# Mick Herron

> A subeditor who wrote fiction on the side for years, he created the failed MI5 spies of Slough House, now Apple TV's Slow Horses.

- Novelist · Slough House · Zoë Boehm
- Known for: The Slough House spy novels about MI5 agents exiled from the mainstream, led by Jackson Lamb,[4] adapted for Apple TV as *Slow Horses* with Gary Oldman as Lamb.[1]
- Born: July 11, 1963
- Last updated: 2026-11-14
- Editorial review: approved 2026-11-15
- Web page: https://authorbackstories.com/authors/mick-herron/
- Reading list (PDF): https://authorbackstories.com/authors/mick-herron/reading-list.pdf

## Featured book: Newest novel

*Clown Town* (2025). The ninth Slough House novel, published in the US by Soho Crime on Sept. 9, 2025.[7] River Cartwright looks into a book missing from his late grandfather's library while Diana Taverner turns a blackmail threat over a Troubles-era operation to her advantage.[8]

## At a glance

- Born: July 11, 1963, in Newcastle upon Tyne, England[4][2]
- Education: English, Balliol College, Oxford[2]
- Before writing full time: Subeditor at *IDS Employment Law Brief*, a London trade journal, commuting from Oxford; he resigned in 2017[2]
- Best known for: Slough House, nine novels from *Slow Horses* (2010) to *Clown Town* (2025)[1]
- Honours: Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature (2024)[2]
- Major award: CWA Gold Dagger, 2013, for *Dead Lions*[3]
- Major award: CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger, 2017, for *Spook Street*[3]
- Major award: Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year, 2022, for *Slough House*[3]
- Major award: CWA Diamond Dagger, 2025[5]

## Mick Herron's Backstory

### Early life

Mick Herron was born on July 11, 1963, in Newcastle upon Tyne,[4] one of six children of
an optician and a nursery-school teacher.[2] He read English at Balliol College,
Oxford.[2]

### Writing on the side

He wrote poetry for some years before turning to fiction.[1] For most of his writing life
he worked as a subeditor at *IDS Employment Law Brief*, a London trade journal, commuting each day
from Oxford.[2] His first novel, *Down Cemetery Road*, came out in 2003 and began a series
of four books about Zoë Boehm, an Oxford private detective.[2] He also wrote short stories,
many for *Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine*.[1]

### Slough House

*Slow Horses* (2010) introduced Slough House, where MI5 sends agents who have been exiled from the
mainstream, under the command of Jackson Lamb.[4] Constable published it but turned down
the next book; Soho Press published the series in the US, and John Murray began republishing it in
the UK in 2015.[2] The second novel, *Dead Lions*, won the Crime Writers' Association's
Gold Dagger in 2013,[3] and he left his subediting job in 2017.[2] The series
has grown to nine novels, through *Clown Town* in 2025, plus novellas set in the same
world.[1][3]

### On screen

Apple TV+ began streaming *Slow Horses*, with Gary Oldman as Lamb, on April 1, 2022.[2] In
January 2025 the Crime Writers' Association gave him its Diamond Dagger, its highest honour, and its
chair, Vaseem Khan, said the Slough House novels had reinvented the spy thriller.[5]
In October 2025 Apple TV+ added *Down Cemetery Road*, with Emma Thompson as Zoë
Boehm.[11]

## Fun facts

- He wrote poetry for some years before he turned to fiction, his website says.[1]
- While working as a subeditor in London, he wrote about 350 words a day.[1]
- Constable published *Slow Horses* in 2010 but turned down the next book; Soho Press kept the series going in the US, and John Murray began republishing it in the UK in 2015.[2]
- The *Daily Telegraph* named *Slow Horses* one of the twenty greatest spy novels of all time.[1]
- The Slough House books have been published in twenty-five languages.[1]
- He is one of six children; his father was an optician and his mother a nursery-school teacher.[2]
- Morwenna Banks, who wrote for *Slow Horses*, also adapted *Down Cemetery Road* for television.[11]
- Earlier Diamond Dagger recipients include John le Carré, Ruth Rendell and Lee Child.[5]

## Books

In order of first publication; each series is kept together in reading order.

