Having been a while since I’d enjoyed the exploits of criminal turned intergalactic secret agent James Bolivar “Slippery Jim” DiGriz, I picked up the second book in the series and wasn’t disappointed for doing so. Newly married, our intrepid hero is assigned the unenviable task of infiltrating a deeply militaristic society, which seems bent upon establishing a galactic empire. In true DiGriz fashion, it’s a fly by the seat of your pants operation that takes him deep into the workings of the invasion and the conspiracy at its heart. Despite being delivered in Harry Harrison’s trademark snappy witty style that propels you through the protagonist’s exploits, the sequel felt rushed at points, and doesn’t actually conclude with this installment, so was a little subpar in comparison to the first book. That said, it’s still a lively story, and a great one for the commute given how short it is, definitely worth a read.
