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The Haunter of the Dark
The Haunter of the Dark H. P. Lovecraft - "The Haunter of the Dark" is a horror short story by American author H. P. Lovecraft, written between 59 November 1935 and published in the December 1936 edition of Weird Tales. It was the last-written of the author's known works, and is part of the Cthulhu Mythos.
34 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1935
About the author
H.P. Lovecraft
7,047 books19.9k followersHoward Phillips Lovecraft, of Providence, Rhode Island, was an American author of horror, fantasy and science fiction.
Lovecraft's major inspiration and invention was cosmic horror: life is incomprehensible to human minds and the universe is fundamentally alien. Those who genuinely reason, like his protagonists, gamble with sanity. Lovecraft has developed a cult following for his Cthulhu Mythos, a series of loosely interconnected fictions featuring a pantheon of human-nullifying entities, as well as the Necronomicon, a fictional grimoire of magical rites and forbidden lore. His works were deeply pessimistic and cynical, challenging the values of the Enlightenment, Romanticism and Christianity. Lovecraft's protagonists usually achieve the mirror-opposite of traditional gnosis and mysticism by momentarily glimpsing the horror of ultimate reality.
Although Lovecraft's readership was limited during his life, his reputation has grown over the decades. He is now commonly regarded as one of the most influential horror writers of the 20th Century, exerting widespread and indirect influence, and frequently compared to Edgar Allan Poe.
See also Howard Phillips Lovecraft.
— Wikipedia
Lovecraft's major inspiration and invention was cosmic horror: life is incomprehensible to human minds and the universe is fundamentally alien. Those who genuinely reason, like his protagonists, gamble with sanity. Lovecraft has developed a cult following for his Cthulhu Mythos, a series of loosely interconnected fictions featuring a pantheon of human-nullifying entities, as well as the Necronomicon, a fictional grimoire of magical rites and forbidden lore. His works were deeply pessimistic and cynical, challenging the values of the Enlightenment, Romanticism and Christianity. Lovecraft's protagonists usually achieve the mirror-opposite of traditional gnosis and mysticism by momentarily glimpsing the horror of ultimate reality.
Although Lovecraft's readership was limited during his life, his reputation has grown over the decades. He is now commonly regarded as one of the most influential horror writers of the 20th Century, exerting widespread and indirect influence, and frequently compared to Edgar Allan Poe.
See also Howard Phillips Lovecraft.
— Wikipedia
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
September 14, 2025
I didn't like how the story was told by a diary as it felt wobbly to read. The Haunter of the Dark was only a small portion of the short story which is a bit disappointing as he was the most interesting character. I wish it would have been less about a church but rather about The Haunter of the Dark himself.
This story had nothing interesting to offer and I think it will be forgotten by me quite fast.
This story had nothing interesting to offer and I think it will be forgotten by me quite fast.
May 26, 2025
I don’t write reviews.
And maybe I am scared of that moment when you are forced to rely on the feeble light of a guttering candle or the irregular flash of lightning to keep “it” at bay.
And maybe I am scared of that moment when you are forced to rely on the feeble light of a guttering candle or the irregular flash of lightning to keep “it” at bay.
December 7, 2025
‘The Haunter of the Dark’ by H. P. Lovecraft is a spooky atmospheric short story. Robert Blake is the hapless investigator of the occult who ends up understanding, too late, that warnings from locals that a place is evil is not to be taken lightly!
I have copied the book blurb:
”The Haunter of the Dark" by H.P. Lovecraft is a chilling tale of cosmic horror that plunges readers into the eerie depths of Providence, Rhode Island. The story follows Robert Blake, a writer fascinated by the occult, who becomes obsessed with an ancient church known as the Church of Starry Wisdom. Inside this decrepit church, Blake discovers a sinister artifact called the Shining Trapezohedron, which seems to hold dark and otherworldly powers.
As Blake delves deeper into the mysteries surrounding the church and the artifact, he unwittingly attracts the attention of a malevolent entity known as the Haunter of the Dark. This ancient and eldritch being, lurking in the shadows beyond human comprehension, begins to stalk Blake, driving him to the brink of madness.
Lovecraft's masterful prose weaves a tale of creeping dread and existential terror, as Blake's descent into madness mirrors his confrontation with the incomprehensible forces that lurk beyond the veil of reality. With its vivid descriptions, evocative imagery, and spine-tingling atmosphere, "The Haunter of the Dark" stands as a testament to Lovecraft's enduring legacy as a master of cosmic horror, captivating readers with its chilling portrayal of the unknown and the unfathomable.”
