I read this more than 10 years after the other stories in the series. If I'd read it right after those, maybe I'd be disappointed that it didn't build very much new into the story. But as it is, I really enjoyed re-acquainting myself with the world and characters. The first 1/3rd of the book takes place in the Empty Quarter of Saudi Arabia, which is a very harsh environment. That felt new and fresh to me and was my favorite part of the story. The rest is a sort-of detective story set back in the city. It was nice, but the resolution of the mystery was too obvious and too easy. Still, I wish Effinger had lived to create more of these stories.