Mick Herron has done it again with Clown Town, the ninth installment in his acclaimed Slough House series, the inspiration behind Slow Horses, now streaming on Apple TV+. This latest entry proves why Herron remains one of the most distinctive voices in modern spy fiction, delivering a story that is equal parts gripping thriller, biting satire, and heartbreaking character study.
Spies, Clowns, and the Shadows of the Past
At its core, Clown Town grapples with the inevitable question of what happens when spies grow old and expendable. For River Cartwright, once a promising agent and now sidelined, the answer begins with the mysterious disappearance of a book from his late grandfather David Cartwright’s private library. What appears to be a small puzzle soon unravels into a much larger conspiracy, one tied to an operation from the Troubles that those in power would prefer to keep buried.
Meanwhile, Diana Taverner, MI5’s calculating First Desk, is juggling her own blackmail problem. Four pensioned-off spies are threatening to expose a disastrous operation from decades past. In true Herron fashion, nothing is as straightforward as it seems, and soon Jackson Lamb and his ragtag band of disgraced agents find themselves in the middle of another battle between the Service’s murky past and its even murkier future.
The Heart of Slough House
As always, the soul of the series lies in its characters. Jackson Lamb, the slovenly yet razor-sharp head of Slough House, is as foul-mouthed and brilliantly cutting as ever. His insults sting, his habits disgust, but beneath it all lies a fierce loyalty to the “clowns” under his care. Herron lets readers glimpse rare moments of tenderness hidden beneath Lamb’s grotesque exterior, reminding us why he is one of the most compelling antiheroes in modern espionage fiction.
The returning cast of misfits River, Louisa, Shirley, Lech, and the ever-unreliable Roddy Ho bring the familiar blend of humor and humanity that fans adore. But Herron does not shy away from risk. In Clown Town, no one feels entirely safe, and the constant sense of danger makes the story impossible to put down.
A Balance of Humor and Tragedy
What makes Herron’s writing so unique is his ability to fuse sharp political commentary with moments of absurd comedy and genuine tragedy. One page may have readers laughing at Lamb’s crude one-liners, while the next delivers gut-punch revelations about betrayal, mortality, and the cost of service. The new cast of aging spies introduced in this book wounded, bitter, yet still dangerous add another layer to the story, showing how the shadows of the past continue to haunt both individuals and institutions.
A Cliffhanger with Consequences
Without spoiling specifics, Clown Town closes with some shocking turns and a conclusion that feels like both a culmination and a transition. Readers are left wondering if Herron is preparing to shift the series in a new direction or even winding down the saga of Slough House. Either way, the final act is explosive, and it cements the book as one of the boldest entries in the series to date.
Final Thoughts
Clown Town is everything fans have come to expect from Mick Herron: wickedly funny, devastatingly sharp, and unflinchingly human. It captures the absurdity of bureaucracy, the fragility of loyalty, and the resilience of those who refuse to fade quietly into obscurity. For longtime followers of the Slow Horses, this installment is essential reading. For newcomers, it is a reminder of why Herron’s work has redefined the modern spy novel.
If you enjoy thrillers that blend espionage, dark comedy, and razor-edged social critique, Clown Town deserves a spot on your shelf.
👉 Grab your copy here: Buy Clown Town on Amazon
