Mick Herron Books In Order is a collection of gripping spy fiction and crime thrillers that have gained immense popularity among readers who enjoy suspense, intrigue, and sharp storytelling. Herron is best known for his acclaimed Slough House series, which has become a modern classic in the espionage genre. These novels focus on flawed yet compelling characters—agents who have been sidelined from Britain’s intelligence services but continue to find themselves entangled in dangerous missions, political schemes, and betrayals.
One of the reasons Herron’s books stand out is his ability to blend dark humor with intense drama, creating stories that are both entertaining and thought-provoking. His plots often explore themes such as loyalty, corruption, redemption, and the moral gray areas of espionage. The characters are layered and human, making readers connect with them even when they are deeply flawed.
While authors like John le Carré and Graham Greene left a strong legacy in the world of spy novels, Mick Herron has carved his own place as a contemporary master of the genre. His works are praised for their wit, tension, and realism, making them a must-read for anyone who loves intelligent thrillers.
A Quick Biography of Mick Herron
Mick Herron was born in 1963 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. He attended Balliol College at the University of Oxford, where he studied English literature and developed a strong foundation in classic and contemporary writing. His academic background gave him the tools to craft complex stories that later defined his career as a celebrated author of spy and crime fiction.
Before establishing himself as a full-time writer, Herron worked in various professional roles, including as a sub-editor and technical writer. These experiences shaped his sharp eye for detail and precision in language, qualities that now distinguish his novels. He currently lives in Oxford, continuing to write novels that have gained worldwide recognition.
In his writings, Herron often blends espionage, dark humor, and human vulnerability, portraying intelligence officers not as glamorous heroes but as flawed and relatable individuals. His acclaimed Slough House series has been adapted into the Apple TV+ show Slow Horses, which has introduced his work to an even wider audience.
Because of his unique style and ability to modernize the spy thriller genre, we have covered here some notable Mick Herron books in order, along with highlights of his personal life and literary contributions.
Publication Order of Zoe Boehm Books
| Book Title | Year | Buy at Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| Down Cemetery Road | (2003) | Buy Now |
| The Last Voice You Hear | (2004) | Buy Now |
| Why We Die | (2006) | Buy Now |
| Smoke and Whispers | (2009) | Buy Now |
Publication Order of Slough House Books
| Book Title | Year | Buy at Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| Slow Horses | (2010) | Buy Now |
| Dead Lions | (2013) | Buy Now |
| The List | (2015) | Buy Now |
| Real Tigers | (2016) | Buy Now |
| Spook Street | (2017) | Buy Now |
| London Rules | (2018) | Buy Now |
| The Marylebone Drop / The Drop | (2018) | Buy Now |
| Joe Country | (2019) | Buy Now |
| The Catch | (2020) | Buy Now |
| Slough House | (2021) | Buy Now |
| Bad Actors | (2022) | Buy Now |
| Standing by the Wall | (2022) | Buy Now |
| Clown Town | (2025) | Buy Now |
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
| Book Title | Year | Buy at Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| Reconstruction | (2008) | Buy Now |
| Nobody Walks | (2015) | Buy Now |
| This is What Happened | (2018) | Buy Now |
| The Secret Hours | (2023) | Buy Now |
Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas
Publication Order of Short Story Collections
| Book Title | Year | Buy at Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| All the Livelong Day and Other Stories | (2013) | Buy Now |
| Dolphin Junction | (2022) | Buy Now |
Publication Order of Anthologies
| Book Title | Year | Buy at Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| The Mammoth Book of Best British Crime 8 | (2011) | Buy Now |
| The Usual Santas | (2016) | Buy Now |
| Ten Year Stretch | (2018) | Buy Now |
4 Most Popular Mick Herron Books In Order
1. Slow Horses (2010)
The first novel in the Slough House series, Slow Horses, sets the foundation for Mick Herron’s celebrated world of failed spies. It follows a group of MI5 agents who have been exiled to Slough House due to career-ending mistakes—from botched missions to personal scandals. Nicknamed “slow horses,” these agents are expected to live out their careers in obscurity, performing mundane tasks. But when a young man is kidnapped and a terrorist plot unfolds, the misfit team unexpectedly gets drawn into real action. With its sharp wit, layered characters, and cynical yet realistic take on espionage, this book has been hailed as a modern classic in the spy thriller genre.
2. Dead Lions (2013)
Winner of the prestigious Crime Writers’ Association Gold Dagger Award, Dead Lions continues the journey of the Slough House agents. This time, the plot revolves around Cold War secrets and the suspicious death of a low-level spy. As Jackson Lamb and his team dig deeper, they uncover a conspiracy linked to Russian sleeper agents and old betrayals. The book balances fast-paced suspense with biting satire, showing Herron’s ability to merge traditional spy storytelling with dark humor. Its mix of nostalgia for Cold War intrigue and modern-day political tension makes it one of Herron’s standout works.
3. Real Tigers (2016)
Real Tigers raises the stakes as one of the Slough House members, Catherine Standish, is kidnapped. In exchange for her freedom, the kidnappers demand classified MI5 information, pulling the “slow horses” into a high-stakes rescue mission. Meanwhile, internal corruption and power struggles inside MI5 reveal the fragility of the intelligence service. The novel expertly blends personal drama with larger political narratives, highlighting Herron’s skill at creating flawed yet endearing characters who are often underestimated but rise to the occasion. It’s a thrilling, layered story that examines loyalty, sacrifice, and betrayal.
4. Spook Street (2017)
In Spook Street, Herron takes a more personal turn, exploring the history and legacy of the intelligence community. The story begins with a tragic terrorist attack, but soon expands into a complex plot involving family secrets and past intelligence operations. The novel particularly focuses on David Cartwright, a legendary MI5 officer facing the decline of old age, and how his past connects with current threats. Combining emotional depth with gripping suspense, Herron masterfully balances character development with action, cementing this novel as one of the most highly praised in the series.
To Sum Up
To sum up, Mick Herron has established himself as one of the most important voices in modern spy fiction. His Slough House series, starting with Slow Horses, has redefined the espionage genre by presenting intelligence officers not as glamorous agents but as deeply flawed, human characters caught between failure and unexpected heroism. Through sharp satire, witty dialogue, and tightly woven plots, Herron captures both the tension of espionage and the humor of human imperfection.
The four most popular books—Slow Horses, Dead Lions, Real Tigers, and Spook Street—stand as shining examples of his ability to blend suspense with dark comedy, while exploring themes of loyalty, corruption, and redemption. Each installment builds on the last, creating a richly layered world that resonates with readers who enjoy intelligent thrillers.
Whether you are new to his works or already a fan of spy novels, exploring Mick Herron’s books in order offers a rewarding journey into a unique, character-driven universe. With critical acclaim, multiple awards, and a successful TV adaptation, his novels continue to attract a growing audience, proving that Herron has carved out a lasting place in the landscape of contemporary crime and espionage fiction.
Top FAQ on Mick Herron
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Who is Mick Herron?
Mick Herron is a British author best known for his acclaimed Slough House series of spy thrillers. Born in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1963, he studied English at Balliol College, Oxford, and later worked as a sub-editor before becoming a full-time writer.
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What awards has Mick Herron won?
Herron has received multiple awards, including the Crime Writers’ Association Gold Dagger Award for Dead Lions in 2013. Several of his books have also been shortlisted for the Theakston’s Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award.
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What is Mick Herron’s most recent book?
“Clown Town” is the most recent book by Mick Herron. It was published in 2025.
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