Clown Town

Slough House, Book 9

THE NINTH BOOK IN THE SERIES BEHIND SLOW HORSES, AN APPLE ORIGINAL SERIES NOW STREAMING ON APPLE TV+

Jackson Lamb and the bad spies of Slough House are caught in a deadly battle between MI5’s secret past and its murky future in this gripping, hilarious, and heartbreaking thriller by Mick Herron, “the le Carré of the future” (BBC).

“Old spies grow ridiculous, River. Old spies aren’t much better than clowns.” Or so David Cartwright, the late retired head of MI5, used to tell his grandson. He forgot to add that old spies can be dangerous, too, especially if they’ve fallen on hard times—as River Cartwright is about to learn the hard way.

David Cartwright, long buried, has left his library to the Spooks’ College in Oxford, and now one of the books is missing. Or perhaps it never existed. River, once a “slow horse” of Slough House, MI5’s outpost for demoted and disgraced spies, has some time to kill while awaiting medical clearance to return to work, and starts investigating the secrets of his grandfather’s library.

Over at the Park, MI5 First Desk Diana Taverner is in a pickle. An operation carried out during the height of the Troubles laid bare the ugly side of state security, and those involved are threatening to expose details. But every threat hides an opportunity, and Taverner has come up with a scheme. All she needs is the right dupe to get caught holding the bag.

Jackson Lamb, the enigmatic and odiferous head of Slough House, has no plans to send in the clowns. On the other hand, if the clowns ignore his instructions, any harm that befalls them is hardly his fault. But they’re his clowns. And if they don’t all make it home, there’ll be a reckoning.

“Overflowing with gritty action and mordant humor, this is as good as espionage novels get.”—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

©2025 Mick Herron (P)2025 Recorded Books

Narrator

Good storyline; typical Sloughhouse story, steep, and intrigue with characters with whom one is familiar.

Great story. Great narration.

Another Mick Herron & Gerard Doyle book that is audibly dog eared from so many re-reads. This is one of my go-to books to listen to (this or The Secret Hours) when looking for(and struggling to find) the next great title or series.

Great story, great narrator

The plot was interesting, all new characters. The narrator, always special. Only second to gary oldmans lamb

Slough House saga continues

As ever, Mick Herron’s playful and inventive use of language and his pleasure in the choir of characters who allow him such range of life circumstances and purpose. Finally there’ s Jackson Lamb- say no more!

One of the best from Mick Herron

If you have read his prior books and know his characters, this book does not disappoint. Very entertaining.