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 do not post spoilers in this thread. Thank you.

I haven't had a chance to re-read this, but loved this novella and think they really tie into the main series well.

I haven't read it yet but expect to one evening soon. Love the Slough House world (maybe love isn't the right word ... fun to read about, dreadful to live in).

A question-my copy of The Drop has arrived as a library request before my copy of London Rules-can I read them out of order (are they parallel stories) or should I wait for London Rules first? Also, is Nobody Walks also in series, or can that be read out of turn?

I think London Rules should be read before The Drop, but then I prefer to read in order.

Nobody Walks really comes between book 2 and 3, but then it is not really a part of the series, more a spin off. I think, if you've read the first novella, you will be fine to read The Drop before London Rules, Frances. The novellas don't really link into the main series until Joe Country.

My copy of The Drop had the first part of London Rules at the end, as a teaser, as though it was the next in the sequence. I read them in the opposite order, London Rules before Drop, and don't remember any interaction. The Drop definitely comes before Joe Country.