A sci-fi novel - Authority

The novel Authority by Jeff Vandermeer is part of a trilogy published in 2014.  The first novel, Annhilation, follows a crew of scientists into Area X, a part of the modern world that has been contaminated (?) by something or someone (?) that needs further study.  The mission quickly unravels and goes awry in disturbing ways, and ends with a total dissolution of the unit that initially forayed into the menacing wilderness.

In Authority, we step out of Area X and into the Souther Reach, the government agency responsible for keep tabs on and sending missions into Area X.  The newly established director, who goes by Control, has many different threads to keep track of as he attempts to "solve" the mystery that is Area X.  His strange family history weaves itself into the strange intrigues of the department itself and Control finds himself with anything but his namesake as the novel progresses - or deteriorates, as it were.

I really enjoyed this read, which like its predecessor was rather slim for a novel.  I also enjoy that, for a book so new, the entire trilogy is out for the reading so I can hop right on to the last book in the trilogy, Acceptance.