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More Chilling Ghost Stories
Stephen Greif and Gareth Armstrong read these classic ghost stories from two masters of the genre. These four suspenseful tales of the supernatural, from M. R. James and Charles Dickens, will keep you on the edge of your seat and leave you with a lingering sense of foreboding. In "The Tractate Middoth," librarian David Garrett has a terrifying encounter while searching for an obscure book, while in "Mr. Testator's Visitation," a poor man "borrows" some furniture from another man's cellar, never expecting the owner to return and claim it. Then, late one night, there is a knock upon his door.… "Casting the Runes" tells the story of a don who rejects an alchemist's manuscript—only to find that the man's knowledge of black magic goes beyond the purely theoretical. Finally, in "The Trial for Murder," a banker has an alarming experience when he is foreman of the jury in a murder case. This work is part of Brilliance Audio's extensive Classic Collection, bringing you timeless masterpieces that you and your family are sure to love.
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First published September 1, 2014
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About the author
Charles Dickens
12.7k books31.5k followersCharles John Huffam Dickens (1812-1870) was a writer and social critic who created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. His works enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime, and by the twentieth century critics and scholars had recognised him as a literary genius. His novels and short stories enjoy lasting popularity.
Dickens left school to work in a factory when his father was incarcerated in a debtors' prison. Despite his lack of formal education, he edited a weekly journal for 20 years, wrote 15 novels, five novellas, hundreds of short stories and non-fiction articles, lectured and performed extensively, was an indefatigable letter writer, and campaigned vigorously for children's rights, education, and other social reforms.
Dickens was regarded as the literary colossus of his age. His 1843 novella, A Christmas Carol, remains popular and continues to inspire adaptations in every artistic genre. Oliver Twist and Great Expectations are also frequently adapted, and, like many of his novels, evoke images of early Victorian London. His 1859 novel, A Tale of Two Cities, set in London and Paris, is his best-known work of historical fiction. Dickens's creative genius has been praised by fellow writers—from Leo Tolstoy to George Orwell and G. K. Chesterton—for its realism, comedy, prose style, unique characterisations, and social criticism. On the other hand, Oscar Wilde, Henry James, and Virginia Woolf complained of a lack of psychological depth, loose writing, and a vein of saccharine sentimentalism. The term Dickensian is used to describe something that is reminiscent of Dickens and his writings, such as poor social conditions or comically repulsive characters.
On 8 June 1870, Dickens suffered another stroke at his home after a full day's work on Edwin Drood. He never regained consciousness, and the next day he died at Gad's Hill Place. Contrary to his wish to be buried at Rochester Cathedral "in an inexpensive, unostentatious, and strictly private manner," he was laid to rest in the Poets' Corner of Westminster Abbey. A printed epitaph circulated at the time of the funeral reads: "To the Memory of Charles Dickens (England's most popular author) who died at his residence, Higham, near Rochester, Kent, 9 June 1870, aged 58 years. He was a sympathiser with the poor, the suffering, and the oppressed; and by his death, one of England's greatest writers is lost to the world." His last words were: "On the ground", in response to his sister-in-law Georgina's request that he lie down.
(from Wikipedia)
Dickens left school to work in a factory when his father was incarcerated in a debtors' prison. Despite his lack of formal education, he edited a weekly journal for 20 years, wrote 15 novels, five novellas, hundreds of short stories and non-fiction articles, lectured and performed extensively, was an indefatigable letter writer, and campaigned vigorously for children's rights, education, and other social reforms.
Dickens was regarded as the literary colossus of his age. His 1843 novella, A Christmas Carol, remains popular and continues to inspire adaptations in every artistic genre. Oliver Twist and Great Expectations are also frequently adapted, and, like many of his novels, evoke images of early Victorian London. His 1859 novel, A Tale of Two Cities, set in London and Paris, is his best-known work of historical fiction. Dickens's creative genius has been praised by fellow writers—from Leo Tolstoy to George Orwell and G. K. Chesterton—for its realism, comedy, prose style, unique characterisations, and social criticism. On the other hand, Oscar Wilde, Henry James, and Virginia Woolf complained of a lack of psychological depth, loose writing, and a vein of saccharine sentimentalism. The term Dickensian is used to describe something that is reminiscent of Dickens and his writings, such as poor social conditions or comically repulsive characters.
On 8 June 1870, Dickens suffered another stroke at his home after a full day's work on Edwin Drood. He never regained consciousness, and the next day he died at Gad's Hill Place. Contrary to his wish to be buried at Rochester Cathedral "in an inexpensive, unostentatious, and strictly private manner," he was laid to rest in the Poets' Corner of Westminster Abbey. A printed epitaph circulated at the time of the funeral reads: "To the Memory of Charles Dickens (England's most popular author) who died at his residence, Higham, near Rochester, Kent, 9 June 1870, aged 58 years. He was a sympathiser with the poor, the suffering, and the oppressed; and by his death, one of England's greatest writers is lost to the world." His last words were: "On the ground", in response to his sister-in-law Georgina's request that he lie down.
(from Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 7, 2024
The Tractate Middoth - M. R. James - 3 - This was quite an atmospheric short story but the coincidences that occurred did shadow the story a lot. Despite this, it was interesting and I enjoyed the randomness of the plot and the library inclusion.
Mr Testator's Visitation - Charles Dickens - 2.5 - This was a very short and simple story which I did enjoy and found has a good atmosphere but might ultimately be quite forgettable unless I go second-hand furniture shopping.
Casting the Runes - M. R. James - This was the most creep of the collection with the concept of someone being upset about an unfavorable review and then taking revenge. I also like finding out about how the 'curse' was placed and what would be required to stop this revenge from coming to fruition.
The Trail for Murder - Charles Dickens - 4 - No difference from my original thoughts - One of the first of Charles Dicken's ghost stories and I want to continue and read more. The language was very accessible and with it both being a crime story and a ghost story was interesting and kept that interest throughout the story. Very enjoyable.
Mr Testator's Visitation - Charles Dickens - 2.5 - This was a very short and simple story which I did enjoy and found has a good atmosphere but might ultimately be quite forgettable unless I go second-hand furniture shopping.
Casting the Runes - M. R. James - This was the most creep of the collection with the concept of someone being upset about an unfavorable review and then taking revenge. I also like finding out about how the 'curse' was placed and what would be required to stop this revenge from coming to fruition.
The Trail for Murder - Charles Dickens - 4 - No difference from my original thoughts - One of the first of Charles Dicken's ghost stories and I want to continue and read more. The language was very accessible and with it both being a crime story and a ghost story was interesting and kept that interest throughout the story. Very enjoyable.
October 25, 2021
These are absolute classics. I know the James ones intimately and love them. The Dickens’ ones are quite new to me; I found them less spine-chilling than James’ ones - “Visitation” was actually very funny - but nonetheless very enjoyable.
January 2, 2022
How very confusing. I suppose there are only so many variations of ghost story titles. This one is half-MR James, half Charles Dickens - I was more interested in the Dickens being quite familiar with the James by now.
November 30, 2025
The Tractate Middoth - M.R. James - 4 stars
Mr Testator’s Visitation - Charles Dickens - 3 stars
Casting the Runes - M.R. James - 3.5 stars
The Trial for Murder - Charles Dickens - 3 stars
Mr Testator’s Visitation - Charles Dickens - 3 stars
Casting the Runes - M.R. James - 3.5 stars
The Trial for Murder - Charles Dickens - 3 stars
October 25, 2021
Absolutely classic stories, beautifully-read.
January 2, 2022
How incredibly confusing. Ghost books, hainting my review page.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews