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The Ancestor: A Novel
by Danielle TrussoniFrom the New York Times, USA Today, and internationally bestselling author of the Angelology series comes a bewitching gothic novel of suspense that plunges readers into a world of dark family secrets, the mysteries of human genetics, and the burden of family inheritance. <P><P>It feels like a fairy tale when Alberta ”Bert” Monte receives a letter addressed to “Countess Alberta Montebianco” at her Hudson Valley, New York, home that claims she’s inherited a noble title, money, and a castle in Italy. While Bert is more than a little skeptical, the mystery of her aristocratic family’s past, and the chance to escape her stressful life for a luxury holiday in Italy, is too good to pass up. <P><P>At first, her inheritance seems like a dream come true: a champagne-drenched trip on a private jet to Turin, Italy; lawyers with lists of artwork and jewels bequeathed to Bert; a helicopter ride to an ancestral castle nestled in the Italian Alps below Mont Blanc; a portrait gallery of ancestors Bert never knew existed; and a cellar of expensive vintage wine for Bert to drink. But her ancestry has a dark side, and Bert soon learns that her family history is particularly complicated. As Bert begins to unravel the Montebianco secrets, she begins to realize her true inheritance lies not in a legacy of ancestral treasures, but in her very genes.
The Ancestors
by L. A. Banks Tananarive Due Brandon MasseyDead. Some evils are so great that they transcend death. In Brandon Massey's The Patriarch, a young writer travels to the hushed backwoods of Mississippi, where dangerous secrets surface as a generations-old feud comes to bone-chilling new life. . . Buried. The souls of the mistreated always find a way to be heard. In L. A. Banks's Ev'ry Shut Eye Ain't Sleep, violent visions haunt a man--until he's handed an opportunity to right the wrongs of the past and prevent unspeakable acts from occurring once again. . . Forgotten. When horrors are covered up and lost, our ancestors must find a way--even in death--to tell their tales. In Tananarive Due's Ghost Summer, ancestors haunt the nights of two children. And when a grisly discovery is made, these ancestors will make their mark on both the dead and the living. . . Massey ventures into areas unexplored by most other black novelists. The result is artful and stunning. --Chicago Tribune Tananarive Due is creating classics. --Tina McElroy Ansa Banks's writing is lush and detailed, fully bringing her characters to life (or unlife), weaving a complex world of Good vs. Evil with its own intricate hierarchy. --Fangoria Magazine
Ancient Evenings
by Norman MailerNorman Mailer's dazzlingly rich, deeply evocative novel of ancient Egypt breathes life into the figures of a lost era: the eighteenth-dynasty Pharaoh Rameses and his wife, Queen Nefertiti; Menenhetet, their creature, lover, and victim; and the gods and mortals that surround them in intimate and telepathic communion. Mailer's reincarnated protagonist is carried through the exquisite gardens of the royal harem, along the majestic flow of the Nile, and into the terrifying clash of battle. An extraordinary work of inventiveness, Ancient Evenings lives on in the mind long after the last page has been turned.
An Ancient Evil: The Knight's Tale of Mystery and Murder as He Goes on Pilgrimage from London to Canterbury (Canterbury Tales of Mystery And Murder #1)
by P. C. DohertyAn Ancient Evil inaugurates an ingenious new series of historical mysteries by P. C. Doherty, each one using characters from Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. In Chaucer's poem, the pilgrims narrate tales to pass the time during their journey to the sacred shrine of Canterbury,Doherty's pilgrims entertain their companions with stories of mystery, terror, and murder. The Knight's Tale begins with the story of an ancient evil: the destruction of a sinister vampire cult that thrived in the wilderness of Oxfordshire during the reign of William the Conqueror. The tale then leaps two hundred years ahead to Oxford, where students are disappearing and citizens are murdered in a bizarre and brutal fashion. The sheriff of the city and the university authorities are baffled, but Lady Constance, Abbess of the Convent of St. Anne's, believes the murders are connected with the legends of the cult, and petitions the king for help. Two investigators, special commissioner Sir Godfrey Evesden and royal clerk Alexander McBain, arrive in Oxford and begin an investigation. The Archbishop of Canterbury sends unusual assistance in the person of the blind exorcist Dame Edith Mohun who, as a girl, had a horrifying experience with what may have been a remnant of that ancient cult. What this trio discovers and the repercussions for the city and the university form the scarily delightful plot of this novel.
