“for those who meet the night on equal terms are rarely left unbruised by the encounter”

The 2nd book I read in 2024 was ‘London Rules’ by Mick Herron. This is book #5 in Herron’s brilliant ‘Slough House’ series that has now become mainstream due to the excellent show, Slow Horses. In London Rules our heroes deal with a rural massacre and its entanglement with British politics.

Herron handles humor amidst all the mayhem and violence much better than most. This book was probably the funniest in the series so far. I have to exhibit great restraint in not devouring the remaining three in the series right away.

Here are some of my favorite quotes from the book.
It’s one thing casting light on a subject. It’s another expecting it to shine.
You couldn’t betray someone efficiently if you didn’t love them first.
During the winter the day tires early, and is out of the door by five: coat on, heading west, see you tomorrow. The night then takes the long shift, and though it sleeps through most of it, and pays scant attention to what’s occurring in its quieter corners, one way or the other it muddles through until morning. But while summer’s here the day hangs around to enjoy the sunshine, and allowing for a post-lunch lull, and the odd faltering step when its five o’clock shadows appear, generally powers on as long as it’s able. And in those unexpectedly stretched-out hours, there’s more opportunity for things to come to light; or, failing that, for light to fall on things.
No wonder he was exhausted. Watching the world go mad was a tiring business.
Anything I might not want to hear, I definitely want to hear
You haven’t the budget to replace the coat hooks, but you’re glamorous enough to have your own full-fledged traitor?”
for those who meet the night on equal terms are rarely left unbruised by the encounter