The novel (and most of the series), follows Bob Howard, an IT worker for the Laundry, a a covert UK agency that deals with supernatural threats. In this universe, Stross predicates a kind of information-based magic, with the result that certain kinds of math and computing can bring about reality-altering affects. However, the backdrop to this universe is a version of the Lovecraftian Cthulhu mythos—insane cosmic horrors beyond human ken wait to flood our dimension etc. etc. Oh, and the series also mixes or alternates comedy with the cosmic horror. Good stuff.
We had a very critical but ultimately positive appraisal of the book. Notes and possible spoilers below!
