After it happened, my marriage only lasted two more months. Janine? She would tell me, some fifty times a day that it wasn't really my fault. Be she never looked in my eyes once, each time she said it. And by mid-February, she was gone... Time is of the essence, and in these eighteen stories from acclaimed dark fantasy writer Tony Richards the essence of time is the link that pulls his characters together. Richards explores the nature of reality and perception filtered through the lens of time; examines how our decisions can lead us down unsettling paths, and however carefully we make our choices they can still contain strange consequences, even tragic ones. A man becomes trapped with a never-ending day, another tries to prevent a child's death by returning to the past. Two others explore enforced loneliness and blind computer dating, each with terrifying results. Nine rocks predict the end of the world, and a beautiful stranger continues to exist even though her time is an end. Meanwhile, non-existent cats play havoc with a bewildered couple's life, as mortality nudges at our shoulders, drawing ever closer. If only time was more flexible. Which way would you turn the clock, forward or back? Nominated for the British Fantasy Award, 2008 "A master of the art" — Black Static "Once again Richards confirms his superb storytelling sill and refreshes the pleasure of savoring fine prose" — SF Site "An amazing voice" — James A. Moore "Man, can this guy write" — Ed Gorman