Ghost in the Box: Reiwa Tanpen

by Tara A. Devlin

What is the Ghost in the Box?

An urban legend states that if you watch television alone late at night, you might come across the “Ghost in the Box.” It appears in the white noise when programming has ended for the night, but this is most certainly no regular program. And if you happen to see it, then you’ll only have three more days until “she” comes for you.

Who is this ghost? Why is she killing people who happen across her late at night? And is there any way to escape once you’ve seen her on screen…?

Click the buy now button to uncover the secrets behind this terrifying urban legend right now.

Reiwa Tanpen is a series of stand-alone Japanese horror, mystery, and thriller novellas and short stories for the new era. Featuring Japanese ghosts, curses, killers, yokai, urban legends, and much more, each story can be listened to independently of the rest.

Genres: Horror

Audible Audio

Published October 30, 2024

About the author

Tara A. Devlin studied Japanese at the University of Queensland before moving to Japan in 2005. She lived in Matsue, the birthplace of Japanese ghost stories, for 10 years, where her love for Japanese horror really grew. And with Izumo, the birthplace of Japanese mythology, just a stone’s throw away, she was never too far from the mysterious. You can find her collection of horror and fantasy writings at taraadevlin.com and translations of Japanese horror at kowabana.net.

Reviews

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

With her experiences translating and reading Japanese creepypastas, Tara A. Devlin created a story that captured the feel of one. It is a story that shows Tara's love for the subject.

However, it is hindered by one thing - the protagonist's apathy. The protagonist is so beaten down by her life that when she finds out the rumor she read on a forum is true and will die in three days, she still carries that apathy. Her apathy makes it hard to really care. If she, for the majority of the time, does not care about her fate, why will the reader?

Now, there is nothing wrong with having an apathetic protagonist, but the narration should not transfer that apathy to the reader. Unfortunately, I was as apathetic to the book as the protagonist was to life for the majority of the book. It wasn't until the antagonist was revealed and made their move against the protagonist that the novella spiked in emotions and intensity. I just wished I didn't have to wade through some much apathy beforehand.

[KarenMichelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Straight from 2chan

Or a story from kowabana. Japamese horror tropes appear and are turned on their heads. And...a fantastic read (like the rest!)

[Taylor Lebel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put this down. It kept me on the edge of seat. What a terrifying, but yet sweet book.