Market Forces

Rating:
Summary: Not quite as good as his first two
Review: Market forces is set in the not-too-distant future, a dystopian world where the masses live in relative poverty and a small class of executives lead privileged lives in cordoned areas. Questions such as promotion and landing contracts are settled by strictly regulated road races to the death.
The companies make their billions by manipulating third world countries, raising and deposing tyrants and taking a cut of the GDP for their pains.
Market Forces bears the burden of having to live up to Altered Carbon and Fallen Angels. Unlike them, it is set in the relatively near future, so there isn't so much scope for mind-blowing gadgets. The plot line is not as gripping as either of its predecessors.
Market Forces is not a bad piece of SF in its own right but, if you haven't read any Richard Morgan before, start off with Altered Carbon, then Fallen Angels. Leave Market Forces on the back burner.