Delta Green : The Rules of Engagement

Delta Green Fiction

by John Tynes

Delta Green: The Rules of Engagement is the first Delta Green novel, following the release of the short story collection Delta Green: Alien Intelligence. Delta Green weaves the comic terrors of the Cthulhu Mythos seamlessly with the paranoia and shadowy forces of conspiracy theory, updating the stories of jazz era horror writer H. P. Lovecraft to the modern day.

Genres: Horror, Lovecraftian, Fiction, Cthulhu Mythos, Mystery, Role Playing Games, Weird Fiction

229 pages, Paperback

First published February 14, 2000

Reviews

[Nancy Oakes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually, this is more of a book for people who are into the Delta Green RPGs, which I am not. I'm not a gamer at all, but I thought I'd try the book because it said it was based on the Cthulhu Mythos.

This book is kind of a cross between the X-files, a techno-thriller a la Tom Clancy and is filled with conspiracies behind conspiracies behind conspiracies. The meat of this story is that one of the Delta Green agents (an organization which supposedly started with the FBI raid on Innsmouth -- I'll know more after I pay exorbitant book prices to find out what I missed!) was with his cell investigating a strange phenomena in a small town in Tennessee and disappeared. The cells investigating his disappearance are called together and launch an operation to find him. Their quest leads them into some of the deepest of deep cover operations -- but there are certain "rules of engagement" that they have to follow if they want to continue to keep the world safe.

There are a lot of characters in this book and the author has thoughtfully provided a list of who's who in the front of the book as a guide. Trust me, you'll need it. The book also goes back and forth in time so it gets a little confusing, but it all makes sense if you take it slow. It's kind of gross at times, but not off-putting to the reader.

I actually liked this one and as noted earlier, plan to collect all of the Delta Green books. It is very different than anything else I've read, but it's not for everyone.

[neko cam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delta Green: The Rules of Engagement is a wonderfully stark presentation of the procedural side of a typical DG operation. This sense of factuality, missing from most other Delta Green stories, is enriched by the depth and frank humanity of its characters - even those who are no longer strictly human. The intermingling and contrasting of procedural explanation and fantastical action is one of the novel's greatest strengths - it is finely managed and well executed.

It was initially difficult keeping track of so many characters - each referred to by a few different names - but once the story really kicked off that quickly became a non-issue.

I felt that the greatest weakness of the novel is the ending. It somehow felt simultaneously too messy and too convenient, but I won't say anything further for fear of spoilers.

Delta Green: The Rules of Engagement is well worth the price of admission for anyone with an interest in the delicious Delta Green flavour of horror/mystery/conspiratorial/mythos fiction.

[John Willson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty good novel. This is a re-read for me. This review is mainly for my future self. I'll assume you're familiar with the Cthulhu mythos and the Delta Green conceit.

Pro's: A good twisty plot that moves along at a good pace. Interesting characters. The conflict between Delta Green and MAJESTIC-12 is highlighted. The neotissue thing is really cool. Not all questions are answered, which contributes to the feeling of manifold conspiracies.

Cons: Not a lot of mythos content, besides mi-go/little grey men. One of the "heroes" spends most of the story in prison for beating a woman, which doesn't make me want to see him in the hero's role (I know, extenuating circumstances; still).

I actually read this novel as part of Delta Green: Strange Authorities, which collects this novel along with four short stories, which you should absolutely skip. They suffer from the same malady as most other Delta Green short pieces, that being the focus on DG agents murdering innocents, other agents and themselves to emphasize the importance of "containing" knowledge of the mythos. It's frankly sickening to read about.

[Psychophant · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though it is inspired by the Delta Green game, and even refers to some scenarios from the rulebook, this is not a gaming book, but a full novel by itself. And not a bad Mythos novel by itself, even if the HPL cosmic horror is clear only at the end, unless you are quite familiar with it to recognize the signs.

It plays on the Heart of Darkness conundrum, where you risk to become what you fight, made even clearer when you fight supernatural horrors. It will help characters realize how alienated their characters should be, to function in this setting, and it presents, in quite a heavy handed way, how there are still the rules of engagement in the title that most people will respect even in the worse circumstances.

The literal Deus ex Machina ending is totally tongue in cheek, and though it made me chuckle, it also weakens the whole book, as otherwise, and without a rushed ending, it could have been a great book instead of a good one.

[Ville Halonen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a huge John Tynes fanboy back when this novel came out, but somehow never got to reading it until now. I have to say, he knows his business and this is fine stuff for a first novel. I like his style and his pacing; I was also impressed by the structure.

Compared to Lovecraft, without whom this novel wouldn't exist, Tynes actually has believable and likable characters. They feel human, they have problems, their very human psychologies lead to decisions that shape the story. I quite liked that bit. But I was less enthused by the horror being less cosmic and more grotesque and gore; and I felt that the cosmic bits felt somehow out of place and un-unsettling.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first Delta Green book I have read, and in fact they are kinda hard to get ahold of now. I am trying to actively acquire the others now. What a good read! Modern weird science/Cthulhu and a mish mosh of other things thrown in for strangeness and to keep things lively. Well written, with interesting characters, and a "hands around your neck" pace, this book doesn't let you go. Read it....read it now! I hope you can find it!

Danny

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was fun as hell. Liking Cthulhu, especially modern Cthulhu RPGs, I was stoked for this book. It didn't disappoint. Tynes obviously did a lot of research into how covert agencies work. I also liked the pacing of the story, and the interesting actions the 'player characters' took to get through the adventure (aka story.) Was also REALLY creepy at parts. Woot.

[Ernest · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better TTRPG-to-novel adaptations. Delta Green's focus on institutional espionage and operations mean that authors juggle spycraft and Lovecraftian horror in a modern setting, and Tynes successfully pulls this off.

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow.

[Blaise Carland · Rating 4 out of 5]

A re read but I didn’t know it. Hard to find, got a deal on eBay. Still good.

The ghoul agent is a bit deus ex machina