Lucky's Grove

by H. Russell Wakefield

In preparation for the upcoming Christmas celebrations, the servants of wealthy Mr Braxton unwittingly cut a tree from the sacred grounds of Lucky’s Grove. As the guests arrive, injuries, illness, and mysterious occurrences soon plague Abingdale Hall—with the worst to come on Christmas Day.

Genres: Horror, Short Stories, Classics

72 pages, Paperback

Published October 28, 2025

About the author

Herbert Russell Wakefield was an English short story writer, novelist, publisher, and civil servant chiefly remembered today for his ghost stories.
Pseudonyms: H.R. Wakefield, H. Russell Wakefield

Reviews

[Peyton Honeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feeling real good about my artificial Christmas tree right about now.

[Indieflower · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note to self, don't choose a Christmas tree from a grove belonging to a pagan god.

[John Gilbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rule #1: don't disturb the sacred grove!

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

We start out with more context than the characters. Had they known what "Lucky" in the grove name really stands for, maybe they would have reconsidered taking their tree from there. All in all, they weren't bad people, just entitled as the upperclass British can be.

And what comes for them is so masterfully set up! It comes from little bits of strangeness, easy to overlook until we think back to the epigraph, to eventually turn into full-blown supernatural retribution.

I know I will spare more than a passing thought to where my tree came from now.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect, short ghost story for Christmas! Loved the writing! 4 stars

Paranormal

1937
Paperback
Gift from Aunt Linda

[Carrie Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another light Christmas ghost story as part of the traditional read during Christmas. The idea of a cursed tree that ends up being a family’s Christmas tree has some interesting elements of visions, bad dreams and even death. I only wish I understood the reason why. It’s implied the family is aware but as a reader you aren’t told. That is probably with intention, leave you to imagine, but my longing to know left the story a little wanting.

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

H. Russell Wakefield’s Lucky’s Grove can be read as an eco-horror thriller ahead of its time that could be subtitled “The Plant’s Revenge.” Although I doubt that was Wakefield’s intention 85 years ago, today it’s hard not to read as a cautionary tale—and the only one of the series that actually takes place on Christmas. Just as nature is telling us now, ignorance of natural laws is no excuse, and all who violate them will be punished.

For more of my reviews, please see https://www.thebookbeat.com/backroom/...

[Paul Barnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

[Biblioasis] (2025). SB. 76 Pages. Purchased from Amazon.co.uk.

First collected in “The Clock Strikes Twelve” (Herbert Jenkins (1940)).

Rather lacking in subtlety.

The most striking note of horror arose with the revelation of a child’s name: “Angela Rayner”.

The drab, naive drawings by “Seth” (Gregory Gallant (1962-)) bring nothing worthwhile to this book.

Additional contextual information, for instance a more detailed biographical sketch of the author*, would have been a welcome substitute. (*A mere four lines… but eight for the illustrator…)

[JA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Point in favor of artificial trees

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[Cynthia Egbert · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the darkest and most evil feeling of the books I've read in this series. Not as much a ghost story as a demon story. But it was set at Christmas. In fact,

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Supernaturally terrifying pagan Christmas horror story. Nasty, unsatisfyingly-ended, but highly seasonal! Excellent illustrations as usual. Happy Jolabokaflod!

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Satisfying Christmas ghost story!

[Canavan · Rating 4 out of 5]

✭✭✭✭

[Kevin Burns · Rating 4 out of 5]

a pretty dark ending by the usual standards of this series, there's a certain folk horror element to this tale which adds some chills and unease to the affair.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise is intriguing and there’s a strong sense of creeping unease, with Wakefield clearly skilled at building mood and suggestion rather than relying on overt horror. When it works, it feels quietly unsettling in a very early-20th-century way.

That said, the pacing is slow and the story can feel thin, with ideas that promise more than they ultimately deliver. The tension never fully escalates, and the ending may leave some readers wanting a stronger payoff.

Overall, a solid three stars: interesting and eerie in parts, but limited by its brevity and restraint. Worth reading for fans of classic supernatural fiction, less so if you’re after impact or depth.