The Reality Dysfunction (Night's Dawn Trilogy, Book 1)

In AD 2600, the human race is finally beginning to realize its full potential. Hundreds of colonized planets scattered across the galaxy host a multitude of prosperous and wildly diverse cultures. Genetic engineering has pushed evolution far beyond nature's boundaries, defeating disease and producing extraordinary spaceborn creatures. Huge fleets of sentient trader starships thrive on the wealth created by the industrialization of entire star systems. And throughout inhabited space the Confederation Navy keeps the peace. A true golden age is within our grasp. But now something has gone catastrophically wrong. On a primitive colony planet a renegade criminal's chance encounter with an utterly alien entity unleashes the most primal of all our fears. An extinct race, which inhabited the galaxy aeons ago called it "The Reality Dysfunction". It is the nightmare, which has prowled beside us since the beginning of history. "Absolute vintage science-fiction. Hamilton puts British sci-fi back into interstellar overdrive" - "The Times".

For humans, life in the twenty-seventh century has become secure and easy. The lightbarrier has been broken. Hundreds of worlds have been colonized. Genetic engineering has increased life-expectancy and banished disease. The Confederation Navy maintains the peace between humanity’s rich and diverse cultures. It is the greatest era in history.All this is observed by a Ly-cilph, one of an ancient incorporial alien species who travel the galaxy gathering information. On Lalonde, a newly settled world, its interest in a criminal’s profane ritual murder becomes a little too involved. What was once regarded as myth is unwittingly set free, allowing the heart of every human nightmare to flourish and expand. Technology is powerless against it. There is no place it cannot reach. It is as merciless as it is relentless.As the rest of the Confederation becomes aware of the horrific force which is destined to consume entire worlds, a name emerges from the chaos and terror engulfing Lalonde: The Reality Dysfunction.