The Crystal Crypt

Philip K. Dick

Jan 2016 · Read Books Ltd

About this ebook

From the mastermind behind legendary sci-fi blockbusters like Blade Runner, Total Recall, and Minority Report, comes a thrilling short story that transports you into a treacherous world of interplanetary conflict. Prepare for a journey to the edge of human understanding in Philip K. Dick's exceptional tale: The Crystal Crypt.

As the impending war between Earth and Mars looms on the horizon, the last spaceship en route from Mars to Earth is halted by Martian forces, searching for three elusive saboteurs responsible for the destruction of a Martian city. When the culprits are not found aboard the spacecraft, it continues its journey, only to reveal an enigmatic businessman, Thacher, who befriends a young woman and two men claiming to be the hunted saboteurs. But nothing is as it seems in this tale of wits and cunning.

In a classic Philip K. Dick twist, a hidden device unveils the city's true fate --not obliterated, but shrunken and secreted away within a tiny crystal orb, now a high-stakes bargaining chip in the impending war. As deception unravels, allegiances are tested, and tensions run high, Thacher uncovers a shocking revelation that changes the course of the story and challenges the very nature of trust.

A visionary exploration of psychological depth and intentional chaos, The Crystal Crypt offers a breathtaking journey of dark humor and speculative fiction that will captivate both die-hard Philip K. Dick enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

About the author

Phillip Kindred Dick was an American science fiction writer best known for his psychological portrayals of characters trapped in illusory environments. Born in Chicago, Illinois, on December 16, 1928, Dick worked in radio and studied briefly at the University of California at Berkeley before embarking on his writing career. His first novel, Solar Lottery, was published in 1955. In 1963, Dick won the Hugo Award for his novel, The Man in the High Castle. He also wrote a series of futuristic tales about artificial creatures on the loose; notable of these was Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, which was later adapted into film as Blade Runner. Dick also published several collections of short stories. He died of a stroke in Santa Ana, California, in 1982.