Clown Town drops us straight back into the world of Slough House, that peculiar purgatory where failed spies go to languish under the baleful eye of Jackson Lamb.

The trademark cynicism and black comedy remain intact. The Slow Horses, though battered and bruised, prove that underdogs can still bite.
Each of the Slow Horses returns with their quirks, regrets, and flashes of brilliance. Jackson Lamb remains one of contemporary fiction’s most magnetic antiheroes, repellent in his habits but razor-sharp in his judgment. Lamb’s one-liners and grotesque disregard for protocol are as biting as ever.

Taut, witty, and flecked with the kind of observational detail that brings the world of espionage to life, Clown Town is a must read.
Slough House, with its peeling walls and battered furniture, is almost a character in itself—its gloom offset by the resilience of those who call it home. The author manages to juxtapose the comic and the tragic, the mundane and the extraordinary.

The Slow Horses continually grapple with their own failures and the moral ambiguities of the spy game and their adventures are as wild and wonderful as ever.

A brilliant sequel which can easily be read as a stand-alone.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley UK for the ARC.

The 9th and latest instalment/adventure from Slough House has the slow horses facing an extremely difficult assignment. Can be read as a stand alone but for context the previous books will provide a very good overview of the personalities and conflicts that arise between the inhabitants of Slough House (led by the obnoxious Jackson Lamb) and those (particularly Diana Taverner at First Desk) in Regents park HQ. For those not in the know Slough House is basically a home for failed spies and consequently this is the oddest bunch you could ever wish to meet.

Briefly, the main story surrounds a document which reveals the truth behind the use by MI6 of an IRA killer during the Troubles. Despite being pensioned off he continues his psychopathic murderous trail. However if the truth comes out it will spell serious trouble for the current new Government. With an amazing bunch of blundering idiots the slow horses find themselves chasing the agents sent to retrieve the documents whilst in turn finding themselves in real danger from Regency House agents.

They are a number of different threads, most of which are centred around one of the slow horses and all of which are eminently entertaining, this is such an enjoyable read. A serious amount of dark, laconic humour to counter all the more gruesome moments in this well plotted story. Brilliant as ever!

River Cartwright who was poisoned with Novichok by the Russians, is hoping for a return to work soon. Whilst waiting for his medical assessment he is overseeing the transfer of his grandfather’s extensive library to the ‘spooks college.’ One tome is missing though; he can see it on a photo on his phone taken in situ. Only it transpires this isn’t a book but a dummy, a box disguised as a book into which secrets can be hidden. Now somebody has it and any secrets David Cartwright thought important enough to place inside. A mystery a bored River Cartwright is going to dive into headfirst, he is a man who feels he has a lot to prove.

An attempt to blackmail the service has got First Desk Diana Taverner back into black ops mode, with another ‘off the books’ job which is more secret squirrel than CIA. She does know whose buttons to push and what motivates them, which ought to give her the upper hand. She is in charge and clinging on to power, seemingly for powers sake, with an iron grip, becoming part Lucretia Borgia and part Lady Macbeth. She is a woman with blood on her hands.

As for Jackson Lamb, he is doing what he always does, minding his own business, drinking whisky by the tumbler full, conjuring cigarettes, eating dodgy takeaways and farting.

Thankfully this is a series showing no signs of flagging or running out of ideas. The plot after initially appearing straightforward unexpectedly morphs, becoming shocking and quite dark. There is a brilliant piece of ambiguity included, which cannot be elaborated on, but has the reader on edge wanting to know the answer. When arch schemers Taverner and Peter Judd lock horns leaving Lamb to be the voice of reason we are in uncharted territory.

The series is heavily reliant on its characters for its colour and charm. It is brilliant writing that takes an uncouth, loathsome man like Lamb as its hero and somehow makes the reader love him, or at least like him, but then we can’t smell him. His insults, abuse and weirdly twisted aphorisms unerringly hit their target, to guarantee plenty of laughs. However, when the plans turn to disaster we are exposed to an unexpected side of Lamb, one of hurt and vulnerability. The real skill of the writer is introducing just the right amount of Lamb into the story, enough to satisfy the reader whilst not overwhelming them.

