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Real Tigers by Mick Herron
This 2016 hit from author Mick Herron (Book 3, Jackson Lamb Thrillers) has just been reissued by label John Murray with dramatic, dark cover art appropriate for “the punch” in its pages. I had been anticipating reading Real Tigers for a while. It was easy for me to see why the Mail on Sunday dubbed this series the “finest new crime series this millennium” after reading and enjoying Books 2 and 2.5 in it, Dead Lions and novella The List. What better components for a series than spies who have been cast aside and have axes to grind and a desire to redeem their careers?
The author’s distinctive blend of literary skill and delectably dark humour is on full show.
He keeps a fast tempo despite the prose never feeling hurried. The narration shifts between the perspectives of many characters while remaining ubiquitous in the third person (at times like a ghost). It’s a narrative that combines sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and savoury flavours in a moving feast. The text is full of sardonic remarks about the everyday,
There were buses travelling in both directions, as well as a bicycle who, based on his reckless disregard for other cars, was eager to utilise his organ donor card. to those who are political and cynical He addressed her as “Dame Ingrid” as she walked into his office. The Home Secretary “I’ve exercised the freedom.” Which, although it sounded like a list of the highlights of his time in the Home Office, was actually a reference to the tea tray on a neighbouring table. and a much larger, tired outlook.
Avoid those who have nothing to lose.
Jackson Lamb’s fractured team in Real Tigers must deal with a threat that is much closer to home. Beware of those you underestimate, all you puppet masters (or humiliate). Since they have nothing to lose, Lamb’s miscreants aren’t hesitant to colour outside the lines.
Although I don’t typically enjoy visual humour, Herron creates some hysterically absurd scenes in this instalment. These belly-laughing times strengthen our bond and engagement with individuals confined to Slough House and act as soporifics for Lamb’s verbal attacks and the quick and violent deaths of those judged expendable.
Why all the references to food? There’s no rhyme or purpose to it; this book talks more about tea and booze than it does cuisine. However, Real Tigers does have enough of mystery, suspense, humour, and bite. The finest Herron book I’ve ever read.
About The Book
Catherine Standish is aware that spooks never have random meetings. She has enough experience working for the Intelligence Service to understand betrayal, double-dealing, and backstabbing. She is unaware of the motives behind anyone picking on her since she is a sober paper pusher who belongs to Jackson Lamb’s kingdom of exiles at Slough House.
Regardless of who is holding her captive, it can’t be them. It has to do with Slough House. Most likely, Jackson Lamb is involved. And no matter what you think of Lamb, he will never abandon a fellow human being. Perhaps you could even put your life in his hands.
The Review
Real Tigers
9 Score
The master of Slough House, Jackson Lamb is a chain smoking, slovenly belching and farting machine. He also has the skills needed to survive when you are somewhere on the middle rungs of a spy bureau. His crew of Regents Park exiles ,also known as slow horses, spend their days at mind numbing clerical tasks.
PROS
- DRY SHARP WHIT.
- Compelling and funny.
- Great spy story.
- Exciting new spy genre.
CONS
- Slugs House or Slow Read!
- Blasphemous language.
- Slow and dreadfully dull!
- Long and tedious.
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