Darkest Past: Haunting Tales

by Benedict Ashforth, Jilly Bond (narrator), Leighton Pugh (narrator)

Five Haunting Tales from Benedict Ashforth
"Passing Affliction" (narrated by Jilly Bond)
"The Westhoff Version" (narrated by Leighton Pugh)
"The Other One" (narrated by Kris Dyer)
"The Setting Sea' (narrated by Leighton Pugh)
"Alderway" (narrated by Ric Jerrom)

Runtime: 2 hours, 43 minutes.

Genres: Horror, Audiobook, Short Stories, Fiction, Gothic, Ghost Stories, British Literature

3 pages, Audible Audio

First published December 15, 2014

Reviews

[Michelle {Book Hangovers} · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve recently downloaded Audible because I love listening to audiobooks. There’s a collection of Audible Originals and other “free” audiobooks that come with the membership, which I appreciate, but it’s slim pickings. Sometimes you’ll get lucky and find some hidden gems.....Benedict Ashforth is one of them.
This is the second book I’ve read (listened to) by this author. The first was Abbot’s Keep: a short ghost story, which was creepy AF! And then, this awesome collection of short stories. Both were dark and eerie and very enjoyable.

The narrators for both books did a PHENOMENAL job! They exceptionally portrayed the frightened characters, so much so, they had me shaken up.

Especially, while sitting outside in the cold, dark night while a man pulls up in his car, sits there for a minute before saying (in a low, monotone voice):
~ “Hiiiii....(drawn out)...I’m David. Yeah...I live just down the road. *long pause* Yeah...I see you out here a lot and I’ve been wanting to say hi...*LONG PAUSE*”
~ ME: “Oh, okay. Hi! I hope you....” The guy abruptly drives away....I couldn’t even complete my sentence.

It was FU€KiNG WEIRD!!!

After listening to this haunting book and then experiencing the creepy introduction of a neighbor on a cold dark night......I was completely SHOOK UP and frightened! And in my mind, I’m thinking....I want to read more by this author! 😅

[Rebecka · Rating 4 out of 5]

These were actually creepy! I may have to re-listen to this some day. They were all good. And free. Since when does this happen?

[Becky Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great listen, brilliantly narrated chilling, shocking and haunting stories.

[Jae · Rating 4 out of 5]

"When all else descends into chaos and uncertainty, the establishment of an unwavering routine creates a climate of security; something at least in a world of disorder that is predictable and comforting, an invisible shroud of harmony that, although requiring continual lacing to prevent rips from appearing, fashions a sense of safety."

[Ursula Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Wonderfully Creepy Tales Superb on Audio

I have now read all of the books by this author that I could find. It is a shame that there are so few. Mr. Ashford has a gift for gothic ghost stories, his prose is incredible and he is able to build tension and atmosphere in a way many authors cannot. He understands that the suggestion can be more effective than gore. This book contains 5 amazing creepy tales. I highly recommend you grab the audio book version, read by a set of highly talented narrators that bring these tales alive. Simply superb.

[Christine Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains 5 amazing creepy tales

Passing Affliction: An account from a foster parent about a 6 year old girl Anna. Placed into care because of neglect. Anna appears to have OCD, She shaves her head nightly and doesn’t speak at first. Odd things start happening and appears that Anna has special powers.

The Westhoff Version: A couple and their son take a trip to a remote area in south of France and rent a farmhouse. They meet the neighbor Judith and Moses Westhoff's and are invited to dinner. The Westhoff’s introduce their 'version' of foie gras.

The Other One - a family moves into a large house at the edge 0f a village, ghostly apparitions of a boy with a wooden arm and a grown man start appearing.

The Setting Sea - an art dealer finds a priceless Yates painting, but part of it seems to be unfinished. The Dealer can’t find the painting in the Yates catalog. Things beginning to happen when he tries to get the painting verified for authenticity. Can he finish the painting?

Alderway – Don’t go to the church in Alderway. Beware the devil within this church.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Benedict Ashford has a gift for gothic ghost stories, his prose is incredible and he is able to build tension and atmosphere in a way many authors cannot. He understands that the suggestion can be more effective than gore. This book contains 5 amazing creepy tales. I highly recommend you grab the audio book version, read by a set of highly talented narrators that bring these tales alive. Simply superb. If this is your first, be sure to get his other works, equally thrilling.

[Carol Butler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I often get these audiobooks they are part of the audible plus so you get a free listen and these haunting tales are terrific and creepy. They are quite tame but eerie at the same time. There are 5 tales in this book and the narration is perfect as well which helps in making this a great listen.

[Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

A short but enjoyable anthology, I think I'll check out some of the author's other works as well

---

1. Passing Affliction, 2.5

2. The Westoff Version, 3

3. The Other One, 3.5

4. The Setting Sea, 4. A bit of a different ending than the typical haunted painting story 

5. Alderway, 3.5

[mel toland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite good.

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Creepy and dreadful, it made me gasp as I read. Definite MR James vibes here. Read or listen on a cold winter night.

[Pixelina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Foi Gras is that one that I enjoyed the most.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good little collection of stories. Had a very old fashioned horror feel to them. Free with audible plus.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short stories, but definitely creepy. I enjoyed it

[K.B. Hallman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good stories that remind me of M.R. James's work. Jilly Bond's performance was amazing, and the others were quite good.

[Evelien · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so much better than I thought it would be. The stories were really vivid and horrid and all the better for it!

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

★★★1/2 - above average

Enjoyed these short tales

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

These were average stories. Nothing really stood out about them and they really didn't keep my attention.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick listen on Audible & a good little collection of ghost/creepy stories

[William Hobbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some creepy stories Foie Gras had me guessing and it’s definitely creepy.

[SolvglasJean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining and intriguing 🙂

[Rusty Ray Guns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great collection of spoopy tales really fun

[Cristiana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some of the short stories in this collection are interesting enough. Ashforth's mastery of MR James's style is remarkable.

[cypher · Rating 4 out of 5]

picked this for halloween month, worked ok.

[Nick H · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing too unexpected, but pleasant enough spooky reads. Good narration. My favorites were the Christmas story and the one about the foster home. [AUDIBLE]

そんなに独特ではないけど悪くはない。クリスマスの話が番好きだった

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like me, you'll probably see this on the "Included with Audible" list. It's well worth listening to.

Benedict Ashforth writes in a clear, precise style and builds up atmosphere slowly, so that the stories develop from a faint sense of unease that increases as they develop. He is clearly influenced by classic British writers, especially MR James but also Roald Dahl (especially in "Foie Gras") and he uses that tradition intelligently.

The other joy of the Audible version is the narration - five narrators, all very good.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dated and did not hold my attention.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent collection of short stories spanning... Well that would be telling and might spoil some of the surprises.

Mr Ashforth strikes me as a cross between Jonathan Aycliffe, F G Cottam and, dare I say it, MR James. Fantastic atmosphere and sense of place. Good characterisation. A feeling of looming dread.