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Printer's Devil Court
Ideally spooky Halloween reading...
A chilling ghost story by the author of The Woman in Black.
One murky November evening after a satisfying meal in their Fleet Street lodgings, a conversation between four medical students takes a curious turn and Hugh is initiated into a dark secret. In the cellar of their narrow lodgings in Printer's Devil Court and a little used mortuary in a subterranean annex of the hospital, they have begun to interfere with death itself, in shadowy experiments beyond the realms of medical ethics. They call on Hugh to witness an event both extraordinary and terrifying.
Years later, Hugh has occasion to return to his student digs and the familiar surroundings resurrect peculiar and unpleasant memories of these unnatural events, the true horror of which only slowly becomes apparent.
A chilling ghost story by the author of The Woman in Black.
One murky November evening after a satisfying meal in their Fleet Street lodgings, a conversation between four medical students takes a curious turn and Hugh is initiated into a dark secret. In the cellar of their narrow lodgings in Printer's Devil Court and a little used mortuary in a subterranean annex of the hospital, they have begun to interfere with death itself, in shadowy experiments beyond the realms of medical ethics. They call on Hugh to witness an event both extraordinary and terrifying.
Years later, Hugh has occasion to return to his student digs and the familiar surroundings resurrect peculiar and unpleasant memories of these unnatural events, the true horror of which only slowly becomes apparent.
112 pages, Hardcover
First published October 14, 2013
54 people are currently reading
980 people want to read
About the author
Susan Hill
180 books2,266 followersSusan Hill was born in Scarborough, North Yorkshire in 1942. Her hometown was later referred to in her novel A Change for the Better (1969) and some short stories especially "Cockles and Mussels".
She attended Scarborough Convent School, where she became interested in theatre and literature. Her family left Scarborough in 1958 and moved to Coventry where her father worked in car and aircraft factories. Hill states that she attended a girls’ grammar school, Barr's Hill. Her fellow pupils included Jennifer Page, the first Chief Executive of the Millennium Dome. At Barrs Hill she took A levels in English, French, History and Latin, proceeding to an English degree at King's College London. By this time she had already written her first novel, The Enclosure which was published by Hutchinson in her first year at university. The novel was criticised by The Daily Mail for its sexual content, with the suggestion that writing in this style was unsuitable for a "schoolgirl".
Her next novel Gentleman and Ladies was published in 1968. This was followed in quick succession by A Change for the Better, I'm the King of the Castle, The Albatross and other stories, Strange Meeting, The Bird of Night, A Bit of Singing and Dancing and In the Springtime of Year, all written and published between 1968 and 1974.
In 1975 she married Shakespeare scholar Stanley Wells and they moved to Stratford upon Avon. Their first daughter, Jessica, was born in 1977 and their second daughter, Clemency, was born in 1985. Hill has recently founded her own publishing company, Long Barn Books, which has published one work of fiction per year.
Librarian's Note: There is more than one author by this name.
She attended Scarborough Convent School, where she became interested in theatre and literature. Her family left Scarborough in 1958 and moved to Coventry where her father worked in car and aircraft factories. Hill states that she attended a girls’ grammar school, Barr's Hill. Her fellow pupils included Jennifer Page, the first Chief Executive of the Millennium Dome. At Barrs Hill she took A levels in English, French, History and Latin, proceeding to an English degree at King's College London. By this time she had already written her first novel, The Enclosure which was published by Hutchinson in her first year at university. The novel was criticised by The Daily Mail for its sexual content, with the suggestion that writing in this style was unsuitable for a "schoolgirl".
Her next novel Gentleman and Ladies was published in 1968. This was followed in quick succession by A Change for the Better, I'm the King of the Castle, The Albatross and other stories, Strange Meeting, The Bird of Night, A Bit of Singing and Dancing and In the Springtime of Year, all written and published between 1968 and 1974.
In 1975 she married Shakespeare scholar Stanley Wells and they moved to Stratford upon Avon. Their first daughter, Jessica, was born in 1977 and their second daughter, Clemency, was born in 1985. Hill has recently founded her own publishing company, Long Barn Books, which has published one work of fiction per year.
Librarian's Note: There is more than one author by this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 333 reviews
January 1, 2023
I really enjoyed this novella about three doctors reviving two dead bodies, one vagrant and a female. The illustrations were fine and the narration as a kind of diary of events was intriguing. The denouement wasn't the best one though. I would have expected something else and didn't think the ending very convincing. Otherwise a good ghost story set in Fleet Street London with reference to the Burke and Hare case. Recommended!
October 20, 2014
In 1983, Susan Hill wrote a decent ghost story called The Woman in Black that was turned into a brilliant West End production. Since then she’s been coasting on her reputation as a horror writer, churning out extremely dull ghost novellas every now and then that nonetheless sell quite well due to the Woman in Black’s success. So it goes with Printer’s Devil Court, which is the worst thing by Hill that I’ve read to date.
Set in some time that could be the Victorian or Edwardian era, Hugh Meredith is a med student living in crappy digs in Printer’s Devil Court with a couple others. His flatmates are a bit mad and, after talking about Lazarus one night after dinner, they reveal to Meredith that they can bring the dead back to life – sort of.
