The House: The most utterly gripping, must-read political thriller of the twenty-first century Paperback – 5 Aug. 2021

A thoroughly unpleasant story, but utterly believable.

An easy read - fast paced with a relatively original plot and insights into the inner workings of Westminster. I gave this book 4 stars because the authors tried too hard to tick all the boxes with regards to the recent popular themes - crypto, personal data privacy, gender equality in politics, etc. Also, at times I felt that the plot twists stretched the credulity somewhat (then again, perhaps not by much, given how SNP leadership behaved during the Alex Salmond investigation) .Overall, an enjoyable holiday read and I would like to see a follow-up book

It is sometimes quite difficult to work out why a book doesn’t make you rush to open up your kindle. That is true of the House. It is a page staller rather than a page turner! It is not the prose; the journalistic style works well. It is not the characterisation; that is excellent. It is not the political setting: that is both intriguing and captivating. It think it is because it is a tad worthy - a tad serious - a tad too authentic. It didn’t have that “I will just read another chapter before turning out the light” factor.

An exceptional work of political intrigue set mainly in 2022 (the bad news is Covid is still around) and during the 2008 financial crisis, The House follows four rising stars of the Labour Party. As a veteran of the Party so much of the good intentions subsumed by ambition rings true, and as a believer in our democracy the personal struggles between conscience and career are especially relevant. Extremely well written with some insider knowledge, and even a weekend at Glastonbury thrown in, Tom and Imogen have a political drama to leave the Michael Dobs version of House of Cards trailing in its wake. Definitely a candidate for my book of the year.

This is a thoroughly good yarn filled with all sorts of plots and counter plots. I hope Tom you continue to write these genes of novels.

Well written, full of inside knowledge. Bit o f polemic homage towards Labour v Tories about he nhs,. So a frat tram effort. But can they do it again?

Billing this as an utterly gripping political thriller is, to my mind, over promising and under delivering. A rather pedestrian tale with little suspense and characters who inspire little compassion. Agreed, it has a back-drop of politics but it is hardly a political thriller. Given the author's previous life at the centre of politics I was expecting much more. Disappointing.

Took long enough to get thereLongwinded and did not like the present tense being used. Story has interesting background but too many words used; having said that what politician uses two words when dozens will do?