In this episode I take a closer look at the fifth book in the Slough House series, London Rules, with guest Ayo Onatade. We talk about British politicians, whether Slough House should switch to an open office plan, hackers with girlfriends, and the high death toll in Slough House. Plus a special treat, Ayo's recommendation …
Continue reading Barbican Station – London Rules – Episode 6
In honor of the 10th anniversary of the release of Slow Horses in 2010 Soho Press has put out an updated edition of the paperback edition with new cover art, a new preface written by Mick Herron, a list of discussion questions and a short story previously unreleased in the United States. The cover art …
In this episode I take a closer look at the fourth book in the Slough House series, Spook Street, with Clarissa Aykroyd. We talk about hipsters in Shoreditch, literary references, corporate-speak and Herron's love for London transport mayhem. Each month we’ll be exploring a different book in the series. All leading up to the release …
Continue reading Barbican Station – Spook Street – Episode 5
In 1964, just after The Spy Who Came in from the Cold came out, Mademoiselle Magazine ran a mystery issue and asked Rex Stout to interview the newly famous author John le Carré.
Every so often I'll be highlighting some of the spy games I've picked up from various second hand stores over the years. I haven't played most of these yet, as finding willing spy game participants can be tricky, but I'm hoping to road test some of these as the kids get older. The way most …
Continue reading Spy Games – Robert Ludlum’s Game of Counter-Espionage
In this episode I take a closer look at the third book in the Slough House series, Real Tigers, with Gary Dexter. We talk about Chekov's Double Decker bus, why getting kidnapped DOESN'T make you want a drink, and the truth about the Thunderbirds.
Over the course of the Slough House series, there have been a number of plot threads that have been left open for future stories. Below are some of the ones I’m most interested in seeing addressed. Warning - Spoilers ahead for all books in the series! Sid Baker - One of the most shocking reveals …
Continue reading Top 9 Burning Questions going in to Slough House
These were released a couple of months ago, but still worth highlighting. Book seven of the series is titled Slough House, I'm guessing to coordinate with the, now COVID delayed, TV series. No major redesign to the covers on offer. Publisher John Murray makes a minor adjustment by adding a splash of color to their …
Rarely am I shocked while reading a book, but this was the exception. As I perused my latest purchase, a binded transcript of a speech John le Carré gave at John Hopkins University in 1986 titled The Clandestine Muse, I had a shocking revelation. John le Carré had won Blistex lip balm’s 1985 “Most Beautiful …
Continue reading Secret Lip Services – The honor John le Carré doesn’t want you to know about
In this episode I take a closer look at the second book in the Slough House series, Dead Lions, with Alice Dryden. We explore the truth behind a dickie bow, melting cars, whether all small English villages contain hidden evil and Dorset knob throwing.