Tor to publish Dead Space: Martyr by B.K. Evenson

Tor Books and Visceral Games announced that Dead Space: Martyr, the first novel based on the game series, will land on store shelves worldwide in July.

It will run you $14.99, and is written by B.K. Evenson.

The novel will tell the story of the events leading up to the history of the Church of Unitology, the discovery of the “Black Marker” and the mysteries behind an alien artefact of unknown power.

Here's the blurb:

When geophysicist Michael Altman learns of a mysterious signal emitting from deep within the Chicxulub crater, he cannot resist the lure of an undiscovered artefact. He soon learns that being in close proximity to the artefact causes strange occurrences - visions of the dead, vivid dreams, and violent murders. Altman’s experience with the alien artefact leads to this crucial first chapter in the Dead Space saga.

“One of the most compelling storytelling aspects of Dead Space has been the Church of Unitology: its origins, power, and role in Dead Space,” says Tor editor, Eric Raab. “Writer B.K. Evenson gets into the terrifying aspects of mob mentality like no other writer today. This isn’t only a great story within the Dead Space universe; it’s a great novel on its own.”

B. K. Evenson is author of Last Days, voted best horror novel of 2009 by the American Library Association and The Open Curtain, a 2006 Edgar Award finalist and Time Out, New York best book of the year.

Dead Space 2 is slated for Q1 2011 on PS3, 360 and handhelds.