Clown Town

Slough House, Book 9

By: Mick Herron

Narrated by: 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

Narrator

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

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!

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.

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.

Slow Horses

I am very very impressed with Mick Herron and overall characters development in this series. Looking forward to the next installment in this series. But how can I stop without praising the narrator Gerald Doyle. He breathes life into Jackson Lamb and all other characters. I find the narrator so fascinating that I only prefer audio version of this series.

wit and characters

A labyrinthine plot populated with a cast of lovable losers and odious winners that in many ways reflects contemporary political malaise. The subtext of actual team affection and patriotic purpose is sensible beneath the web of inappropriate humor and knife like snark. Herron is a literary gift to troubled times.

Terrific for fans of the Slough House - Slow Horses series

It’s wonderful to return to Mick Herron’s world of the Slow Horses for fans of this series. Gerard Doyle makes it come alive like no other narrator. In fact, I bought the title in both Kindle and Audible formats just for the luxury of getting the most possible from the reading and listening experience.
This isn’t a book for the unitiated. Those who aren’t familiar with at least one or two of the series titles will be as lost as those at the mercy of The Dogs without a Slow Horses in sight to provide aid.
I can’t wait for Herron’s next installment!
Highly recommended!

Most confusing open to one more

So many dysfunctional characters, so many questions. Who really survives? Who wakes? Who doesn't? Had to listen twice. perhaps copy version clearer. narration very good.

Every Book Is Better Than The Last

This series is so very good. The narrator is perfect. I can’t wait for the next one.