1950s Manhattan: the CIA carries out a covert study of psychoactive drugs. Ad man Ned Sweeney is dosed with MDT-48, and finds his horizons dramatically expand. But how long can he maintain the extraordinary pace of his new life?
Sixty years later, all that Ray Sweeney knows of his grandfather’s life is that he committed suicide. But then Ray meets a retired government official, who claims he can illuminate the truth behind Ned’s death.
Both a sequel and a prequel to The Dark Fields, which was adapted into the hit movie Limitless, Under the Night explores the seductive power and dangers of unlocking the human mind.
Dive into a world of mind-expanding possibilities and chilling suspense with Alan Glynn's *Under the Night*, a gripping novel that serves as both a sequel and a prequel to the acclaimed *The Dark Fields* (the inspiration behind the hit movie *Limitless*). This thought-provoking thriller explores the seductive allure and perilous consequences of unlocking the full potential of the human mind, weaving together two compelling narratives separated by decades. In 1950s Manhattan, advertising executive Ned Sweeney unwittingly becomes a test subject in a clandestine CIA experiment involving psychoactive drugs. When dosed with MDT-48, Ned's perception of reality shifts dramatically, opening doors to unparalleled intellectual and creative abilities. He experiences a surge of enhanced cognitive function, propelling him to the pinnacle of success. But as Ned races to exploit the boundless opportunities that MDT-48 unlocks, he grapples with the increasing side effects of the drug. He has to fight to maintain his sanity and avoid being caught as the ethics of the program begin to take a toll. Can Ned sustain his accelerated existence, or will the price of brilliance prove too high? Sixty years later, Ray Sweeney knows only that his grandfather, Ned, tragically took his own life. Haunted by the mystery surrounding Ned's death, Ray's search for answers leads him down a rabbit hole of government secrets and buried truths. A chance encounter with a retired government official promises to shed light on the events that led to Ned's demise. As Ray pieces together the fragments of his grandfather's past, he uncovers a conspiracy that reaches far beyond anything he could have imagined. Alan Glynn masterfully crafts a dual narrative that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Through richly detailed characters and atmospheric settings, *Under the Night* delves into themes of ambition, addiction, government overreach, and the moral implications of scientific experimentation. Glynns writing explores the hidden costs of pursuing ultimate power and the lengths to which individuals and institutions will go to protect their secrets. Readers familiar with *The Dark Fields* will relish the opportunity to delve deeper into the origins and consequences of MDT-48, while new readers will find themselves captivated by the intricate plot and Glynn's masterful storytelling. *Under the Night* is a compelling thriller that will leave you questioning the nature of reality, the limits of the human mind, and the price of unlocking its full potential. Prepare to be enthralled by this suspenseful and thought-provoking read from Alan Glynn.