Altered Carbon (Gollancz)

Four hundred years from now mankind is strung out across a region of interstellar space inherited from an ancient civilisation discovered on Mars. The colonies are linked together by the occasional sublight colony ship voyages and hyperspatial data-casting. Human consciousness is digitally freighted between the stars and downloaded into bodies as a matter of course. But some things never change. So when ex-envoy, now-convict Takeshi Kovacs has his consciousness and skills downloaded into the body of a nicotine-addicted ex-thug and presented with a catch-22 offer he really shouldn't be surprised. Contracted by a billionaire to discover who murdered his last body Kovacs is drawn into a terrifying conspiracy that stretches across known space and to the very top of society. A new SF writer completely in command of narrative and technology, writing purely readable and enjoyable SF adventure. This is the first book in a series that will take the reader into an unfolding story that will encompass countless thousands of years and unlock the secret of a lost civilisation.