The international sensation Iain M. Banks offers readers a deeply imaginative, wittily satirical tale, proving once again that he is "A talent to be reckoned with" ("Locus"). In, The Culture's espionage and dirty tricks ...The international sensation Iain M. Banks offers readers a deeply imaginative, wittily satirical tale, proving once again that he is "A talent to be reckoned with" ("Locus"). In, The Culture's espionage and dirty tricks section orders diplomat byr gen-hofoen to steal the soul of a long-dead starship captain.