Nobody Walks

By: Mick Herron

Narrated by: Gerard Doyle

Length: 7 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

The death of Tom Bettany's estranged 26-year-old son brings him back to London. His return sparks the interest of everyone from mobsters to MI5 officers - he may have thought he left his old life as a spy behind, but nobody just walks away.

Tom Bettany is working at a meat processing plant in France when he gets the voicemail from an English woman he doesn't know telling him that his estranged 26-year-old son is dead. Liam was smoking dope on his London balcony when he fell. Now for the first time since he cut all ties years ago, Bettany returns home to London to find out the truth about his son's death. It may be the guilt he feels about losing touch with his son that's gnawing at him, or maybe he has actually put his finger on a labyrinthine plot, but either way he is going to get to the bottom of the tragedy, no matter whose feathers he has to ruffle. But there are many people who are interested to hear Bettany is back in town, from incarcerated mob bosses to the highest echelons of MI5.

©2015 Mick Herron (P)2015 Recorded Books

Superb and gripping story beautifully read by this special narrator

Like other Mick Heron books, this one is crisp, makes you feel like you're there, is unsparing about the ruthlessness of the Service, and is beautifully and dramatically read by the narrator-he changes his voice to occupy the range of characters and it works very well.

Slough House Adjacent

I enjoyed this side trip into a different part of Herron's spy world. To have a protagonist who was formerly a much despised Dog was a treat.

Sad

Spoiler alert, did not like the ending. I feel like I was cheated. It’s not very unlike what probably happens in life but if your going to have all the great genius twist and turns, the good guy needs to be one step ahead. I know “good guy” can be up to interpretation in his works but I’m going with the dead kids father and I really wanted him to have a great back up plan.

Nobody walks, nobody wins

I gave this book a lot of stars because Herron’s pros reads like poetry and I would listen to Gerard Doyle read the ingredients on a bottle of Lysol. The inner workings of MI5 are a bit terrifying and while I am a big fan of the Slough House series, this offering feels more chilling. There is a slight overlap between the two books but this one stands alone as a stark reminder of the pitfalls of an organization filled with individual agendas and the ability to use broken people for their own Self-serving agendas.

If you have read all the Slow Horses …

A stand alone MI 5 thriller, but it is related to some of the Slow Horses characters. I liked learning more of the back story of Dame Ingrid Tierney.

Every bit as good

I'm writing this review as a counterpoint to some of the negative reviews I've seen. I thought the book was excellent, and while it doesn't contain the levity that is so enjoyable in the main Slough House books, it definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the series as a whole. I can understand some readers' disappointment with the ending, but there are a few carefully placed details that clarify a few points that might otherwise seem ambiguous. Because of this, as well as the overall power of the narrative, I found myself thinking about the story for some time after having finished it.

fills an important gap

although this book wasn't as stellar as the Dlough House series, it was definitely compelling and hard to put down. I was surprised at the formulaic elements absent from the Slough House books such as the superhero protagonist who makes no mistakes and overcomes all obstacles and is always one step ahead of the bad guys. I enjoyed finding out JK Coe's history and got a better view of who named Ingrid really is.

Well told tale

Suspenseful and well written. Very descriptive of Berlin. Interesting characters all of whom leave a lasting impact.

Loved the book, hated the ending

Narrator was great, I think he really made the words come alive.

There is something really enjoyable about Mick Heron's writing style. I'm not sure if it is the story, the slow build, the slightly off-beat characterization, or something else...but I seem to be pulled into the story eventually, every time.

I was somewhat disappointed when this. One came to an end. I suppose I knew it had to happen, but I was no less surprised when it did happen.

Perhaps a sequel? Hollywood can do it, why not you? Hehehe😚

As good or better than slough house books

Wow! It was so good. Needed to learn about JK Coe and so glad I did.