A secret research station near the Cornish fishing village of Falcombe has discovered the existence of an apparently infinite series of parallel worlds, each a slightly distorted reflection of our own. It has also developed a technique for investigating these worlds; but the only person who can possibly visit and explore a parallel world is the rare individual whose counterpart has lately died there and whose place he can therefore take - which in turn presages his own death on his version of Earth.
Michael G. Coney (1932 - 2005)
Michael G. Coney is the award-winning author of such novels as Syzygy, Monitor Found In Orbit, Brontomek!, Cat Karina, and The Celestial Steam Locomotive. His short stories have appeared in magazines the world over and are frequently included in anthologies.