Lunar

by Paul Kane, Ramsey Campbell (Introduction)

It should have been the perfect evening. But for blue collar delivery man Nick Skinner, the romantic time he spent with the love of his life, Dawn, has just turned into his worst nightmare. Waking suddenly, he’s attacked by something feral in his room...and it’s not alone. The clock is frozen at just gone midnight and only certain things work—only some lights, only some vehicles. The city has become a hunting ground for the “loons”: humanoid creatures with claws and completely white eyes, just like the moon above that seems to be influencing them. As Nick attempts to work out what is going on in this never-ending night, he must also fight to survive. But are there any others still left alive? And what has happened to Dawn?PRAISE FOR PAUL KANE “I’m impressed by the range of Paul Kane’s imagination. It seems there is no risk, no high-stakes gamble, he fears to take…Kane’s foot never gets even close to the brake pedal..” - Peter Straub—Bestselling author of Ghost Story, Mr X, Lost Boy Lost Girl and A Dark Matter “Definitely a name to watch out for in the future of British Horror fiction.” Graham Joyce—Bestselling author of Dreamside, The Facts of Life and The Silent Land “Dystopian futures, twisted relationships, victims who become aggressors in a heartbeat… Paul Kane taps the rich vein of horror which runs through the core of our society and forces it to the fore.” - David Moody—Bestselling author of the Autumn series and Hater trilogy “It’s never a good idea to say that one writer is the “next” other writer, because each is unique – but it can be accurate to say that some writers represent the future (or a future) of a given genre. Paul Kane is definitely a big part of horror’s future, and he’s making all the right moves to ensure that the future is good.” - Jeff Mariotte—Co-Author of 30 Days of Rumours of the Undead, Immortal Remains and Eternal Damnation with Steve Niles. Creator of the Witch Season series and author of Missing White Girl “Paul Kane has considerable writing talent which I hope he continues to develop.” Graham Masterton—Bestselling author of The Manitou, Descendent, Edgewise and Manitou Blood - “Kane’s work pulses with poison mischief.” Richard Christian Matheson—Hollywood scriptwriter for Nightmares and Dreamscapes and Masters of Horror; author of Scars and Other Distinguishing Marks, Created By and Dystopia “Paul Kane is a name to watch. His work is disturbing and very creepy.” - Tim Lebbon—New York Times bestselling author of Cabin in the Woods and Echo City“Paul Kane is a high-tension writer, by turns poetic, moody, and menacing.” Tom Piccirilli—Author of The Cold Spot and The Last Kind Words “This guy can take an ordinary, every-day situation and give it an utterly creepy twist. If you like good horror, you won’t be able to get enough of Paul Kane.” - Nancy Kilpatrick—Author of The Power of the Blood series, Jason Planet of the Beast and The goth Bible “Wonderfully dark and satisfying.” - Dark Side Magazine “Kane is best when taking risks with his bizarre flights of imagination.” - SFX Magazine

134 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2012

About the author

Paul Kane has been writing professionally for almost fifteen years. His genre journalism has appeared in such magazines as Fangoria, SFX and Rue Morgue, and his non-fiction books are the critically acclaimed The Hellraiser Films and Their Legacy and Voices in the Dark. His award-winning short fiction has appeared in magazines and anthologies on both sides of the Atlantic (as well as being broadcast on BBC Radio 2), and has been collected in Alone (In the Dark), Touching the Flame, FunnyBones, Peripheral Visions, Shadow Writer, The Butterfly Man and Other Stories, The Spaces Between and GHOSTS. His novella Signs of Life reached the shortlist of the British Fantasy Awards 2006, The Lazarus Condition was introduced by Mick Garris - creator of Masters of Horror - RED featured artwork from Dave (The Graveyard Book) McKean and Pain Cages was introduced by Stephen Volk (The Awakening).

As Special Publications Editor of the British Fantasy Society he worked with authors like Brian Aldiss, Ramsey Campbell, Muriel Gray and Robert Silverberg, he is the co-editor of Hellbound Hearts for Pocket Books (Simon and Schuster), an anthology of original stories inspired by Clive Barker's mythos - featuring contributions from the likes of Christopher Golden and Mike Mignola, Kelley Armstrong and Richard Christian Matheson - The Mammoth Book of Body Horror (Constable & Robinson) - featuring Stephen King, James Herbert and Robert Bloch - and the Poe-inspired Beyond Rue Morgue (for Titan).

In 2008 his zombie story 'Dead Time' was turned into an episode of the Lionsgate/NBC TV series Fear Itself, adapted by Steve Niles (30 Days of Night) and directed by Darren Lynn Bousman (SAW II-IV). He also scripted The Opportunity which premiered at Cannes in 2009, The Weeping Woman - starring Fright Night's Stephen Jeffreys - and Wind Chimes (directed by Brad '7th Dimension' Watson. He is the author of the novels Of Darkness and Light, The Gemini Factor and the bestselling Arrowhead trilogy (Arrowhead, Broken Arrow and Arrowland), a post-apocalyptic reworking of the Robin Hood mythology gathered together as the sell-out Hooded Man omnibus. His latest novels are Lunar (which is set to be turned into a feature film) and the short Y.A. book The Rainbow Man (as P.B. Kane). He currently lives in Derbyshire, UK, with his wife - the author Marie O'Regan - his family, and a black cat called Mina. You can find out more at his website www.shadow-writer.co.uk which has featured Guest Writers such as Neil Gaiman, Charlaine Harris, Dean Koontz, John Connolly and Guillermo del Toro.

Reviews

[Shayne Bates · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been enjoying a lot of Paul Kane's books lately. They're dark, interesting stories that don't overstay their welcome.

[Andy Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nick Skinner is awoken in the night when his girlfriend attacks him. She is feral and her eyes are somewhat different. She is not the person he was out celebrating with the previous evening.

As he escapes he finds she is not the only feral - the town seems to be full of them.

And also - the clock stopped at one second past midnight, as did all clocks. Most cars will not work but some will. Most guns will not work, but some will.

Nick flees the town in search of fellow survivors and, hopefully, answers.

The answers, when they do come, are very clever indeed, but the clues are drip-fed in such a way that I don't think many people will get there before the big reveal.

So, interesting ideas, plenty of tension and loads of action - another winner from Paul Kane. Surely it is only a matter of time before this man hits the big time.

[Philip J · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an extraordinary story from the dark mind of famed horror author, Paul Kane. It is simply a statement of fact that there are a plethora of novels these days that touch upon the subject of lycanthropy and the ilk, but, I promise you that Lunar is a totally original spin on the genre. Subtle, intelligent, witty, horrific...Lunar ticks every box and more besides.

Lunar is written in that trickiest of beasts; the first-person perspective, but do not be put off by this. Kane has crafted this tale from the point-of-view of 'hero' Nick is such a way that you'll be turning page after page, wanting, no, craving more! I won't go into too much detail for this risk of spoiling your enjoyment, but rest assured you'll eat up this story and be howling for more, which can only be a good thing!

You may never view the full moon in the same way again...I know I won't!

[Patricia Kaniasty · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am sorry but this story was so very boring. The action just did not keep a good pace. I thought this would be a unique story but all in all, it is not. Still a typical zombie story only this time, caused by the moon. Big deal. Seen one zombie, you've seen them all.