Mick Herron recently captivated audiences at Theakston’s Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, where he revealed a tantalizing piece of news for fans of his acclaimed Slough House novels and the related TV series, Slow Horses. “I know how, where and when Jackson Lamb dies,” he stated, which undoubtedly left attendees buzzing with excitement and speculation about the fate of this beloved character.
Chairing this year’s festival in Harrogate, Herron delivered an engaging discussion that showcased not only his work but also the powerful adaptations of his novels for the small screen, garnering a full house at the Old Swan Hotel. The Slough House series tells the story of a group of inept spies relegated to a seemingly mundane office near London, striking a balance between humor and a cynical portrayal of the intelligence world.
Herron originally conceived Slow Horses as a standalone story while working on a series featuring private investigator Zoë Boehm. However, the appeal of the characters he created led him to continue their journey. He recalls starting the first novel back in 2008 and humorously reflects on how he might have felt paralyzed had he known the series would grow to such popularity.
Interestingly, Jackson Lamb was not the first character to emerge during Herron’s creative process. Instead, River Cartwright was born while Herron was traveling over a river, and the series evolved into an ensemble piece. “The characters only really started to develop once I started writing about them,” he explained.
Despite being aware of Lamb’s eventual fate, Herron admits he does not meticulously plan each of his books. He typically has a few key plot points in mind and takes care when considering character deaths, as they eliminate the possibility of returning to them in future narratives.
Regarding the television adaptation, Herron expressed his admiration for the actors who are embodying the characters with authenticity, acknowledging the significant effort that has gone into adapting his work. While there are plans for a sixth and seventh season of Slow Horses, Herron confirmed he has no immediate plans to venture the Slough House team to Yorkshire, even with its scenic surroundings suitable for spy activities.
While fans may need to prepare for the last novel in the series, titled Clown Town, set to release in September, Herron assures there are still ideas brewing for the future. Whether this will mean the departure of Jackson Lamb from the narrative remains a subject of intrigue, but for now, fans are likely hoping to enjoy more stories from this talented author without a farewell to their favorite characters just yet.