Never Come Midnight

by H. L. (Horace Leonard) Gold

"Never Come Midnight" by Christopher Grimm is a science fiction novel written in the late 1950s. The book explores themes of identity, morality, and the consequences of immortality within a richly constructed universe. It centers around the life of Emrys Shortmire, a man navigating his strange heritage as the unknowing son of the brilliant inventor Jan Shortmire, who has made a pact with an alien race, the Morethans, leading to complex ramifications for humanity. The story unfolds amidst a backdrop of futuristic technology and interplanetary dynamics, primarily focusing on Emrys as he grapples with his dual identity—a blend of human and Morethan. Following the mysterious death of his father on the planet Morethis, Amrys emerges as a young man with unfulfilled desires but is burdened by an alien lineage that threatens the fabric of Earth. As he becomes aware of his immortality and the bargain struck by his father, he finds himself caught in a web of revenge against those who wronged him, particularly Nicholas Dyall, a rival inventor. The narrative culminates in a bittersweet exploration of what it means to be human, the cost of ambition, and the peril of playing god, while weaving a tale that questions the true value of life and legacy.