A Conventional Boy

The Laundry Files series is a cult classic that follows an agency of British spies who deal with supernatural threats, chronic underfunding, government ministers, rival agencies, and each other. The new collection includes the never-before-published Laundry Files novel "A Conventional Boy" and two other short stories.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 07 January 2025
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

In the captivating novel "A Conventional Boy," the fate of the world rests on a roll of the dice—a twenty-sided die, to be precise. Set in 1984, the story follows Derek Reilly, a teenage nerd who loves Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) but finds himself on the wrong side of the law when he falls afoul of the Laundry, a government agency tasked with suppressing supernatural threats. Little does Derek know that his love for D&D may have more sinister implications than he ever imagined. Decades later, Derek is a long-term inmate at Camp Sunshine, a center for deprogramming captured cultists. But when he learns of an escape plan to attend his first gaming convention, he seizes the opportunity to finally break free. However, he soon discovers that the convention is not what it seems—it's a dread ritual designed to summon a great evil into our world, and it's up to Derek and his players to stop it. The fate of the world may depend on the contents of Derek's dice bag. The Laundry Files series is a thrilling and hilarious exploration of a British agency of spies who deal with supernatural threats, chronic underfunding, government ministers, rival agencies, and worst of all, each other. Think "Slow Horses" crossed with the monsters from "Stranger Things," and you have a cult classic that has captured the hearts of readers worldwide. This new collection includes the never-before-published Laundry Files novel "A Conventional Boy"—inspired by the 1980s Satanic Panic—and two other short stories, all set in the world of the Laundry Files. In "A CONVENTIONAL BOY," Derek's love for D&D leads him down a dangerous path, as he becomes entangled in a web of supernatural conspiracies and government cover-ups. With his life on the line, Derek must use his wits and his knowledge of D&D to save the world from a great evil that threatens to destroy everything he holds dear. "DOWN ON THE FARM" follows the adventures of a group of Laundry agents as they investigate a mysterious farm that is rumored to be the site of a cult's ritualistic practices. As they delve deeper into the case, they uncover a sinister plot that could have devastating consequences for the world. "OVERTIME" is a standalone short story that takes place in the Laundry Files universe. It follows a group of agents as they attempt to stop a rogue agent from unleashing a deadly virus on the world. With time running out, they must use all of their skills and resources to prevent a catastrophe that could change the course of history. This collection also includes an exclusive afterword from Charles Stross, the author of the Laundry Files series, providing insight into the world of the Laundry Files and the inspiration behind the stories. Whether you're a fan of fantasy, espionage, or just looking for a fun and entertaining read, "A Conventional Boy" and the other stories in this collection are sure to captivate you. So grab your dice, summon your courage, and prepare to enter the world of the Laundry Files—where the fate of the world rests on the roll of a die.

Weight: 330g
Dimension: 143 x 224 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780356524641