Titles, series order and first-publication years from Herron's own site and the bibliography in his Wikipedia entry; US ISBNs from Penguin Random House's Soho Crime sales sheets.[1][3][6][7]

- **Zoë Boehm** (series, 4 books, 2003–2009)
  - 2003: Book 1, *Down Cemetery Road* (Novel). His first novel; basis for the 2025 Apple TV series.[2][11] ISBN 9781641298032. [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/131187/9781641298032) · [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/isbn/9781641298032)
  - 2004: Book 2, *The Last Voice You Hear* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=The%20Last%20Voice%20You%20Hear%20Mick%20Herron)
  - 2006: Book 3, *Why We Die* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Why%20We%20Die%20Mick%20Herron)
  - 2009: Book 4, *Smoke and Whispers* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Smoke%20and%20Whispers%20Mick%20Herron)
- 2008: *Reconstruction* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Reconstruction%20Mick%20Herron)
- **Slough House** (series, 14 books, 2010–2025). Numbered in the reading order Wikipedia gives, with the novellas between the novels.[3] The standalones *Reconstruction*, *Nobody Walks* and *The Secret Hours* share the setting.[2]
  - 2010: Book 1, *Slow Horses* (Novel). ISBN 9781641292979. [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/131187/9781641292979) · [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/isbn/9781641292979)
  - 2013: Book 2, *Dead Lions* (Novel). CWA Gold Dagger, 2013.[3] ISBN 9781616953676. [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/131187/9781616953676) · [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/isbn/9781616953676)
  - 2015: Book 2.5, *The List* (Novella). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=The%20List%20Mick%20Herron)
  - 2016: Book 3, *Real Tigers* (Novel). ISBN 9781616957988. [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/131187/9781616957988) · [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/isbn/9781616957988)
  - 2017: Book 4, *Spook Street* (Novel). CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger, 2017.[3] ISBN 9781616958695. [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/131187/9781616958695) · [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/isbn/9781616958695)
  - 2018: Book 5, *London Rules* (Novel). ISBN 9781641290241. [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/131187/9781641290241) · [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/isbn/9781641290241)
  - 2018: Book 5.5, *The Drop* (Novella). Published in the US as *The Marylebone Drop*.[3] [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=The%20Drop%20Mick%20Herron)
  - 2019: Book 6, *Joe Country* (Novel). ISBN 9781641291330. [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/131187/9781641291330) · [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/isbn/9781641291330)
  - 2020: Book 6.3, *The Catch* (Novella). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=The%20Catch%20Mick%20Herron)
  - 2020: Book 6.7, *The Last Dead Letter* (Novella). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=The%20Last%20Dead%20Letter%20Mick%20Herron)
  - 2021: Book 7, *Slough House* (Novel). Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year, 2022.[3] ISBN 9781641293099. [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/131187/9781641293099) · [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/isbn/9781641293099)
  - 2022: Book 8, *Bad Actors* (Novel). ISBN 9781641294584. [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/131187/9781641294584) · [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/isbn/9781641294584)
  - 2022: Book 8.3, *Standing by the Wall* (Novella). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Standing%20by%20the%20Wall%20Mick%20Herron)
  - 2025: Book 9, *Clown Town* (Novel). ISBN 9781641297264. [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/131187/9781641297264) · [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/isbn/9781641297264)
- 2013: *All the Livelong Day* (Story collection). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=All%20the%20Livelong%20Day%20Mick%20Herron)
- 2015: *Nobody Walks* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Nobody%20Walks%20Mick%20Herron)
- 2018: *This Is What Happened* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=This%20Is%20What%20Happened%20Mick%20Herron)
- 2021: *Dolphin Junction* (Story collection). Stories including Zoë Boehm and Slough House tales.[2] [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Dolphin%20Junction%20Mick%20Herron)
- 2022: *Standing by the Wall: The Collected Slough House Novellas* (Story collection). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Standing%20by%20the%20Wall%3A%20The%20Collected%20Slough%20House%20Novellas%20Mick%20Herron)
- 2023: *The Secret Hours* (Novel). ISBN 9781641296007. [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/131187/9781641296007) · [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/isbn/9781641296007)
- 2026: *Watch the Quiet Snow: The Slough House Novellas* (Story collection). Collects *The List*, *The Drop*, *The Catch*, *The Last Dead Letter* and *Standing by the Wall*.[9] ISBN 9781399838771. [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/131187/9781399838771) · [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/isbn/9781399838771)

## Latest news

- Oct. 22, 2026: Hachette published *Watch the Quiet Snow* in the UK, a collection of the Slough House novellas *The List*, *The Drop*, *The Catch*, *The Last Dead Letter* and *Standing by the Wall*.[9]
- Sept. 16, 2026: The sixth season of *Slow Horses* premiered on Apple TV, after a world premiere at TIFF in Toronto on Sept. 11.[13] TV Insider reported that the season draws on *Joe Country* and *Slough House*.[14]
- Dec. 12, 2025: Apple TV announced a second season of *Down Cemetery Road*, its adaptation of Herron's first Zoë Boehm novel.[12]

## Adaptations and other media

### Television

- *Slow Horses* (2022–). Based on *Slow Horses*, *Dead Lions*, *Real Tigers*, *London Rules*, *Joe Country*, *Slough House*. Apple TV+ series starring Gary Oldman as Jackson Lamb; its first three seasons, from April 2022 to November 2023, adapted *Slow Horses*, *Dead Lions* and *Real Tigers*,[2] and the fifth, from September 2025, adapted *London Rules*.[3] The sixth season premiered on Sept. 16, 2026,[13] drawing on *Joe Country* and *Slough House*, according to TV Insider.[14]
- *Down Cemetery Road* (2025). Based on *Down Cemetery Road*. Eight-episode Apple TV+ series written by Morwenna Banks, starring Emma Thompson as Zoë Boehm and Ruth Wilson, which ran from Oct. 29 to Dec. 10, 2025.[11] A second season was announced on Dec. 12, 2025.[12]

## Timeline

- July 11, 1963: Born in Newcastle upon Tyne.[4]
- 2003: Publishes his first novel, *Down Cemetery Road*, the first of four books about Oxford private detective Zoë Boehm.[2]
- 2010: *Slow Horses* begins the Slough House series.[2]
- 2013: *Dead Lions* wins the CWA Gold Dagger.[3]
- 2017: Resigns from his subediting job to write full time.[2]
- April 1, 2022: Apple TV+ begins streaming *Slow Horses*, starring Gary Oldman.[2]
- Jan. 23, 2025: The Crime Writers' Association names him its 2025 Diamond Dagger recipient.[5]
- Sept. 9, 2025: *Clown Town*, the ninth Slough House novel, is published in the US.[7]
- Oct. 29, 2025: Apple TV+ premieres *Down Cemetery Road*, starring Emma Thompson as Zoë Boehm.[11]
- Oct. 22, 2026: *Watch the Quiet Snow*, the collected Slough House novellas, is published in the UK.[9]

## What's next

*Watch the Quiet Snow*, his newest book, was published in the UK on Oct. 22, 2026,[9] and a second season of *Down Cemetery Road* has been announced.[12]

## Sources

1. [About Mick Herron](https://www.mickherron.com/landing-page/mick-herron-about/). Mick Herron (official site, Hodder & Stoughton). (primary record)
2. [Mick Herron](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Mick_Herron). Wikipedia (via Wikiwand). (reference)
3. [Mick Herron (bibliography and awards)](https://wiki.krisyotam.com/content/wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2026-03/Mick_Herron). Wikipedia (March 2026 snapshot). (reference)
4. [Mick Herron](https://ipfs.ssi.eecc.de/ipns/en.wikipedia-on-ipfs.org/wiki/Mick_Herron). Wikipedia (IPFS mirror). (reference)
5. [Slow Horses creator wins crime writers award for 'reinventing spy thrillers'](https://www.irishnews.com/news/uk/slow-horses-creator-wins-crime-writers-award-for-reinventing-spy-thrillers-2XETOD5BDJJJHPMX4V6JHIPORU/). The Irish News (PA Media). (news)
6. [Slough House Series Sell Sheet](https://penguinrandomhouseretail.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Slough-House-Series-Sell-Sheet.pdf). Penguin Random House / Soho Crime. (primary record)
7. [Clown Town (sell sheet)](https://www.penguinrandomhouseretail.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Clown-Town.pdf). Penguin Random House / Soho Crime. (primary record)
8. [Clown Town](https://hachette.co.uk/titles/mick-herron-6/clown-town/9781399800433). Hachette UK. (primary record)
9. [Watch the Quiet Snow](https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/mick-herron-6/watch-the-quiet-snow/9781399838771/). Hachette UK. (primary record)
10. [Down Cemetery Road Deluxe Edition](https://pastforward.org/products/down-cemetery-road-deluxe-edition-9781641298032). Past Forward (bookseller). (website)
11. [Apple unveils first look at new thriller starring Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson](https://www.apple.com/tv-pr/news/2025/07/apple-unveils-first-look-at-new-thriller-starring-emma-thompson-and-ruth-wilson). Apple TV Press. (primary record)
12. [Down Cemetery Road](https://wiki.krisyotam.com/content/wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2026-03/Down_Cemetery_Road). Wikipedia (March 2026 snapshot). (reference)
13. [Apple TV hosts world premiere for the sixth season of Slow Horses at TIFF](https://www.apple.com/tv-pr/news/2026/09/apple-tv-hosts-world-premiere-for-the-sixth-season-of-slow-horses-at-tiff/). Apple TV Press. (primary record)
14. [When Will 'Slow Horses' Return for Season 6?](https://www.tvinsider.com/1198204/slow-horses-season-6-book-cast-premiere-date-trailer). TV Insider. (news)