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Slow Horses author reveals plot details for upcoming Slough House novel
Mick Herron's latest book, Clown Town, has been inspired by a real-life operation that was carried out by the intelligence services.
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- James Hibbs
Published: Tuesday, 8 July 2025 at 11:30 am
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September is set to be a big month for Slow Horses fans. Not only will the fifth season of the Apple TV+ spy drama start airing, but the latest novel in Mick Herron's Slough House series on which it is based, Clown Town, will also be released.
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Now, while speaking exclusively with RadioTimes.com alongside Will Smith, who adapts the books for the series, Herron has teased what readers can expect from the ninth novel.
"It's to do with a very horrible, real-life operation that was carried out by the intelligence services during the height of the Troubles," he revealed. "It's set now, it's a Slough House novel, but it's dealing with multiple things that happened 40 years ago and the traumatic and ongoing effects that they have on the people involved.
"And what it must be like for an agent to do something which is nominally for the good in the country and to safeguard the Commonwealth, if you like, but, in fact, is morally dubious and personally traumatic."
Mick Herron. David Levenson/Getty Images
The official blurb for Clown Town says: "Spies lie. They betray. It's what they do. Slow horse River Cartwright is waiting to be passed fit for work. With time to kill, and with his grandfather – a legendary former spy – long dead, River investigates the secrets of the old man's library, and a mysteriously missing book.
"Regent's Park's First Desk, Diana Taverner, doesn't appreciate threats. So when those involved in a covert operation during the height of the Troubles threaten to expose the ugly side of state security, Taverner turns blackmail into opportunity.
Read more:
- Slow Horses writer explains biggest challenge with upcoming season 5
- Slow Horses writer says that season 5's British politics plot is "sadly topical"
"Over at Slough House, the repository for failed spies, Catherine Standish just wants everyone to play nice. But as far as Jackson Lamb is concerned, the slow horses should all be at their desks.
"Because when Taverner starts plotting mischief people get hurt, and Lamb has no plans to send in the clowns. On the other hand, if the clowns ignore his instructions and fool around, any harm that befalls them is hardly his fault.
"But they're his clowns. And if they don't all come home, there'll be a reckoning."
While Herron may still be releasing new novels at a speedy pace, with Clown Town being the ninth, the Apple TV+ series may soon catch up with him. The already announced season 6 will adapt books six and seven, while season 7, reported to be in the works, would presumably adapt book eight.
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Clown Town will be released on 11th September 2025 - you can pre-order it now here.
Slow Horses season 5 releases on 24th September 2025 on Apple TV+ – sign up to Apple TV+ now.
Mick Herron & Will Smith are appearing at Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival (17th-20th July) at The Old Swan Hotel in Harrogate.
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Authors
James HibbsDrama Writer
James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
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