The Jennifer Morgue (Laundry Files Book 2)

I've said it before and I'll say it again. "I want to have Charles Stross' nerd babies." He write books that are really excellent spy thrillers, and then seamlessly weaves them into a story full of magic, demonology, and the occasional elder god. And it works! He hits all the standard spy tropes in an entirely nonstandard way, including wardrobe, pets, and the oh so crucial element of explaining the plot when you think the hero is entirely at your mercy. As a little bonus, there is an included essay about Ian Fleming, James Bond, a brief history of espionage and the Cold War, as well as a focus on villainy, including how a famous villain perceives himself and his schemes.

First off, I'm a fan of the series. Second, you have to be aware that each story in the series goes off in a different direction. This is the Bond one. Of course. But it is less Bond and more Geek Bond, taking a piss in somewhat the same way as the classic opening scene of Stephenson's "Snow Crash." It alternates between being a Chuck-like failure at any coolitude (the Autobahn sequence in the Smart Car) to the kind of fantasy everyone with a utility belt packed with jailbreaked phones and Leathermen tools has had at one point or another (the escape on Billington's yacht).

It walks other tightropes too, with the literal predatory sexuality of Ramona getting described in just a bit too much detail. The underlying horror and the usual parahistorical joy of recognizing the real research and the real-world strangeness being riffed on is almost offset by the kind of Strossian touches of what I can only call flawlessly logical insanity. So THAT'S why the big bad in this story has a white cat!

All in all, it is a four star for a Laundry book (a fun series but somehow book one got closer to whatever made it unique and work than any other), three stars for Stross -- and that puts it up to five stars as against the average of Books on Amazon.

Charles Stross' 2006 novel "[[ASIN:B001O2NEI8 The Jennifer Morgue (Laundry Files Book 2)]]" actually contains a 30 page short story tacked on to the end ("PIMPF"). But, it's completely unrelated to the vast bulk of this book, so I'm treating it as a free add-on and ignoring it (it's OK). In this 2nd entry in his "Laundry Files" series, Stross has changed the tone a bit by reducing the Science Fiction aspect (mathematics and computers) and emphasizing the Spy Thriller (in this case, a la James Bond). But, in general, the story is just as well-written as the previous book. My biggest issue with it is the two fairly graphic instances of voyeuristic demon death sex he's included. I really could have done without reading those. But, on the other hand, Stross has a some very good reasons (plot, theme, and structure) for including them (i.e., they're not gratuitous). So, I'm not dinging the book for them. On the OTHER other hand, there is a problem with the point of view in those scenes which is never explained. My other issues with the book are even more minor:

- The nature of Bob's partner isn't well-explained until about a third of the way through the book. The early implication is one thing (I can't be specific because of spoilers), but that falls apart and we're left wondering until a more refined explanation arises much later.
- There's no reason for the very existence of the Power Point presentation at the beginning which sets things in motion.
- After the second VDDS, Bob's partner mysteriously ends up in his hotel room despite locks and wards and there's never any explanation of how (or even why).
- While swimming naked (no doubt about it), Bob's partner somehow comes up with a dagger.

And, that's pretty much it. It's an interesting, well-written, fast-paced story that I'm rating at a Very Good 4 stars out of 5.

Lighter on the satire, heavier on the adventure, still a fun ride.

If you read the first book in this series, then honestly this book is probably better written than that one. That said, I liked the first one more. However, in terms of a Did-I-Enjoy-This-Book scale, it remains equal. The Atrocity Archives and The Jennifer Morgue are just two different books. Where the first book was a satire of office culture and adventure mystery novels with a Lovecraftian spin, this one purposely plays a dashing British Spy story straight with the formula, but all the while it taps its nose and winks at you. So yeah, there is still satire here, but it is more of a clever adventure novel that plays with the tried and true stereotypes and cliches.

As for this book more specifically, Bob is back! I was actually afraid each book would have a different character, which would made me sad. But he is back and remains the main character. Also back are Pinky and Brains with a more active role. They are hilarious, Q eat your heart out. New to this book is a drop dead gorgeous mysterious woman and a maniacal bad guy. You'll like them, I promise.

Given the archetype this book is spoofing, you can count on a lot more scenes of poor Bob having to wing it MacGyver style (with tentacles). When he isn't doing this, he is usually being screwed over by whatever heinous and unmentionable events he's been railroaded into. I mean, he is just some poor cubical rat that gets sent out on dangerous missions occasionally.

So while this book has less, or maybe just more subtle, satire and fewer Eldritch horrors, it is a great example of what someone with a creative mind can do with a novel. I recommend it to anyone who liked the first book, and I for one plan on starting the third book before long - maybe tomorrow.

Awful. Not one but two extremely contrived plot devices (one of which an excuse to include kinky telepathic demon sex), and the main character's constant mental refrain of "I would totally cheat on my girlfriend if only this sex demon wasn't a sex demon who would kill me if I slept with her) made him completely unsympathetic.

I'm not sure why this didn't grab me. I suppose Bob is just a bit too nebbish too be having all these adventures. You'd think after a couple of super spy outings he'd get a bit more worldly. It's an interesting series, but I'd rather read other works by Stross.

As a bond pastiche, it's not as strong as the first book. stross is a better writer of intrigue than big set pieces, and I found he parody a bit too thin at times. Still a very good book.

If you thought interdimensional Nazis were a challenge for Bob, you’ve seen nothing yet in this wonderful mashup of Bond archetypes and HP Lovecraft old ones. The action moves from the UK to the Caribbean (sound familiar?) as our hero joins up with a demonic possessed assassin to save the world.

Interesting characters, complicated plots and wonderful writing all combined to provide entertaining reading. I am already looking forward to reading book #3 in the series in the not too distant future.

PS: there is a short story with more interesting Laundry Files exploits included as well as an interview with the infamous retired entrepreneur Blofeld that puts things in a slightly different context.

VFL

I had to look up geas, an obligation magically imposed upon a person. If you think about it that seems to happen to us every day. If not magically, then somewhat self imposed, be it posting to social media or checking the news site religiously. The subtext in Mr. Stross’s books are abundant and meaningful. With this installment he elaborates out right in the prelude (not that is was labeled as such) around the foundation of the story and the geas that all of humanity was under during the Cold War. Having grown up in the 80’s and watching the fear seething from tube I can only nod in agreement in his loose conjecture of the shadowy forces the over saw that terrible time. The fact that we are all partially distracted or at least up to a year ago we were (he eludes to pandemics as they have been with humanity since we dropped from the trees) proves the geas is still in effect only it’s just a new obligation. Cheers!

Wow. If Ian Fleming and H.P. Lovecraft collaborated on a book with Charles Stross, it would be this book. Occult spycraft. Gaesa and archetypes. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.