Loss Protocol

by Paul McAuley

Marc Winters' sister Issy died 8 years ago, during the catastrophic end of the cult she belonged to. They believed that they could hold back the increasing impact of climate change by dreaming a new world into existence, fuelled by psychotropic mushrooms. But the dream ended in disaster.

Winters has kept his head down since then. He had his own connection to the cult, and was viewed with suspicion by his friends, family and the authorities. Now he lives a quiet, anonymous life as the wildlife ranger looking after a small island in the Blackwater Estuary in Essex, attempting to revive the biodiversity of his small patch of ground. Too many species have gone extinct, or are on the brink of disappearing, but he and his colleagues are doing what they can, while they can.

But then an unexpected visitor to the island needs to be rescued from drowning, Winters' narrowboat is burgled and graffitied, and the police come calling again. Something unexpected is happening, and perhaps the dreamers' cult is not as finished as everyone thought. Across the familiar but impossibly changed landscapes of England after decades of climate catastrophe, Winters must investigate these strange events, and discover the true fate of his beloved sister.

Hardcover

Expected publication February 12, 2026

About the author

Since about 2000, book jackets have given his name as just Paul McAuley.

A biologist by training, UK science fiction author McAuley writes mostly hard science fiction, dealing with themes such as biotechnology, alternate history/alternate reality, and space travel.

McAuley has also used biotechnology and nanotechnology themes in near-future settings.

Since 2001, he has produced several SF-based techno-thrillers such as The Secret of Life, Whole Wide World, and White Devils.

Four Hundred Billion Stars, his first novel, won the Philip K. Dick Award in 1988. Fairyland won the 1996 Arthur C. Clarke Award and the 1997 John W. Campbell Memorial Award for Best SF Novel.