Synopsis
Two years ago, the Monochrome inquiry was set up to investigate the British secret service. Monochrome's mission was to ferret out misconduct, allowing the civil servants seconded to the inquiry, Griselda Fleet and Malcolm Kyle, unfettered access to confidential information in the service archives.
But with progress blocked at every turn, Monochrome is circling the drain . . . Until the OTIS file appears out of nowhere.
What classified secrets does OTIS hold that see a long-redundant spy being chased through Devon's green lanes in the dark? What happened in a newly reunified Berlin that someone is desperate to keep under wraps? And who will win the battle for the soul of the secret service - or was that decided a long time ago?
Spies and pen-pushers, politicians and PAs, high-flyers, time-servers and burn-outs . . . They all have jobs to do in the daylight. But what they do in the secret hours reveals who they really are.
Publisher information
- Publisher: John Murray Press
- ISBN: 9781399800549
- Number of pages: 400
- Dimensions: 196 x 128 x 30 mm
- Weight: 321g
- Languages: English
Customer Reviews
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Teaser
To get a flavour of what is to come read Standing by the Wall, then wait patiently for the autumn.
Excellent Read
Thank you to the publishers for this early review copy.
It will be no surprise to anyone who is familiar with Mick Herron's books to hear that this is an e... READ MORE
My favourite series of all time
Being a huge fan of the Slough House series, and the various tie-in novels that dovetail loosely into that yarn, I deeply enjoyed The Secret Hours. Reflect... READ MORE
Slow Horses backstory
For Slow Horses fans this appears to be Mick Herron striking out afresh. An attempt to abduct a retired academic from his rural home fails and he flees. A ... READ MORE
A treat for lovers of the murky world of the Secret Service!
This is described as a standalone novel, but really I think it’s a “stand before” as it ties into the Slough House world. I wouldn't say it was necessary ... READ MORE
Skilfully executed, gripping tale!
The heart pounding first chapter set the scene beautifully for this spy thriller, however it quietened down considerably after that, but was, nevertheless,... READ MORE
Berlin and spies
I thoroughly enjoyed the first part of this book, then I got overwhelmed by the characters and who was who.
Well written, but just not quite my type of st... READ MORE
Absolutely Thrilling
5* Wowsers. The Secret Hours is brilliant. Mick Herron has written an absolute classic.
An older man living a quiet life in rural Devon has to run for hi... READ MORE
A Good Thriller
The book started off brilliantly ,fast paced with an unknown man being chased for his life but then the pace slowed considerably and the book became all a... READ MORE
Slow Horses Prequel
The Secret Hours by Mick Herron is not so much the next book in his highly successful Slough House series as the back story of 2 of its major characters. W... READ MORE
another winner!
I've really enjoyed all of Mick Herron’s Slow Horse books (and his other standalone ones) and so was looking forward to reading this. In truth, the first q... READ MORE
Not Mick’s best.
For me, this book only got going after the first hundred pages. If you stick with it, it’s not a bad book.
I’ve read all of the Slough House/Slow Horses b... READ MORE
Light hearted but complex spy thriller
Max Janáček is being hunted by a gang who tried to kidnap him. This may be connected to an Inquiry set up two years ago by the then PM. ‘Max’ isn’t the r... READ MORE
British espionage has never had a better writer
In Mick Hereon’s ‘The Secret Hours’ we once again find personality filled characters, prose that sings and links to much loved friends from earlier novels.... READ MORE
Excellent
I really enjoyed this one off story, having read all the Slough House novels and the fact that some characters had crossed over. Excellent
Another Herron high
Just... brilliant.
Completely joyful!
I've read a couple of the Slough House series but don't seek them out. That might change now I've read this. It has, I think, one of the best opening lines... READ MORE
The worst smell in the world is dead badger.
I have a confession to make; I think I’ve read pretty much everything that Mick Herron has written. So, there we are, it’s out there: I’m a fan and you nee... READ MORE
Love it.
Just another tale about how screwed up our not quite so secret service are working, with hints and snippets into a certain characters past…. A must read fo... READ MORE
A must-read for SLOUGH HOUSE fans
The popular opinion among Westminster’s political circles was that the Monochrome inquiry was Anthony Sparrow’s (the then prime minister’s thuggish Svengal... READ MORE
Savoured every word
My first outing with Mick Herron and won't be my last. Usually I'd start at the beginning of a series but as I'd watched (binged) the current 3 series of S... READ MORE
A stand-alone story set in the Slow Horses world
Although billed as a stand-alone this is set in the world of Regents Park and features some characters readers will recognise from the Slow Horses series. ... READ MORE
Secret Hours
Mick Herron uses the title of his book, ‘The Secret Hours’, several times through his engaging – gripping – novel of almost 400-pages. He’s making a point;... READ MORE
Topical, funny and very clever.
The Secret Hours is a stand-alone novel by award-winning, best-selling British author, Mick Herron. When the government initiates its inquiry into historic... READ MORE
Drivel for Guardian readers
Bought this my local Waterstones. I enjoyed the "Spooks" despite the Tory bashing. But this was money wasted. Herron has some good ideas in his storylines ... READ MORE
Superb!
Suffice to say this includes all the mystery, skulduggery, action and intrigue of the mainline Slough House books, but there's something that also sets it... READ MORE
Verified Purchase