It all started with a routine bureaucratic decision to increase creativity at the secretive organization known as the Laundry. Bob Howard, a bureaucrat who also happens to be a trainee necromancer, develops a project to search data for anomalies, hoping to uncover demon possessions. What he finds instead of demon possessions are vampires. But everyone knows vampires don't exist! Bob will have to face the hazards of bureaucracy if he is to help the Laundry continue to protect Britain.

THE RHESUS CHART is the fifth book in The Laundry Files series but can easily be read as a standalone. Charles Stross does a magnificent job at quickly acclimating new readers to his weird and wacky world where the supernatural and the bureaucratic collide. We get to know the characters quite well, although I suspect long-time readers of the series may have a stronger reaction to some of the twists Charles Stross throws into the mix.

I love Bob! Bob is the quintessential government worker, trapped by the bureaucracy that surrounds him. Bob reminds me of a slightly demented Dilbert with paranormal powers. I couldn't help but laugh out loud as he meets the challenges of mindless meetings, pointless assignments, and a plethora of super-secret confidential file names.

THE RHESUS CHART is a quirky, slightly crazy, but captivating cerebral supernatural thriller. Charles Stross blends together technology and the supernatural and then hampers his main character with the mindless bureaucracy of government agencies- it's nothing short of brilliant! I couldn't stop laughing as Bob works his way through to the final thrilling conclusion. THE RHESUS CHART is a hilariously original approach to both the supernatural and vampires!

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