In the Mist and Other Uncanny Encounters

by Elizabeth Walter

British author Walter's third US collection of short stories for Arkham House. Edition of 4053 copies.

Preface by Elizabeth Walter
The Concrete Captain
The Sin Eater
In the Mist
Come and Get Me
The Island of Regrets
The Hare
Davy Jones's Tale

Genres: Horror

202 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1979

Reviews

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book from Arkham House. A collecter's item, I'd say, with some fine uncanny stories and some great illustrations. The cover is also very nice. I'd not read anything by Elizabeth Walter before this but she writes an uncanny tale very well.

[N. M. D. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seven ghost stories, all with nautical or military themes. Straightforward, unadorned writing lacking in flavor. Predictable conclusions from the get-go. Just-desserts and be careful-what-you-wish-fors. Totally surface with no apparent deeper meanings or symbolism. Utterly average, almost childish, with blunt endings. I'd neither recommend nor dissuade anyone from reading this. It is wholly unremarkable, but not enough to make me dislike it fully.

2.5 stars.

[L J Field · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the best book by Walters that I’ve read so far. Street of Jews was excellent. Hushabye Baby is so politically incorrect in today’s world that it is hard to believe it was ever published at all.

[Jim Nemeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had not heard, nor ready anything, of Elizabeth Walter until recently with this book.

Boy, have I been missing out! I thoroughly enjoyed this collection.

[Emmett Hoops · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had been on my shelf along with some other Arkham House publications, and I just the other day got around to reading it. Maybe it was the very 1970s-looking Stephen Fabian cover; surely if I'd known how good the stories are, this book would have already been on my shelf of all-time favorites.

These stories are incredibly atmospheric, incredibly well written, with an emphasis on setting. Many of the stories take place in October, and every one of them will provide you with as clear a mental image of the setting as you've ever had.

I was fortunate enough to get this book used; it's no longer in print. Only 4,500 copies were printed back in 1978. It is most definitely worth looking for.