That sounds like a passably interesting plot, no? Susan Hill doing the Frankenstein thing? So why is it subtitled “A Ghost Story”? Because Susan Hill is best known for ghost stories, which sell. The reveal of the supernatural thing in this story is total garbage. Is it a ghost? Is it some kind of resurrected body/semi-conscious zombie? What was the point of resurrecting the dead again? Horror doesn’t work if you don’t know basic things about what we’re supposed to be scared about and why.
Instead of working on the feeble “story”, Hill instead does her usual trick of writing extensively about the atmosphere. If there’s one thing I hate reading, it’s descriptions of weather and the background, but Hill positively revels in this kind of extraneous crud so the pages are padded out with images of dark, foggy London, fireside chats, and oh god I’m falling asleep just recounting it.
Hill doesn’t have a clue when it comes to originality. She adopts the clichéd “story within a story” approach that the Victorians favoured: a framing device of the “present day”, with the main story taking place years in the past, usually via a just-discovered manuscript. The drawings included here are unremarkable and add nothing to the story, clearly serving to add to the page count only. The whole thing looks like a weak facsimile of a bad Victorian ghost story.
It’s not much of a book anyway – it’s essentially a short story that’s been stretched out to 100 pages long through large font size, corny pencil drawings, lots of blank space between chapter endings and blank dividing pages. Shockingly, there are a ton of typos in this short story (“Printer’s Devil’s Court”) which makes it clear this was rushed out to make the publishers a quick buck. Was there even an editor on this thing, either to pick up obvious typos or perhaps focus the story? Doesn’t look like it.
Printer’s Devil Court is a piss-awful “horror” story that doesn’t know whether it’s a ghost story or a weird Frankenstein/zombie thing, and it has the least satisfying ending ever. Susan Hill is a vastly overrated horror writer – she’s in fact an utterly appalling one. Put simply this book is 95% nothing, 5% might-as-well-be nothing. It’s certainly not scary and might be the most pathetic excuse for a ghost story I’ve ever read. For great horror short stories, I highly recommend reading Shirley Jackson instead.
Set in some time that could be the Victorian or Edwardian era, Hugh Meredith is a med student living in crappy digs in Printer’s Devil Court with a couple others. His flatmates are a bit mad and, after talking about Lazarus one night after dinner, they reveal to Meredith that they can bring the dead back to life – sort of.
That sounds like a passably interesting plot, no? Susan Hill doing the Frankenstein thing? So why is it subtitled “A Ghost Story”? Because Susan Hill is best known for ghost stories, which sell. The reveal of the supernatural thing in this story is total garbage. Is it a ghost? Is it some kind of resurrected body/semi-conscious zombie? What was the point of resurrecting the dead again? Horror doesn’t work if you don’t know basic things about what we’re supposed to be scared about and why.
Instead of working on the feeble “story”, Hill instead does her usual trick of writing extensively about the atmosphere. If there’s one thing I hate reading, it’s descriptions of weather and the background, but Hill positively revels in this kind of extraneous crud so the pages are padded out with images of dark, foggy London, fireside chats, and oh god I’m falling asleep just recounting it.
Hill doesn’t have a clue when it comes to originality. She adopts the clichéd “story within a story” approach that the Victorians favoured: a framing device of the “present day”, with the main story taking place years in the past, usually via a just-discovered manuscript. The drawings included here are unremarkable and add nothing to the story, clearly serving to add to the page count only. The whole thing looks like a weak facsimile of a bad Victorian ghost story.
It’s not much of a book anyway – it’s essentially a short story that’s been stretched out to 100 pages long through large font size, corny pencil drawings, lots of blank space between chapter endings and blank dividing pages. Shockingly, there are a ton of typos in this short story (“Printer’s Devil’s Court”) which makes it clear this was rushed out to make the publishers a quick buck. Was there even an editor on this thing, either to pick up obvious typos or perhaps focus the story? Doesn’t look like it.
Printer’s Devil Court is a piss-awful “horror” story that doesn’t know whether it’s a ghost story or a weird Frankenstein/zombie thing, and it has the least satisfying ending ever. Susan Hill is a vastly overrated horror writer – she’s in fact an utterly appalling one. Put simply this book is 95% nothing, 5% might-as-well-be nothing. It’s certainly not scary and might be the most pathetic excuse for a ghost story I’ve ever read. For great horror short stories, I highly recommend reading Shirley Jackson instead.
December 29, 2014
I like to read a good ghost story at Christmas. Unfortunately this wasn’t really it. It is a novella, almost a short story and easily readable in one sitting.
It revolves around four medical students who share digs. The story is written my one of them and is found by his family after he dies many years later. Two of the group are interested in experimentation with the end of life and bringing back the dead. They have the truly daft idea of capturing the last breath, which they think has potency, and using it to bring someone else back to life.
It takes a while to get going, isn’t really scary as a good story in this genre should be and the ending is truly silly. Not up to Hill’s usual standard. Back to M R James I suppose. There were also a couple of silly typos.
It revolves around four medical students who share digs. The story is written my one of them and is found by his family after he dies many years later. Two of the group are interested in experimentation with the end of life and bringing back the dead. They have the truly daft idea of capturing the last breath, which they think has potency, and using it to bring someone else back to life.
