A fascinating open, but the writing and subsequent plot felt a bit phoned in. The dialog (and in particular Lamb's banter) was a bit forced and predictable. Anyway, a bit of a disappointment given the strong showing of the first four books. I'm cautiously optimistic that Herron picks up again, but going to say this one should be put out to pasture.
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XML apologist. Erlang enthusiast. Currently JVMs & Performance stuff at Netflix. Previously JVMs & performative stuff at Twitter. He/him.
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2025 Reading Goal
8% complete! Ian Brown has read 2 of 24 books.
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Ian Brown finished reading Battle for the Bird by Kurt Wagner
Ian Brown started reading Joe Country by Mick Herron
Ian Brown reviewed London Rules by Mick Herron
Ian Brown finished reading London Rules by Mick Herron

London Rules by Mick Herron
"London Rules might not be written down, but everyone knows rule one: Cover your arse. At MI5 headquarters Regent's Park, …
Ian Brown started reading Battle for the Bird by Kurt Wagner
Ian Brown started reading Quantum Criminals by Alex Pappademas

Quantum Criminals by Alex Pappademas, Joan LeMay
A literary and visual exploration of the songs of Steely Dan.
Steely Dan’s songs are exercises in fictional world-building. No …
Ian Brown started reading London Rules by Mick Herron

London Rules by Mick Herron
"London Rules might not be written down, but everyone knows rule one: Cover your arse. At MI5 headquarters Regent's Park, …
Ian Brown started reading Secret Hours by Mick Herron
Ian Brown finished reading Spook Street by Mick Herron

Spook Street by Mick Herron
"What happens when an old spook starts to lose his mind? Do the Services have a retirement home for people …
Ian Brown started reading Spook Street by Mick Herron

Spook Street by Mick Herron
"What happens when an old spook starts to lose his mind? Do the Services have a retirement home for people …
Ian Brown finished reading Real Tigers by Mick Herron

Real Tigers by Mick Herron
London’s Slough House is where disgraced MI5 operatives are reassigned to spend the rest of their spy careers pushing paper. …
Ian Brown finished reading Extremely Hardcore by Zoë Schiffer
Ian Brown started reading Extremely Hardcore by Zoë Schiffer
Ian Brown started reading Real Tigers by Mick Herron

Real Tigers by Mick Herron
London’s Slough House is where disgraced MI5 operatives are reassigned to spend the rest of their spy careers pushing paper. …