The blurb description is all true, horribly true! 😬
I have copied the book blurb:
”The Haunter of the Dark" by H.P. Lovecraft is a chilling tale of cosmic horror that plunges readers into the eerie depths of Providence, Rhode Island. The story follows Robert Blake, a writer fascinated by the occult, who becomes obsessed with an ancient church known as the Church of Starry Wisdom. Inside this decrepit church, Blake discovers a sinister artifact called the Shining Trapezohedron, which seems to hold dark and otherworldly powers.
As Blake delves deeper into the mysteries surrounding the church and the artifact, he unwittingly attracts the attention of a malevolent entity known as the Haunter of the Dark. This ancient and eldritch being, lurking in the shadows beyond human comprehension, begins to stalk Blake, driving him to the brink of madness.
Lovecraft's masterful prose weaves a tale of creeping dread and existential terror, as Blake's descent into madness mirrors his confrontation with the incomprehensible forces that lurk beyond the veil of reality. With its vivid descriptions, evocative imagery, and spine-tingling atmosphere, "The Haunter of the Dark" stands as a testament to Lovecraft's enduring legacy as a master of cosmic horror, captivating readers with its chilling portrayal of the unknown and the unfathomable.”
The blurb description is all true, horribly true! 😬
April 12, 2026
Lovecraft's last story is somewhat poetically about being afraid of the dark.
An atmospheric, tight tale that makes deft use of a variety of Lovecraft's tropes and balances his often verbose language quite nicely. It's one of his more polished stories and is quite readable. We get everything from ancient artefacts, visions of alien worlds, supernatural investigators, bizarre unseen entities, lightning bolts, to gothic facades. And while it's not quite as rambling or purple as some of his more ponderous tales like At the Mountains of Madness or The Dreams in the Witch House, it does feel like it lacks some of his weirdness. Maybe it's that it feels like a refinement of all his past works, but it doesn't quite capture the imagination the way so many of his other works have. That being said it's fairly frightening and quite a well paced little tale. The otherworldly imagery is great and the looming threat of a creature that only exists in the dark is really good. All being said, it's not a bad work for him to have ended his career with. I only wish he'd lived long enough to continue the mythos he'd only just started.
4 Church Steeples out of 5
⛪⛪⛪⛪⬛
An atmospheric, tight tale that makes deft use of a variety of Lovecraft's tropes and balances his often verbose language quite nicely. It's one of his more polished stories and is quite readable. We get everything from ancient artefacts, visions of alien worlds, supernatural investigators, bizarre unseen entities, lightning bolts, to gothic facades. And while it's not quite as rambling or purple as some of his more ponderous tales like At the Mountains of Madness or The Dreams in the Witch House, it does feel like it lacks some of his weirdness. Maybe it's that it feels like a refinement of all his past works, but it doesn't quite capture the imagination the way so many of his other works have. That being said it's fairly frightening and quite a well paced little tale. The otherworldly imagery is great and the looming threat of a creature that only exists in the dark is really good. All being said, it's not a bad work for him to have ended his career with. I only wish he'd lived long enough to continue the mythos he'd only just started.
"Into his mind floated pictures of alien orbs with great stone towers, and other orbs with titan mountains and no mark of life, and still remoter spaces where only a stirring in vague blackness told of the presence of consciousness and will."
4 Church Steeples out of 5
⛪⛪⛪⛪⬛
September 29, 2026
3.5
Didn't know you could change editions, thanks Kaya. This cover is not good, but it's leagues above the original.
Didn't know you could change editions, thanks Kaya. This cover is not good, but it's leagues above the original.
September 11, 2026
Wow. This is probably one of my favourite Lovecraft stories, along with The Call of Cthulhu, Celephaïs, The Colour out of Space, The Nameless City, and so on.
Something I really gravitate towards are creepy churches. They have that kind of dusty, antique air that a lot of older paintings have, and I find cupids subtly unnerving. Also, the spires are very provocative, I find. Well, here, it was displayed perfectly. Couldn't have been done better.
Robert Blake, a very imaginative painter and writer, can't concentrate on his new project, because his eyes keep gravitating towards an old, dark church spire that he can see from his study window. Curiosity takes over, and, despite the warnings against some "ancient blasphemy" within, he enters the deserted church.
A strange crystal ball; visions; rumour of an entity that various cults nickname, 'The Haunter of the Dark', the strange rattling heard within the church.
