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The Atrocity Archives

A Laundry Files Novel

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The Atrocity Archives

Written by: Charles Stross
Narrated by: Gideon Emery
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Buy Now for $37.04

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About this listen

Bob Howard is a computer-hacker desk jockey, who has more than enough trouble keeping up with the endless paperwork he has to do on a daily basis. He should never be called on to do anything remotely heroic. But for some reason, he is.

©2004 Charles Stross (P)2010 Recorded Books, LLC Espionage Fantasy Hard Science Fiction Horror Science Fiction Spies & Politics Thriller & Suspense Scary Fiction Paranormal

What the critics say

"In Atrocity, Bob, a low-level computer fix-it guy for the Laundry, a supersecret British agency that defends the world from occult happenings, finds himself promoted to fieldwork after he bravely saves the day during a routine demonstration gone awry. With his Palm, aka his Hand of Glory (a severed hand that, when ignited, renders the holder invisible), and his smarts, he saves the world from a powerful external force seeking to enter our universe to suck it dry....With often hilarious results, the author mixes the occult and the mundane, the truly weird and the petty." ( Publishers Weekly)
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Most relevant
I came apon this by accident, and I wasn't sure what I had found or what to expect.
a slow start to be sure.
However, I was pleasantly surpised with an easy listen and decent story.

better than I would have thought

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my younger early/mid-2000s self would have loved these to pieces. the idea of a sci-fi eldritch magic spy thriller is so over the top that the story could have easily failed the premise, but they don't disappoint. they're similar in tone but more sober and straightforward than Accelerando and the Escaton books. it's like BOFH meets Douglas Adams meets Ian Fleming. good fun for sure. some of the nerdier jokes and references (my favourite: "she ended up in a send mail configuration course by mistake. it was weeks before she stopped twitching anytime someone mentioned rules.") will delight any overworked sysadmin or helpdesk jockey.

wish I had known about these when they were new

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good beginning but it quickly developed into a sci-fi demonic occult stuff book dnf

Initially enjoyed it

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As an Eldritch horror myself, I approve of this book. Seriously, classic British espionage meets the world of HP Lovecraft? Perfect match. The narrator does a phenomenal job and was perfectly cast for the portrayal of this series. If you like James Bond and you like a good mystery, if you enjoy horror and like to stay up at night questioning what is really out there, this book is where you start.

Great book - amazing series

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