Ancient Ghost Stories (Ghost Stories)
by Flame TreeGhosts and apparitions abound across the peoples of the early civilisations, from the Ancient Egyptians, the Babylonians, Greeks, Romans and the Vikings too.Phantoms of the dead, warning apparitions and necromancy – there are many stories of ghosts to be found in the retold literature of ancient peoples: &‘Khonsemhab and the Ghost&’ and &‘The Adventure of Setne Khamwas with the Mummies&’, both from Ancient Egypt; &‘Philinnion and Machates&’ from Ancient Rome; spirits featured in Homer&’s Odyssey, from Ancient Greece; tales of Babylonian demons and the netherworld; and stories of fire apparitions from Japan. The Vikings too had their fair share of ghosts, such as crop up in the 13th-century Icelandic Laxdaela Saga. These stories are all brought together in this new collection for an intriguing insight into the spirit world of early cultures.FLAME TREE 451: From myth to mystery, the supernatural to horror, fantasy and science fiction, Flame Tree 451 offers a healthy diet of werewolves and mechanical men, blood-lusty vampires, dastardly villains, mad scientists, secret worlds, lost civilizations and escapist fantasies. Discover a storehouse of tales gathered specifically for the reader of the fantastic.
Ancient Images
by Ramsey CampbellA colleague's violent death and its apparent cause--a stolen copy of an old, never-released Karloff/Lugosi film--set film editor Sandy Allan on the trail of the film's origins and history. Mystery surrounds the movie, and as Sandy learns of the tragedies which haunted its production, she finds herself threatened by an ancient force protecting secrets deeper than the suppression of a 50-year-old movie. Interestingly, in this novel centered on a horror movie supposedly judged too disturbing to be shown in theaters, author Campbell makes it clear that his own view of the genre does not include the splatter films and paperbacks of the 1980s horror market. His brand of fear derives from atmosphere, suggestion, and his trademark fever-dream world, where litter scuttles across deserted sidewalks and toadstools gleam like eyes. Campbell is renowned among fans and writers alike as the master of a skewed and exquisitely terrifying style, and this latest novel will only add to his reputation.
Ancient Images
by Ramsey Campbell"Campbell has mastered the art of generating a sense of sustained unease." The Washington Post. A new masterpiece from the master of suspense.Tower of Fear is a lost horror film starring Karloff and Lugosi. A film historian who locates a copy dies while fleeing something that terrified him. His friend Sandy Allan vows to prove he found the film. She learns how haunted the production was and the survivors of it still are. It contains a secret about Redfield, a titled family that owns a favourite British food, Staff o&’ Life. The Redfield land has uncanny guardians, and one follows Sandy home. To maintain its fertility Redfield demands a sacrifice, and a band of new age travellers is about to set up camp there…FLAME TREE PRESS is the imprint of long-standing Independent Flame Tree Publishing, dedicated to full-length original fiction in the horror and suspense, science fiction & fantasy, and crime / mystery / thriller categories. The list brings together fantastic new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices. Learn more about Flame Tree Press at www.flametreepress.com and connect on social media @FlameTreePress.
Ancient Light (Gateway Essentials #441)
by Mary GentleThis gracefully written sequel to Golden Witchbreed powerfully depicts the impact of a high-technology civilization on a decaying planet. Ten years after having served as Earth's first envoy to Orthe, which is struggling to survive after a planetwide holocaust millennia ago, Lynne de Lisle Christie returns there as an advisor to PanOceania, one of Earth's giant multinational companies, which is seeking to discover the technological secrets of the Goldens, the ruling race that had destroyed itself while almost obliterating Orthe. Christie seeks to help the native people, some of whom have been her friends, some her enemies, but all closely bound in her memories and loyalties. Instigated by the last of the Golden, a madwoman seeking domination, war between the poor and starving hiyeks of the Desert Coast and the land-loving telestres of the north is aggravated by smuggled high-tech weapons. Christie, while holding a dreadful secret from the Orthe's past, attempts to mediate. Gentle creates moving, different, yet recognizable societies and people that catch the reader's emotions as they struggle to save themselves.
