This was good stuff. I am a Stone reader but usually do not pass his books along to my friends for fear of depressing them too much. The Bear and his Daughter is an excellent example. I liked Damascus Gate and the questions pondered. Lucas is a typical disaffected Stone character who is just a tad less jaded than most of Stone's creations. There are many characters to follow but Stone keeps them all memorable and all interesting. So far this is the read of the year.