Standing by the Wall: A Slough House Interlude

The first thing to say is that, 'Standing by the Wall' is exactly what it is listed as - an interlude in the Slough House world. Yes, it is also a short story set partly during Christmas Eve, but festivity is always in short supply in the world of the Slow Horses. This is not for the casual reader. It does not act as an introduction to the characters and that is something to be aware of. If you consider any of the novellas (my version had only the title story in it, but assuming you have the collected version) as a road into the main series, you will be disappointed. If, however, like me, you have read all the books associated with the series many times and are familiar with the characters, then this is a teaser into the next novel, complete with title and release date, but no spoilers from me.It is Christmas Eve and Roddy Ho had plans. True enough, they consisted of three vaguely linked Christmas movies (one being, 'Elf,' which, having sat through once I firmly intend never to revisit) and possibly going to the pub, although his colleagues may have other ideas about that one. However, his plans are about to be interrupted. Molly Doran has sent Jackson Lamb a festively wrapped gift and he has spent the day contemplating it, before finally deciding on a response. Our deluded computer whizz imagines himself as Lamb's right-hand man and so answers his summons swiftly - nothing to do with Lamb's undercurrent of menace. Meanwhile, there is a visitor to Slough House, and so Christmas has arrived, but will pass and the New Year beckon. At Regents Park, Molly Doran reflects on her past, as rumours swirl and we, the reader, look forward to the next adventure with some of the trepidation we always feel as danger lurks. A teaser, full of hints and secrets of the past, this is definitely worth reading for those who love this fictional world and an enjoyable seasonal treat from Mick Herron.

It’s a short but important part of the Slough House saga. At a top level, Roddy Ho is given a job by Jackson Lamb but this is also delivers a key pointer to the next book that fans will not want to miss (no spoilers).Lots of Slough House banter and interaction and the clever and cutting dialogue you would expect.Less than the price of a coffee and well worth it.

Mick Herron has created a wonderful world in which various MI5 officers who have run aground in their career end up in the Service equivalent of internal exile, banished to work in Slough House. Because of the name of their base, those unfortunates to whom that fate befalls are known as the Service’s ‘Slow horses’, and as if their humiliation were not punishment enough, they have to work for the monstrous Jackson Lamb – think of Reginald Hill’s Superintendent Dalziel but without all the tenderness and effeteness!In this novella, standing slightly aside from the main sequence of the novels, Jackson lamb has received a Christmas Card made up of a photograph from the past, which pricks his curiosity, and prompts him to stir some of the Slow Horses into work.I was a little disappointed with this novella, which seemed unusually insubstantial. Herron has produced additional novellas before which have yielded valuable additional insight into the machinations behind the scenes at Slough House. It was difficult to see how this added to the oeuvre.

A short slow horse story for Christmas, as insightful and humorous as we come to anticipate when opening to the first page of a Mick Herron novel.Excellent.

A good review of the players in Slough House, setting the scene for more events and adventures of the slow horses.

Too short, too little Lamb. Molly and Lamb need to get togetger, again. What is there past?Waiting impatiently for next one, please

Vintage Herron. Love all these books. He writes so well, definite cut above most current authors. So invested in the characters, I can't wait for the next one. Humour, intrigue, plots twists. Wonderful.

I buy Mick Herron books regularly for family members and we have all the Slough House volumes.However, having bought this slim publication as a stopgap between others, I then found that Standing by the Wall subsequently appears in full at the end ofBad Actors. Could have saved myself £3.99 - not a king’s ransom maybe, but a bit cheeky from the publishers.

A joy to read such an accomplished word artist. You can feel the pain and discomfort of the characters, smell the odors in the room and anticipate the impending dangers in each story.The works are sad only in that one longs for more at the end of the collection..

Für Fans der Slow Horses ist die Novelle vermutlich Pflicht, aber ich war persönlich enttäuscht. Natürlich ist der unnachahmliche Stil von Mick Herron wie gewohnt vorhanden, aber der Text hängt irgendwie im Raum. Ohne richtigen Anfang und noch viel unangenehmer: ohne vernünftiges Ende.

In borrowing its three ghosts (past, present, future) to Dickens' Christmas Carol, Mike Herron creates a charming Season intermezzo in the Slough House series. He adds to his usual dose of wry humor, punchlines and hard core cynicism the unexpected twist of a cryptic melancholic ending that brings him a step closer to his master Le Carré. A short but doubtless indispensable must-read.

mick herron's slow horses saga never disappoints. while short the characters spring to life. more please from master Mick Herron

Fills in the (past) gap of the Molly Dolan/Jackson Lamb backstory.