Title: The Delirium Brief
Author: Charles Stross
First published July 11, 2017
384 pages, Kindle Edition
Rating: 4.26
Overview
Stone Barrington’s worst fears are realized when the women closest to him are targeted by a brutal killer. As the bodies pile up, Stone finds himself the prime suspect in the case.
With the police breathing down his neck, he turns to his best friend, NYPD Lieutenant Dino, for help. Together, they navigate the seedy underworld of New York City, from upscale restaurants to back alley mob hangouts, in a race against time to catch the killer before he strikes again.
With danger lurking around every corner, Stone must protect those he loves and clear his name before it’s too late.
About the Author
Meet Charles David George Stross, a talented writer hailing from Edinburgh, Scotland. His writing spans across various genres such as science fiction, Lovecraftian horror, and fantasy.
Stross is often grouped with the new wave of British science fiction writers, who are experts in hard science fiction and space opera. Some of his peers include Alastair Reynolds, Ken MacLeod, Liz Williams, and Richard Morgan.
You can find more detailed information about Stross’ work on SF Encyclopedia and Wikipedia, or check out Tor for some great reads.
Editoral Review
The Delirium Brief is the eighth book in the Laundry Files series by Hugo Award-winning author Charles Stross. Published on July 11, 2017, the book falls under the genres of science fiction, horror, and urban fantasy.
The Laundry Files series follows the adventures of Bob Howard, a computational demonologist who works for a secret government agency known as the Laundry. The agency’s main aim is to protect the world from the various Lovecraftian horrors that inhabit it, using a blend of science, mathematics, and occult practices.
In The Delirium Brief, Bob and his team find themselves in a desperate position. The apocalypse has come, and it’s not a drill.
The Lovecraftian horror world known as the Cthulhu mythos has finally arrived, and it has the upper hand. The Laundry, the agency that Bob works for, is systematically dismantled, and its members are being hunted down by the very entity that they have sworn to protect humanity against.
Stross’s writing style in The Delirium Brief is confident and assured, painting a vivid picture of a world where magic and science intersect. The characters are well-developed and multi-dimensional, and the world-building is impeccable.
Set mainly in London, Stross captures the chaos and horror of the city, making it feel like a character in its own right. The plot moves at a dizzying pace, with twists and turns that will leave the reader gasping for breath.
Stross manages to keep the suspense high throughout, never letting the reader feel too comfortable or secure. There are also plenty of references to Lovecraft’s works, making The Delirium Brief a treat for fans of horror and occult fiction.
One of the book’s strengths is the way that Stross weaves current events and politics into the narrative. The way that he includes topics such as Brexit and the rise of far-right politics into the story feels both natural and thought-provoking.
He manages to take these issues and show how they could play out in a world where the supernatural exists. On the downside, The Delirium Brief can be a challenging read for readers who are not familiar with the Laundry Files series.
There are a lot of characters and concepts to keep track of, and it can be confusing at times. However, this is a minor criticism, and the rewards of sticking with the book are well worth the effort.
Overall, The Delirium Brief is an excellent addition to the Laundry Files series. It is gripping, thought-provoking, and a thoroughly enjoyable read.
I highly recommend it to fans of horror, science fiction, and occult fiction, as well as readers who enjoy stories that tackle current events and politics. I give it a score of 4.5 out of 5, based on its characters, world-building, plot, themes, and writing style.
It is definitely a book that should not be missed.
