Rule 34 [Paperback]

Charles Stross writes hard SF, paranormal espionage and near-future techno-thrillers with equal facility and intelligence . . . Stross skilfully and accessibly demonstrates how reality is affected by virtual technology, and how life in Europe could soon change as a result (Guardian )

Weird and wonderful... a dizzying whirl of insights, beautiful and addictive (The Sun )

A diamond-sharp piece of SF... a seriously entertaining and twisted crime thriller (SFX )

Charles Stross writes hard SF, paranormal espionage and near-future techno-thrillers with equal facility and intelligence ... Stross skilfully and accessibly demonstrates how reality is affected by virtual technology, and how life in Europe could soon change as a result. Guardian A diamond-sharp piece of SF... a seriously entertaining and twisted crime thriller SFX Weird and wonderful... a dizzying whirl of insights, beautiful and addictive The Sun --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

A cutting edge cyber-thriller, set fifteen minutes in the future, from the award-winning author of HALTING STATE.

DI Liz Kavanaugh: You realise policing internet porn is your life and your career went down the pan five years ago. But when a fetishist dies on your watch, the Rule 34 Squad moves from low priority to worryingly high profile. Anwar: As an ex-con, you'd like to think your identity fraud days are over. Especially as you've landed a legit job (through a shady mate). Although now that you're Consul for a shiny new Eastern European Republic, you've no idea what comes next. The Toymaker: Your meds are wearing off and people are stalking you through Edinburgh's undergrowth. But that's ok, because as a distraction, you're project manager of a sophisticated criminal operation. But who's killing off potential recruits? So how do bizarre domestic fatalities, dodgy downloads and a European spamming network fit together? The more DI Kavanaugh learns, the less she wants to find out.

RULE 34: IF YOU CAN THINK OF IT, THERE'S PORN OF IT.

DI Liz Kavanaugh: Policing internet porn is your life and your career is going nowhere. But when a fetishist dies on your watch, the Rule 34 Squad moves from low priority to worryingly high profile.

Anwar: As an ex-con, you think your identity fraud days are over. You've landed a legit job (through a shady mate). Although now that you're Consul for a shiny new Eastern European Republic, you've no idea what comes next.

The Toymaker: Your meds are wearing off and people are stalking you through Edinburgh's undergrowth. But that's OK, because as a distraction, you're project manager of a sophisticated criminal operation. But who's killing off your potential recruits?

So how do bizarre domestic fatalities, dodgy downloads and an international spamming network fit together? The more DI Kavanaugh learns, the less she wants to find out.

'SAVVY, FUNNY, VICIOUSLY INVENTIVE - A GROTESQUE AND GRIPPING PAGE-TURNER' - Cory Doctorow

'STROSS IS A GRANDMASTER' - Vernor Vinge

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Charles Stross was born in Leeds, England, in 1964. He has worked as a pharmacist, software engineer and freelance journalist, but now writes full-time.