What happens when prophesies of World’s End self-fulfill? When fundamentalist prayers finally summon the Apocalypse, but not the Rapture? When the horrors of War’s aftermath make the billions who died screaming the lucky ones? Is it possible a different prophesy can begin to set things right again?

American computer scientist Steven Rayne thinks so. Marooned in Britain, robbed of his wife and unborn child—as well as, it must be said, his sanity—he has taken to calling himself Merlin. But, aided by artificially intelligent machine networks, he may yet find his destiny in the audacious nom de guerre.

In 2041, a dozen years post-Apocalypse, this new Merlin has emerged from a long hermitage in a fabulous underwater Sanctuary. Wielding mysterious technologies that might rival the powers of his namesake, he’s looking for Camelot.

It’s worth remembering he may still be insane...

The Merlin Protocol is a work of speculative fiction. Science and fantasy meet on a playing field leveled by catastrophe, and none can be certain which will emerge triumphant.

A Darkness Past Midnight is the first installment in a six-part series. Volume 2, Shadows of Light and Sound, will go on sale in mid-2012.

The eBook is available from leading
online booksellers...