Desperate for money, Felix McTurk, a free-lance data detective in 21st century Manhattan, agrees to accept a mysterious commission from a stranger named Gitani, an assignment that leads to a confrontation with McTurk's former firm, Offworld Lifting and Development
This is a First Contact story set in the 21st century, and it’s extremely entertaining. The writing has a deft light touch, you care about the characters, the villain is suitably obnoxious (without being so totally revolting as to be implausible) and you never know where the plot’s going to go. Furthermore, it never bogs down.
Not a bad read at all. You can tell it was written well before the internet, but a solid detective-type story as I've ever read. I looked at some of the other reviews here, and I didn't get a comedy vibe at all. More of a who-done-it in my opinion. I really only picked this one up 20 years ago because of Jack McKinney name on the cover.