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The Dream House and Other Seasonal Ghost Stories
Hawketh House is stuck over a hundred years in the past, and when Alastair Richmond visits, he becomes only the second guest in nine months. Despite the house’s apparent emptiness, Alastair is shown to a cramped room in the attic, cluttered with windchimes, dreamcatchers, and odd curios.
Mrs. Baylor is a frosty host, and her husband is a giant but subservient man who only communicates by grunting. And the old house is so creaky that they can track Alastair’s every move. Strange happenings and chilling cold spots spook Alastair, and then he hears movement in supposedly empty rooms. Something stirs here, waiting.
This house wakes up when you fall asleep
Also features additional ghost stories, where the changing seasons awaken unique and chilling haunts.
Mrs. Baylor is a frosty host, and her husband is a giant but subservient man who only communicates by grunting. And the old house is so creaky that they can track Alastair’s every move. Strange happenings and chilling cold spots spook Alastair, and then he hears movement in supposedly empty rooms. Something stirs here, waiting.
This house wakes up when you fall asleep
Also features additional ghost stories, where the changing seasons awaken unique and chilling haunts.
147 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 14, 2025
8 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
N. P. Arrowsmith
2 books3 followersN. P. Arrowsmith is an author of adult horror fiction and a Chartered Engineer with the Royal Aeronautical Society. His novels, short stories and poems will unsettle, mystify and immerse the reader in many rich and diverse settings.
He lives in Lancashire, England and can be frequently found hiking in The Lake District, the inspiration behind his fictional county of Deaconshire. His other passion is to explore weird and wonderful places all around the world.
He lives in Lancashire, England and can be frequently found hiking in The Lake District, the inspiration behind his fictional county of Deaconshire. His other passion is to explore weird and wonderful places all around the world.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 22, 2025
Haunting Tales from Deaconshire: A Chillingly Atmospheric 4.5-Star Read
N. P. Arrowsmith’s The Dream House and Other Seasonal Ghost Stories is a slender but rewarding collection that clocks in at just about 150 pages. Though brief, the book manages to carve out a vivid little corner of the supernatural—Deaconshire, a fictional region that ties all the stories together with an eerie sense of place. Within this setting, Arrowsmith explores haunted houses, eerie visions, seasonal phantoms, and the unsettling weight of history pressing down on the present. The collection includes the titular novella-length tale The Dream House , as well as two Ghost Stories for Christmas , My Corpse Candle , and A Painting of Magdalena Rose .
The Dream House and Other Seasonal Ghost Stories ♦ N. P. Arrowsmith - A Review
Opinion
The title story, The Dream House , is clearly the centerpiece. Running longer than the others, it gives Arrowsmith room to unfurl his descriptive prose and unsettling atmosphere. The premise is compelling: Alastair Richmond, a lonely traveler, finds himself drawn into Hawketh House, a residence seemingly frozen in time, where the hosts are as peculiar as the creaking house itself. Arrowsmith’s knack for description is one of the story’s great strengths. He conjures the dusty attic cluttered with dreamcatchers and curios, the shadowy corridors that seem to watch Alastair’s every step, and the oppressive silences that become characters in their own right. I was particularly impressed by the twists that appear around the last four to five chapters—unexpected turns that not only inject suspense but also deepen the story’s emotional stakes.
What sets The Dream House apart from more traditional haunted-house narratives is its sense of transformation. It isn’t just about Alastair being threatened by ghosts, but about his strange role in protecting them and, ultimately, glimpsing a possible future for himself within the house’s spectral walls. This idea—that haunting can be as much about care as about fear—felt refreshingly original. That said, while I admired the story, I must confess that my strongest reactions were reserved for the shorter works that followed.
My Corpse Candle is a standout. Rooted in old folk traditions, the story taps into the timeless fear of death’s harbingers and turns it into a vivid, spine-tingling narrative. The imagery here—glimpses of spectral light, the heavy dread that accompanies it—lingered with me long after I had closed the book. Where The Dream House was expansive and layered, this story is sharp, direct, and chilling.
Likewise, A Painting of Magdalena Rose might be the finest story in the collection. It blends the classic ghost-story motif of an uncanny portrait with a deeply unsettling psychological undertone. There is something visceral about the way Arrowsmith handles the act of looking—at art, at memory, at the past—that makes the story both frightening and strangely poignant. Of all the tales in this slim book, this is the one I am least likely to forget.
