Taking a break from Masterworks for a little bit, I grabbed this on hearing of the author's passing. Better late than never.

First in a series of ... lots, the Rat is a intergalactic con man in a universe where criminality is low due to personality modifications. Captured criminals are rehabilitated, or ... are recruited in to the Corps, where their individual skills are especially useful. Use a thief to catch a thief.

The story is the first outing for the Rat under the Corps. The Rat is foiled by a woman with a very similar personality to his own, but with a psychotic killing streak. Taking personal offence at being outwitted, the Rat pursues her across the galaxy.

It's fun and satirical. It does not attempt to be anything more than a action-adventure, and that is to its credit. There is scope here for more developed ideas, harder science fiction - but that's not what Harrison is trying to do. The sense of Noir and Pulp is palpable and hardly incidental - Harrison has written a book that is there simply to entertain. It's comfortable, and a good ride.

A great bit of escapism for a cold Sunday afternoon.