From the back of the book
After millenia of warfare, the planets Prastor and Distrel may have finally achieved a lasting peace. Investigating on behalf of the Federation, Captain Kirk is shocked to find that the architect of the peace is none other that the notorious con artist, Harcourt Fenton Mudd!
Mudd claims to be a changed man, but Kirk has his doubts. He knows that Mudd has to be running some kind of scam, but what is he up to? Kirk must find out soon--before the peace gives way to everlasting war.