Mick Herron talks Joe Country, novellas and reveals more about his writing process. (80)

Mick Herron joins us on Episode 80 of the Spybrary Spy Podcast, to talk more about his new book, Joe Country the 6th novel in the Slough House/Jackson Lamb series.

If Spook Street is where spies live, Joe Country is where they go to die.

In Slough House, the London outpost for disgraced MI5 spies, memories are stirring, all of them bad. Catherine Standish is buying booze again, Louisa Guy is raking over the ashes of lost love, and new recruit Lech Wicinski, whose sins make him an outcast even among the slow horses, is determined to discover who destroyed his career, even if he tears his life apart in the process.

Meanwhile, in Regent’s Park, Diana Taverner’s tenure as First Desk is running into difficulties. If she’s going to make the Service fit for purpose, she might have to make deals with a familiar old devil . . .

And with winter taking its grip, Jackson Lamb would sooner be left brooding in peace, but even he can’t ignore the dried blood on his carpets. So when the man responsible for killing a slow horse breaks cover at last, Lamb sends the slow horses out to even the score.

This is What Happened – Mick Herron

David Craggs, our man in the UK runs the rule over some of Mick Herron's previous work in the lead up to Joe Country.

The author talks about his standalone novel This is What Happened which David describes starts off as a spy novel and morphs into a psychological thriller.

The Drop and the List – Mick Herron novellas.

Mick Herron also talks about why he decided to write some short stories and how The Drop introduces a character who appears in Joe Country.

Joe Country – Slough House #6

David and Mick talk about some of the characters who appear in Joe Country. David asked Mick in a previous Spybrary interview for more Emma Flyte and Mick obliges. This is a spoiler free conversation so don't worry if you have not started reading it yet.

(Shane produced this episode and he has not read it either so he would have pulled the plug had it revealed any spoilers.)

Jackson Lamb on TV?

Mick Herron shared some good news, he has been working with the writers for a TV series based on his Slough House novels. He points out that he is not writing the series but is working as a consultant. He is delighted with the writing team who he says totally understand what he tried to create with the Slough House world. How exciting!

Mick also reveals that Zoe Boehm from his Oxford series is also being adapted for television! David warns Spybrarians not to start with Smoke and Mirrors as he did but to start at the beginning of the series – Down Cemetery Road.

Mick Herron on Creating Characters.

Mick also talks with us about how he develops his characters and reveals a little more about his writing process, it is Slow Horses so death of characters is also discussed.

Mick Herron Books, Links and Resources Mentioned on Episode 80 of the Spybrary Spy Podcast.

• Mick Herron Official Site

• Joe Country by Mick Herron
• More Books by Mick Herron.
• Listen to Mick's previous appearance on the Spybrary Spy Podcast.

Spybrary Facebook Group – come chat with like minded spy fans and authors.

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