Preview
  • The Secret Hours

  • By: Mick Herron
  • Narrated by: Sean Barrett
  • Length: 12 hrs and 41 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (53 ratings)

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The Secret Hours

By: Mick Herron
Narrated by: Sean Barrett
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Publisher's summary

A new standalone novel from 'Britain's greatest living thriller writer' and author of the bestselling Slough House series, now a TV series starring Gary Oldman.

THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER*

*A 'Book of the Year' in The Times, Sunday Times, Guardian, Observer, Daily Telegraph, Spectator, Sunday Express, TLS, Irish Times*

'Pure class' Ian Rankin 'Pitch-perfect' Lee Child

'A powerful standalone spy thriller from a true contemporary master' Daily Telegraph

Trying to investigate the Secret Service is like trying to get rid of the stink of dead badger. Hard.

For two years the government's Monochrome inquiry has produced nothing more than a series of dead ends.

The Service has kept what happened in the newly reunified Berlin under wraps for decades, and intends for it to stay that way.

But then the OTIS file turns up.

What classified secrets does it hold? And what damage will it create?

All Max Janácek knows is that someone is chasing him through the pitch-dark country lanes and they want him gone.

WE ALL HAVE JOBS TO DO IN THE DAYLIGHT. IT'S WHAT YOU DO IN THE SECRET HOURS THAT REVEALS WHO YOU REALLY ARE.

'Wonderful . . . high action, a spinning moral compass, and hidden motives on every page' Michael Connelly

*Mick Herron's The Secret Hours was a Sunday Times Number Four bestseller in hardback in the second week of September 2023

2024, Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award, Long-listed

2024, Crimefest Last Laugh Award, Short-listed

2024, CWA Gold Dagger for Best Crime Novel, Long-listed

2024, British Book Awards Thriller of the Year, Short-listed

©2023 Mick Herron (P)2023 Hodder & Stoughton Limited
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What listeners say about The Secret Hours

Average customer ratings
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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Expertly fleshes out the Slow Horses backstory!

Great plot, pulling so many streams off the Slow Horses background together in one gripping plot!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Essential for Mick Herron fans

Hugely enjoyable. Wonderfully narrated by Sean Barrett, this is marketed as a standalone novel but I think will be most enjoyed by Slow Horses/ Slough House novels and novellas fans. Loved seeing some recurring characters like the hopeless John Bachelor who always makes me laugh. There is also backstory of two important characters. I just love Mick Herron’s descriptions and his sense of humour. I should note I think there’s repeated material in Part 5 which I’ll report to Audible.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Best one yet!!

I love the slow horses world, and this gave you a glimpse of the stuff around the edges that world is built on

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Clever af

Although it is billed as a 'standalone' novel, if you haven't read the Slough House series you wouldn't catch a bunch of the references and jokes. And you want to catch them because they are clever and illuminating. This is a fabulous story, perhaps my favourite of the series. I loved getting to meet Jackson Lamb when he was young, I want more! And of course the narration is first class, as always.

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Well paced spy thriller

Beautifully read, giving life to characters who are recognizable in current UK politics and in prior novels by Mick Herron. Well paced, with current context and past alternating to build intrigue and engage the reader. I loved every minute of this audiobook

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Always a pleasure!

Halfway through the book- I’m prying there will be next instalment before I’m done - alas…

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Slow house prequel

A must read for all slow house fans. Best read if you are familiar with the previous Slough house books.

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Best ever

Though it need you've read some of the earlier books to get a grip of some of the other spooks. It got me laughing out loud, which a can't remember the other books really did.

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Superb

Intricate story, extremely elegantly told, amazingly performed. Masterstroke being it possesses you to read the whole series again from the beginning.

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Mick Herron At His Best

From the master of the modern spy story, comes another hit-out-of-the-Park. I loved this ‘Slough House’ offshoot. Whip-smart, very funny, and a riveting (back) story for fans of the series. No-one can describe the mood of a city quite like Mick Herron can. And no one can be Jackson Lamb quite like Sean Barrett can. Bravo! 👏

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