A review by magicschooltokoro
London Rules by Mick Herron

adventurous dark funny informative lighthearted tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I was just telling someone last night that I was comparing this to the kind of satire as the series, Archer, and with George Clooney's film, The Men Who Stare At Goats. The characters, in-house relationship dynamics, context of Slough House as slow horses, the snippy, devil-may-care dialogue, the clear itching for insubordination and the directors nonplussed reaction to what his joes really do or their behavior, no matter uncouth or unprofessional. They are his (chain smoking and hard-drinking on the job), they are beyond reproach from the Service and external judgments apart from his own verbal abuse. He acknowledges their sorry failings and character flaws, and even plays on those often to their faces. One of the characters may very well be neurodivergent representation. Very quotable. Grand bar and bistro and pub reading. But it was humorous in the British manner and entertaining overall. Different from the general fare of espionage out there, maybe. 

Will I read anything else from the Slough House series? If I'm in the mood, but not likely purposely. We'll see. I'm not really a series reader. But it was well worth the dabble.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings