Reconstruction (Oxford): 5

A terrific read and a really well constructed plot. It kept me riveted all the way to the last page.

Another example of Mick Herron’s excellent skills, not Jackson Lamb (unfortunately, as he is as good as it gets) but definitely a really good read. Builds slowly, with many of the MH trademark descriptions, before moving into a delightfully twisty and absorbing stand-alone spy/thriller tale. I do like MH’s sense of humour which permeates even the most sombre events and while I have absolutely no idea if any of this approximates to even 1% of real spy life, it makes for excellent escapist fiction. Perhaps real spy life does too? Again, no idea, though I suspect it is infinitely more boring. The plot turns out to be somewhat convoluted, so no attempt here to describe and anyway, that would involve spoilers and others have commented, so no need for me to do so. I came to this after three failed attempts to read books by new authors, none of whom could touch this guy in a month of Sundays so I was pleased to have my reading equilibrium restored. If you like Mick Herron, you will like this; if you have not read him, I’d start with the Jackson Lamb series and then this is a treat

Mick Herron's "Reconstruction" might be about spooks but it's not a Jackson Lamb/Slow Horses story because these are the spooks' bean-counters; and it might be set in Oxford, Amazon have helpfully labelled it as book five of the Oxford series, but it isn't about [Oxford series book 4 spoiler alert: the late] Zoe Boehm. Instead this is really a standalone book that's about missing millions, an accidental gunman, nursery school hostages, spook accountants Ben and Miro. and the spooks' top dog "Bad" Sam Chapman, you can read the plot synopsis [and spoilers] elsewhere, but all you really need to know is that this is by Mick Herron and he's on form. Beware though "Reconstruction" does not have all the comedy of the Lamb stories but there are still some good one-liners and put-downs. As ever with Herron the story is clever though a little convoluted and it's well written in Herron's style packing his text with description [other reviewers have complained that it has a slow start which is not atypical of Herron's books], it's tense, and in Herron's normal fashion there's a host of key characters that we are introduced to without any single one of them being a real lead character; everyone we meet has a secret to hide and along the way there are twists and turns, but when it comes the ending is abrupt and ambiguous and for that it's brilliant and gets top marks.

This book almost feels like it needs better editing - some of it is fabulous but there’s almost too much over-extended, ‘flowery’ descriptions (that we know Herron is partial to) that don’t have quite the same place in this book as they do, affectionately, in Slow Horses. I wasn’t sure that the plot line really worked as it seemed muddled rather than convoluted at times. And, having reread it several times, I’m still not sure of the denouement. Was she? Wasn’t she? Why did ‘he’ appear to smile? However, the tense situation didn’t let up, the characters were beautifully drawn, and I was unable to put it down. Loved the cross references to Slow Horses and Down Cemetery Road. Herron certainly rewards faithful readers.

classic Mick H slow at first but galloping in the final chapters…. great read. Never suspected who were the villains.

Like some other reviewers I found the slow start a bit off putting, but it is a complex story so it helps to get an understanding of the different characters. At times, I found the story so tense I had to stop reading it (in a good way!) The revelations keep coming and you can never be sure what will happen next . As always, an excellent read.

The best book I have ever read. A really brilliant page turner. Unable to put it down. How does he write such suspense!

Still worth a read.