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Horror Stories: Shocking Tales of Unspeakable Terror
With abandoned castles, terrifying beasts and gruesome discoveries, the 18 tales of ‘death, obsession, and paranoia†in this gilt-edged volume are from masters of the genre – including Bram Stoker, Edgar Allan Poe and HP Lovecraft – and reflect the enduring appeal of tales of the macabre. Part of the Arcturus Gilded Classics series, this edition also features a gold-embossed cover.
304 pages, Hardcover
Published June 1, 2024
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About the author
Ambrose Bierce
2,422 books1,296 followersdied perhaps 1914
Caustic wit and a strong sense of horror mark works, including In the Midst of Life (1891-1892) and The Devil's Dictionary (1906), of American writer Ambrose Gwinett Bierce.
People today best know this editorialist, journalist, and fabulist for his short story, An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge and his lexicon.
The informative sardonic view of human nature alongside his vehemence as a critic with his motto, "nothing matters," earned him the nickname "Bitter Bierce."
People knew Bierce despite his reputation as a searing critic, however, to encourage younger poet George Sterling and fiction author W.C. Morrow.
Bierce employed a distinctive style especially in his stories. This style often embraces an abrupt beginning, dark imagery, vague references to time, limited descriptions, the theme of war, and impossible events.
Bierce disappeared in December 1913 at the age of 71 years. People think that he traveled to Mexico to gain a firsthand perspective on ongoing revolution of that country.
Theories abound on a mystery, ultimate fate of Bierce. He in one of his final letters stated: "Good-bye. If you hear of my being stood up against a Mexican stone wall and shot to rags, please know that I think it is a pretty good way to depart this life. It beats old age, disease, or falling down the cellar stairs. To be a Gringo in Mexico--ah, that is euthanasia!"
Caustic wit and a strong sense of horror mark works, including In the Midst of Life (1891-1892) and The Devil's Dictionary (1906), of American writer Ambrose Gwinett Bierce.
People today best know this editorialist, journalist, and fabulist for his short story, An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge and his lexicon.
The informative sardonic view of human nature alongside his vehemence as a critic with his motto, "nothing matters," earned him the nickname "Bitter Bierce."
People knew Bierce despite his reputation as a searing critic, however, to encourage younger poet George Sterling and fiction author W.C. Morrow.
Bierce employed a distinctive style especially in his stories. This style often embraces an abrupt beginning, dark imagery, vague references to time, limited descriptions, the theme of war, and impossible events.
Bierce disappeared in December 1913 at the age of 71 years. People think that he traveled to Mexico to gain a firsthand perspective on ongoing revolution of that country.
Theories abound on a mystery, ultimate fate of Bierce. He in one of his final letters stated: "Good-bye. If you hear of my being stood up against a Mexican stone wall and shot to rags, please know that I think it is a pretty good way to depart this life. It beats old age, disease, or falling down the cellar stairs. To be a Gringo in Mexico--ah, that is euthanasia!"
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
October 18, 2025
Like many anthologies, this is a mixed bag. By including classic authors, like Edgar Allan Poe, O. Henry, Ambrose Bierce, et cetera, this really is an assembly of some of the classic voices of the genre from their respective eras. The trade-off is that the antiquated literary style wears on the casual reader at times.
Bram Stoker's "The Invisible Giant" struck me and is one of my new favorite short stories. Francis Marion Crawford's "The Doll's Ghost" is charming, if facile. Washington Irving's "The Spectre Bridegroom" is well told, if predictable.
Sir Walter Scott's "The Tapestried Chamber", though, while an interesting story, became a long slog through too much prose, as was E.F. Benson's "The Room in the Tower". It was great to see an H.P. Lovecraft story, but I don't understand why so many anthologies choose to use "The Horror at Red Hook".
There are definitely some gems in here, but the collection would have benefitted from adding a few more recent writers. If you truly appreciate classic Gothic horror, this is for you. But the consistently antiquated writing isn't going to be for everyone.
Bram Stoker's "The Invisible Giant" struck me and is one of my new favorite short stories. Francis Marion Crawford's "The Doll's Ghost" is charming, if facile. Washington Irving's "The Spectre Bridegroom" is well told, if predictable.
Sir Walter Scott's "The Tapestried Chamber", though, while an interesting story, became a long slog through too much prose, as was E.F. Benson's "The Room in the Tower". It was great to see an H.P. Lovecraft story, but I don't understand why so many anthologies choose to use "The Horror at Red Hook".
There are definitely some gems in here, but the collection would have benefitted from adding a few more recent writers. If you truly appreciate classic Gothic horror, this is for you. But the consistently antiquated writing isn't going to be for everyone.
Displaying 1 of 1 review