Minnie's Fiction Addiction

👀 First impressions:
Slow Horses is the first novel in Mick Herron’s acclaimed Slough House series, which has now grown to nine books and shows no sign of slowing down. On the surface, this is a spy thriller, but it’s not your typical sleek Bond-style escapade. Instead, Herron shines a light on the rejects of MI5, the “slow horses” banished to Slough House after career-ending blunders. Leading them is Jackson Lamb, a foul-mouthed, chain-smoking, deceptively brilliant boss who makes for one of the most unforgettable anti-heroes in modern fiction.

I first picked this up because I wanted something that wasn’t a traditional espionage tale. What I got was a razor-sharp blend of wit, grit, and clever plotting that makes it very clear why readers keep returning to Herron’s world.

✅ What I Liked:
What struck me most was Herron’s ability to balance suspense with biting satire. The plot, centring on a kidnapped young man and a looming national scandal—unfolds with steady tension, but it’s the characters that really sell it. Each “slow horse” has a backstory filled with mistakes and regrets, yet Herron writes them with such humanity that you can’t help but root for them.

Jackson Lamb steals every scene. He’s grotesque, abrasive, and seemingly indifferent—but beneath the grime and insults lies a cunning intelligence that makes you constantly reassess him. I also loved how Herron skewers bureaucracy and office politics, proving that in espionage, the battles behind a desk can be as deadly as those on the streets.

❎ What I didn’t Like:
It’s not a criticism so much as a heads-up: this is a slow burn. Herron takes his time building the world and establishing the cast, so readers expecting wall-to-wall action might find the pacing a little deliberate at first. But once you settle into the rhythm, it’s immensely rewarding.

📚 Why You Should Read This Book:
If you enjoy spy fiction but want something fresher, darker, and funnier than the standard fare, Slow Horses is essential reading. It lays the groundwork for a series that only grows richer with each instalment, and it introduces one of the most brilliantly unconventional casts in modern thrillers. With nine books now out, you won’t run out of material anytime soon.

💭 Final Thoughts:
Slow Horses is proof that the espionage genre doesn’t need to be slick and glamorous to be compelling. Herron gives us spies who are battered, bitter, and deeply flawed, but utterly fascinating. This first book is both an excellent standalone and a perfect springboard into the rest of the series.

🛍️ Where to buy
To buy your own copy click HERE

Final Rating ★★★★★ – A masterclass in character-driven spy fiction