Ancient Sorceries and Other Weird Stories
by Algernon Blackwood"Ancient Sorceries and Other Weird Stories" is a collection of supernatural stories by one of the greatest writers of such stories to have ever lived, Algernon Blackwood. This collection contains the title story, "Ancient Sorceries," which is the tale of a tourist who becomes enchanted by a strange French town and the ancient secrets that are hidden there. Also included in this collection is one of Blackwood's most celebrated stories, "The Willows," the story of two campers who pick the wrong place to sleep for the night, as well as the following seven tales: "Smith: An Episode in a Lodging-House," "The Insanity of Jones," "The Man Who Found Out," "The Wendigo," "The Glamour of the Snow," "The Man Whom the Trees Loved, and Sand. "
Ancient Sorceries, Deluxe Edition: The most eerie and unnerving tales from one of the greatest proponents of supernatural fiction
by Algernon BlackwoodA beautifully produced new edition of Blackwood&’s weirdest supernatural stories, including &“The Willows,&” highlighted by H.P. Lovecraft as "the single finest weird tale in literature&”Lauded as one of our greatest storytellers, and inspiring generations of writers from H.P. Lovecraft to Tolkien to Stephen King, Algernon Blackwood left a legacy as one of Britain's greatest conjurors of weird and supernatural stories. Blackwood&’s inimitable style puts readers right in the middle of the story, with visceral and nature-inspired fear that lies just beyond the real, often in the form of a nameless dread. This beautifully produced edition, with a stunning cover and thoughtful design and layout to ensure the most enjoyable reading experience, features four of his most unnervingly curious tales:Ancient Sorceries--a traveller stops in a remote French hill town and soon finds himself unable to leave; there is something strangely feline about the inhabitants, he notices, and they all seem to be watching him very closely…The Listener--a lodging house guest feels himself observed by a malevolent presence. Soon it transpires his room&’s previous occupant is watching him from beyond the grave, and is envious of the very flesh on his bones.The Sea Fit--an old retired ship&’s captain&’s ravings build to a terrifying climax, as he offers himself up as a sacrifice to the cruel gods of the sea.The Willows--two friends on a canoeing trip spend a terrifying night on a lonely willow-covered island, haunted by the strange trees and sinister shapes in the water.
The Ancients (Forbidden Doors, #10)
by Bill Myers James RiordanSwift Arrow has angered the gods with his lies! He must be driven from the tribe!" When Scott and Rebecca Williams are sent, along with their mom and Ryan, to a remote mountain village in New Mexico, they don't know what to expect. Their Internet friend Z has simply asked them to help a young brave named Swift Arrow. What they find in the small village is an evil so powerful that it attacks them with wind, thunder, lightning - even the very ground they walk on. But none of that is as frightening as the evil invading the heart and mind of one of their own. Now the battle is on, and the stakes are higher than ever before. Not only must they fight to defeat the evil threatening their new friend, but they must work together to restore truth-and save one they love. This is book 10 in the Forbidden Doors series.
And Hell Followed: An Anthology
by Jeff StrandSeventeen authors re-imagine the biblical apocalypse and all the hell that follows in sixteen horrifying tales. What if the prophecies of Revelation hit today? What sort of craziness and evil would ensue? With this list of excellent authors contributing, it's sure to be a Hell of a read!Wrath James White Sam WestThe Sisters of SlaughterJeff StrandK Trap JonesC Derick MillerChristine MorganPatrick C. Harrison IIIJohn Wayne ComunaleCody HigginsDelphine QuinnJames WattsWile E. YoungChris MillerMark DeloyRichard Raven
And the Devil Cried
by Kristopher TrianaWhen Jackie is released from prison, his boss Pino sends a limo to pick him up. Even fresh out of the joint, ruthless Jackie is ready to work, collecting money for the mob and using his special training to take care of bad accounts—permanently.But when a drunk driver kills Pino's young son, he gives Jackie a task that goes against every moral code. The drunk driver has a pre-teen daughter, and Pino doesn't just want vengeance—he wants an eye for an eye.Jackie accepts the job, but once he finds the girl he starts making plans of his own...And the Devil Cried is a dark thriller from Kristopher Triana, the award-winning author of Gone to See the River Man and Full Brutal. It is a viscous, unflinching novel that's bound to keep you burning.
And the Trees Crept In
by Dawn KurtagichA stunning, terrifying novel about a house the color of blood and the two sisters who are trapped there, by The Dead House author Dawn Kurtagich When Silla and Nori arrive at their aunt's home, it's immediately clear that the "blood manor" is cursed. The creaking of the house and the stillness of the woods surrounding them would be enough of a sign, but there are secrets too--the questions that Silla can't ignore: Who is the beautiful boy that's appeared from the woods? Who is the man that her little sister sees, but no one else? And why does it seem that, ever since they arrived, the trees have been creeping closer? Filled with just as many twists and turns as The Dead House, and with achingly beautiful, chilling language that delivers haunting scenes, AND THE TREES CREPT IN is the perfect follow-up novel for master horror writer Dawn Kurtagich.