Taken together, these stories show an author who knows how to balance atmosphere with narrative drive. The fact that all of them are set in Deaconshire gives the book a subtle cohesion, making the stories feel less like a random assortment and more like glimpses into a single haunted landscape. For readers of ghost fiction, that sense of continuity is a real treat.
If I have one minor critique, it is that the book’s brevity left me wanting more. At only 150 pages, it’s easy to devour in a sitting or two, and I found myself wishing Arrowsmith had included one or two more tales to round out the experience. Still, what is here is polished, evocative, and—at its best—truly chilling.
Conclusion
In the end, The Dream House and Other Seasonal Ghost Stories earns a solid 4.5 stars from me. It is a beautifully written, atmospheric, and satisfyingly creepy little volume that deserves a spot on the shelf of anyone who loves classic-style ghost stories with a fresh twist. Arrowsmith has created not just stories, but a haunted county worth revisiting.
Through BookSirens I received an advance review copy (ARC) for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This review was first published at The Art of Reading.
N. P. Arrowsmith’s The Dream House and Other Seasonal Ghost Stories is a slender but rewarding collection that clocks in at just about 150 pages. Though brief, the book manages to carve out a vivid little corner of the supernatural—Deaconshire, a fictional region that ties all the stories together with an eerie sense of place. Within this setting, Arrowsmith explores haunted houses, eerie visions, seasonal phantoms, and the unsettling weight of history pressing down on the present. The collection includes the titular novella-length tale The Dream House , as well as two Ghost Stories for Christmas , My Corpse Candle , and A Painting of Magdalena Rose .
The Dream House and Other Seasonal Ghost Stories ♦ N. P. Arrowsmith - A Review
Opinion
The title story, The Dream House , is clearly the centerpiece. Running longer than the others, it gives Arrowsmith room to unfurl his descriptive prose and unsettling atmosphere. The premise is compelling: Alastair Richmond, a lonely traveler, finds himself drawn into Hawketh House, a residence seemingly frozen in time, where the hosts are as peculiar as the creaking house itself. Arrowsmith’s knack for description is one of the story’s great strengths. He conjures the dusty attic cluttered with dreamcatchers and curios, the shadowy corridors that seem to watch Alastair’s every step, and the oppressive silences that become characters in their own right. I was particularly impressed by the twists that appear around the last four to five chapters—unexpected turns that not only inject suspense but also deepen the story’s emotional stakes.
What sets The Dream House apart from more traditional haunted-house narratives is its sense of transformation. It isn’t just about Alastair being threatened by ghosts, but about his strange role in protecting them and, ultimately, glimpsing a possible future for himself within the house’s spectral walls. This idea—that haunting can be as much about care as about fear—felt refreshingly original. That said, while I admired the story, I must confess that my strongest reactions were reserved for the shorter works that followed.
My Corpse Candle is a standout. Rooted in old folk traditions, the story taps into the timeless fear of death’s harbingers and turns it into a vivid, spine-tingling narrative. The imagery here—glimpses of spectral light, the heavy dread that accompanies it—lingered with me long after I had closed the book. Where The Dream House was expansive and layered, this story is sharp, direct, and chilling.
Likewise, A Painting of Magdalena Rose might be the finest story in the collection. It blends the classic ghost-story motif of an uncanny portrait with a deeply unsettling psychological undertone. There is something visceral about the way Arrowsmith handles the act of looking—at art, at memory, at the past—that makes the story both frightening and strangely poignant. Of all the tales in this slim book, this is the one I am least likely to forget.
Taken together, these stories show an author who knows how to balance atmosphere with narrative drive. The fact that all of them are set in Deaconshire gives the book a subtle cohesion, making the stories feel less like a random assortment and more like glimpses into a single haunted landscape. For readers of ghost fiction, that sense of continuity is a real treat.
If I have one minor critique, it is that the book’s brevity left me wanting more. At only 150 pages, it’s easy to devour in a sitting or two, and I found myself wishing Arrowsmith had included one or two more tales to round out the experience. Still, what is here is polished, evocative, and—at its best—truly chilling.