Dark, archaic, dusty and fuelled by overlooking cupids covered in grime and has that same antique, Gothic air that old paintings have.
Something I really gravitate towards are creepy churches. They have that kind of dusty, antique air that a lot of older paintings have, and I find cupids subtly unnerving. Also, the spires are very provocative, I find. Well, here, it was displayed perfectly. Couldn't have been done better.
Robert Blake, a very imaginative painter and writer, can't concentrate on his new project, because his eyes keep gravitating towards an old, dark church spire that he can see from his study window. Curiosity takes over, and, despite the warnings against some "ancient blasphemy" within, he enters the deserted church.
A strange crystal ball; visions; rumour of an entity that various cults nickname, 'The Haunter of the Dark', the strange rattling heard within the church.
Dark, archaic, dusty and fuelled by overlooking cupids covered in grime and has that same antique, Gothic air that old paintings have.
February 24, 2025
A story that centers around a man´s exploration of an abandoned old church that looms over a city filled with poeple that has heard stories of a darkness that used to lure within.
It was a fine story, just not overly fond of it.
Read: 24.02.2025
1st rating: 2 stars
Cover: 1 star
POV´s: Single (Robert H. Blake)
Will I recommend: No
It was a fine story, just not overly fond of it.
Read: 24.02.2025
1st rating: 2 stars
Cover: 1 star
POV´s: Single (Robert H. Blake)
Will I recommend: No
April 17, 2025
Great story lots of fun!By a master!
October 9, 2024
3.5 stars rounded down.
On a sentence by sentence basis, HP Lovecraft is not a great writer. Admittedly, some of this may be a product of the time in which the works were written. But, it always seems he structurally misses the mark. He tells and tells and tells instead of shows. So many tales are from an imagined diary entry or news story. We hardly ever see a character or an incident in the moment. Because of this narrative remove, the suspense suffers greatly. This story is a perfect example. What an amazing conceit, and what a great opportunity to follow a character through some seriously creepy happenings. Honestly there is enough material there to fill a full book. Instead we are left with this short work that blows through everything with some strange narrative distance, like reading a news article about a haunted house rather than walking through it.
The ideas are great, the sense of wonder and dashes of anti-natalism are great. I love the weirdo cosmic stuff, the imagined universe far beyond the comprehension of humans. The settings are often perfect, damp, dark, creepy, all the right things. It's just in the plotting. Well, that and the overly verbose mush-mouthed narration--which for some reason I find it more easy to forgive as a byproduct of late 19th or early 20th century intellectualism.
Sure, there is an almost century of difference in literature sensibilities at the core of this critique but it is incredibly frustrating every time I read Lovecraft. It is pretty good stuff with great ideas that with a few tweaks could be a homerun but more often than not winds up as a single--occasionally with an RBI (forgive the horrible baseball analogy). I suppose this is why Lovecraft remains so influential. Scores of us writers have read him and said to ourselves, "Gee this would be so good only if..."
On a sentence by sentence basis, HP Lovecraft is not a great writer. Admittedly, some of this may be a product of the time in which the works were written. But, it always seems he structurally misses the mark. He tells and tells and tells instead of shows. So many tales are from an imagined diary entry or news story. We hardly ever see a character or an incident in the moment. Because of this narrative remove, the suspense suffers greatly. This story is a perfect example. What an amazing conceit, and what a great opportunity to follow a character through some seriously creepy happenings. Honestly there is enough material there to fill a full book. Instead we are left with this short work that blows through everything with some strange narrative distance, like reading a news article about a haunted house rather than walking through it.
The ideas are great, the sense of wonder and dashes of anti-natalism are great. I love the weirdo cosmic stuff, the imagined universe far beyond the comprehension of humans. The settings are often perfect, damp, dark, creepy, all the right things. It's just in the plotting. Well, that and the overly verbose mush-mouthed narration--which for some reason I find it more easy to forgive as a byproduct of late 19th or early 20th century intellectualism.
Sure, there is an almost century of difference in literature sensibilities at the core of this critique but it is incredibly frustrating every time I read Lovecraft. It is pretty good stuff with great ideas that with a few tweaks could be a homerun but more often than not winds up as a single--occasionally with an RBI (forgive the horrible baseball analogy). I suppose this is why Lovecraft remains so influential. Scores of us writers have read him and said to ourselves, "Gee this would be so good only if..."