And Then I Woke Up
by Malcolm DevlinIn the tradition of Mira Grant and Stephen Graham Jones, Malcolm Devlin’s And Then I Woke Up is a creepy, layered, literary story about false narratives and their ability to divide us."A scathing portrait of the world we live in and a running commentary on what’s story, what’s truth, and what’s not."—Stephen Graham JonesIn a world reeling from an unusual plague, monsters lurk in the streets while terrified survivors arm themselves and roam the countryside in packs. Or perhaps something very different is happening. When a disease affects how reality is perceived, it’s hard to be certain of anything…Spence is one of the “cured” living at the Ironside rehabilitation facility. Haunted by guilt, he refuses to face the changed world until a new inmate challenges him to help her find her old crew. But if he can’t tell the truth from the lies, how will he know if he has earned the redemption he dreams of? How will he know he hasn’t just made things worse?At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
And Then She Fell: A Novel
by Alicia ElliottA Most Anticipated Book Pick by Good Morning America, Bustle, CrimeReads, Electric Literature, Debutiful, Ms. Magazine, The Nerd Daily, and PasteA mind-bending, razor-sharp look at motherhood and mental health that follows a young Indigenous woman who discovers the picture-perfect life she always hoped for may have horrifying consequencesOn the surface, Alice is exactly where she thinks she should be: She&’s just given birth to a beautiful baby girl, Dawn; her charming husband, Steve—a white academic whose area of study is conveniently her own Mohawk culture—is nothing but supportive; and they&’ve moved into a new home in a posh Toronto neighborhood. But Alice could not feel like more of an impostor. She isn&’t connecting with her daughter, a struggle made even more difficult by the recent loss of her own mother, and every waking moment is spent hiding her despair from Steve and their ever-watchful neighbors, among whom she&’s the sole Indigenous resident. Even when she does have a minute to herself, her perpetual self-doubt hinders the one vestige of her old life she has left: her goal of writing a modern retelling of the Haudenosaunee creation story. Then, as if all that wasn&’t enough, strange things start to happen. She finds herself losing bits of time and hearing voices she can&’t explain, all while her neighbors&’ passive-aggressive behavior begins to morph into something far more threatening. Though Steve assures her this is all in her head, Alice cannot fight the feeling that something is very, very wrong, and that in her creation story lies the key to her and Dawn&’s survival.... She just has to finish it before it&’s too late. Told in Alice&’s raw and darkly funny voice, And Then She Fell is an urgent and unflinching exploration of inherited trauma, womanhood, denial, and false allyship, which speeds to an unpredictable—and surreal—climax.
And Then There Were Crows (Shades of Hell)
by Alcy LeyvaNew York City has always been a big fat sack of stress for Amanda Grey. From turning herself into knots to evade rubbing ass cheeks with strangers on the train, to round-housing public bathroom door handles to stave off plague contaminations, Grey has always found the simple technique of avoidance best in dealing with NYC. Luckily, the one-bedroom apartment in Queens she shares with her parents has always served as a refuge from a world that's too loud and too bright for Amanda Grey. Of course, that's all about to change. When she inadvertently rents a room to a demon, Grey goes from a woman concentrated on her own personal demons to the woman responsible for recapturing the six Shades from Hell she's unleashed upon the city. She manages to survive by accepting the help of Barnem, an antisocial seraphim who just happens to reside in an upstairs apartment and the demon she now shares her apartment with—and who is oddly eager to help her vanquish the Shades, though she can't be sure if he's motivated by roommate loyalty or a secret plot to enslave humankind. Probably the latter. Together the unlikely trio will have to face off with the devils of New York politics, break the curse of infomercial jingles, and figure out exactly how Grey has become the leader of a cult, all as Grey begins to realize that maybe the end of the world is exactly what her life needed. Now she just needs to figure out how to survive it.
And Then There Were Dragons (Shades of Hell)
by Alcy LeyvaFor Amanda Grey, stopping the all-encompassing Apocalypse fated to plunge our entire existence into never-ending darkness ... just kind of sucked. Sure, she had managed to capture every demon set loose on New York City. And yes, she ended up thwarting an evil angel’s plans to destroy humanity. But she also lost her sister, her apartment, and—oh yeah—Amanda Grey totally died and got her soul banished to hell as a result.Luckily, she’s not the type to take that kind of thing lying down.AND THEN THERE WERE DRAGONS thrusts Amanda Grey into a whole new world of weird as she ventures out into the fiery wastelands, decrepit cities, and Olive Gardens of the afterlife in search of her sister and her own redemption. As the penultimate entry in the Shades of Hell Series, Amanda will be coming face-to-face with the truth behind the demon Shades, as well as a destiny she sure as hell didn't ask for.
And This Is Laura
by Ellen ConfordAnd This Is Laura is the hilarious story of an average girl in a family of overachievers who learns she's not so average. Laura's oldest brother composes his own music and is a debate team champion; her sister is a star actress and bowler; her youngest brother is in the process of counting to a million. Laura? She's just an ordinary twelve-year old--that is, until she discovers that she can see the future. Suddenly, she has popularity, attention from her parents, even media coverage. It's new and great--until one day, a vision frightens her to the core.Ellen Conford is one of the most prolific and successful authors of young adult fiction. In addition to the popular Jenny Archer and Annabel the Actress series, Conford has written over thirty novels. She has received numerous awards, notably an ALA Best Book of the Year citation.
And With Madness Comes the Light (Experiment in Terror #10)
by Karina HalleDex Foray has never been anyone's fool - until he missed his chance for happiness with Perry Palomino. Broken and alone, Dex has no choice but to rise from the ashes Perry left behind and find his own path to redemption. But nothing in Dex's life has ever come easily, especially when there's a dark madness waiting in the wings.
Andalusia Forest: The Curse at Torrens Falls
by Mary Ann PollWelcome to Andalusia Forest, a theme park that once bustled with excitement but now lies abandoned, steeped in mysterious legends and tales of hauntings. This once-beloved destination is still imbued with a captivating allure, a magnet for both treasure seekers and the curious. In this intriguing setting, a tenacious ghost hunter, Chloe Melbourne, teams up with the adventurous Iconoclast trio of Kat, Ken, and Bart. What starts as a straightforward mission to locate a missing friend quickly becomes an exploration of the forest's deeper secrets. No longer home to the whimsical creatures that once danced in the minds of its audience, Andalusia Forest reveals chilling truths hidden in its shadows. Why not embark on this exciting journey? The gates are open for those willing to venture into the unknown. You're invited to discover the enigmatic entities that inhabit these haunting woods. With a balanced blend of whimsy and reality, the tale of Andalusia Forest offers a thrilling yet measured experience. So, take a bold step, and let the answers reveal themselves through your exploration. Andalusia Forest awaits. Will you heed the call?
Anderson Castle
by Connie FurnariArchie is seventeen years old and lives in Jersey City, New Jersey, he loves reading horror books but, unlike his friends, he has a special power: he is a psychic, he can foresee the future and he can sense things that the human consciousness ignores. One day he receives a letter, without the return address, that informs him about the mysterious death of a distant relative from England, Lord Archibald Anderson III. The Lord appointed Archie as his only successor, and bequeathed an ancient castle near London to him, on condition that the boy arrives at the manor house strictly before the 31st of October, without explaining the reason. Archie arrives at Anderson Castle in company of three classmates: the funny and affable Penny, the cocky womanizer Rigger, and the snob and very rich Daphne. The four friends are welcomed by a man named Frank, who introduced himself as Archie’s uncle, the deceased Lord’s brother. However, the uncle seems eager to throw them out before the Halloween’s night begins. The four friends find out very soon that the castle is actually haunted by furious demonic ghosts that will try to kill them in every way, and that Lord Archibald’s death is linked to the mystery of Anderson Castle. Anderson Castle is a fantasy horror for teenagers, intentionally ironic, and its theme is typical of the ‘Haunted’ series, the haunted house with ghosts, following the novel series ‘Goosebumps’ from R.L. Stine. The whole novel is a tribute to the book The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde, since it follows its irony, the soft horror and the funny situations. Hamlet by William Shakespeare is another book often cited: it’s not a coincidence that the title of every chapter sums up the happenings in Anderson Castle with a phrase from this famous tragedy. The third important point is the exorcism of death. The four protagonists are threatened by supernatural beings that will bring each of t
Andersonville
by Edward M ErdelacReaders of Stephen King and Joe Hill will devour this bold, terrifying new novel from Edward M. Erdelac. A mysterious man posing as a Union soldier risks everything to enter the Civil War's deadliest prison--only to find a horror beyond human reckoning. Georgia, 1864. Camp Sumter, aka Andersonville, has earned a reputation as an open sewer of sadistic cruelty and terror where death may come at any minute. But as the Union prisoners of war pray for escape, cursing the fate that spared them a quicker end, one man makes his way into the camp purposefully. Barclay Lourdes has a mission--and a secret. But right now his objective is merely to survive the hellish camp. The slightest misstep summons the full fury of the autocratic commander, Captain Wirz, and the brutal Sergeant Turner. Meanwhile, a band of shiftless thieves and criminals known as the "Raiders" preys upon their fellow prisoners. Barclay soon finds that Andersonville is even less welcoming to a black man--especially when that man is not who he claims to be. Little does he imagine that he's about to encounter supernatural terrors beyond his wildest dreams . . . or nightmares.Advance praise for Andersonville "Erdelac makes a heady brew out of dreadful true events, angel and demon lore, secret societies, and the trappings of Southern gothic novels. This is thoughtful horror at its best, and not at all for the faint of heart."--Publishers Weekly (starred review)"The true story of Andersonville is one of unimaginable horror and human misery. It's a testament to his unmatched skill as a storyteller that Edward M. Erdelac is not only able to capture that horror but to add another level of supernatural terror and reveal that the darkest evil of all resides in the human soul. Highly recommended to fans of horror and history alike."--Brett J. Talley, Bram Stoker Award-nominated author of That Which Should Not Be and He Who Walks in Shadow "Andersonville is a raw, groundbreaking supernatural knuckle-punch. Erdelac absolutely owns Civil War and Wild West horror fiction."--Weston Ochse, bestselling author of SEAL Team 666"Edward M. Erdelac is a master of historical reinvention. In Andersonville, he peels away the façade of history to reveal the horror and sacrifices that led to the end of the Civil War. Clandestine operations, mystical battles waged unseen, and unlikely heroes combine to save a nation, not only from itself but from the demonic forces threatening to tear the whole of existence asunder. Forget what you know about the War Between the States, this is the story we should have been taught."--Tim Marquitz, author of the Demon Squad series"If you took a tale of atmospheric horror by Ambrose Bierce and infused it with the energy of Elmore Leonard, you would come close to what Edward Erdelac has accomplished with Andersonville. But even that combination would sell the novel short. What Erdelac has done is not just splice genres together but create his own voice in telling of the horrors, real and supernatural, inhabiting the most infamous prison camp of the Civil War. This is U.S. history seen through the eyes of the tortured dead, told with amazing skill by an author who knows how to create genre literature with a purpose."--C. Courtney Joyner, author of Shotgun and Nemo Rising
Andharyatra: अंधारयात्रा
by Narayan Dharapहजारो वर्षांच्या तात्त्विक चिंतनानंतरही मानवाला काल स्वरूप समजलेले नाही. मात्र कालाने त्याच्या अनुभूतीवर घातलेल्या मर्यादा प्रथमपासून स्पष्ट आहेत. मानवाला कालमार्गावरून हलता येत नाही; येणारा एक एक क्षण त्याच क्रमाने अनुभवावा लागतो; भूतकाळ हा त्याला केवळ स्मृतिरूपाने उपलब्ध असतो- काळात मागे जाता येत नाही; भविष्यकाळ तर संपूर्ण अज्ञात असतो. पुढेही जाता येत नाही. बुद्धीला जाणवतं की, विश्वाच्या अनंत विस्तारात अनेक आश्चर्ये आहेत, साहसे आहेत...पण ती आपल्यासाठी नाहीत... का आहेत? या संग्रहातल्या कथा कालकल्पनेशी निगडित आहेत. 'अंधारयात्रा' मध्ये मानव आपल्या अल्पायुष्याची कोंडी फोडून विश्वसंचारातले पहिले पाऊल टाकतो; 'चक्रधर' मध्ये अकल्पनीय कालप्रवास आणि कालाचे ऊर्जेत रूपांतराची धाडसी कल्पना आहे; बंदिवासमध्येही कालप्रवास आहे; पण अप्रगल्भ मनावरचा घातक परिणामही आहे... आणि 'शेवटी एक पापणी लवली; शास्त्रकथा अमेदीनीय आयुष्याखेरीज पुरी कशी होईल? त्या कथेतही काल आहे... पण कालाची सापेक्षता आणि स्वनिष्ठता यावर कथा आधारित आहे आणि काळाचे स्वरूपच असे आहे की, आपण रोजच्या जीवनाची गती सोडली की अनपेक्षित अनुभव येतात. या कथाही त्याला अपवाद नाहीत.