The ensemble of characters plays their part too. Once again River is the spine the story is built around, with his grandfather’s backstory and River’s earnest attempts at becoming a real spook. Of course, he is easily played by a skilled operator and his now recovered girlfriend, Sid Baker who has a future in the service, is faced with a difficult dilemma. Roddy Ho believing he can sign provides some unexpected mirth, but for me Shirley Dander provides the highlight. The Dogs might be the service tough guys, but woe betide anyone with the temerity to use the M word when describing her to her face. Some people are slow to learn.

The dialogue is a delight and as quotable as that in any cult movie. It’s witty, pointed and insulting but at times it is decisive focussing in on an issue with laser precision. The descriptions are no mere visual prompts; they are so evocative that they assail the senses.

The themes of the story, as is much of the series are redemption, and loyalty and betrayal. Everyone on Spook Street will eventually betray or be betrayed, it comes with the territory. Loyalty to the state is the ideal, but at its base level it is the loyalty of the handler and his joes that matter. The inhabitants of Slough House may be screw-ups, but they are Jackson Lamb’s screw-ups, his joes and that matters.

Simply brilliant.

I would like to thank Netgally and the publisher in allowing access in exchange for a fair review.

Clown Town by Mick Herron
A new book in the Slow Horses series is a thing to be celebrated and the publication of this, the ninth in the series is worth celebrating. We return to all the usual subjects, and the inimitable Jackson Lamb is on superb form.
Roddy Ho is as usual pondering his own amazing body and how people will react to his first foray into the world of body art when he is inked with a hummingbird. His colleagues’ musings upon what his tattoo is are very amusing. River meanwhile is still on sick leave hoping to be told he is ready for active duty and Louisa is contemplating a job offer which will take her away from Slough House and their mindless pointless tasks.
Diana Taverner is being threatened by an old spy and seeks to deal with this issue with the help of Jackson Lamb’s expendable ‘Slow Horses’. Jackson has other ideas and sets Roddy Ho off on a task aiming to ruffle a few feathers. River is tasked with identifying a book missing from his grandfather’s study and sets off to Oxford to assist in its location but becomes involved in dangerous car chases and other near death events.
The book is written in Mick Herron’s own brilliant style it is tightly plotted and with a brilliant sense of humour. As always there are politically relevant threads running through the story and it keeps up to date with changes in the government and issues of the hour.
From experience we know that there will be deaths amongst the ‘Slow Horses’ but maybe not as many as usual and the dialogue is filled with the dark humour. Jackson, even whilst at his most obnoxious, has his Joes backs. This is a joy to read, and I will be recommending it to all of the author’s many followers and urging those who have yet to read his books to get on board what a treat they have in store.
Many thanks to Mick Herron the publishers and Net Galley for the opportunity to read the book in return for an honest review.

I am a massive fan of the adapted TV show Slow Horses on Apple TV and was thrilled to get the opportunity to read Clown Town by Mick Herron. I hadn’t read any of the Slough House series of books before. Clown Town is the latest instalment in the Slough House series of books.

In this instalment, River Cartwright’s grand-father’s library, donated to an Oxford College, disappears. River sets out to find the book and runs into old spies resurface, who were operating at the height of The Troubles in Northern Ireland.

I loved the pace of Clown Town as the story moves between the different threads. The dialogue is sharp and Jackson Lamb’s observations and witticisms are punchy and amusing. His conversations with Diana Taverner, First Desk, are a joy to read as they dance around politics and MI5 operations, simultaneously playing each other.

The Slow Horses themselves are stuck working in Slough House and some of have worked together for years. When the chips are down, they come together and loyally pull together for Jackson Lamb.

I enjoyed reading this book so much, I plan to start reading the Slow Horses series of books from the beginning.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, John Murray Press, for making the e-ARC available to me in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Another great book by Mick Herron continuing the tale of Slough house and its MI5 rejects.
Once again they become dragged into First Desk's skullduggery as Tavener tries to rid herself of anyone with damaging information on her.
The result is more disasterous consequences such that Jackson Lamb takes action as his joes (his staff) come under attack. He doesn't rate them much but they report to him and he won't tolerate harm befalling them.

I would give the book five starts except that I would find shorter chapters more comfortable to split the actions of some particpants from others. Contains humerous statements that act as as a reflection of the double standards and double dealings of politicians and the power brokers of today.

The Slow Horses are back - this time accompanied by their geriatric counterparts, or the 'Thursday Murder Club'. There are the usual twists and turns, at one point I thought the book had reached the exciting climax only to realise I was halfway through the book - there was more to come!
A top read - and due to the excellent television series - I now have all of their screen faces firmly in mind as I read the book.

Clown Town is the 9th book in the Slough House series of misfit spies. I've generally enjoyed these, some more than others, and was hopeful they weren't starting to run out of steam. Happily, this one is up there with the best. Although there is the usual scene and character explanation, for anyone new to the series, the story line itself is more self contained than previous ones. It concentrates on the principal characters we have come to know, as well as introducing some well integrated new ones with an excellent back story. The plot itself moves along at a good pace with the blackly comic dialogue as crisp as ever. Another great instalment has been delivered by Mr Herron and I can't wait for the next one!
Thank you to netgalley and John Murray press for an advance copy of this book

This is a review of Clown Town, the tenth slough house book by Mick Herron.
I usually listen on audiobook, so this has been a nice change of pace and I think allowed me to slow down and appreciate the usual sparky dialogue. The Slow Horses remain frustrated and just about competent. I enjoy all the characters, so is always nice to spend time with Roddy Ho and Louisa, Shirley et al. Lech is developing nicely as a character with a streak of the unexpected, Catherine edges closer to her gin and tonic, and Jackson lamb to his judgement, which has to be coming down the tracks soon. But thank the gods, not yet-
“I appreciate you public schoolboys have your own code of behaviour, like wearing red trousers and fucking the country up. “-Jackson lamb
This zipped along with laughs, suspense and the usual losses, and I can’t wait for more. As always the politicians have the most obvious motivations, and some of the best lines. - “I can’t do anything to change the way things are.thats not why I went into politics, to make changes for the better for people like you. I went into politics to make sure things stay the same for people like me, “

A true joy.

It's such a thrill to read anything Herron writes but I am very partial to the Slough House series.

Clown town features all the beauty of the series before it and adds horrors from the history of espionage. While the main ensemble struggle with their seemingly innocuous tasks, Lamb makes decisions that will change things at the park forever. Maybe not for Ho, he's barely able to see anything apart from his own solipsism.

This novel mixes incredible humor with the customary underwhelming effort that the Slow Horses brings.

Not wanting to give any spoilers, this novel changes the game for the Horses, but also manages to keep you rooting for them.

Mick Herron writes a superb novel, every single time, and I won't be the only one reading back to read his beautiful choice of phrase again and again.

A must read for fans of espionage, humor and a little bit of Le Carre

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishers for providing this eARC to me in return for an honest review.

It is hard not to love a new Mick Herron - you know what to expect and that is what you get. The plots are not overly tricksy, but sometimes take a bit too long to get going.

.The most interesting thing about this novel is the development of Lamb's character. He isn't mellowing as such, but there is definitely a more contemplative air to him and his sense of decency towards his joes isn't completely wrapped in bluster. Also, there were a lot of malapropisms in play. Deliberate from Lamb, or are his years of smoking and drinking catching up with him? Is Herron setting in train Lamb's cognitive decline and the end of the Slough House series? Let's face with without Lamb, would anyone be interested in the Slow Horses?

On this point: a slight criticism. I have read all the Slough House books, and I think I have read most of them as soon as they have been published, but I really can't recall what happened in the last novel when I pick up the new one, in particular who was killed and why. A couple of paras of recap in each new novel would be a real help for those of us with older brains.

I have watched ‘Slow Horses’ on TV and really enjoyed it, but reading the book honestly gives another layer to it. The beauty of Mr Herron’s writing is in every cleverly constructed sentence. This is an espionage thriller like no other, with real heart and deliciously sly humour. I’m going to go back and read all of them now, savouring the imagery in the sumptuous prose. If you have watched the TV series, you can’t help but picture the actors when reading and Jackson Lamb leaps from the page in all his smelly glory. Absolutely amazing read, do not miss it.

A very good plot and very funny in parts. The description of Starmer is as excoriating as the descriptions of BoJo in earlier books.
I find the writing a bit too whimsical in places, and the rapid switching between scenes and people was often confusing, but great overall.

