while i'm here...

There might be those who are interested in the Chris Brookmyre novel I just finished yesterday.  So gripping in the last few pages I missed my bus stop!  It has certainly made my commute fly by these last few days.

The relevance for Traveller particularly, was if you're looking for good descriptions (and NPCs) of an orbital station type setting.  Although it's near Earth and near future in the book, it would be easily usable as atmosphere or setting for highports in the Imperium.  Especially if you want to flesh out - pun slightly intended - the seedier aspects of such a location.

As for the plot, it might be a bit tricky but I suspect a good referee could plagiarize much of it wholesale with some adaptation if you want an investigative/thrillery type noir with 'big' implications.  (And dodgy corporations).

Also good for a couple of main characters - both women - who are no holds barred kick-something-or-other types including a cop that walks both sides of the law.  Some swearing if you find that objectionable but given the lowlifes the book is usually depicting it's appropriate enough even if the writer for the most part demonstrates how good he is by not needing it - and there's a nice pay off to it at the very end.  All the relationships in the book seem to be lesbian which might say something about the author (and there were at least two passages I thought gave away 'male writing female') but of course might give further grist to an Imperial world that's just a step away from "familiar".

So it would be difficult to read this without finding ideas galore to pinch for your refereeing or your next character.  And if not, it's a pretty tightly plotted high octane novel to enjoy on the way.

tc