Reading the Detectives discussion

Old spooks carry the memory of tradecraft in their bones, and when Solomon Dortmund sees an envelope being passed from one pair of hands to another in a Marylebone cafe, he knows he's witnessed more than an innocent encounter. But in relaying his suspicions to John Bachelor, who babysits retired spies like Solly, he sets in train events which will alter lives. Bachelor himself, a hair's breadth away from sleeping in his car, is clawing his way back to stability; Hannah Weiss, the double agent whose recruitment was his only success, is starting to enjoy the secrets and lies her role demands; and Lech Wicinski, an Intelligence Service analyst, finds that a simple favour for an old acquaintance might derail his career. Meanwhile, Lady Di Taverner is trying to keep the Service on an even keel, and if that means throwing the odd crew member overboard, well: collateral damage is her speciality.

A drop, in spook parlance, is the passing on of secret information.

It's also what happens just before you hit the ground...

This is the second novella, featuring many characters from The List, and set firmly in the Slough House world.

Please feel free to post spoilers in this thread.

Poor Solomon! I was quite fond of his character. I enjoyed the introduction to Lech Wicinski (I believe he turns up in Joe Country? ). Was good to read the backstory for the entrants to Slough house before they appear.

There are so many loose ends, so hopefully there will be further books. Can John really stay in that flat forever? What will Hannah find out in the brexit department? Will she get discovered as a triple agent?

Yes, Lech Wicinski does turn up in Joe Country, Tracey. I like the way characters are introduced in other books/novellas, as it makes the series more interesting.

I was hoping for more time with Solly as well. Soon Bachelor won't have even a part time job as he loses a retiree in each novella.

My fear is that I will completely lose track of the characters between Joe Country and the next book. Nothing like worrying about problems that haven't happened yet.

I finished this a while back but hadn't had time to comment. I would also like to have seen more of Solly, and love the incorporation of "retired' spooks into a number of the books, but also love John Bachelor's scheme to maintain the apartment and the income in Solly's place-kind of sticking it to the service!