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The Empty House: A Ghost Story for Christmas
Aunt Julia, an elderly spinster with a mania for psychical research, has the keys to the haunted house on the square. She invites her nephew to accompany her on a midnight investigation into what really happened a hundred years ago when a servant girl fell to her death. But the house may not be as empty as it seems . . . Algernon Henry Blackwood was a prolific English writer, most famous for his ghost stories.
58 pages, Paperback
Published October 31, 2017
10 people are currently reading
382 people want to read
About the author
Algernon Blackwood
1,332 books1,173 followersAlgernon Henry Blackwood (1869–1951) was an English broadcasting narrator, journalist, novelist and short story writer, and among the most prolific ghost story writers in the history of the genre. The literary critic S. T. Joshi stated, "His work is more consistently meritorious than any weird writer's except Dunsany's" and that his short story collection Incredible Adventures (1914) "may be the premier weird collection of this or any other century".
Blackwood was born in Shooter's Hill (today part of south-east London, but then part of northwest Kent) and educated at Wellington College. His father was a Post Office administrator who, according to Peter Penzoldt, "though not devoid of genuine good-heartedness, had appallingly narrow religious ideas." Blackwood had a varied career, farming in Canada, operating a hotel, as a newspaper reporter in New York City, and, throughout his adult life, an occasional essayist for various periodicals. In his late thirties, he moved back to England and started to write stories of the supernatural. He was very successful, writing at least ten original collections of short stories and eventually appearing on both radio and television to tell them. He also wrote fourteen novels, several children's books, and a number of plays, most of which were produced but not published. He was an avid lover of nature and the outdoors, and many of his stories reflect this.
H.P. Lovecraft wrote of Blackwood: "He is the one absolute and unquestioned master of weird atmosphere." His powerful story "The Willows," which effectively describes another dimension impinging upon our own, was reckoned by Lovecraft to be not only "foremost of all" Blackwood's tales but the best "weird tale" of all time.
Among his thirty-odd books, Blackwood wrote a series of stories and short novels published as John Silence, Physician Extraordinary (1908), which featured a "psychic detective" who combined the skills of a Sherlock Holmes and a psychic medium. Blackwood also wrote light fantasy and juvenile books.
Blackwood was born in Shooter's Hill (today part of south-east London, but then part of northwest Kent) and educated at Wellington College. His father was a Post Office administrator who, according to Peter Penzoldt, "though not devoid of genuine good-heartedness, had appallingly narrow religious ideas." Blackwood had a varied career, farming in Canada, operating a hotel, as a newspaper reporter in New York City, and, throughout his adult life, an occasional essayist for various periodicals. In his late thirties, he moved back to England and started to write stories of the supernatural. He was very successful, writing at least ten original collections of short stories and eventually appearing on both radio and television to tell them. He also wrote fourteen novels, several children's books, and a number of plays, most of which were produced but not published. He was an avid lover of nature and the outdoors, and many of his stories reflect this.
H.P. Lovecraft wrote of Blackwood: "He is the one absolute and unquestioned master of weird atmosphere." His powerful story "The Willows," which effectively describes another dimension impinging upon our own, was reckoned by Lovecraft to be not only "foremost of all" Blackwood's tales but the best "weird tale" of all time.
Among his thirty-odd books, Blackwood wrote a series of stories and short novels published as John Silence, Physician Extraordinary (1908), which featured a "psychic detective" who combined the skills of a Sherlock Holmes and a psychic medium. Blackwood also wrote light fantasy and juvenile books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
December 5, 2018
a man and his elderly aunt enter a haunted house to see ghosts. they see ghosts. they are scared. they leave the house. the end.
that’s pretty much the meat of the story - there’s a lot of dry ice packed around that meat for atmosphere; doing whatever it's called that makes dry ice do that rock and roll thing
WHOOOOSH!