Conclusion
In the end, The Dream House and Other Seasonal Ghost Stories earns a solid 4.5 stars from me. It is a beautifully written, atmospheric, and satisfyingly creepy little volume that deserves a spot on the shelf of anyone who loves classic-style ghost stories with a fresh twist. Arrowsmith has created not just stories, but a haunted county worth revisiting.
Through BookSirens I received an advance review copy (ARC) for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This review was first published at The Art of Reading.
January 18, 2026
Oh, what a wonderful book to read in this gloomy and dull month of January.
January, named after the Roman god Janus, marking beginning, end, gates and transitions, and depicted with two faces. The first story also has a duality that is rooted in mythology: the twin brothers Hypnos and Thanatos, but interpreted in a different, grandiose way by the author.
I found the very first chapter a little disappointing because of the bombastic and theatrical language, ‘My heart leaps in tandem with the bounding flurries of red rustling the autumn leaves...’ [ red.]
I get the impression that the author is hinting at the ghost stories of M.R. James - an author whose work I am a big fan of myself; the Victorian/vintage atmosphere evoked in this story also suggests this, and I’d also would have loved to dance with ‘Agatha’ and ‘Edgar’ ….
While reading, keep in mind that the author makes good use of foreshadowing, a style I am quite fond of. Mr Richmond is a tad slow to comprehend the situation, while the reader quickly figures out what is at stake…..
Perhaps it is a personal interpretation, but I sometimes had the impression that the author was also referring to the work of C.S. Lewis, especially with regard to paintings.
Mr Richmond is invited to stay at the Baylor's housing estate. - “The house itself is ugly and is making strange noises, all the curtains are closed, there are no cars and scarecrows in the nearby woods...” [red..]
The butler, Mr Baylor, welcomes him, and Mrs Baylor is delighted that he has arrived, as previous guests turned out to be unsuitable for a stay in their special house.
During his stay, however, he is bound by a dress code for dinner and specific time slots in the old house. He must use the gong if he wants to be woken up for breakfast.
Chapters, each preceded by a beautiful illustration, are like snapshots in which the author zooms in on one specific, often detailed scene, emotion or event in the story. It acts as a photograph that captures a “frozen moment”, allowing the reader to slow down and experience what is happening at that specific moment more intensely.
I found the first story truly sublime, and a class of its own, but I wonder why the other ghost stories are also included in this collection.
The other stories, two of which are rather short, are based on myths and legends that refer to the change of seasons, but they don't come close to the level of the first story, although I did think A Painting by Magdalana Rose is attempting to come close.
Highly recommended and a very good read to start the year with!
Thank you BookSirens for the review copy. 🌷
January, named after the Roman god Janus, marking beginning, end, gates and transitions, and depicted with two faces. The first story also has a duality that is rooted in mythology: the twin brothers Hypnos and Thanatos, but interpreted in a different, grandiose way by the author.
I found the very first chapter a little disappointing because of the bombastic and theatrical language, ‘My heart leaps in tandem with the bounding flurries of red rustling the autumn leaves...’ [ red.]
I get the impression that the author is hinting at the ghost stories of M.R. James - an author whose work I am a big fan of myself; the Victorian/vintage atmosphere evoked in this story also suggests this, and I’d also would have loved to dance with ‘Agatha’ and ‘Edgar’ ….
While reading, keep in mind that the author makes good use of foreshadowing, a style I am quite fond of. Mr Richmond is a tad slow to comprehend the situation, while the reader quickly figures out what is at stake…..
Perhaps it is a personal interpretation, but I sometimes had the impression that the author was also referring to the work of C.S. Lewis, especially with regard to paintings.
Mr Richmond is invited to stay at the Baylor's housing estate. - “The house itself is ugly and is making strange noises, all the curtains are closed, there are no cars and scarecrows in the nearby woods...” [red..]
The butler, Mr Baylor, welcomes him, and Mrs Baylor is delighted that he has arrived, as previous guests turned out to be unsuitable for a stay in their special house.
During his stay, however, he is bound by a dress code for dinner and specific time slots in the old house. He must use the gong if he wants to be woken up for breakfast.
Chapters, each preceded by a beautiful illustration, are like snapshots in which the author zooms in on one specific, often detailed scene, emotion or event in the story. It acts as a photograph that captures a “frozen moment”, allowing the reader to slow down and experience what is happening at that specific moment more intensely.
