SOLVED. Man hunts shape shifters [s]

[Brad]

Ok, so I am told this might be a couple of different books that I am mashing together in one story, but I don't know for sure. I would gladly welcome any suggestions at all about it though.
So here are the relevant points as far as I remember.
- Main character is male, and he hunts/polices shapeshifters since they have become illegal in the current futuristic society
- This might have taken place in Virtual reality, but I'm not sure.
- One of his encounters is with a woman who is a prostitute (?), but she suddenly turns into a snake and he is forced to fight her
- For some reason he leaves the city (exiled?) and ends up with a tribe of feral outlanders
- The main character ends up having sex with, and marrying a catgirl

That is all I can remember, I read the book in the early 90's like 93-94 area. I think the picture on the cover is a guy with his back to the audience, with a large green snake staring at him open mouthed with a grid patter behind it. Any help would be greatly appreciated again, thanks.

[Bryan457]

Here is a possibility -

Galen Sword is searching for entrance back to the First World, home to vampires, shifters, elementals, and...other...things. Although he was born to this realm, Sword was banished as a child, due to a lack of inherent magical talent. Assisted by a hostile mechanical expert, a paralyzed genius, and a young halfling girl with unusual abilities, he seeks to find his family in the face of opposition more than capable and fully willing to eliminate him.

Now, he's found that shapeshifters are real, and may hold the key to his success. He must infiltrate their ranks at a time when they are strongest. He's willing to risk it all - but will he emerge from what promises to be the biggest challenge of his life?

[D.M.]

This sounds very much like a Shadowrun book, but I can't find one matching the desription offhand. Shadowrun novels were based on a pen and paper RPG where virtual reality was combined with elves, orcs, etc.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Brad, are you still looking for this book?

[Brad]

Hey Lobstergirl, Was just wondering what book you were going to suggest.

I actually found it last thursday by, of all things, searching google images for "sci fi book cover snake" and the cover jumped out at me. Almost 13 years of searching. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/67...

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

I'm glad you found it. I wasn't going to suggest any book. Paranormal isn't one of my genres...