Neal Asher explains why Brass Man brings back a fan-favorite character:

As I said in the acknowledgements to Brass Man, the book is due to all those who told me that they really liked Mr. Crane, but mainly because I did too. What is it about him? Is it his collection of toys and how he’ll forgo ripping you to pieces if he thinks you possess something interesting to add to it? Or is it because he’s anti-Asimovian? “But you are not supposed to harm a human being!” is the cry, to which Mr. Crane would reply, “Whatever gave you that strange idea?” if he actually said anything. He doesn’t say much at all, but I guess that when you can tear off someone’s arm and beat them with the wet end, you don’t have much need for eloquence.