November 15, 2025
Why did you just have to go and touch it, man? You knew you shouldn’t have touched it. It was glowing, it was ominous, it was literally sitting in a decaying church dedicated to something called the “Starry Wisdom Cult.” That’s not an invitation bro, the entire village is scared, that’s a warning label in neon lights with giant red arrows and a big "WRONG WAY GO BACK SIGN". Surely, ignorable? Right?
The Haunter of the Dark is one of Lovecraft’s absolute best. It’s eerie, perfectly paced, and connects beautifully with the rest of his mythos. You can feel the whole universe humming in the background, complete with ancient gods, sleeping horrors, and the kind of darkness that doesn’t just hide things, it contains them (cosmic batteries included). It’s unnerving in that slow, creeping way where you realise halfway through that you’re holding your breath.
It’s got everything: cults, cosmic dread, and one poor idiot who thought “ancient artifact” sounded like “career opportunity.” It ties into the bigger world seamlessly and ends with one of those “oh, he’s so dead” moments that remind you why Lovecraft never needed jump scares. Nothing but the slow brutality of creeping inevitability.
Four solid stars because sometimes you just have to let the idiot touch the thing so the rest of us can learn from it.
Listen to the audio reading for free at: https://www.youube.com/watch?v=sw6RrX...
The Haunter of the Dark is one of Lovecraft’s absolute best. It’s eerie, perfectly paced, and connects beautifully with the rest of his mythos. You can feel the whole universe humming in the background, complete with ancient gods, sleeping horrors, and the kind of darkness that doesn’t just hide things, it contains them (cosmic batteries included). It’s unnerving in that slow, creeping way where you realise halfway through that you’re holding your breath.
It’s got everything: cults, cosmic dread, and one poor idiot who thought “ancient artifact” sounded like “career opportunity.” It ties into the bigger world seamlessly and ends with one of those “oh, he’s so dead” moments that remind you why Lovecraft never needed jump scares. Nothing but the slow brutality of creeping inevitability.
Four solid stars because sometimes you just have to let the idiot touch the thing so the rest of us can learn from it.
Listen to the audio reading for free at: https://www.youube.com/watch?v=sw6RrX...
December 1, 2025
«The Haunter of the Dark» справляє суперечливе враження, особливо якщо читати його окремо від «The Shambler from the Stars». Це оповідання існує не як самодостатній твір, а як частина літературної гри між Лавкрафтом і Робертом Блохом — своєрідна відповідь на сюжет «Shambler». У такій зв’язці текст сприймається значно краще: з’являється додатковий рівень іронії та взаємодії авторів.
Однак поза контекстом - «Haunter» читається важче. Оповідь перенасичена описами, розтягнута, довго не переходить до активної частини сюжету. Напруга зростає заповільно, а кульмінація поступається динаміці й виразності «Shambler».
Як частина письменницького діалогу — це цікавий твір і відповідь Блоху. Як окреме оповідання — менш сильний текст, що потребує контексту, аби повністю розкритися.
Однак поза контекстом - «Haunter» читається важче. Оповідь перенасичена описами, розтягнута, довго не переходить до активної частини сюжету. Напруга зростає заповільно, а кульмінація поступається динаміці й виразності «Shambler».
Як частина письменницького діалогу — це цікавий твір і відповідь Блоху. Як окреме оповідання — менш сильний текст, що потребує контексту, аби повністю розкритися.
September 2, 2026
There’s something quite endearing about the fact that Lovecraft named Robert Blake after his friend Robert Bloch, and Bloch would go on to return the favor in a sequel to this story. I think Lovecraft hits on something really good in this story, that being an appeal to the age-old fear of the dark. I like the scenes of hysteria where people gather outside the church with candles and lanterns to keep the haunter trapped, and it’s tense when Blake writes about his lights going out. Unfortunately I think Lovecraft fails to truly explore this fear in a way that turns it from a good and atmospheric story loaded with purple prose to a truly terrifying one.
January 18, 2025
(2019, Curious Matter Anthology)
Robert Blake is an aspiring writer, and the character is a tribute to Lovecraft’s author friend, Robert Bloch. This tale is considered one of Lovecraft’s seminal works…and was ultimately his last, as he died in 1937. It follows Blake as his obsession with the Church of Starry Wisdom drives him to lockable unspeakable cosmic evil…and ultimately his own madness.
A wild ride expertly put together by the Curious Matter Anthology podcast team…including some solid insight into the problematic Mr. Lovecraft, himself.
