The Apocalypse Codex
-
-
4.5 • 232개의 평가
-
-
- US$8.99
출판사 설명
For outstanding heroism in the field (despite himself), computational demonologist Bob Howard is on the fast track for promotion to management within the Laundry, the supersecret British government agency tasked with defending the realm from occult threats. Assigned to External Assets, Bob discovers the company (unofficially) employs freelance agents to deal with sensitive situations that may embarrass Queen and Country.
So when Ray Schiller—an American televangelist with the uncanny ability to miraculously heal the ill—becomes uncomfortably close to the Prime Minister, External Assets dispatches the brilliant, beautiful, and entirely unpredictable Persephone Hazard to infiltrate the Golden Promise Ministries and discover why the preacher is so interested in British politics. And it’s Bob’s job to make sure Persephone doesn’t cause an international incident.
But it’s a supernatural incident that Bob needs to worry about—a global threat even the Laundry may be unable to clean up…
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
The fourth novel (after 2010's The Fuller Memorandum) in Stross's series about the Laundry, a British mystical intelligence agency, continues its fun blend of Lovecraftian horror, espionage, and office satire. Everyman geek Bob Howard has been promoted to the Laundry's Externalities department, an obscure branch dealing with outside contractors. His boss, Lockhart, assigns him to manage Persephone Hazard and Johnny McTavish, two mystically talented field agents investigating suddenly powerful U.S. evangelist Ray Schiller. Complications arise ranging from conflicts with U.S. spy agencies, extradimensional parasites, a Bible with some disturbing additional chapters, and the requisite zombies. Stross augments his style, expanding the narrative voice beyond Bob's own while remaining true to earlier works in the series. Some fans might miss Bob's wife, Mo (largely offscreen after the book's first third), but the new characters and setting allow Stross additional opportunities for political and technological snark in the midst of this solid spy/horror story.
사용자 리뷰
Charles Stross Is, As Usual, Brilliant
I've read few authors capable of evoking the terror of H.P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos in a matter that is not only highly original, but remarkably entertaining.
Very good
I’ve been reading these in order and so far this has been my favorite. Bob Howard is a truly interesting protagonist.
I recommend this book.
Exciting Fourth Novel in the Laundry Series
“The Apocalypse Codex” is the fourth novel in the Laundry Files Series by Charles Stross. It continues his darkly humorous narrative about the Laundry, a secret British agency that seeks to protect the United Kingdom (and the world) from cosmic horrors. They are also a bureaucracy, mired in the Civil Service processes and red tape common to such agencies.
Our protagonist remains the nerdy Bob Howard, who came from an IT background, but has now become an expert in computational demonology. Bob has been fast tracked for middle management, and is shaping up to be a capable necromancer. However, he is still unsure of himself, and they might want him to wear a suit!
As a trial mission, External Affairs decides to send Bob on a support mission to America along with two investigators. These agents are trying to get to the bottom of a questionable mega-church pastor who is preaching a prosperity gospel that just might have darker aspects. This church is based in the Denver area, and when the team gets there, things begin going wrong almost immediately.
As the Laundry Files Series progresses, it’s meta-narrative is beginning to come together. Bob is progressing as a character and is beginning to grow into a larger role. However, he is still a fun character to be involved with. I’m looking forward now to the next novel to see where this is all going.