I found the first story truly sublime, and a class of its own, but I wonder why the other ghost stories are also included in this collection.
The other stories, two of which are rather short, are based on myths and legends that refer to the change of seasons, but they don't come close to the level of the first story, although I did think A Painting by Magdalana Rose is attempting to come close.
Highly recommended and a very good read to start the year with!
Thank you BookSirens for the review copy. 🌷
November 19, 2025
the first story was unique! the only qualm I had was the flow of the sentence structures, something just seemed.. off. the other stories were okay but nothing crazy - again had a strange structure that sometimes made it hard to get through.
February 2, 2026
This is a wonderful series of spooky stories, perfect for reading any time of the year. My personal favourite is My Corpse Candle, but they are all wonderful and spooky. If you love spooky tales, then you will love this book.
October 14, 2025
Book Review: The Dream House and Other Seasonal Ghost Stories
This collection of four seasonal ghost stories was a cozy-creepy delight. Each tale is tied to a time of year, and while some hit harder than others, the overall vibe was perfect for a moody night read.
“The Dream House” was my favorite—think Stanley Hotel party vibes with a twist that left me grinning and unsettled. It felt like stepping into a haunted ballroom where the vibe is charming until it’s not.
The Christmas story lost me a bit. It had multiple threads that didn’t quite connect, and the ending felt abrupt. I kept waiting for a reveal that never came.
“My Corpse Candle” had potential. The pacing felt rushed, but I appreciated the themes of redemption and peace—it wrapped up with a quiet emotional resonance that lingered.
The final story? Chills. I read it late at night, lights low, and it brought back that classic scary-story feeling from childhood. Fear rising, page turning, heart thumping.
📚 Overall: An enjoyable read for anyone who loves short stories with a seasonal twist and a touch of spook.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.
This collection of four seasonal ghost stories was a cozy-creepy delight. Each tale is tied to a time of year, and while some hit harder than others, the overall vibe was perfect for a moody night read.
“The Dream House” was my favorite—think Stanley Hotel party vibes with a twist that left me grinning and unsettled. It felt like stepping into a haunted ballroom where the vibe is charming until it’s not.
The Christmas story lost me a bit. It had multiple threads that didn’t quite connect, and the ending felt abrupt. I kept waiting for a reveal that never came.
“My Corpse Candle” had potential. The pacing felt rushed, but I appreciated the themes of redemption and peace—it wrapped up with a quiet emotional resonance that lingered.
The final story? Chills. I read it late at night, lights low, and it brought back that classic scary-story feeling from childhood. Fear rising, page turning, heart thumping.
📚 Overall: An enjoyable read for anyone who loves short stories with a seasonal twist and a touch of spook.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.
November 5, 2025
Arrowsmith doesn't just write short stories; they write stories of wildly different shapes and sizes, which is honestly half the fun. It’s a true mixed tape. You’ve got one tale that is very long, giving you plenty of time to get cozy. Then, bam, you hit another story that's only four pages long. The thing I loved most is the whole "Seasonal Ghost" angle. Who knew ghosts kept a calendar? The stories manage to make every holiday feel a little creepy. And yes, there's a ridiculously short one dedicated to the history of Christmas and Santa Claus. But the star of the show, the one that makes the book totally worth the shelf space, is the main event: "The Dream House." I am not even kidding, this story is so original and so intriguing. It builds a unique kind of dread that goes way beyond creaky floorboards. It’s a fantastic, mind-bending read. Arrowsmith has given us the perfect collection for year-round atmospheric haunting. Highly recommend giving this a read while you wait for the next big snowstorm or heatwave.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2025
The best way to start reading a new author is short stories and this was indeed my first time reading from this author, N.P. Arrowsmith and I can’t wait to read more of their work. This was a nice and short read that was a great spooky/ holiday seasonal read. Out of all of the stories The Dream House definitely was one of the main focus out of all of the other stories, I don’t know if it was the writing or pace but I was definitely hooked. The last story definitely had the same vibe as the first and that definitely helped keep your interest.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy and I’m leaving this review voluntarily!
I received an Advanced Reader Copy and I’m leaving this review voluntarily!
