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Description

In 1970s Germany, a mental patient at the end of his life suddenly speaks for the first time in years. A year later in Vietnam, a mission to rescue a group of American POWs becomes a military disaster.

In present day England, the birthday of college lecturer Alex Webber sends his life spiralling out of control as a series of disturbing hallucinations lead him to the office of Dr. Ellen Hayward. And things will never be the same again for either of them. Hunted by an immortal being known only as The Infinity, their capture could mean the end of humanity itself…

Part horror story, part thrilling road adventure, part historical drama, Before is a novel like no other. Described as “the dark fantasy version of Cloud Atlas,” Kane’s Before is as wide in scope as it is in imagination as it tackles the greatest questions haunting mankind—Who are we? Why are we here? And where are we going?

Join award-winning author Paul Kane as he takes you on the journey of a lifetime.

Praise for Paul Kane and Before

“Paul Kane is a first-rate storyteller, never failing to marry his insights into theworld and its anguish with the pleasures of phrases eloquently turned.” — Clive Barker, bestselling author of The Hellbound Heart, Abarat, Mr. B. Gone & The Scarlet Gospels

“Kane takes the classic struggle of good vs evil, and makes it something more. His writing leaps off the page, enveloping the reader. This is the kind of book that you can easily imagine being made into a Netflix original series or similar – he has written it with many fantastic cliff-hangers that leave the reader not wanting to put the book down.”— Craig Lockley, British Fantasy Society

“Paul Kane can certainly tell a story! His ability to keep the reader engaged across multiple settings, eras and genre can only be classed as triumphant. Before mixes action adventure, horror and the supernatural skillfully… It was a fast paced enjoyable read that kept me hooked till its thrilling conclusion.” — Gavin Kendall, Gingernuts of Horror

“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 In the Night Room

“There’s plenty here to intrigue fans of Neil Gaiman’s literary road trip [American Gods]…it’s Clive Barker to who Kane certainly owes the largest debt. Kane gradually builds up the tension, taking his time before revealing the truth behind the novel’s central mystery. This is a slow burn that’s ultimately rewarding.” — Stephen Jewell, Horrorville

“Paul Kane is a name to watch. His work is disturbing and very creepy.” — Tim Lebbon, New York Times bestselling author of The Cabin in the Woods, Echo City and The Silence

“If you enjoy [Clive] Barker, you will love Kane. He has matured a lot and is now conjuring these fantastical workings as memorably as the master imagineer Barker, whom Kane has spent so long studying. Not to diminish Kane’s work in any way, as this is truly compelling reading.” — Steve Dillon, Dread Central

“Kane’s Before could make a great movie. It’s an absorbing and engaging read, ambitious in both lengths and in its ideas. Kane’s latest novel is epic and King/McCammon fans will find a lot to like here. I can highly recommended this book and it is yet another tick in the box for Paul Kane and for Grey Matter Press.” — The Grim Reader

Proudly presented by Grey Matter Press, the multiple Bram Stoker Award-nominated independent publisher.

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