Arranged against a backdrop of Chilly Battle paranoia, this futuristic novel about identification and technology is ‘one of the unrecognized classics of SF’ (Locus).

East and Western world have fused into independent superstates known as the Allied Country wide Government (ANG) and the Soviet International Bloc (SIB). As the Cool War rages, brilliant scientist Lucas Martino functions on a top-secret task known only as K-Eighty-eight that could alter the balance of globe power. The project will go horribly awry at an Allied about Who? research facility close to the Soviet border, and Martino is certainly abducted.

After several months of tense negotiations, he profits severely injured from the lab explosion, and under pressure from America, undergoes extensive reconstructive surgery. He includes a mechanised arm. His polished metal skull-a sort of craniofacial prosthesis-contains few discernible features. Many of his internal organs are artificial. While his fingerprints are defined as owned by Lucas Martino, they could be the result of transplant. Is he the real Martino? Or a technologically changed impostor sent by America’s enemies for the intended purpose of spying and infiltration? Tasked with uncovering the reality, ANG Security Main Shawn Rogers makes some shocking discoveries.

Narrated in chapters alternating between Rogers and Martino, Who? poses existential queries about the human being condition.