Mick Herron delivers again—The Secret Hours is a masterclass in spy fiction, weaving tension, intrigue, and razor-sharp wit into a gripping thriller. Set on the fringes of the Slow Horses universe, this novel peels back layers of backstory while standing strong as a brilliant espionage tale in its own right.
From the first page, Herron’s signature style is on full display: darkly comic, endlessly twisty, and packed with characters who are as flawed as they are fascinating. The story follows the long-running Monochrome inquiry, a frustrating investigation into the intelligence services that suddenly finds itself with an unexpected breakthrough—the elusive OTIS file. What follows is a thrilling chase through buried secrets, past betrayals, and a present that refuses to let the past rest.
The writing crackles with tension, the plot unfolds with masterful precision, and just when you think you know where it’s going, Herron pulls the rug out from under you. If you love intelligent, unpredictable spy thrillers, The Secret Hours is an absolute must-read.