November 23, 2025
Thoroughly enjoyed these spooky short stories! They all had their own intriguing tales and characters. The first and last were my favorite - I felt like they developed the best settings and people for me to become invested in. Nothing was particularly hardcore gory, but definitely great disconcerting moments with some parts being a little gross in the proper way creepy things can be. Would definitely come back to read more things along these lines from this author.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Read
December 1, 2025The Dream House and Other Seasonal Ghost Stories delivers that classic, creeping kind of horror the kind that’s more unsettling than explosive. The main story feels wonderfully old school: an isolated house, strange hosts, and a tension that grows in the quiet moments. The seasonal ghost stories add variety and atmosphere, each one offering its own eerie twist. It’s the sort of collection that leaves you feeling watched long after you’ve finished reading.
September 14, 2025
Perfect for the fall season! Ghost stories, creepy stories, all the fall vibes that people are looking for. Stories are enjoyable and fun to read with a little edge to them. The book is not overly large, but even more enjoyable is the fact that it can be enjoyed in small delectable chunks! Just read a story a night, curled up with a cup of hot tea and a blanket.
September 26, 2025
A fantastic collection of stories. I was drawn into this world through the author's first book, Beneath the Chimes, and this book is a wonderful way to enrich that world. The stories are extremely well-written and provide a real atmosphere to them - you just want to keep reading! A further side note - the cover is beautiful, so I'd recommend the paperback for your bookshelf!
October 17, 2025
If you are looking for an easy fall read, that does not require a long-term commitment, this one is for you.
We get three stories, which take us through various seasons of the year. Some are a bit longer, while others are rather short (with the first one being the longest). The stories range from a haunted house (that tries to keep its guests forever), a foreshadowing of death with the *marked* people seeing a light before their demise and a picture that comes to life.
It is easy to read, draws you in and will keep you entertained for a short time.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
We get three stories, which take us through various seasons of the year. Some are a bit longer, while others are rather short (with the first one being the longest). The stories range from a haunted house (that tries to keep its guests forever), a foreshadowing of death with the *marked* people seeing a light before their demise and a picture that comes to life.
It is easy to read, draws you in and will keep you entertained for a short time.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 11, 2025
this was one of the coolest stories I have ever read! I got this as arc and I could not put it down as soon as I picked it up. it is so unique and it just draws you in from the moment you start. there's a few stories in here and some are more interesting than others but the ones that really get you make the whole thing worthwhile! A must-read for sure!
January 4, 2026
This collection of four seasonal ghost stories that are creepy and cozy at the same time. Each story it tied to a different season in time they all had there own intrigue the first story was probably my favourite story in the collection.
December 25, 2025
A scary little gothic. Do not miss the short stories at the end of the book!
January 14, 2026
The Dream House is such a fantastic story! This story is so obviously the star of this book. I absolutely loved this story.
Hawketh House really appears to be lost to time. When Alastair Richmond decides to take a respite, he ends up at this amazing home set near a lake. He's the only guest there and he is perplexed when he's shown to a tight room in the attic. Even stranger are the dreamcatchers that are all over the windows. Mrs. Baylor, his chilly host, and her husband are the only ones there besides their guest. The house itself is really odd. Alastair starts to experience cold spots, and he swears he hears movement in the empty rooms.
But the story takes a huge turn when the lights go out and it's time for bed. The house comes alive in more ways than one. What will happen to Alastair while he's in Hawketh House?
There are two other stories in this book and while they are decent stories, I believe that The Dream House is the star and probably could have been a book all on its own. I received this book free from Booksirens for an honest review.
Hawketh House really appears to be lost to time. When Alastair Richmond decides to take a respite, he ends up at this amazing home set near a lake. He's the only guest there and he is perplexed when he's shown to a tight room in the attic. Even stranger are the dreamcatchers that are all over the windows. Mrs. Baylor, his chilly host, and her husband are the only ones there besides their guest. The house itself is really odd. Alastair starts to experience cold spots, and he swears he hears movement in the empty rooms.
But the story takes a huge turn when the lights go out and it's time for bed. The house comes alive in more ways than one. What will happen to Alastair while he's in Hawketh House?
There are two other stories in this book and while they are decent stories, I believe that The Dream House is the star and probably could have been a book all on its own. I received this book free from Booksirens for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews