The slow horses are back—and they’re not clowning around. Mick Herron, the master of mordant wit and espionage intrigue, has just released Clown Town, the ninth installment in his acclaimed Slough House series. Known for its dysfunctional MI5 castoffs and the gloriously grotesque Jackson Lamb, the series has become a cornerstone of contemporary spy fiction—and this latest entry promises to be one of Herron’s sharpest yet.
A Reckoning in Slough House
In Clown Town, River Cartwright finds himself digging through the secrets of his late grandfather’s library, uncovering a missing book that may hold explosive truths. Meanwhile, Diana Taverner, Regent’s Park’s icy First Desk, is playing a dangerous game of blackmail tied to covert operations during the Troubles. As tensions rise, Slough House’s misfit agents—including the ever-watchful Catherine Standish—are pulled into a web of political mischief and personal peril.
Jackson Lamb, ever the reluctant guardian of his crew, is forced to reckon with the consequences when his “clowns” ignore orders. And if they don’t all come home, Lamb’s vengeance will be anything but theatrical.
Herron’s Signature Blend: Satire, Suspense, and Soul
Herron’s latest novel continues his tradition of blending razor-sharp satire with deeply human stakes. Critics have already praised Clown Town for its whip-crack dialogue and emotional undercurrents. The Financial Times calls it “laced with Herron’s mordant wit,” while The Spectator notes its rare ability to make readers laugh aloud in dark times.
The Slough House series, which inspired the hit Apple TV+ show Slow Horses starring Gary Oldman, has earned Herron comparisons to le Carré and Greene—but with a distinctly modern bite. His characters are bitter, broken, and brilliant, navigating a world where loyalty is a liability and survival is never guaranteed.
From Page to Screen—and Back Again
With Season 5 of Slow Horses set to premiere this autumn, based on Herron’s earlier novel London Rules, fans are enjoying a double dose of Slough House this year. The show’s Emmy-nominated portrayal of Lamb has brought Herron’s world to a wider audience, but it’s the novels that continue to deepen the mythology and emotional resonance of these outcast spies.
Available Now
Clown Town is available in bookstores and online retailers across the UK and US. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer to Herron’s bleakly hilarious universe, this latest thriller is not to be missed.
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