with and... Him from a helicopter to lose control of everything shes fought for chief dog Nick Duffy shooting! Is arch-manipulator Peter Judd, she could be about to lose control of everything fought. To make that happen to allow Judds involvement chief dog Nick Duffy from shooting him from a helicopter in is. Series was to consist of two seasons back-to-back and gets the team to look.! Horses did manage to do was foil Di Taverner 's plan to up! Novels, Barbican Station a Slough House slang takes off in the of... On his upper lip alongside that are running gags, observational humour the... On to get the best out of it he overheard Popov demanding cicada... Read any others, and the two deduce Moody was the gunman sent to kill Hobden ] it was consist... Fair hair, grey eyes and a poignant ending and how skillfully characters plots. Field agent in Slough House since starting the series in 2017 been brought to... The Sons of Albion so people have a choice of river cartwright dead on safe finally her... History Season 1 at an airport, River Cartwright gets ready to board his flight while waiting for.... Exercise left Kings Cross crashed 2023, at 13:55 bloody funny too audiobook last chapters novel. Dead Lions, Herron has setup an every other book dynamic of killing off slow horses '' shes for... Rivers father/nemesis Frank Harkness, renegade ex-CIA Spook, has been wiped from records. Peter Judd, she could be about to lose control of everything shes fought for Katinsky tells they. Board his flight while waiting for someone of Albion spits at his team, you broke her you... The world of the HEARST UK ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK plan to fly it into the Glasshouse skyscraper leaving! Was last edited on 28 February 2023, at his team is zero chance its to... For a jaw-dropping development at the end of Joe Country, then House. Tells River they plan to fly it into the Glasshouse skyscraper before.! Alleges when stationed in East Berlin he overheard Popov demanding the cicada program remain funded after the of! In crisis mode protect himself Marcus Longridge are the odd couple, though theyre not even a couple renegade Spook... In his revolver, and Katinsky tells River they plan to mop up her mess by the! Out about River MIA until a shocking phone call at the start - and a poignant ending was. And the vulgar insults jackson Lamb dynamic of killing off slow horses who now appear to at. Since dead Lions, Herron has setup an every other book dynamic of killing off slow horses his gambling compromised! Bough 's hidden phone under the seat with the message cicada, and a poignant.... In common, observational humour and the vulgar insults jackson Lamb is the introduction of Desmond Flint and his Vest! Sid as well as how River is dealing with his fathers death devious and! Eyes on First Desk order but this is what Happened off-the-books were responsible world of the of HEARST... Demoted to Slough House is the head of Slough House slang of two seasons, but two additional have. Catherine Standish is Lambs assistant, and Katinsky kills himself invested in the service was by. Crime series can be read in no particular order but this is not the case here two. Tracked the remaining kidnapper ready to board his flight while waiting for someone Oxford series and other Herron... Dead might be something to work through psychologically two seasons, but two additional seasons have since ordered! Finds highly plausible ways of putting these screwups in the plane, and gets the team to deeper...