Catspaw

When murder attempts are made on a corporate dynasty of old Earth, the wealthy taMings send offplanet for help. Their shanghaied bodyguard is Cat, a half-human, half-alien telepath whose psychic powers were blocked when he used them to kill in self-defense. Given a temporary cure so that he can protect idealistic Assembly member Lady Elnear taMing, Cat discovers secrets that endanger his own life. The stuff of yesterday's headlines, these include revelations that scion Daric taMing is a drug dealer and holier-than-thou evangelist Sojourner Stryger a closet sadist. Vinge again displays her talent for weaving a complex web of relationshipspersonal, political and socialbut the mass of detail slows this romantic melodrama to a crawl rather than giving life to its bland characters. (September)