Clown Town

Slough House, Book 9

De: Mick Herron

Narrado por: Gerard Doyle

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

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.

Great story, great narrator

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

Great plot, horrible narrator

I really dislike thus narrator. Instant Xanax and not in a good way. A real shame because this is such a great entry in the slough house series.

Herron Is a First Rate Writer

I enjoy Herron’s writing style. His prose is lyrical and entertaining. His books are fun and reveal the dark side of human nature from a “knowing” perspective.

A master at the top of his game

Mick Herron, once again, shows why he’s at the top of his game, and why his slow horses are a bunch of the most interesting characters in spy literature.

Keep coming back Jack

Jackson Lamb is one of those classic characters of literature like Holmes, whose very being draws the reader into another volume.

the outstanding writing

Gerard Doyle's narration is terrific as usual, with one quibble: he makes the four 70 year olds sound like they're 90--quavering, ancient voices. Too easy a shortcut for making characters sound different and off-putting.

Best yet

The Slow Horses television adaptation has done well - and done justice to Herron's books. But as always, the books are so much more subtle, nuanced, and complex than the series. A wonderful read. Brilliant characters. Herron's writing is by turns humorous, tragic, piercing, wistful. The ending is a major surprise with plenty left for the next instalment.

Damn, this is good!

I keep waiting for him to write a dud…I don’t think he is capable. This is an absolutely fantastic addition to the series, and I get the distinct feeling he is starting to wrap things up. One of only three series I’ve listened to and read more than 3 times…just outstanding! The vocal performance is amazing as always!