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Slough House (Slow Horses) Books in Order.

Quick Answer

Start with Slow Horses (2010), which is book 1, and read the novels in publication order. Characters and storylines carry from book to book, so the order matters.

The complete reading order for the Slough House (Slow Horses) series by Mick Herron. Below you'll find the authoritative guide on how to read the books in order, including publication dates and chronological timeline placements.

Where to start

Start with Slow Horses (2010), which is book 1, and read the novels in publication order. Characters and storylines carry from book to book, so the order matters.

  • •The novellas (The List, The Marylebone Drop, The Last Dead Letter and The Catch) are optional extras that slot between the novels; read the novels first and add them whenever you like. The Marylebone Drop was published in the UK as The Drop.
  • •Clown Town (2025) is the most recent novel.

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Reading Order13 Titles

Why Publication Order?We recommend reading in Publication Order (default). This follows the author's release schedule, ensuring you experience plot twists, character growth, and world-building exactly as intended without spoilers.
Best Start Here
1

Slow Horses

Pub: 2010
2

Dead Lions

Pub: 2013

Plot details hidden until you finish "Slow Horses".

3

Real Tigers

Pub: 2016

Plot details hidden until you finish "Dead Lions".

4

Spook Street

Pub: 2017

Plot details hidden until you finish "Real Tigers".

5

London Rules

Pub: 2018

Plot details hidden until you finish "Spook Street".

6

Joe Country

Pub: 2019

Plot details hidden until you finish "London Rules".

7

Slough House

Pub: 2021

Plot details hidden until you finish "Joe Country".

8

Bad Actors

Pub: 2022

Plot details hidden until you finish "Slough House".

9

Clown Town

Pub: 2025

Plot details hidden until you finish "Bad Actors".

10

The List

Pub: 2015Optional

Plot details hidden until you finish "Clown Town".

11

The Marylebone Drop

Pub: 2018Optional

Plot details hidden until you finish "The List".

12

The Last Dead Letter

Pub: 2020Optional

Plot details hidden until you finish "The Marylebone Drop".

13

The Catch

Pub: 2020Optional

Plot details hidden until you finish "The Last Dead Letter".

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Frequently Asked Questions

What order should I read Slough House (Slow Horses) in?

Start with Slow Horses (2010), which is book 1, and read the novels in publication order. Characters and storylines carry from book to book, so the order matters.

How many books are in Slough House (Slow Horses)?

9 main books, published 2010–2025, plus 4 side stories.

Can I read Slough House (Slow Horses) out of order?

It's best not to. The books build on each other, so reading out of order spoils earlier twists.

Which books in Slough House (Slow Horses) are prequels, novellas or side stories?

"The List" (novella), "The Marylebone Drop" (novella), "The Last Dead Letter" (novella), "The Catch" (novella). Each is placed in the reading order below.