The Drop cover art

The Drop

A Slough House Novella

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The Drop

By: Mick Herron
Narrated by: Sean Barrett
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About this listen

A Slough House novella from the 'John le Carré of our generation'.

Old spooks carry the memory of tradecraft in their bones, and when Solomon Dortmund sees an envelope being passed from one pair of hands to another in a Marylebone café, he knows he's witnessed more than an innocent encounter. But in relaying his suspicions to John Bachelor, who babysits retired spies like Solly, he sets in train events which will alter lives. Bachelor himself, a hair's breadth away from sleeping in his car, is clawing his way back to stability; Hannah Weiss, the double agent whose recruitment was his only success, is starting to enjoy the secrets and lies her role demands; and Lech Wicinski, an Intelligence Service analyst, finds that a simple favour for an old acquaintance might derail his career.

Meanwhile, Lady Di Taverner is trying to keep the Service on an even keel, and if that means throwing the odd crew member overboard, well: collateral damage is her specialty.

A drop, in spook parlance, is the passing on of secret information.

It's also what happens just before you hit the ground.

©2018 Mick Herron (P)2018 Hodder & Stoughton Limited Crime Thrillers Espionage Spies & Politics Thriller & Suspense Thriller Crime Fiction

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Sean Barrett is a wonderful narrator, Mick Heron an outstanding storyteller. I am disappointed in the length. The Novella costs the same as a full novel and is half the length. I think the novellas should be read together.

Riveting

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As with all the Slough House series, you come for the gripping storyline but stay for scathing commentary.

The narration cannot be praised enough- I could listen to Sean Barrett read shopping lists and I’m sure I’d find that riveting too.

Brilliant as ever

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I enjoyed this immensely. The story was perhaps a little more whimsical than other Mick Herron work, but none the worse for that.. The happy (ish) ending and the snow perhaps. As ever, his use of language is sublime, and Sean Barrett is just the best-just the sound of his voice is enough to sell an audiobook to me. Thank you Mick, and Sean.

Slightly whimsical?

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.. particularly if you've read/listened to other similar stories by Mick Herron, as most of the characters are in some or all of the other Slough House stories.

The wonderful turns of phrase, dry sardonic humour plus a mellifluous 'laid back' voice over makes this another 5* for me.

A clever little short storey

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Beautifully read , another superb listen . Will start the next immediately , can’t wait for more in this series

Beguiling and absorbing

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Providing you are already a fan, and you realise it only lasts two hours, you will enjoy this. Silkily read by Sean Barrett, as usual.

I imagine it is, at least potentially, setting the scene for new characters in a further Slough House novel; an excellent prospect.

Cameo

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Although it was a short story, I got into it right away and wanted it to go on. Ended too soon for me and can't wait for the next book.

Loved it

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A perfectly formed aside to the main SH narratives, that leaves you sighing in sympathy.
Reading this out of order was a little confusing but, by the end, events had slipped into the timeline.
Wonderful narration by Sean Barratt - although I did detect a Roderick Ho twang to these unrelated characters.

A small pleasure

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This is the first short(ish) story I can recall reading where I didn't feel confused, bored or cheated. Mick Herron delivers the same qualities as in his full-length novels – an intriguing plot, enticing characterisations, and shed-loads of ultra dry humour.
Seán Barrett's reading is, as always, superlative – rich, humorous and nuanced. I highly recommend all the Slough House and Zoë Boehm books; I've found no other writer within this genre who comes close to the standard set by Mick Herron.

Short but perfectly formed story.

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A prep for the next Jackson Lambe book. Introducing a new part of the tale and the next member of the slow horses. Full of the wit and observation that has lured readers along this spectacular series. While short , it is as entertaining as the previous books and renews the readers thirst for more. looking forward to the next novel. This writer never disappoints.

keep them coming Mick

Great writer and master storyteller

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