It takes a while to get going, isn’t really scary as a good story in this genre should be and the ending is truly silly. Not up to Hill’s usual standard. Back to M R James I suppose. There were also a couple of silly typos.
October 3, 2022
He was jovial and friendly enough but he had a sly way with him and something shadowy in his personality though I could not have put a finger on quite what — at least not then. The only way I can give any idea of how he — and indeed, Rafe — affected me is to say that I would happily have entrusted my life to James but to Walter and Rafe, never.
And yet here we are.
Honestly, I always have to give Hill credit. She can turn a phrase. Her writing is like coming home and sinking into a favorite chair with a favored book while a delicious storm blows outside. And the structure of this little tale was top notch.
I just wish she could write a damn plot.
The story here is a mess, as ever. Why do the two actual movers of the tale choose to take their milquetoast friend into confidence when they clearly don't need him? Why do the subsequent events follow him and not them? Why do authors persist in thinking that having a character repeatedly faint conveys the suspense of a scene in the slightest? Why did I read this instead of rereading Herbert West—Reanimator? Who can say?
I will probably keep reading Susan Hill as long as she keeps putting out ghost stories, if only because I know that if she ever manages to put a story together that actually works as a story, it's going to be an absolutely fantastic read. Maybe next time.
(Crossposted to Dreamwidth 10/2/22.)
And yet here we are.
Honestly, I always have to give Hill credit. She can turn a phrase. Her writing is like coming home and sinking into a favorite chair with a favored book while a delicious storm blows outside. And the structure of this little tale was top notch.
I just wish she could write a damn plot.
The story here is a mess, as ever. Why do the two actual movers of the tale choose to take their milquetoast friend into confidence when they clearly don't need him? Why do the subsequent events follow him and not them? Why do authors persist in thinking that having a character repeatedly faint conveys the suspense of a scene in the slightest? Why did I read this instead of rereading Herbert West—Reanimator? Who can say?
I will probably keep reading Susan Hill as long as she keeps putting out ghost stories, if only because I know that if she ever manages to put a story together that actually works as a story, it's going to be an absolutely fantastic read. Maybe next time.
(Crossposted to Dreamwidth 10/2/22.)
March 6, 2015
First of all, what a beautiful, beautiful cover. I mean, look at it. It’s gorgeous. It’s textured, too, which makes it all the more lovely.
However, the story within wasn’t nearly so lovely to read. In fact, it was dull. Extremely dull. And the science didn’t really make sense – granted, it’s more of a ghost story than a piece of science fiction, but you’d expect the science to add up, wouldn’t you?
The characters are unexciting and not nearly fleshed-out enough. I found that I didn’t really care about any of them, even Meredith. Their experiments are suitably horrific enough, but if I want horrific experiments, I know I’ll stick to Shelley in the future. Frankenstein portrayed the horror of morality in science far better than Printer’s Devil Court has. I know Susan Hill is supposed to be masterful at ghost stories, but truly? I’m not seeing it here. All I see is a jumbled mess of characters and half-baked ideas. If only Hill could have properly meshed them together. Perhaps then it would have been suitably gripping.
However, the story within wasn’t nearly so lovely to read. In fact, it was dull. Extremely dull. And the science didn’t really make sense – granted, it’s more of a ghost story than a piece of science fiction, but you’d expect the science to add up, wouldn’t you?
The characters are unexciting and not nearly fleshed-out enough. I found that I didn’t really care about any of them, even Meredith. Their experiments are suitably horrific enough, but if I want horrific experiments, I know I’ll stick to Shelley in the future. Frankenstein portrayed the horror of morality in science far better than Printer’s Devil Court has. I know Susan Hill is supposed to be masterful at ghost stories, but truly? I’m not seeing it here. All I see is a jumbled mess of characters and half-baked ideas. If only Hill could have properly meshed them together. Perhaps then it would have been suitably gripping.
September 6, 2016
Part of the Kindle Single series, Printer's Devil Court is a brand new short story from Susan Hill. In the tradition of her well-known historical ghost stories, the most famous of which is The Woman in Black, it's a spooky, atmospheric tale set predominantly in early-twentieth-century London. Against a backdrop of impenetrable fogs and bleak winter storms, a young trainee doctor becomes unwittingly involved in a devilish scheme devised by two of his acquaintances, which will come to haunt him for many years afterwards. Despite its extreme brevity, I found this tale more fully realised and satisfying than Hill's two most recent longer-length ghost stories. Perfect for Halloween.
February 14, 2018
¿Una historia de fantasmas escrita por la misma autora de "La Dama de Negro"? ¡Claro que quiero leerla!
Con este hype fue con el que empecé este libro en el que, si bien la autora sigue haciendo gala de su capacidad para crear escenarios tétricos, góticos, cargados de ambiente, lo cierto es que la trama resulta bastante floja.
Seguimos a un grupo de jóvenes doctores en el Londres post-victoriano, dos de los cuales piensan que han encontrado la forma de devolver la vida a los muertos. A nuestro protagonista le piden que sea el testigo del macabro experimento que se proponen hacer y ante sus ojos se consuma algo que él se niega a aceptar como posible.
