[Through Glass Darkly 02] • Through Glass Darkly · Episode Two

'A monster with a perfect disguise stalks the city streets, preying upon the weak and vulnerable, defiling even those already dead, a savage predator in a world which cannot even see what is attacking them. Can the people of this city find enough trust in their hearts to ask the strangers who brought this creature to their world for help before its too late? Or will the creatures confidence and power grow too quickly. In the crucible of despair strange alliances are being forged to find and kill the monster preying upon the city. Alliances that may also help resurrect the ruined airship that hangs almost lifeless above the city streets.' The second episode in the Glass Darkly series by Peter Knyte, a vintage style action and suspense story set against the backdrop of a 1930s America that never happened. Frequently asked questions - answered by the author. Question: Where did the inspiration for the Glass Darkly series come from? Answer: For the main-part the inspiration came from two sources: My lifelong love of great science fiction, and the well-established steam-punk scene which has really started to flourish in the UK and other countries over the past few years. Question: What about other authors, your website mentions that you've enjoyed reading Jules Verne, H.G. Wells and numerous other writers of classic fiction, but are there any more recent authors you consider to be an influence on your writing? Answer: Mark Hodder is one of my current favourites, his Burton and Swinburne books are pure genius, crazy genius most of the time, but fantastic with it. Jim Butcher is another great outside the box author. Question: Both your Glass Darkly and your Flames of Time stories are set in the 1930s, is there something about this period that you find particularly interesting and will we continue to see your stories in this period? Answer: I'd like to say there's some great and convoluted reason for setting my stories in the 1930s, but in actuality I set my Flames of Time series in the 30s because of a simple plot device relating to when the narrator is telling the story. Once I'd decided on the time period and started doing my research I realised there was so much about those inter-war years that seemed so similar to how we live today, while there were obviously other aspects which are almost un-recognisable. It's this blend of the familiar and alien that I thought would make a great setting for the low-fantasy type of stories that I like to tell.