Dear Great Book Guru, I am in search of a compelling, amusing, challenging read for the cold winter week ahead. PS I love spy thrillers! Weary Winter Reader Dear Weary Winter Reader, I too love a good spy thriller and I just finished a great one: CLOWN TOWN by Mick Herron. Herron has written a series of novels starring the Slow Horses - a group of misfits - members of MI5 (British equivalent in some ways of our FBI) who for medical or psychological reasons have been put on leave. The name comes from their headquarters, Slough House, but more so for their flawed performances. The story opens in Oxford, England where River Cartwright - grandson of David Cartwright who had been the esteemed head of MI5 - is waiting for medical clearance to return to active duty in the organization. River decides to research his grandfather’s library of books recently bequeathed on his death to his alma mater. To River’s puzzlement, one of the books is missing - a book that covered the perilous Troubles - the period in which Irish freedom fighters were terrorizing England. The disgraced and demoted spies – the Slow Horses - are brought in secretly by MI5 to unravel the mysteries of long ago that now threaten to upend a hard-earned peace. Jackson Lamb, leader of the Slow Hoses team and a dissolute genius, would rather his people - his “clowns” - not become involved but is himself intrigued by the politics and possible security lapses of the past. A cast of colorful characters, numerous humorous plot twists, and a clever surprise ending make for a great read and highly recommended!