While we wait for the next for the next Jackson Lamb Slough House novel (2019), Mick has treated us with this novella to keep our spirits up. To be honest upfront, this is more of a long short story than a novella so don't block out a lot to time for reading. Still worth it.
The Marlyebone Drop is part of the MI5/Slough House world but doesn't involve Jackson Lamb and his crew. From the description I've read, the events of
The Marylbone Drop occur just before
the 6th in that series and there is a carryover to it from this book.
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Solomon Dortmund, retired MI5 asset, is in his favorite "café and konditorei" Fischer's, on Marylebone Street in London. Solomon might be retired but he hasn't lost his memory of tradecraft and when a drop occurs in front of him, he notices. This apparent "accidental' exchange of documents is further memorable because it is so old school in this electronic age. He reports this to his handler, John Bachelor, a very low level employee of MI5, recently reduced to part time, currently homeless, and in charge of making sure retired assets get their pensions and are taken care of. Bachelor is a little bitter at his status since he has been shut out of handling an asset he actually identified and recruited, his one significant accomplishment in MI5. Solomon's report to John sets off a chain of events that will have a major impact on several lives.
The Marylebone Drop has the wry humor, cynical view of MI5 management, and fun twists that devoted readers love about his books. However, it seems to me that this book is really a setup for the next novel and from a description I read, at least one character makes the jump to the Jackson Lamb series. I didn't mind because it is a fun little read, like a sorbet between the noirs I seem to be obsessed with lately.
In the UK the title is just
The Drop. I don't think the 6th Jackson Lamb book has a title because it is just being referred to as Jackson Lamb Thriller 6.
Keywords: spy fiction, espionage fiction
the 6th in that series and there is a carryover to it from this book.
I do like Herron's style, Mack. I agree with you that he's good at dropping in just the right amount of wit, even as he tells a tense story. Glad you enjoyed this.
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