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  • The Secret Hours

  • By: Mick Herron
  • Narrated by: Sean Barrett
  • Length: 12 hrs and 41 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (1,026 ratings)

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The Secret Hours

By: Mick Herron
Narrated by: Sean Barrett
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Summary

A new standalone novel from 'Britain's greatest living thriller writer' and author of the bestselling Slough House series, now a TV series starring Gary Oldman.

THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER*

*A 'Book of the Year' in The Times, Sunday Times, Guardian, Observer, Daily Telegraph, Spectator, Sunday Express, TLS, Irish Times*

'Pure class' Ian Rankin 'Pitch-perfect' Lee Child

'A powerful standalone spy thriller from a true contemporary master' Daily Telegraph

Trying to investigate the Secret Service is like trying to get rid of the stink of dead badger. Hard.

For two years the government's Monochrome inquiry has produced nothing more than a series of dead ends.

The Service has kept what happened in the newly reunified Berlin under wraps for decades, and intends for it to stay that way.

But then the OTIS file turns up.

What classified secrets does it hold? And what damage will it create?

All Max Janácek knows is that someone is chasing him through the pitch-dark country lanes and they want him gone.

WE ALL HAVE JOBS TO DO IN THE DAYLIGHT. IT'S WHAT YOU DO IN THE SECRET HOURS THAT REVEALS WHO YOU REALLY ARE.

'Wonderful . . . high action, a spinning moral compass, and hidden motives on every page' Michael Connelly

*Mick Herron's The Secret Hours was a Sunday Times Number Four bestseller in hardback in the second week of September 2023

2024, Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award, Long-listed

2024, Crimefest Last Laugh Award, Short-listed

2024, CWA Gold Dagger for Best Crime Novel, Long-listed

2024, British Book Awards Thriller of the Year, Short-listed

©2023 Mick Herron (P)2023 Hodder & Stoughton Limited
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What listeners say about The Secret Hours

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  • Overall
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Superb prologue to the Slough House series

Answers all the questions about the back stories for key characters. The writing is excellent as usual and Sean Barrett’s narrative super.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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Sloppy editing

The story is great but this audio book is let down by some poor editing. Specially when the reader corrects himself both the original phrase and the corrected version are recorded. The audio element itself is a consistent tone where distinguishing between characters can be tricky at times

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    5 out of 5 stars
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All the parts that make the book brilliant

couldn't stop listening!

brilliant plot line great characters and superbly narrated

not listened to Mick Hereon before? try it you will not be disappointed.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Top notch.

MH’s turn of phrase and seemlessly prismatic temporal shifts have made this a really pleasure. Narrator nails it with his veteran’s voice and the plot holds you like a vice.

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A Treat.

The Slough House books are high on my favourites list and now The Secret Hours has been added.
As we’ve come to expect from Mick Herron, it is well written and spiced with sharp humour. The various interwoven storylines give us some interesting background details about several of the now familiar Slough House characters and introduce some new ones. Sean Barrett’s narration, as expected, is superb.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Slow Horse fans will love

Mick Herron is a great writer and this book proves again his right to be considered up there with John le Carre for writing wonderful espionage novels.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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back story

Best yet, brilliantly conceived back story that breathes new life and understanding of old characters, bravo.

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The end makes the middle worthwhile.

Overall just leaves me wanting more of the same from Mick Herron.
Great start a little slow in the middle, but all loose ends tied up when finished and overall a very rewarding listen.
Sean Barrett on top form as always on the narration

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If you liked slow horses, you’ll love this

If you liked Slow Horses and the series, you’ll absolutely love this, as it almost to prologue, absolutely brilliant storytelling and fantastically well narrated.

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Change of perspective

Loved this different take on the Jackson Lamb story; on form but with a change of format.

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