Real Tigers by Mick Herron
The third installment of the Slow Horses is more of the same.
Well, actually, this particular disaster is 100% home grown. Britain scarcely needs any foreign adversaries, when her Majesty's government is perfectly capable of plotting and conspiring against itself.
The non-stop action hinges on a kidnap scheme that is loony even by Slough House standards. As the plot is uncovered, it becomes clear that there is a not unexpected power struggle between the current Home Secretary, the notorious Peter Judd, the head of MI5 (Dame Ingrid), and second desk (Diana Tavener, AKA Lady Di). As usual, the slow horses are expendable pawns in these dangerous games.
The Slow Horses aren't considered "real" operatives, but Jackson Lamb isn't going to let one of his joes stay captive. The Slow Horses rally to the rescue—and right into danger. Things go tits up, of course, so the powers that be decide to clean things up by wiping out all the pawns, Slow Horses included.
It totally bonkers, really. As usual.
Great stuff.
- Mick Herron, Real Tigers, New York Soho Press, 2016.
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