The Jaguar Hunter

To read THE JAGUAR HINTER, is to know Lucius Shepard, a blazing light of talent that burned out far too quickly, leaving the world with precious literary gifts, and heartache for more.

This book is a well-balanced collage of Lucius' supreme talent and of his life, laid out in works of short fiction. Along with his vivid imagination, he drew heavily from real life adventures and travels, from his time living on Nantucket Island, captured in HOW THE WIND SPOKE AT MADAKET, to his wild exploits in Central America (THE JAGUAR HUNTER, R & R and SALVADOR).

Often Lucius' writing feels almost autobiographical: "He had realized it was his story he wanted to tell - the woman, his loneliness, his psychic flashes, the resolution of his character...." The main character in the last story is even named Lucius.

It is also noteworthy that this book contains the first appearance of the popular subject/"character" that makes several appearances in Lucius' stories, including THE SCALEHUNTER'S BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER, absolutely colossal Dragon, Griaule.

This near perfect collection of science fiction, fantasy and horror will remain a lasting testament to a massively underrated writer. Rest in peace, my friend.