but atmosphere, schmatmosphere, right? we want the ghosties! other than that - the lack of scary ghosties - i suppose it’s a fine story of buyer’s remorse - to go from giddy excitement, from *thinking* one wants to see a ghost; professing the desire to see a ghost, taking steps towards seeing a ghost:
and then, once inside the haunted house and confronted with ghosts re-enacting their paranormal crime scenes, to regret having wanted to see them in the first place because OH THE TERROR! which is silly, since these ghosts are truly just doing their own thing, not actively threatening our fella and his aunt, engaging less with them than the spirits in disney’s haunted mansion ride.
the ghosts have no interest in these two, and frankly, neither do i. this might be my favorite review of this book.
because, really.
i love seth, i love the idea of these stories, and i friggin’ love the way they look altogether-like, but i haven’t had my dress blown up by any of them yet, and i have been DRINKING.
you'd think that would make me more easily influenced, but alas - i am only more resistant to this book's supposed charms. #notacheapdate #ittakesmorethanonedrinktogreasemywheels
mission statement copied from my review for One Who Saw
this holiday season, i am going to read through 'seth's christmas ghost stories' line on biblioasis, and i encourage you to do the same. the books are so cute and tiny, you can stuff someone's stocking or dreidel with 'em! the cover art and interior illustrations are by seth, and they are seasonally spoooooky, blending the spirit of halloween with christmas cheer the way nature, and jack skellington, intended.
4 more to go!
come to my blog!
that’s pretty much the meat of the story - there’s a lot of dry ice packed around that meat for atmosphere; doing whatever it's called that makes dry ice do that rock and roll thing
WHOOOOSH!
but atmosphere, schmatmosphere, right? we want the ghosties! other than that - the lack of scary ghosties - i suppose it’s a fine story of buyer’s remorse - to go from giddy excitement, from *thinking* one wants to see a ghost; professing the desire to see a ghost, taking steps towards seeing a ghost:
”I’ve got the keys,” she announced in a delighted, yet half awesome voice. “Got them till Monday!”
“The keys of the bathing-machine, or—?” he asked innocently, looking from the sea to the town. Nothing brought her so quickly to the point as feigning stupidity.
“Neither,” she whispered. “I’ve got the keys of the haunted house in the square— and I’m going there tonight.”
and then, once inside the haunted house and confronted with ghosts re-enacting their paranormal crime scenes, to regret having wanted to see them in the first place because OH THE TERROR! which is silly, since these ghosts are truly just doing their own thing, not actively threatening our fella and his aunt, engaging less with them than the spirits in disney’s haunted mansion ride.
the ghosts have no interest in these two, and frankly, neither do i. this might be my favorite review of this book.
because, really.
i love seth, i love the idea of these stories, and i friggin’ love the way they look altogether-like, but i haven’t had my dress blown up by any of them yet, and i have been DRINKING.
you'd think that would make me more easily influenced, but alas - i am only more resistant to this book's supposed charms. #notacheapdate #ittakesmorethanonedrinktogreasemywheels
mission statement copied from my review for One Who Saw
this holiday season, i am going to read through 'seth's christmas ghost stories' line on biblioasis, and i encourage you to do the same. the books are so cute and tiny, you can stuff someone's stocking or dreidel with 'em! the cover art and interior illustrations are by seth, and they are seasonally spoooooky, blending the spirit of halloween with christmas cheer the way nature, and jack skellington, intended.
4 more to go!
come to my blog!
September 11, 2023
Not bad - but nothing very original - average haunted house story. Really was expecting a little more of a 'bang' to end the story. I will probably read this again; maybe I am missing out on some of the more subtle tones of horror that 'slasher' movies have desensitized me to picking up on. Would like to hear any take on this story.
November 9, 2019
Actual rating: 2.5 stars.
In the words of one of the greatest philosophers of our times:
P.S. Ray Parker Jr. says hi.
In the words of one of the greatest philosophers of our times:
P.S. Ray Parker Jr. says hi.
