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

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.

Gripping story, excellent performance by Gerard Doyle

I can drop in at any point and recognize a character by the voice Doyle uses. Fantastic. The story twists and the suspense tightens. But still the humor. Great writing.

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.

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.

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.

Classic

Herron's spies and their city are legendary misfits with hearts of pewter capable of transforming into gold.

Mick Herron at his cynical best

This is a case in which the story line is less than great, but the book is another triumph in Gerard Doy;e's narration and Herron's facilty with descriptions and banter.

Pitch Perfect as always

There are not enough superlatives to describe this series and this latest edition does not disappoint.

suspence

what happens with Louisa?
a great story, well read too. When is the next book due?

As good as every book in the series

I did not see the ending coming. Listened to itv3 times just to be sure.