midnight’s simulacra: a scientifically rigorous autofiction thriller about engineering, black markets, and LSD supply chains

LSD supply chains and psychedelic themes anchor midnight’s simulacra, a novel presented as autofiction by Nick Black. The story follows two gifted young engineers who pursue “forbidden teachings,” turning illicit chemical knowledge and unconventional engineering into escalating attempts to bypass authorities and create black markets where none exist. The narrative mixes thriller pacing with a self-described scientific rigor, including references to lysergic acid and LSD manufacturing in the context of labs, procurement, and regulation politics. It also frames the characters as a distinctive kind of outsider profile, blending autist-as-young-men portrayal with rogue engineering and a slow-burn sense of scientific obsession turning into high-stakes conflict.