October 29, 2019
This was a short ghost story of an older woman wanting to investigate the haunted house in her town. She enlists the help of her nephew and it gets down right creepy!
September 7, 2016
2 stars and a half
The story was great but it felt like the end came too soon and too fast, the author could have added a lot more details.
The story was great but it felt like the end came too soon and too fast, the author could have added a lot more details.
February 8, 2023
This is another from the series of short Christmas Ghost stories and I have to say thoroughly enjoyed it. The story is a classic haunted house story - it is so atmospheric without giving anything away. Algernon Blackwood was a master of his genre this is a perfect example of that.
There is not much I can say about the story without really creating spoilers but I will say that even though this is a relatively short story (the whole series is in fact) the story conveys so much. I spoken of this in the past - there are stories that scare by physical situations and visuals while others focus on the unseen and undefined - and for me I think the latter often holds the greater power since the readers imagination fills in the gaps often far more powerfully than anything an author could come up with - this is one such story.
There is not much I can say about the story without really creating spoilers but I will say that even though this is a relatively short story (the whole series is in fact) the story conveys so much. I spoken of this in the past - there are stories that scare by physical situations and visuals while others focus on the unseen and undefined - and for me I think the latter often holds the greater power since the readers imagination fills in the gaps often far more powerfully than anything an author could come up with - this is one such story.
July 17, 2018
The ideal haunted house story. Change the use of a candle light by the protagonists to a flash light or a smartphone light and you're pushed from an early 20th century ghost story to one that could have happened in the late 20th or early 21st. The environment, background story, abnormality of the house, and progressive build-up are described with mastery with the perfect association of words. Now I would highly recommend the potential reader to find an empty house, any house, and wait until mid night to read this story.
December 14, 2020
Another lovely short read! But this one lacked a little something.....
An empty house, that isn't as empty as you think......
An empty house, that isn't as empty as you think......
September 23, 2024
school read | gothic lit. 2024
at this point i'm basically reading edgar allan poe fan fic
at this point i'm basically reading edgar allan poe fan fic
October 31, 2019
Loved this one. The writing was great and descriptive!
December 27, 2020
Cliche after cliche after cliche after cliche after...
September 15, 2021
Our protagonist’s aunt acquired the key to a house that is said to be haunted and invites her nephew to accompany her into a little adventure. A very simple premise that ends up creating a very average story. The atmosphere was not properly set or explored and end up giving the impression of a juvenile author or at least one not as used to create the correct mood for a scary tale. What is completely misleading if one has a look at the Blackwood’s body of works.
The pace it’s not too bad but the resolution is weak and unsatisfying.
The pace it’s not too bad but the resolution is weak and unsatisfying.
November 13, 2018
A rather dated (considering it came out in 1906, so yes indeed) and a middlingly interesting story of a haunted house being investigated by an aunt-nephew team of early 20th century ghostbusters minus the proton packs.
My Rating - 2/5
My Rating - 2/5
February 22, 2019
Also very creepy - just wish the ending was more satisfying!
January 29, 2023
[2.25 stars]
"Certain houses, like certain persons, manage somehow to proclaim at once their character for evil. In the case of the latter, no particular feature need betray them; they may boast an open countenance and an ingenuous smile; and yet a little of their company leaves the unalterable conviction that there is something radically amiss with their being: that they are evil. Willy nilly, they seem to communicate an atmosphere of secret and wicked thoughts which makes those in their immediate neighborhood shrink from them as from a thing diseased.
And, perhaps, with houses the same principle is operative, and it is the aroma of evil deeds committed under a particular roof, long after the actual doers have passed away, that makes the gooseflesh come and the hair rise. Something of the original passion of the evil-doer, and of the horror felt by his victim, enters the heart of the innocent watcher, and he becomes suddenly conscious of tingling nerves, creeping skin, and a chilling of the blood. He is terror-stricken without apparent cause."
This was pretty run-of-the-mill and formulaic. A man who's not afraid of anything and his elderly aunt who is fascinated by the macabre decide to spend the night at a haunted house, wherein a previous occupant had murdered another occupant. It's an ordinary horror story. There was nothing wrong with it per se — it was pretty unnerving, but it just lacked meat. It honestly felt as if AI wrote this story.
"Certain houses, like certain persons, manage somehow to proclaim at once their character for evil. In the case of the latter, no particular feature need betray them; they may boast an open countenance and an ingenuous smile; and yet a little of their company leaves the unalterable conviction that there is something radically amiss with their being: that they are evil. Willy nilly, they seem to communicate an atmosphere of secret and wicked thoughts which makes those in their immediate neighborhood shrink from them as from a thing diseased.
And, perhaps, with houses the same principle is operative, and it is the aroma of evil deeds committed under a particular roof, long after the actual doers have passed away, that makes the gooseflesh come and the hair rise. Something of the original passion of the evil-doer, and of the horror felt by his victim, enters the heart of the innocent watcher, and he becomes suddenly conscious of tingling nerves, creeping skin, and a chilling of the blood. He is terror-stricken without apparent cause."
This was pretty run-of-the-mill and formulaic. A man who's not afraid of anything and his elderly aunt who is fascinated by the macabre decide to spend the night at a haunted house, wherein a previous occupant had murdered another occupant. It's an ordinary horror story. There was nothing wrong with it per se — it was pretty unnerving, but it just lacked meat. It honestly felt as if AI wrote this story.
November 6, 2021
The Empty House
A 40 minute unabridged audiobook (audio short story?). This review is just for The Empty House story, not other stories in this book (although the Willows was excellent). It was okay at best. Kept my attention but not noteworthy.
A 40 minute unabridged audiobook (audio short story?). This review is just for The Empty House story, not other stories in this book (although the Willows was excellent). It was okay at best. Kept my attention but not noteworthy.
May 26, 2018
3,5/5
The atmosphere of the story is perfectly creepy, however the ending is a little disappointing.
The atmosphere of the story is perfectly creepy, however the ending is a little disappointing.
August 27, 2025
I found this alright, but personally, liked The Wendigo better.
In short: I guess this would have been more scary without all the electricity around me.
Detailed:
The Empty House exemplifies Blackwood's mastery of atmospheric horror in miniature form. This 1906 tale follows an adventurous aunt and her nephew investigating a century-old murder scene, where they witness ghostly 'psychic imprints' replaying past violence. While the plot is formulaic: haunted house, spectral manifestations, frightened retreat, Blackwood's elegant prose and the charming aunt-nephew dynamic elevate familiar territory.
The story uses suggestion rather than shock, making you uneasy through its depiction of evil lingering in physical spaces. Though brief and predictable, it has gothic atmosphere by the fistful and demonstrates why Lovecraft praised Blackwood as the 'absolute master of weird atmosphere.'
In short: I guess this would have been more scary without all the electricity around me.
Detailed:
The Empty House exemplifies Blackwood's mastery of atmospheric horror in miniature form. This 1906 tale follows an adventurous aunt and her nephew investigating a century-old murder scene, where they witness ghostly 'psychic imprints' replaying past violence. While the plot is formulaic: haunted house, spectral manifestations, frightened retreat, Blackwood's elegant prose and the charming aunt-nephew dynamic elevate familiar territory.
The story uses suggestion rather than shock, making you uneasy through its depiction of evil lingering in physical spaces. Though brief and predictable, it has gothic atmosphere by the fistful and demonstrates why Lovecraft praised Blackwood as the 'absolute master of weird atmosphere.'
November 9, 2025
There's an outstanding building of atmosphere which ultimately underdelivers. Although by no means a bad read, this has less power in provoking thought or causing fright than other works.
February 27, 2025
I love the creamy eloquence of Algernon Blackwood’s narrating. “The Empty House” 1906, yields direct paranormal content. Fright was palpable and justifiable; not the jitters of an unsettling atmosphere. These interesting twelve pages garnered my three star staple because the investigation just ended. There was freedom for characters to work out a solution to a haunting. Like miniscule stories stunted for space, it comprised one experience. However, this outing was very well built.
This was a “psychic imprint”, replaying the horrible seconds of a murder. The chase was felt, heard, and seen whizzing by the onlookers upon a staircase. I doubt they were entities who could touch or talk to anybody but anguish would have been terrible to hear.
The highlight that made this a standout was originality I delighted in! The heroine was a loveable Aunt Julia and her sincerely caring nephew, called Shorthouse. She wanted his comfort, while investigating a local haunted site of a hundred year-old murder. They witnessed what the neighbourhood had reported. The telling was enriched with warm moments, with a young nephew praising Julia’s courage and quick recovery from frights. Not enough modern authors portray women as solidly as this. I will close with a summary that colours in the premise and dually exhibits Algernon’s delicious writing grace!
“It looked like the houses on either side of it. Wherein lay this invisible difference cannot be ascribed to the imagination. Knowing nothing of the facts, the series of tenants who had tried to live in it and been forced to decamp, was a scandal in town.
The trees by the seafront watched as they passed along. To his Aunt's occasional remarks Shorthouse made no reply, realizing she was simply surrounding herself with mental buffers - saying ordinary things, to prevent herself thinking of extraordinary things.”
This was a “psychic imprint”, replaying the horrible seconds of a murder. The chase was felt, heard, and seen whizzing by the onlookers upon a staircase. I doubt they were entities who could touch or talk to anybody but anguish would have been terrible to hear.
The highlight that made this a standout was originality I delighted in! The heroine was a loveable Aunt Julia and her sincerely caring nephew, called Shorthouse. She wanted his comfort, while investigating a local haunted site of a hundred year-old murder. They witnessed what the neighbourhood had reported. The telling was enriched with warm moments, with a young nephew praising Julia’s courage and quick recovery from frights. Not enough modern authors portray women as solidly as this. I will close with a summary that colours in the premise and dually exhibits Algernon’s delicious writing grace!
“It looked like the houses on either side of it. Wherein lay this invisible difference cannot be ascribed to the imagination. Knowing nothing of the facts, the series of tenants who had tried to live in it and been forced to decamp, was a scandal in town.
The trees by the seafront watched as they passed along. To his Aunt's occasional remarks Shorthouse made no reply, realizing she was simply surrounding herself with mental buffers - saying ordinary things, to prevent herself thinking of extraordinary things.”
September 1, 2025
#Binge Reviewing my previous Reads #Horror Short Stories #Anthologies
This story is a masterclass in classic haunted house storytelling, combining traditional Gothic elements with Blackwood’s subtle psychological insight. The story revolves around a seemingly abandoned house whose atmosphere exerts a pervasive sense of menace and dread. The narrative is structured to gradually escalate tension, with careful attention to sound, shadow, and the protagonists’ inner responses.
The story’s brilliance lies in its economy and precision. Blackwood transforms ordinary architectural features into sources of suspense: creaking floors, flickering light, and shifting shadows convey a pervasive sense of the uncanny. The horror is rooted in atmosphere and anticipation rather than direct confrontation, demonstrating Blackwood’s mastery of restraint and suggestion.
Comparatively, the story aligns with M.R. James’ haunted house tales, such as Oh, Whistle, and I’ll Come to You, My Lad, in its slow, deliberate buildup of suspense and use of psychological tension. Unlike James, Blackwood emphasises naturalistic detail and the emotional resonance of the environment, allowing the setting itself to act as a quasi-supernatural character. Shirley Jackson’s later haunted house stories, such as The Haunting of Hill House, echo this approach, though Blackwood predates her and balances dread with subtle wonder.
The Empty House endures as an exemplary haunted house story, demonstrating how atmosphere, character psychology, and subtle supernatural suggestion can create lasting tension and intrigue.
This story is a masterclass in classic haunted house storytelling, combining traditional Gothic elements with Blackwood’s subtle psychological insight. The story revolves around a seemingly abandoned house whose atmosphere exerts a pervasive sense of menace and dread. The narrative is structured to gradually escalate tension, with careful attention to sound, shadow, and the protagonists’ inner responses.
The story’s brilliance lies in its economy and precision. Blackwood transforms ordinary architectural features into sources of suspense: creaking floors, flickering light, and shifting shadows convey a pervasive sense of the uncanny. The horror is rooted in atmosphere and anticipation rather than direct confrontation, demonstrating Blackwood’s mastery of restraint and suggestion.
Comparatively, the story aligns with M.R. James’ haunted house tales, such as Oh, Whistle, and I’ll Come to You, My Lad, in its slow, deliberate buildup of suspense and use of psychological tension. Unlike James, Blackwood emphasises naturalistic detail and the emotional resonance of the environment, allowing the setting itself to act as a quasi-supernatural character. Shirley Jackson’s later haunted house stories, such as The Haunting of Hill House, echo this approach, though Blackwood predates her and balances dread with subtle wonder.
The Empty House endures as an exemplary haunted house story, demonstrating how atmosphere, character psychology, and subtle supernatural suggestion can create lasting tension and intrigue.
December 22, 2021
"Certain houses like certain persons, manage somehow to proclaim at once their character for evil."
Sure, one might say there's nothing really original or exciting about this tale. A haunted house, full of ghosts of the past and their trauma, explored by people who really should not be there. But for some reason this was so enjoyable, mainly because the ones exploring the house were a man and his aunt - I loved their interactions and they were interesting protagonists. You don't see such a duo in stories often. 4.5/5!
Sure, one might say there's nothing really original or exciting about this tale. A haunted house, full of ghosts of the past and their trauma, explored by people who really should not be there. But for some reason this was so enjoyable, mainly because the ones exploring the house were a man and his aunt - I loved their interactions and they were interesting protagonists. You don't see such a duo in stories often. 4.5/5!
July 15, 2018
This is a review solely of 'The Empty House' itself. Written in 1906, it is a rather weak tale about a haunted house. It has the feel of being one of Blackwood's potboilers. The problem with Blackwood is that he is generally a writer of atmospheres and his narratives often fail to satisfy at their conclusion.
October 31, 2021
Keeping up my tradition of reading an Algernon Blackwood story every Halloween. This was an enjoyable read that was simply plotted- a man and his aunt visited an empty, reportedly haunted house and discover all is not what it seems. It has some scary and tense moments, however is perhaps a bit short to be crafted the way some of his other stories are.
June 3, 2020
Classic haunted house, and pretty good for a morning read.
While it certainly hasn't aged well, the atmosphere throughout the piece is very strong.
Single problem I have with it though; has the ye olde 'Suddenly!' and 'In that instance...' which can be charming.
While it certainly hasn't aged well, the atmosphere throughout the piece is very strong.
Single problem I have with it though; has the ye olde 'Suddenly!' and 'In that instance...' which can be charming.
January 1, 2024
Highly atmospheric. Not so much scary, but you can understand how someone telling this story (or reading it aloud) could keep his listeners rapt.
Apparently, in the olden days people had a much lower threshold for getting creeped out -- which I suppose makes sense.
Apparently, in the olden days people had a much lower threshold for getting creeped out -- which I suppose makes sense.
February 5, 2015
Part of Librivox Short Ghost Story Collection 001. I've read better and more captivating texts written by 11-year-olds.
May 3, 2017
A quick ghost story by Blackwood.
March 22, 2019
The story seemed solid enough but it was too short and had very little description. No as much enjoyable as it could have been.
December 24, 2021
Probably my favourite so far of Seth’s Christmas Ghost Stories. A short tale of a proper investigation of a haunted house. Really quite scary!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews