This is the second book in the Slough House (Slow Horses) series about M-I5 agents who are exiled from the front lines because they screwed up, were exposed or were forced out because of political infighting. This is such an interesting premise and this book did not disappoint!

Dickie Bow was found dead on a bus on the outskirts of Oxford. There was nothing particularly unusual about this event and after the cause of death was ruled a heart attack, everyone moved on. That is everyone except Jackson Lamb, the head of Slough House. Lamb knew Dickie Bow as a fellow agent who served during the Cold War. After poking around a bit, Lamb is convinced that Bow was murdered, but by whom and why? As the agents at Slough House investigate the name Alexander Popov emerges. Popov was a shadowy figure who emerged briefly during the Cold War as a possible sleeper agent but later this information was discredited and M-I5 concluded that it had been an attempt by Moscow to plant a red herring that would cause chaos in the agency.

Meanwhile, two of Slough House’s agents have been seconded by M-I5 to protect a visiting Russian oligarch with the hope they can recruit him during his visit. But after a tragic accident, Lamb and the other agents at Slough House begin to wonder just who this Russian oligarch really is and what purpose he has in coming to London.

Suspenseful, witty, and full of interesting details, Herron has created a fascinating world of washed up spies struggling to stay relevant in a world that sees no use for them. The cantankerous and incorrigible Lamb leads the way, but each one of the supporting characters like River Cartwright and Catherine Standish, add another interesting back story to this complicated group at Slough House. Now that this is a series on Apple TV, starring Gary Oldham, there is one more way to enjoy this series!

Brenda’s Rating: ***** (5 Out of 5 Stars)

Recommend this book to: Sharon and Marian

Book Study Worthy? yes

Read in e-library format.