The Sunday Mail
MIKE Herron might have written more than 10 novels already but I had not taken any interest in his work until recently when I read his latest fiction piece, “Spook Street”.
I was impressed.
This is the fourth instalment in a series, and I am now looking for the other entries because if they are as interesting as this one, then I might be in for some great escapist reading.
“Spook Street” starts with a bomb blast that kills more than 40 people, triggering the British intelligence community to go on high alert.
The writer’s descriptive skills are put on display early in the text when recounting the effects of the deadly explosion.
“For the blast, when it came, left little intact. It shattered bone and pulverised mortality, and reduced all nearby life to charred stubble. Windows became shrapnel and the fountain hissed as flaming chunks of masonry, brick, plastic and flesh rained into it. An angry fireball swallowed the music and the dancers both, and sent a wave of heat and air pulsing down all four avenues, while the springtime dummies in their pristine clothing were blown away behind a memory of glass.”
Spies who are deemed to be rejects, including those with mental issues, are sent to what is called the “Slough House”, where they are meant to wind up their careers. This establishment is led by the outspoken Jackson Lamb.
Among these rejects is River Cartwright, who believes that his grandfather, a former super spy who seems to be losing his mind, might just be put to rest permanently for fear that he might spill state secrets to the wrong ears.
After a dead body is found in the old man’s room, it is identified as River’s and this sparks an investigation that highlights a connection between the particular incident and the bombing.
Herron does a great job of ensuring that the reader is taken on a wild goose chase in trying to establish how to connect all the dots in this thrilling novel. From the characterisation to the storyline, this book does have many interesting aspects that had me appreciating the author’s abilities. The combination of mystery, tragedy, humour and a whole bunch of wow factors makes this a big time page turner.