Mick Herron has done it again. Clown Town proves why he is, without doubt, the best British spy writer working today. His trademark blend of clever, believable plotting, sharp political commentary, and dark humour is on full display here, making this latest entry in the Slough House series a hugely satisfying read.

What I particularly like about Herron is how his characters continue to grow without ever losing the edges that make them so compelling. Jackson Lamb remains gloriously unpleasant yet fiercely loyal to his team, River Cartwright is still searching for his place in the Service, and Diana Taverner plays her ruthless games at Regent’s Park with typical icy precision. Catherine Standish’s desire for calm and order, meanwhile, provides a wonderful counterbalance to the chaos.

The plot is less overtly dramatic than some of its predecessors, but that actually works in its favour. Herron draws the reader in with quiet menace, weaving together threads of past betrayals, missing secrets, and the compromises of power. As always with Herron, spies lie, betray, and manipulate—it’s what they do—and here those lies reach back into the Troubles and forward into present-day political intrigue. The result is a story that lingers in the mind, not least because Herron deliberately leaves some loose ends unresolved, giving readers plenty to ponder long after closing the book.

In short, Clown Town is a masterclass in modern espionage fiction: witty, sharp, and utterly compelling. For fans of the series, it’s a treat; for newcomers, it’s proof that nobody writes about the murky world of failed spies better than Mick Herron.

Each word, sentence, and paragraph were meticulously crafted to unite the characters and settings in the book. Always a high bar to reach and Mick Herron has done it again! The plot, with it’s twists and turns, brings to life the characters, especially Jackson Lamb who excels with the grasping what's going on and is 2 steps ahead of everyone else.

While his joe’s are often mere pawns in the game, he uses them wisely even if there is a catastrophe awaiting them.

The depth of the situation and the intrigue, action bring in the crescendo ending and leaves the reader wanting more. No spoilers, but who will reign supreme in the next book? Enough of a cliff hanger to hook the reader and set the scene for future publication.

An intensely engrossing read and scores a 5 with me!

t’s great to be back with the slow horses. Nine books in, and Mick Herron still knows exactly how to make these characters feel fresh while keeping everything that makes them brilliant. I’ve missed them — the sniping, the scheming, the sheer chaos of Slough House — and Clown Town delivers all of it.

The humour in this one is probably the sharpest yet. Herron’s got such a knack for balancing bleakness with laugh-out-loud moments, and it works better here than ever. Honestly, compared to the TV series, the book just nails the tone and the characters in a way the show doesn’t quite manage. The adaptation’s fine, but it doesn’t capture the bite or the depth that makes the books so good.

Herron’s still at the top of his game. If you’ve been following the series, this is a must-read. If you haven’t — what are you waiting for?

This is the ninth and best of the Slow Horses series and I found it riveting from start to finish.

The plot was complex and twisty and nobody was to be trusted.

All the Joes were there and unfortunately not all of them came through their ordeal. Lamb and Tavernier were as appalling as ever and revenge was in the air.

All in all an intoxicating brew of political intrigue and eye opening action all laced with Herron’s typical humour and understatement.

I loved it. Highly recommended.

Fun, takes the status quo (such as it is) and shakes it up - a lot. Ending really works well and sets up the next book which I'll be very keen on. Nice to spend time with more of the slow horses and to see more beneath Lamb and Catherine.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of Clown Town by Mick Herron

I have followed this series from the start and was waiting with real anticipation for this one. Herron once again delivers a sharp, witty and clever spy story that is both gripping and darkly funny.

The missing book that doesn’t exist forces River Cartwright to delve into old secrets, while Diana Taverner faces pressure that brings out her ruthless side. The misfit crew at Slough House remain as tragic as they are entertaining in typical Slow Horses style.

I have read all of this series so was delighted that there was a new episode. I think the reader really needs to have read all the other books as this one will not make any sense otherwise. There are a lot of continuing stories running through. The author’s style takes a bit of getting used to- it’s very quirky. It’s like reading an audio script- there are in jokes, asides and comments ( particularly from Jackson Lamb!) which a new reader will struggle with if not familiar with the background.
Having watched the first TV series, I can now put faces to the characters. A cracking story, some surprises and a cliffhanger ending….