Over the last couple of months, I have been reading Mick Herron’s SLOUGH HOUSE novels. For those of you who have not heard of them, they are about members of the Security Service who have been ‘exiled’ to work at Slough House, an outstation that is situated near the Barbican area of London. These agents have been deemed to have committed various ‘offences’ by the powers-that-be, and their posting to Slough House is regarded as a punishment or route to resignation. Their supervisor is Jackson Lamb, an offensive man who is also a very experienced and devious former frontline agent. He is invariably rude to everybody and has some very unpleasant personal habits. That said, even though he does not like any of the people who work for him, he will do everything in his power to protect his ‘Joes’.
To date, Mick Herron has written the following books in the series:
- Slow Horses (2010)
- Dead Lions (2013)
- The List (2015 novella)
- Real Tigers (2016)
- Spook Street (2017)
- London Rules (2018)
- The Drop (2018 novella)
- Joe Country (2019)
- The Catch (2020 novella)
- Slough House (2021)
The books often make references to contemporary events and people, although names and/or personal traits of the latter are usually altered to suit the plot lines.
I understand that there are plans to turn the books into a TV series, with Gary Oldman portraying Jackson Lamb. He would seem to be an ideal person to do this ... although he isn’t as fat as I imagine Jackson to be. He is a very good film actor, and his portrayal of George Smiley in TINKER, TAILOR, SOLDIER, SPY was a tour de force. Anyone who can be the central character of a film, and yet not speak for nearly the first twenty minutes of that film (even when he is on screen during that time, he acts purely using his face and body posture) is a good character actor in my book.
I've always seen Jackson Lamb as an older version of Johnny Vegas. The Slough House novels are among my favourites, along with those of Anthony Price. I hadn't heard of a possible TV series and hope it comes off.
ReplyDeleteJoppy,
DeleteFunnily enough, I envisaged the late Warren Clarke as being the person I’d cast as Jackson Lamb ... but I can see why you can see an older Johnny Vegas in the role.
I understand that the series might be made by Apple TV.
All the best,
Bob
I've read them - except the novellas - an excellent series of books.
ReplyDeleteNobby,
DeleteThe novellas fill in some of the gaps, and are well worth reading.
All the best,
Bob
Found them cheapest on Amazon.
DeleteThanks for pointing then out, Bob. I'd have missed them otherwise
Nobby,
DeleteI should have mentioned that they were available on Amazon! It is where I but most of my books these days.
All the best,
Bob
If any current actor, of note, can pull off Jackson Lamb it is Gary Oldham.
ReplyDeleteI remember being disappointed that Tom Cruise was playing Jack Reacher but he pulled it off by quality acting and the magic of the movies.
Don't get me started on Del Boy ruining the book character of Jack Frost! :0)
Nobby,
DeleteIt is interesting that when one reads a book, one tends to visualise the actor who might best play the part in a TV or film version.
I very rarely watched the Jack Frost TV series, and have only read one of the books, but I think that I can understand your frustration at seeing a character you like to read about being portrayed by someone you don't think does the role justice.
All the best,
Bob
Very enjoyable reads, although I'd think Oldman is far too slim and athletic to play Lamb!
ReplyDeleteMartin Rapier,
DeleteJackson Lamb may be fat, but he seems to be reasonably physically able (and at some times, very quick and agile!), so putting Gary Oldman in a fat suit would certainly be one way forward, in the same way that David Suchet wore one to get into the character of Hercule Poirot.
All the best,
Bob
You've done it to me again! As if recommending Django Wexler wasn't enough....seriously though I downloaded Slough House #1 lunchtime and only with great reluctance did I put it down (work beckoned!). S&F Mike
ReplyDeleteMike C (Mike),
DeleteSorry about that! The books really are a bit more-ish, and as you get to know more about the central characters, I hope that you will enjoy the books even more. Back in the late 1960s and early 1970s, I worked in the part of London where Slough House is located, and the descriptions of the area range very true.
I strongly recommend reading the books in order, as the novellas fill in some of the gaps in background information in the longer novels.
S&F
Bob