Pasan los años y volverá a encontrarse ante la terrible aparición que ha sido traída de vuelta a la vida y que hubiera sido mejor dejar muerta. El protagonista tendrá que descifrar qué es lo que este ser espectral quiere.
Es una historia muy corta en la que no pasa realmente mucho, como les digo, todo es más bien atmosférico. En el momento más perturbador, cuando vemos a la aparición fantasmal, lo que ocurre es más bien decepcionante... es una historia de un fantasma del tipo "alma en pena" y no verdaderamente sediento de venganza.
Le doy 2 estrellas por la atmósfera gótica y una más por el final. Habrá que leer más de Susan Hill para ver si no es una autora one hit wonder.
Con este hype fue con el que empecé este libro en el que, si bien la autora sigue haciendo gala de su capacidad para crear escenarios tétricos, góticos, cargados de ambiente, lo cierto es que la trama resulta bastante floja.
Seguimos a un grupo de jóvenes doctores en el Londres post-victoriano, dos de los cuales piensan que han encontrado la forma de devolver la vida a los muertos. A nuestro protagonista le piden que sea el testigo del macabro experimento que se proponen hacer y ante sus ojos se consuma algo que él se niega a aceptar como posible.
Pasan los años y volverá a encontrarse ante la terrible aparición que ha sido traída de vuelta a la vida y que hubiera sido mejor dejar muerta. El protagonista tendrá que descifrar qué es lo que este ser espectral quiere.
Es una historia muy corta en la que no pasa realmente mucho, como les digo, todo es más bien atmosférico. En el momento más perturbador, cuando vemos a la aparición fantasmal, lo que ocurre es más bien decepcionante... es una historia de un fantasma del tipo "alma en pena" y no verdaderamente sediento de venganza.
Le doy 2 estrellas por la atmósfera gótica y una más por el final. Habrá que leer más de Susan Hill para ver si no es una autora one hit wonder.
October 20, 2015
A young medical student has taken rooms in Printer's Devil Court in London, sharing them with three other medical men. One evening, the four men have a discussion as to whether the story of Lazarus could possibly have been true – is it scientifically possible to bring someone back from the dead? Two of the men hint that they have been carrying out experiments on the subject and ask Meredith and the fourth man if they would like to join in. The fourth man considers the whole idea to be blasphemous and refuses, but Meredith's curiosity wins out, and he agrees to be a witness to the experiments – a decision he will regret for the rest of his life.
Susan Hill has written this very much in the style of a Victorian ghost story although it's set in the 20th century. It feels very much like working to a recipe...
1 notebook revealing a terrible secret
1 creepy street name
4 medical students
2 or 3 graveyards to taste
2 corpses
1 late night adventure in a mortuary
1 man racked by conscience and haunted for the rest of his life
Mix all together with a wooden spoon until smooth, and bake for 1 hour and 40 minutes.
Unfortunately, the resulting cake is somewhat bland – a Victoria sponge without the jam perhaps. One feels that a vital ingredient has been forgotten...
1 generous splash of essence of horror
The quality of the writing and storytelling is quite high – it's just that it's a story we've all heard so often in various forms and Hill brings nothing new to the recipe. I felt she was so busily ensuring that she got it to sound authentically Victorian, which she succeeds in doing very well, that she lost sight somewhat of the fact that a ghost story ought to be scary, and in order to be scary it must have some element of unpredictability. I kept hoping there was going to be a twist that would turn expectations on their head, but I'm afraid it ran along too smoothly from beginning to end without deviating from the obvious route. And there's no added ingredient to make up for the lack of the scare factor – no great moral questions are raised, there's no element of humour.
The most effective bits are the mortuary scene and the first graveyard scene, in both of which the quality of the writing does manage to create a chilling atmosphere, but from there on the story meanders on, not really going anywhere at all, until it reaches a completely anticlimactic end.
I listened to the audiobook version which has a running time of 1 hour and 40 minutes. The narrator Stephen Pacey does a good job with the material available, but I'm afraid that my spine remained untingled and my hair unraised.
NB This book was provided for review by Audible UK via Midas PR.
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
Susan Hill has written this very much in the style of a Victorian ghost story although it's set in the 20th century. It feels very much like working to a recipe...
1 notebook revealing a terrible secret
1 creepy street name
4 medical students
2 or 3 graveyards to taste
2 corpses
1 late night adventure in a mortuary
1 man racked by conscience and haunted for the rest of his life
Mix all together with a wooden spoon until smooth, and bake for 1 hour and 40 minutes.
Unfortunately, the resulting cake is somewhat bland – a Victoria sponge without the jam perhaps. One feels that a vital ingredient has been forgotten...
1 generous splash of essence of horror
The quality of the writing and storytelling is quite high – it's just that it's a story we've all heard so often in various forms and Hill brings nothing new to the recipe. I felt she was so busily ensuring that she got it to sound authentically Victorian, which she succeeds in doing very well, that she lost sight somewhat of the fact that a ghost story ought to be scary, and in order to be scary it must have some element of unpredictability. I kept hoping there was going to be a twist that would turn expectations on their head, but I'm afraid it ran along too smoothly from beginning to end without deviating from the obvious route. And there's no added ingredient to make up for the lack of the scare factor – no great moral questions are raised, there's no element of humour.
The most effective bits are the mortuary scene and the first graveyard scene, in both of which the quality of the writing does manage to create a chilling atmosphere, but from there on the story meanders on, not really going anywhere at all, until it reaches a completely anticlimactic end.
I listened to the audiobook version which has a running time of 1 hour and 40 minutes. The narrator Stephen Pacey does a good job with the material available, but I'm afraid that my spine remained untingled and my hair unraised.
NB This book was provided for review by Audible UK via Midas PR.
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
August 19, 2017
So here we are with the last (that I am aware of) of Susan Hills "ghosts stories" and I must admit this one though no great shocker did catch me out hence the high review.
So another short ghost story in the classic - British fireside story - if it was in another season I would almost be tempted to call it a Christmas Ghost story. This one is typically atmospheric and perfectly illustrated, instilling a perfect sense of time and place.
The story - and here it gets tricky without giving away spoilers - at first feels predictable, the characters, the location and even the subject matter. This is sense of familiarity is not dispelled as you carry on reading. For me it was more a case of enjoying the scene, as if I was watching a play unfold before me.
However the final reveal, the conclusion to the story really caught me out and although neither shocking or disturbing was a creative twist I didn't see coming which I will admit on some stories is far from the case. Now I am sure many can provide titles of stories which have a similar twist but for me this is the first and for that it will stay with me (reading many Stephen King short stories have a similar place in my memories).
So I have said it once and I am sure I will say it again - Susan Hill has a deft skill at weaving familiar and yet disturbing stories which defy the normal and as such will long remain in my mind, something I am and keep being impressed over.
So another short ghost story in the classic - British fireside story - if it was in another season I would almost be tempted to call it a Christmas Ghost story. This one is typically atmospheric and perfectly illustrated, instilling a perfect sense of time and place.
The story - and here it gets tricky without giving away spoilers - at first feels predictable, the characters, the location and even the subject matter. This is sense of familiarity is not dispelled as you carry on reading. For me it was more a case of enjoying the scene, as if I was watching a play unfold before me.
However the final reveal, the conclusion to the story really caught me out and although neither shocking or disturbing was a creative twist I didn't see coming which I will admit on some stories is far from the case. Now I am sure many can provide titles of stories which have a similar twist but for me this is the first and for that it will stay with me (reading many Stephen King short stories have a similar place in my memories).
So I have said it once and I am sure I will say it again - Susan Hill has a deft skill at weaving familiar and yet disturbing stories which defy the normal and as such will long remain in my mind, something I am and keep being impressed over.
May 8, 2017
Susan Hill's The Woman in Black is a modern classic ghost story worthy of the title. Since that was published more than twenty years ago, she has written a number of other ghost stories of novella length. None has been as good as The Woman in Black, but have usually been worth reading for the atmospheric storytelling. Printer's Devil Court, however, is very disappointing. It's a slight, poorly realised version of the Frankenstein story; hardly a ghost story at all. The story feels rushed and the telling of it half-hearted, and the text is riddled with typographical errors which make it very difficult to make sense of what's going on - there are even two in the eleven lines on the rear dustcover flap. This is a shoddy production on the part of the publisher, and I'm very glad I didn't pay the asking price of £9.99, but borrowed this from the library instead. It's as if absolutely no proof reading was involved in the production of the book. Another bizarre feature is the inclusion of random illustrations from the early-mid Victorian period in a story that must be taking place no earlier than the early twentieth century. Disappointing all round.
November 1, 2014
I was looking for something spooky, atmospheric, and ghostly for Halloween reading. Susan Hill has carved out a niche writing supernatural tales, as well as a fine police procedural series, so I gave this a try. The most appealing parts of this were her descriptions of murky London, but the plot was slight. The story needed more suspense to create the creepiness I hoped the story would have.
October 12, 2025
3.25/5
“Sinister trickeries.”
A Dickensian ghost story that dabbles in medical experimentation and necromancy. Compact little novella that’s perfect for chilly fall evenings.
“Sinister trickeries.”
A Dickensian ghost story that dabbles in medical experimentation and necromancy. Compact little novella that’s perfect for chilly fall evenings.
June 13, 2019
Overwhelmed with a feeling of "meh". I am not going to read any more Susan Hill ghost stories as none seem to capture the chills of The Woman in Black.
Review Taken from The Pewter Wolf
A mysterious little manuscript has appeared on the stepson of the late Dr Hugh Meredith. In it, he writes about a chilling events that happened years ago when he was training as a junior doctor near London's Fleet Street. Living with two other medics, they ask for his help with their research...
This just confirms that me and Susan Hill ghost stories just don't get on as I came away with this with the feeling of "meh". It was just meh. And that annoyed me as this had elements and some of the writing style choices that would have made a wonderful ghost chiller.
I am not a horror reader and I do like a more psychological scare. There were one or two moments I did feel a bit tense in my stomach as something was being to creep and unnerve, but it never lasted long. It felt like this would freak me out, but it always felt like it missed the mark and I think this is why I feel quite underwhelmed by it.
I think I am done with Susan Hill's ghost stories (though I said this last time!) as I always seem to come away underwhelmed and not feeling the ghostly fingers at the back of my neck or curling round my stomach or heart.
Review Taken from The Pewter Wolf
A mysterious little manuscript has appeared on the stepson of the late Dr Hugh Meredith. In it, he writes about a chilling events that happened years ago when he was training as a junior doctor near London's Fleet Street. Living with two other medics, they ask for his help with their research...
This just confirms that me and Susan Hill ghost stories just don't get on as I came away with this with the feeling of "meh". It was just meh. And that annoyed me as this had elements and some of the writing style choices that would have made a wonderful ghost chiller.
I am not a horror reader and I do like a more psychological scare. There were one or two moments I did feel a bit tense in my stomach as something was being to creep and unnerve, but it never lasted long. It felt like this would freak me out, but it always felt like it missed the mark and I think this is why I feel quite underwhelmed by it.
I think I am done with Susan Hill's ghost stories (though I said this last time!) as I always seem to come away underwhelmed and not feeling the ghostly fingers at the back of my neck or curling round my stomach or heart.
February 25, 2018
Review to follow!
October 26, 2021
I thought I would read something appropriate for Halloween that was a little bit creepy. I have read several of Susan Hill's books and I generally find them interesting.
The Printer's Devils Court is a mixture of Burke and Hare, Frankenstein, and a ghost story and although short it had the ability to keep me reading. I did however find the end a little disappointing, I wanted just a little more information.
I loved the old fashioned binding of the book with the gold embossed loose jacket cover nice to hold and reminiscent of books I used to have as a child.
The Printer's Devils Court is a mixture of Burke and Hare, Frankenstein, and a ghost story and although short it had the ability to keep me reading. I did however find the end a little disappointing, I wanted just a little more information.
I loved the old fashioned binding of the book with the gold embossed loose jacket cover nice to hold and reminiscent of books I used to have as a child.
May 23, 2020
Printer's Devil Court was an unfortunate disappointment, which has become characteristic of Hill's books as of late when I read them.
The story involves four medical students whom share lodgings with one another. Hugh our main character, James the intelligent among the lot who exists for a mere few pages since he relinquishes interest in the pact put forth by the other two students, Walter and Rafe. Foregrounding their initial conversation is the four talking about the tale of Lazarus, which seems a bit forceful with it's intention of foreshadowing.
With James backing out of the proposed experiment the reader is then met with a quick and at times seemingly rushed attempt at transposing a Frankenstein-like plot into the hands of two late 18th century fanatics. Rafe and Walter are written as caricatures who depart from their infringements against the Hippocratic oath. While I enjoyed the lens from Hugh we are left with a few questions that underline Rafe's and Walter's motive and the 'phosphorescent' substance they use.
I will admit that the strongest part of the book by far was within the latter half. By that point Hugh has aged, married a widow and left behind Rafe and Walter as well as London's post-Dickensian facades in favour of the countryside. When one of his stepsons is employed at Hugh's own previous workplace he must then go and face everything from the past. The events spiral from there, the story picked up and it began to fuel my interest more. The ending was fulfilling, but was not too surprising. It relied too heavily on Hugh's impassioned resolve which was reinforced by firsthand guilt from more than half a century prior.
Overall Hill's book was a quick read and wavered at times. It might be more suited to those who want to get more into ghost stories, rather than those more accustomed to the genre.
The story involves four medical students whom share lodgings with one another. Hugh our main character, James the intelligent among the lot who exists for a mere few pages since he relinquishes interest in the pact put forth by the other two students, Walter and Rafe. Foregrounding their initial conversation is the four talking about the tale of Lazarus, which seems a bit forceful with it's intention of foreshadowing.
With James backing out of the proposed experiment the reader is then met with a quick and at times seemingly rushed attempt at transposing a Frankenstein-like plot into the hands of two late 18th century fanatics. Rafe and Walter are written as caricatures who depart from their infringements against the Hippocratic oath. While I enjoyed the lens from Hugh we are left with a few questions that underline Rafe's and Walter's motive and the 'phosphorescent' substance they use.
I will admit that the strongest part of the book by far was within the latter half. By that point Hugh has aged, married a widow and left behind Rafe and Walter as well as London's post-Dickensian facades in favour of the countryside. When one of his stepsons is employed at Hugh's own previous workplace he must then go and face everything from the past. The events spiral from there, the story picked up and it began to fuel my interest more. The ending was fulfilling, but was not too surprising. It relied too heavily on Hugh's impassioned resolve which was reinforced by firsthand guilt from more than half a century prior.
Overall Hill's book was a quick read and wavered at times. It might be more suited to those who want to get more into ghost stories, rather than those more accustomed to the genre.
October 9, 2018
This is the first Susan Hill story I have read, and I must say I was disappointed. The tale starts off well with Victorian doctors conducting experiments in the hope of successfully resurrecting a cadaver. The premise, although not original, promises a gripping ghost story in the Victorian Gothic tradition. Unfortunately, it doesn't deliver on that promise. Any ghost story worth penning needs a chilling twist, the kind that raises the hairs on the back of your neck, but the climax to this story is disappointing. I have been led to believe that Susan Hill deserves the hype surrounding her fiction, so I'm willing to give her another chance. Please tell me which of her ghost stories I should read. The Woman in Black, perhaps? I enjoyed the film released by Hammer in 2012.
September 5, 2016
Not quite up there with: 'Woman in Black', 'Dolly' or 'Small Hand' - but nevertheless a good creepy ghost story of a read.
June 3, 2018
The story was just very average and very, very dull. It follows four medical students, two of who have an interest in resurrecting the dead. It mainly just felt like a really poor attempt at a Frankenstein-esque story.
For a short story it takes a really long time to get going, and never really hits a peak. The main body of the story happens too quickly, with little detail, none of it enticing.
I enjoyed the writing style but other than that the story lacked intrigued and for a supposed 'horror' story, it lacked the horror aspect.
The story line had potential but I was bored and considering how short it was, if I had read it (as opposed to audiobook) or not listened to it in one sitting, I'm not convinced I would have finished it.
For a short story it takes a really long time to get going, and never really hits a peak. The main body of the story happens too quickly, with little detail, none of it enticing.
I enjoyed the writing style but other than that the story lacked intrigued and for a supposed 'horror' story, it lacked the horror aspect.
The story line had potential but I was bored and considering how short it was, if I had read it (as opposed to audiobook) or not listened to it in one sitting, I'm not convinced I would have finished it.
June 24, 2019
The cover gives you the impression it's going to be a 'chilling' story... I'd say more atmospheric? That alone gets full marks from me & the fact there are other short stories all matching means I need to get them all!
True, it is a ghost story and it definitely got my attention with its Frankenstein-esque story-line, but I am a big Susan Hill Fan. I fell in love with her writing after I read her most well known novel The Woman In Black & The Mist In The Mirror. I think after I read those then the bar was set high and this little book just didn't reach those heights for me. Saying that, it was very much a 'classic' ghost story and you always know you are going to get great Gothic scene-building with Hill & that's why will I always pick up Ms Hills books.
True, it is a ghost story and it definitely got my attention with its Frankenstein-esque story-line, but I am a big Susan Hill Fan. I fell in love with her writing after I read her most well known novel The Woman In Black & The Mist In The Mirror. I think after I read those then the bar was set high and this little book just didn't reach those heights for me. Saying that, it was very much a 'classic' ghost story and you always know you are going to get great Gothic scene-building with Hill & that's why will I always pick up Ms Hills books.
August 31, 2021
31/08/2021
Book 53/52
genre: atmospheric horror
age: adult
Review: This was okay. Not amazing, not awful. Just okay. I've noticed with Susan Hill that her short stories are easy and fast to read, but that I always miss some depth in it. A lot of time passes in the short pages, which makes it feel like you're following the story from really far away.
Book 53/52
genre: atmospheric horror
age: adult
Review: This was okay. Not amazing, not awful. Just okay. I've noticed with Susan Hill that her short stories are easy and fast to read, but that I always miss some depth in it. A lot of time passes in the short pages, which makes it feel like you're following the story from really far away.
October 22, 2022
I wouldn’t say this book wowed me. I hadn’t read any of Susan Hill’s books since the ‘Woman in Black’ when I was at school. I remember loving that and would like to re-read it.
I read this little story in one sitting as a start to spooky season. Although It didn’t really stir any emotion or reaction in me, I do appreciate Susan Hill’s ability to tell a story, especially a short one.
I read this little story in one sitting as a start to spooky season. Although It didn’t really stir any emotion or reaction in me, I do appreciate Susan Hill’s ability to tell a story, especially a short one.
August 9, 2020
An enjoyable little book, it followed a similar plot structure to The Woman in Black but I enjoyed that title so it didn't bother me.
I enjoyed Hill's unique take on resurrection, the book touched on similar themes to those explored in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein - there's always something to be said for 'playing God'.
All in all, I liked Printer's Devil Court. Susan Hill really can do no wrong.
I enjoyed Hill's unique take on resurrection, the book touched on similar themes to those explored in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein - there's always something to be said for 'playing God'.
All in all, I liked Printer's Devil Court. Susan Hill really can do no wrong.
October 8, 2022
This was such a cute spooky read
February 25, 2022
2.5 stars. I love me some Victorian era science and medicine, I REALLY do, but this story was... Meh. For starters, it irks me that no dead body was actually brought back to life - which was the setup of the book. The elements that did come close to the whole 'resurrecting a dead body' theme felt more like an attempt at magic than actual science - nowhere did it mention either science or magic, but seeing as the characters are all scientists and/or doctors, I know which of the two I would be most likely to expect. The detailed narration switching to a sudden cut of 30 years with barely any info makes it not quite a diary, yet not quite a story recollection either. However, when I got to Hugh's first meeting the ghost-but-not-really-a-ghost-girl, I got actual chills when her voice was described! Wowie!!! Finally an element that draws me fully into a story - I really liked that, and the other surreal ghostly events. I would've loved more of this! I did feel like the girl 'dissolving' suddenly seemed like an easy way out, unfortunately - and the ending, as a whole, was very underwhelming. Rather than a suspenseful cliffhanger, I was left with some vague sense of confusion - yet no desire to really think about it to clear it up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 20, 2018
This was a decently spooky easily consumable ghost story, though I sincerely doubt it would have been as chilling if I hadn't listened to it on audio; Steven Pacey's ghost voice really creeped me out and I don't think it would have been as effective just being read. I think audio definitely helped my enjoyment of this story, so I think if I pick up any more Susan Hill I may do the same.
