Shadow of the Eternal Watcher

DEBUT Duster Raines, a private eye with an alcohol addiction, discovers that he has an alternate self who is the supreme leader of an alternate universe. The story opens with this dictator of a more scientifically advanced alternate Earth as he struggles against a rebellion. The action then cuts to Los Angeles, where Duster meets with a new client and learns that he is being followed by agents from the future, masquerading as the FBI. When he stumbles upon his new client dead in her home, he has to think quickly to evade capture, which he ultimately fails to do. Not sure whom to trust, when he travels to the other Earth, he meets with interdimensional aliens, further increasing the mystery, and narrowly escapes being killed. The hard-boiled style of the narrative evokes classic Los Angeles–set detective fiction and nicely counterbalances the overly melodramatic nature of the plot. The main character, torn between himself and his alter ego, is engaging and works well to explore the conundrum of the corrupting influence of power. An unresolved ending possibly indicates further installments.