There really isn't anything I've read (not to say such things do not exist, I just haven't found them yet) that directly compares to THE ATROCITY ARCHIVES. It resists easy genre-based identification because it possesses elements of what Lovecraft would call "supernatural fiction," science fiction, some pretty horrific bits, occult-based references, work-place humor (some of the most hilarious parts are related to Bob's "job"), direct references to what has become known as the "Cthulhu Mythos," and myriad other literary and cultural references, even certain cartoon shows.

I would recommend it highly if you enjoy techno-babble, computers, "weird fiction," paper-clip inventories, poking fun at the idiocies of the workplace office environment/politics, and/or "thrillers." You would probably find it especially enjoyable if you have a craving for "Lovecraftian" stories with a contemporary setting since these types of stories are somewhat difficult to find in my experience.

I think Stross does an admirable job of providing comic relief to the particularly nasty bits. You might find yourself about to put the book down because some of the things Bob discovers in the depths of the Atrocity Archives are... well, let's just say the Archives are well named. But then you'll find yourself with a finger jammed between pages while you laugh so hard tears roll down your cheeks. Well, this is assuming you have a suitably dark, twisted sense of humor like I do.

I enjoyed it very much and am about to start THE JENNIFER MORGUE. I first found out about this series of novels on Chaosium's website. They publish the paper and dice Role Playing Game CALL OF CTHULHU and, as I discovered, a game called THE LAUNDRY which is based on this series.

Well, that's about it. Just give it a try!

This is going to be an extremely biased review, not for the usual reasons of childhood nostalgia, however. I'm biased because I actually wrote a spy-themed supernatural novel and am currently working on editing it. The fact this is something similar, though a completely different theme and style, tends to make me favorably disposed towards it.

The Atrocity Archives is set in a world superficially similar to H.P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu mythos, only set in the present day and protected by a series of government conspiracies. These government conspiracies are not glamorous martini-drinking S.H.I.E.L.D analogues or even sinister X-files-esque conspiracies. No, instead, they're a bunch of bored civil servants almost smothered by bureaucracy.

The protagonist, Bob Howard, is more or less the opposite of your typical spy novel hero. He's neither suave, debonaire, or particularly dangerous. He is, however, frighteningly good at mathmatics. Math is the basis of magic in the setting and the book is littered with complicated mathmatical models which might or might not be accurate but blow my mind. Bob manages a comfortable everyman sort of hero and you believe in him as he struggles to be a field agent.

Indeed, what I like about Bob most is his unflappability in the face of mind-numbing horrors but complete bewilderment by mundane problems. Dealing with Cthulhu and Yog-Sothoth is Bob's job but the accounting department is beyond him. There's something to be said for being able to adjust to anything but your fellow humans and their trivialities.

Another thing I like is the book goes in unexpected directions. Without spoiling, the book touches on everything from Pulps to Norse mythology to what appears to sitcom romance without skipping a beat. There's few other places you can find Nazi plots, critiques on British CCTV spying, gorgons, and frost giants. The Atrocity Archives is divided into two novellas with separate stories and both are highly entertaining.

My favorite character from the book other than Bob is probably Dominique "Mo" O'Brien who is, ostensibly, the protagonist's love interest. Truth be told, I'm not sure if they're together or not since Bob is a bit of a nerd but certainly more effective with the ladies than most. Also, compared to some of his coworkers, he's positively James Bond. Whatever the case, she transcends this role in several places and is arguably a more interesting character.

I think the best element in the book, however, is not a character at all. The Laundry, the codename for the British department which deals with the supernatural, is an amazing creation. It manages to combine dull tedious bureaucracy, Lovecraft's abomination, magic, SIS, and pure insanity into one coherent whole. You could imagine working for the Laundry and it would either be deeply fulfilling or horrible beyond imagination.

In conclusion, The Atrocity Archives amuses me to no end. I am definitely going to check out the rest of the series and I recommend other people do the same. Just note that, occasionally, the technobabble gets a bit insufferable (especially about mathmatics).

8/10

The series definitely gets stronger after a few more installments--I think it takes Stross a little bit with these characters to balance the comedy and the horror--but these are highly recommended if you're looking for one of the cleverest genre mashups out there. IT/office-bureaucracy meets spy thriller meets occult Lovecraftian what-have-you.

Chicago Nerds discussion notes: [...]

Had hard time putting this down. Engaging characters. Only a couple leaps of knowledge that felt more like explanation than showing me the riddle through story. I never really got into this type of fantasy magic story but hits the spot with concrete sounding modern day science phenomena. Good work, can't wait to read the next!

If not for the Lovecraftian elements, it would rank as a mismash of YA fiction (young hero without training saves day), silly science and technology references (Kaluza-Klein? seriously?), and a spy thriller (secret government branches protecting the unknowing populace against unspeakable horrors. Read Halting State instead!

The first story was a bit hard to follow but after getting into the writers mind, it makes a horrible kind of sense. After reading the next two stories, I found myself going back to re-read the first story. The second read through was it. A very well written series of stories and thought experiments. I found the appendixes to be very revealing and enjoyable. Do not cheat and read ahead. Going to get the next book now!!!!