In terms of the actual story, it's nothing I haven't seen before really. There was nothing groundbreaking or different, just the same old ghost story which made it somewhat enjoyable but not riveting. I was only spooked towards the end of the tale.
I honestly thought the downfall of this story was just how short it is. I know its a short novella but it didn't have to be quite so brief. A little more introduction of the characters and the scientific project they are working on would have made the premise more believable and slightly more development and hinting towards the existence of the supernatural would have made this story significantly better, I believe.
That being said, it fit its role nicely and I would be very open to reading more of Susan Hill's work in the future.
In terms of the actual story, it's nothing I haven't seen before really. There was nothing groundbreaking or different, just the same old ghost story which made it somewhat enjoyable but not riveting. I was only spooked towards the end of the tale.
I honestly thought the downfall of this story was just how short it is. I know its a short novella but it didn't have to be quite so brief. A little more introduction of the characters and the scientific project they are working on would have made the premise more believable and slightly more development and hinting towards the existence of the supernatural would have made this story significantly better, I believe.
That being said, it fit its role nicely and I would be very open to reading more of Susan Hill's work in the future.
September 25, 2022
This story is set at the turn of the last century. It follows the account of one Dr Hugh Meredith written down in the form of a hand sewn book which is left with his solicitor; on the title page is scribbled The Wrong Life. As we read through Dr Hugh Meredith’s account we find that he has become haunted by the unnatural events of his past.
At first Printer’s Devil Court is atmospheric, full of descriptions of Dickensian London, with choking fogs and mists rising above the River Thames. There are some accompanying illustrations which add to the overall ghostly atmosphere. However, the character of Hugh is far too sketchy and I felt that you really didn’t get the chance to know him. Although the story is gripping and haunting, sadly, I felt it was far too short and the ending far too subtle. It certainly doesn’t quite reach the psychological impact of her iconic Woman in Black. This is a bitter sweet ghost story with an unsatisfying ending.
At first Printer’s Devil Court is atmospheric, full of descriptions of Dickensian London, with choking fogs and mists rising above the River Thames. There are some accompanying illustrations which add to the overall ghostly atmosphere. However, the character of Hugh is far too sketchy and I felt that you really didn’t get the chance to know him. Although the story is gripping and haunting, sadly, I felt it was far too short and the ending far too subtle. It certainly doesn’t quite reach the psychological impact of her iconic Woman in Black. This is a bitter sweet ghost story with an unsatisfying ending.
January 31, 2016
This is a beautiful book to look at. It's a smaller size than normal, hardback and with beautiful textured artwork. The publishers have done all that they can to entice the reader into picking up this book. Sadly, the beauty of the book stops at the cover.
Four Doctors live together in shared quarters. James and Walter decide that they want to try and achieve the impossible by bringing someone back to life. An act that is witnessed by Hugh. Oddly for an author who is so good at writing ghost stories, this one has none of the required ingredients. Ghost stories generally require us to suspend our beliefs but the way the two Drs commit their crime is so lacking that I didn't really care what happened next.
Sadly there is no suspense, chills or even bumps in the night with this story.
Four Doctors live together in shared quarters. James and Walter decide that they want to try and achieve the impossible by bringing someone back to life. An act that is witnessed by Hugh. Oddly for an author who is so good at writing ghost stories, this one has none of the required ingredients. Ghost stories generally require us to suspend our beliefs but the way the two Drs commit their crime is so lacking that I didn't really care what happened next.
Sadly there is no suspense, chills or even bumps in the night with this story.
May 16, 2016
This is my first Susan Hill novella and must admit I like these old fashioned horror settings. I think this works much better as a period horror instead of a horror period book, I know you are probably wondering what is the difference between the two. The book is more period with a dash of supernatural (horror), I found that the novel balanced nicely. Like most horror films, this book has clearly divided the audiences which is okay, you either find yourself on one side of the fence or the other. As a horror fan I did find this story a very pedestrian one and not something ground shattering. It's short and detailed like most old fashioned stories, detailed.
I'll probably read the other books in the series but I'll be doing so in between books. Above average and worth checking out.
I'll probably read the other books in the series but I'll be doing so in between books. Above average and worth checking out.
October 29, 2013
Dr Hugh Meredith – country doctor in the West Country – leaves his step-son a manuscript which reveals some very shady goings on from when he was doing his medical training. What he witnessed during a macabre experiment carried out by his fellow medical students haunted him for the rest of his life.
His story is likely to haunt the reader as well. This is an atmospheric and unsettling short story from a master of the macabre and ghostly and will delight anyone who enjoys understated ghost stories. It is well written and the characters are well drawn even though they are only sketched in a few words.
His story is likely to haunt the reader as well. This is an atmospheric and unsettling short story from a master of the macabre and ghostly and will delight anyone who enjoys understated ghost stories. It is well written and the characters are well drawn even though they are only sketched in a few words.
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