Clown Town

by Mick Herron
Clown Town cover
Good Books rating 4.5
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Paperback • £10.99
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  • ID: 500
  • Added: 2025-09-13
  • Updated: 2025-09-13
  • Formats: 27
  • Reviews: 4
Reviews
bookmarks.reviews · Unknown · 2025-09-23
excellent 4.50

Clown Town, the ninth novel in the Slough House series, blends one-liners, plot twists, and real-world intrigue. The reviewer praises Herron's writing style and the series' transition from a well-kept secret to a household name, noting its unique mix of spy story elements and sitcom-like humor.

Clown Town, the ninth installment in Mick Herron's Slough House series, continues to delight with its signature blend of one-liners, plot twists, and real-world-tinged intrigue. The reviewer highlights Herron's exceptional writing, which stands out with its bossy narrative voice and baroque flourishes. The series has evolved from a well-kept secret to a household name, benefiting from the Apple TV+ series Slow Horses, which has recalibrated readers' mental images of characters like Jackson Lamb. The books are praised for their unique hybrid of classic spy story elements and sitcom-like surface fizz, featuring witty insults, off-color jokes, and character work. The reviewer notes that while the formula shows no signs of fatigue, there is a slight tonal limitation in shifting between flippancy and real pathos. Overall, the series remains a compelling and addictive read, with dramatic developments that keep readers engaged.

Quick quotes

    Is the formula showing signs of fatigue? Not by my lights

    Herron’s plot takes off from real-world events: the Stakeknife scandal — in which it turned out that MI5 had been protecting a murderously vicious IRA enforcer as an intelligence asset

    It’s not quite a sitcom in structure, though. In a sitcom, the cast remains more or less stable and each episode stands alone.

goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-09-23
rave 4.50

The book showcases Herron's unique perspective on spycraft and his skill in creating complicated, empathetic characters. The dialogue is biting, and the writing sparkles despite occasional overindulgence. The novel is praised for its wide cast of characters and Herron's distinctive prose.

Clown Town is celebrated for its unique take on spycraft and the author's ability to craft complex, empathetic characters. The dialogue is sharp and witty, and the writing, though sometimes overindulgent, often sparkles. The novel's wide cast of characters is rendered uniquely, and Herron's prose stands out among his peers. The story is somber and unsettling yet told in a sprightly manner, making it a standout in the series. The author's confidence and skill in depicting variations on a familiar formula are evident, and the book is both grim and funny, offering a rich reading experience.

Quick quotes

    Showcases [Herron's] unique perspective on spycraft and skill in creating complicated, empathetic characters ... Showcases the series’ best qualities ... The dialogue between its inhabitants is still biting ... The novel’s cast of characters is wide, but written with a surety that renders each unique ... Herron’s prose remains memorably unique among his peers, despite his occasional tendency toward overindulgence ... But more often than not, the writing sparkles ... It’s a quirk and a gift that the author can tell such somber, unsettling stories so sprightly.

    The author often comes at his subjects slantwise, with unexpected wordplay, striking imagery and leisurely unfolding back stories ... Clown Town may be the best Slow Horses book to date ... Mr. Herron’s style is as relaxed and stylish as ever, accommodating both keen one-line descriptions...and more elaborate imagery ... Readers are likely to be happy for the opportunity to keep playing in his shabby, shadowy world.

    The ostensible plot takes some time to get into gear ... Herron draws the threads together in a deadly confrontation ... It’s tempting to wonder if...Herron’s portrayal of his protagonists is now shaped a little by their characterisation on screen ... Yet if there were suspicions in the recent novels that Herron was marking time, what is now more apparent is the warranted confidence of an author in his own abilities ... Part of the fun is seeing him cope with the challenge he has set himself of depicting variations on a formula .... Herron must have unusually heightened senses ... Witty byplay ... Grim and funny at the same time.

theguardian.com · Unknown · 2025-09-19
excellent 4.50

Clown Town continues the Slough House series with its signature blend of dark humor and political intrigue, delivering another gripping installment that fans will enjoy.

Clown Town is another triumph for Mick Herron, maintaining the high standards set by previous books in the Slough House series. The novel's strength lies in its sharp wit and intricate plotting, which keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The characters, particularly the misfit spies of Slough House, are as compelling as ever, and their interactions are both humorous and poignant. While the plot may feel a bit convoluted at times, the overall experience is highly satisfying. The book's exploration of political themes adds depth, making it more than just a spy thriller. For fans of the series, Clown Town is a must-read, and new readers will find it a great entry point into Herron's unique world.

Quick quotes

    The novel's strength lies in its sharp wit and intricate plotting

    The characters, particularly the misfit spies of Slough House, are as compelling as ever

    The book's exploration of political themes adds depth, making it more than just a spy thriller

spectator.co.uk · Unknown · 2025-09-06
brilliant 4.50

Clown Town is the ninth book in the Slough House series, continuing the adventures of failed spies and their eccentric boss, Jackson Lamb. The plot is dark and shocking, with a brilliant piece of ambiguity that keeps readers on edge. The characters, especially Lamb, are the heart of the series, with their witty dialogue and complex relationships.

Clown Town brings back the beloved characters of Slough House, including the irreverent Jackson Lamb and the earnest River Cartwright. The story is a mix of dark intrigue and humor, with a plot that starts simply but quickly becomes complex and shocking. The characters are what make this series stand out, with Lamb's twisted aphorisms and the ensemble's dynamic interactions providing plenty of laughs and depth. The themes of redemption, loyalty, and betrayal are explored through the lens of the spy world, making for a compelling read. The dialogue is sharp and quotable, and the descriptions are vivid, immersing the reader in the world of Slough House. Overall, Clown Town is a brilliant addition to the series, showcasing Herron's skill in blending humor and suspense.

Quick quotes

    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.

    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.

    What else can I say about Clown Town? Brilliant sums it up perfectly.

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