[Books 2015] New Laundry novel

[inulro]

33. The Annihilation Score by Charles Stross

I was eagerly anticipating this and then for some reason thought it was due out in August and missed the release by a few weeks.

Anyway, it's wonderful. Just when you're wondering where the Laundry series can go (because there are major game-changing events at the end of every book), this one is written from the point of view of Mo, Bob's wife.

Throughout the series we have an idea that Mo is a more powerful demon-banishing badass than Bob (as well as the functional adult in the relationship). And she has the coolest weapon - a violin that kill demons.

In this one we find out just how scary the violin is (very) and the toll it is taking on her - it tries to kill Bob (now the Eater of Souls) and so he has to move out.

Meanwhile, there is a plague of people gaining superhero powers, Mo is outed by a BBC24 news team subduing one who uses his powers for evil, so she is tasked with being the public face of the new supernatural policing unit, including COBRA meetings, briefings with the Home Secretary and is given a crack team of Bob's ex-girlfriends to save her bacon.

It's the usual Laundry stuff - really funny, lots of action - but I really related to this one too much, especially the parts about dealing with management bullshit at work (from the perspective of being the manager).

I bought this on my Kindle because I'm ripping the house apart and need to have less stuff lying around, but then I went into Waterstones and saw how pretty the dust jacket is on the hardcover. Now I want to get that too.

Comments

[mimmimmim.livejournal.com]

I very much enjoyed it, Pete didn't like it at all!