The Big Score

K.J. Parker's specialty is faux-history fantasies set in a world which resembles Earth in the Age of Antiquity, and they all feature a clever but morally-ambiguous, unreliable narrator, a mystery, and one or more plot twists and surprise reveals.

This trilogy details the exploits of the philosopher-alchemist Saloninus, an inveterate liar, thief, and con-man. In this third installment, having tricked the Devil into giving him immortality, he arranges a funeral for himself to escape the various outstanding criminal warrants and debts he has accumulated.

But a woman from his past finds him and talks him into one last scam, one that will make their permanent fortunes, "The Big Score". And she is just as big a liar and scammer as Saloninus, so he knows that she can't be trusted... but he goes along with the plan, anyway.

I found this novella to be rather a disappointment. It recycles many of the tricks and themes of his previous short fiction featuring con men set in his faux Empire. I didn't think it really trod any new ground, and I found the ending rather unsatisfying. However, Parker completists will want to add this one to their list.