# Pepe Nero — The Stainless Steel Rat character guide

> Pepe Nero in The Stainless Steel Rat by Harry Harrison.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Pepe, Roly-poly Pepe, This Pepe

**First appearance:** 0004-iii

## Snapshot

A rotund, sentimental criminal who gets pulled into a scheme far above his pay grade and pays for it with his freedom.

## Who they are

Pepe is the kind of crook who talks too much, feels too much, and falls in love with exactly the wrong person. He is genuinely fond of Angelina and genuinely out of his depth, which makes him both a useful accomplice and an easy mark. When the scheme collapses, his laughter and his confession reveal more about Angelina than any interrogation could, and they leave Jim with a problem he cannot simply arrest his way out of.

## Relationships

### [Angelina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_stainless_steel_rat_se/characters/angelina)

_psychological_

Angelina exerts a powerful psychological hold over Pepe Nero, using him as a devoted but conflicted pawn.

### [Captain Steng](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_stainless_steel_rat_se/characters/captain_steng)

_rivalry_

Captain Steng and Pepe Nero are antagonists, often clashing in pursuit of conflicting goals.

### [Count Cassitor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_stainless_steel_rat_se/characters/count_cassitor)

_professional_

Count Cassitor and Pepe Nero have a working relationship, often as co-conspirators or employer and agent.

### [Harold Peters Inskipp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_stainless_steel_rat_se/characters/harold_peters_inskiipp)

_rivalry_

Harold Peters Inskipp and Pepe Nero are opponents, likely due to opposing loyalties or missions.

### [President Ferraro](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_stainless_steel_rat_se/characters/president_ferraro)

_professional_

Pepe Nero and President Ferraro have a formal relationship, likely as agent and political figure.

### [Angelina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_stainless_steel_rat_se/characters/angelina)

_psychological_

Angelina exerts a powerful psychological hold over Pepe Nero, using him as a devoted but conflicted pawn.

### [Captain Steng](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_stainless_steel_rat_se/characters/captain_steng)

_rivalry_

Captain Steng and Pepe Nero are antagonists, often clashing in pursuit of conflicting goals.

### [Count Cassitor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_stainless_steel_rat_se/characters/count_cassitor)

_professional_

Count Cassitor and Pepe Nero have a working relationship, often as co-conspirators or employer and agent.

### [Angelina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_stainless_steel_rat_se/characters/angelina)

_psychological_

Angelina exerts a powerful psychological hold over Pepe Nero, using him as a devoted but conflicted pawn.

### [Harold Peters Inskipp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_stainless_steel_rat_se/characters/harold_peters_inskiipp)

_rivalry_

Harold Peters Inskipp and Pepe Nero are opponents, likely due to opposing loyalties or missions.

## In the story

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_stainless_steel_rat_se/chapters/v)

Identified as the master criminal who orchestrated the battleship's construction and theft.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_stainless_steel_rat_se/chapters/vi)

The ruthless thief who attacks the freighter Ogget's Dream, killing the crew and stealing plutonium.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_stainless_steel_rat_se/chapters/vii)

Captured by Jim; reveals Angelina's role as the planner and expresses his love for her despite her manipulation.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_stainless_steel_rat_se/chapters/viii)

Mentioned as having had his personality erased; now a vacant-eyed observer in the restaurant.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_stainless_steel_rat_se/characters/pepe_nero
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_stainless_steel_rat_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_stainless_steel_rat_se/characters