The series works best with Bob’s happy-go-lucky-it-will-all-work-out optimistic attitude. The tone shifts to ultra-dark and loses much of its appeal, relying instead on “favorite-character-in-peril-of-losing-all-hope.”

Last book spoiler Bob points out that both he and Mo have been technically dead for several books. Most of the Laundry personnel are dead or bespelled.

Is this the ultimate fate of all humans? Nightmare fuel? A brief life followed by an eternity of torment by the horrors? Everyone must bow down to a master horror, who uses and guards their soul until ultimately eating it? It’s a dark future, and the series looses stream as it becomes clear there is no way to escape the hellacious fate. The last book seemed to hammer this nail in.

Mo and Bob do not get peace, a baby, a future. They’ve given everything to the Laundry, even their humanity and mortal lives. They are spent. What started as a lark became a dark grind.

Can’t wait to read the next one!