Charles Edward Banks

Nancy Luce in Outer Space Charles Edward Banks

The adventures of Nancy Luce, eccentric and erratic poetess and monster hunter from 19th century West Tisbury, as she explores the distant reaches of space and time with her half-witted clone, Rodolphus, and her trusty sword, Ada Queetie. The frail old woman keeps her island of Martha's Vineyard safe from the clutches of aliens, demons, and ancient horrors, even as she keeps assaults upon her own sanity in check. Included are Nancy's recipes, inventions, self-care guides, as well as her poetic thoughts on life and poultry, even as she survives a crash-landing on Mars, and the imprisonment of her brain on Tethys. "Nantucket is an evil place. Do not venture there. Those who go do not come back. Through my spyglass on the shores of Chappaquiddick I have seen vast black shapes hovering over that foul island. No birds fly there. Herbs do not grow there. The people are strange and foreign to us. Only evil comes from that island. The beast is afoot. Watch out for your children. He is near, watching, ready to take them away. He will make them suffer, and then they shall become beasts like him. Listen! Can you hear the squeals of his victims? He is taking them away! Save them! Sometimes at night I can hear their Spirits howling along with the Chappy Daemon in the swirling black above. Listen! Can't you hear them? Calling... Watch out for the men from the stars. They are stealing our air! They are taking people away! I saw a light in the sky! A little man came out and stole Joseph!"