The cover of Charles Stross’s The Jennifer Morgue shows Bob Howard, an operative of the super-secret agency The Laundry, underwater. I really like this cover because the cover artist’s depiction of Bob Howard looks a lot like my son, Patrick (with his glasses). I have a lukewarm relationship with Charles Stross. His science fiction novels fail to entertain me. But I do have a fondness for Stross’s “The Laundry” series. Think 007 meets H.P. Lovecraft. There are plenty of spells and geas and wards. The plot of The Jennifer Morgue involves an evil billionaire who wants to restore a Lovecraftian alien entity. Plenty of mayhem results. If you’re in the mood for a spy novel with Lovecraftian overtones, The Jennifer Morgue is fun. GRADE: B+
I keep wanting to like these books, and I’ve tried two of them. I can’t get past the first few chapters, though.
Bill, the first Laundry book, THE ATROSITY ARCHIVES, was slow going. THE JENNIFER MORGUE had a couple slow patches, but the climax was thrilling. I’m hoping to work my way through the entire series this summer.
Bill, that’s how I reacted to the one Stross I tried. Admittedly it wasn’t in this series.
Jeff, I’ve had the same problems you and Bill have had with Stross’s SF novels. Too long, too meandering.
Haven’t tried him and don’t guess I will based on the above. I am not a patient reader.
Patti, it seems to take Stross a while to get his books started. But he sure knows his H. P. Lovecraft.