Robert Blake is an aspiring writer, and the character is a tribute to Lovecraft’s author friend, Robert Bloch. This tale is considered one of Lovecraft’s seminal works…and was ultimately his last, as he died in 1937. It follows Blake as his obsession with the Church of Starry Wisdom drives him to lockable unspeakable cosmic evil…and ultimately his own madness.
A wild ride expertly put together by the Curious Matter Anthology podcast team…including some solid insight into the problematic Mr. Lovecraft, himself.
July 26, 2026
In line with my usual experience reading Lovecraft, his descriptions of the town, the locals, and especially the church are absolute perfection. You can picture every scene so vividly and build such terrifying scenarios in your mind. The mystery is very well developed, and overall, it’s a solid story.
However, I really wished the creature had been explored a bit more. I felt it lacked a deeper look into the entity that stars in the book, and I would have preferred the ending to turn up the horror and explicitness a notch. Still, a good read!
However, I really wished the creature had been explored a bit more. I felt it lacked a deeper look into the entity that stars in the book, and I would have preferred the ending to turn up the horror and explicitness a notch. Still, a good read!
December 12, 2024
This review is for the new Audible Essential Lovecraft audio series.
The audio drama of this story by the wonderful HP Lovecraft Historical Society is one of my favorites. I hadn't listened to the actual story so I gave this a try. The story is great, the narration doesn't fit. It sounds like the story is just being read. The introductions aren't really needed. Try the Historical Society's version instead, both drama and story. They are superb at both.
The audio drama of this story by the wonderful HP Lovecraft Historical Society is one of my favorites. I hadn't listened to the actual story so I gave this a try. The story is great, the narration doesn't fit. It sounds like the story is just being read. The introductions aren't really needed. Try the Historical Society's version instead, both drama and story. They are superb at both.
March 5, 2025
A rather dull mashup of ideas from earlier stories. The sleepwalking comes from The Dreams in the Witch House and the concepts, main character, and monsters come from… everywhere else.
Even this story is apparently derivative, written to kill off a character based on another writer after that writer killed off a character based on Lovecraft. Alas, my read-through of most of Lovecraft’s work goes out with a whimper.
Even this story is apparently derivative, written to kill off a character based on another writer after that writer killed off a character based on Lovecraft. Alas, my read-through of most of Lovecraft’s work goes out with a whimper.
May 8, 2026
The Trapezohedron window into another dimension is one of the more inspired ideas from Lovecraft so far, and one of the creepier ones. Fun hearing about the Necronomicon, and other assorted works that give depth to the world. Plus the idea of a light-sensitive baddy was fun, in the same vein as Alan Wake would later pick up.
June 10, 2025
A good final story by Lovecraft. The plot is constantly moving; there is plenty of lore; the monster impacts the broader community; and the story is set more in the real world than some of Lovecraft's other outlandish tales.
January 16, 2026
Maybe I've read too much Lovecraft too quickly, but this one was rather boring for me. It didn't evoke anything special, though the Italians were a nice touch. I would have enjoyed if there had been more interactions with them. The ending was weaker than the beginning.
August 11, 2026
"Read" as an Audiobook as part of the Complete HP Lovecraft collection
Written through diary entries, which was different from other Lovecraft works, don't know if I like that format from him
Big boy Azathoth was mentioned a lot though
Written through diary entries, which was different from other Lovecraft works, don't know if I like that format from him
Big boy Azathoth was mentioned a lot though
October 9, 2024
4/5 Stars
A good horror story that was plotted well throughout. It was slightly confusing in the end though I enjoyed it nonetheless.
A good horror story that was plotted well throughout. It was slightly confusing in the end though I enjoyed it nonetheless.
November 4, 2024
One of Lovecraft's best, I think. Absolutely haunting, especially the final few lines!
December 26, 2024
3.5/5, "light is dark and dark is light" especially when you stare into an ancient evil glowing artifact to only be haunted by an eldritch acid spraying winged mass of darkness.
January 12, 2025
Εξαιρετικό!!!
January 21, 2025
Not sure I followed this as well as some others. Good overall.
Read
February 10, 2025Literally the most boring thing I've ever read in my entire life. Lovecraft is really talented at making a thirty-page story seem like it goes on for a thousand years.
February 19, 2025
8/10 - Short Story
March 18, 2025
I will not be going to the church on federal hill
June 29, 2025
Checks all the boxes for a short Lovecraft horror story without anything special really.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews