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The Mammoth Book of Haunted House Stories
Expanded with great new stories, this is the biggest and best anthology of ghostly hauntings ever. Over 40 tales of visitation by the undead--from vengeful and violent spirits, set on causing harm to innocent people tucked up in their homes, to rarer and more kindly ghosts, returning from the grave to reach out across the other side. Yet others entertain desires of a more sinister bent, including the erotic. This new edition includes a selection of favorite haunted house tales chosen by famous screen stars such as Boris Karloff, Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. In addition, a top ranking list of contributors includes Stephen King, Bram Stoker, Ruth Rendell, and James Herbert--all brought together by an anthologist who himself lives in a haunted house.
Contents
1 • The Haunted House • (2000) • short fiction by Elizabeth Albright and Ray Bradbury
3 • Foreword: I Live In A Haunted House • (2000) • essay by Peter Haining
9 • The Haunted and the Haunters • (1919) • novelette by Edward Bulwer-Lytton (variant of The Haunted and the Haunters; or, The House and the Brain 1859)
39 • Authentic Narrative of a Haunted House • (2000) • short story by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu (variant of An Authentic Narrative of a Haunted House 1862)
53 • A Case of Eavesdropping • [Jim Shorthouse] • (1900) • short story by Algernon Blackwood
69 • A Haunted House • (1921) • short story by Virginia Woolf
73 • Ghost Hunt • (1948) • short story by H. Russell Wakefield
81 • Dark Winner • (1976) • short story by William F. Nolan
89 • The Old House in Vauxhall Walk • (1882) • novelette by Mrs. J. H. Riddell [as by Charlotte Riddell]
109 • No. 252 Rue M. Le Prince • (1895) • short story by Ralph Adams Cram
125 • The Southwest Chamber • (1903) • novelette by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman [as by Mary Eleanor Freeman]
145 • The Toll-House • (1907) • short story by W. W. Jacobs
157 • Feet Foremost • (1932) • novelette by L. P. Hartley
191 • Happy Hour • (1990) • novelette by Ian Watson
217 • The Ankardyne Pew • (1979) • short story by William Fryer Harvey [as by W. F. Harvey]
231 • The Real and the Counterfeit • (1988) • short story by Mrs. Alfred Baldwin [as by Louisa Baldwin]
249 • A Night at a Cottage ... • (1926) • short story by Richard Hughes
253 • The Considerate Hosts • (1939) • short story by Thorp McClusky
265 • The Grey House • (1967) • short story by Basil Copper
309 • Watching Me, Watching You • (1981) • short story by Fay Weldon
329 • A Spirit Elopement • (1915) • short story by Richard Dehan
339 • The House of Dust • (1920) • short story by Herbert de Hamel
357 • The Kisstruck Bogie • (1946) • short story by A. E. Coppard
367 • Mr Edward • (2000) • short story by Norah Lofts (variant of Mr. Edward 1947)
385 • House of the Hatchet • (1941) • short story by Robert Bloch
403 • Napier Court • (1971) • short story by Ramsey Campbell
423 • Lost Hearts • (1895) • short story by M. R. James
435 • The Shadowy Third • (1916) • novelette by Ellen Glasgow
461 • A Little Ghost • (1922) • short story by Hugh Walpole
477 • The Patter of Tiny Feet • (1950) • short story by Nigel Kneale
489 • Uninvited Ghosts • (1981) • short story by Penelope Lively
497 • Playing with Fire • (1900) • short story by Arthur Conan Doyle [as by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle]
513 • The Whistling Room • [Carnacki (Hodgson)] • (1910) • short story by William Hope Hodgson
533 • Bagnell Terrace • (1925) • short story by E. F. Benson
547 • The Companion • (1978) • short story by Joan Aiken
557 • The Ghost Hunter • (2000) • short fiction by James Herbert
563 • Computer Séance • (1997) • short story by Ruth Rendell
573 • In Letters of Fire • [L'homme qui a vu le diable] • (1908) • novelette by Gaston Leroux (trans. of L'homme qui a vu le diable)
593 • The Judge's House • (1891) • short story by Bram Stoker
613 • The Storm • (1944) • short story by McKnight Malmar
627 • The Waxwork • (1931) • short story by A. M. Burrage [as by Ex-Private X]
641 • The Inexperienced Ghost • (1902) • short story by H. G. Wells
655 • Sophy Mason Comes Back • (1930) • short story by E. M. Delafield
669 • The Boogeyman • (1973) • short story by Stephen King
683 • Appendix: Haunted House Novels: A Listing • (2000) • essay by Peter Haining
Contents
1 • The Haunted House • (2000) • short fiction by Elizabeth Albright and Ray Bradbury
3 • Foreword: I Live In A Haunted House • (2000) • essay by Peter Haining
9 • The Haunted and the Haunters • (1919) • novelette by Edward Bulwer-Lytton (variant of The Haunted and the Haunters; or, The House and the Brain 1859)
39 • Authentic Narrative of a Haunted House • (2000) • short story by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu (variant of An Authentic Narrative of a Haunted House 1862)
53 • A Case of Eavesdropping • [Jim Shorthouse] • (1900) • short story by Algernon Blackwood
69 • A Haunted House • (1921) • short story by Virginia Woolf
73 • Ghost Hunt • (1948) • short story by H. Russell Wakefield
81 • Dark Winner • (1976) • short story by William F. Nolan
89 • The Old House in Vauxhall Walk • (1882) • novelette by Mrs. J. H. Riddell [as by Charlotte Riddell]
109 • No. 252 Rue M. Le Prince • (1895) • short story by Ralph Adams Cram
125 • The Southwest Chamber • (1903) • novelette by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman [as by Mary Eleanor Freeman]
145 • The Toll-House • (1907) • short story by W. W. Jacobs
157 • Feet Foremost • (1932) • novelette by L. P. Hartley
191 • Happy Hour • (1990) • novelette by Ian Watson
217 • The Ankardyne Pew • (1979) • short story by William Fryer Harvey [as by W. F. Harvey]
231 • The Real and the Counterfeit • (1988) • short story by Mrs. Alfred Baldwin [as by Louisa Baldwin]
249 • A Night at a Cottage ... • (1926) • short story by Richard Hughes
253 • The Considerate Hosts • (1939) • short story by Thorp McClusky
265 • The Grey House • (1967) • short story by Basil Copper
309 • Watching Me, Watching You • (1981) • short story by Fay Weldon
329 • A Spirit Elopement • (1915) • short story by Richard Dehan
339 • The House of Dust • (1920) • short story by Herbert de Hamel
357 • The Kisstruck Bogie • (1946) • short story by A. E. Coppard
367 • Mr Edward • (2000) • short story by Norah Lofts (variant of Mr. Edward 1947)
385 • House of the Hatchet • (1941) • short story by Robert Bloch
403 • Napier Court • (1971) • short story by Ramsey Campbell
423 • Lost Hearts • (1895) • short story by M. R. James
435 • The Shadowy Third • (1916) • novelette by Ellen Glasgow
461 • A Little Ghost • (1922) • short story by Hugh Walpole
477 • The Patter of Tiny Feet • (1950) • short story by Nigel Kneale
489 • Uninvited Ghosts • (1981) • short story by Penelope Lively
497 • Playing with Fire • (1900) • short story by Arthur Conan Doyle [as by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle]
513 • The Whistling Room • [Carnacki (Hodgson)] • (1910) • short story by William Hope Hodgson
533 • Bagnell Terrace • (1925) • short story by E. F. Benson
547 • The Companion • (1978) • short story by Joan Aiken
557 • The Ghost Hunter • (2000) • short fiction by James Herbert
563 • Computer Séance • (1997) • short story by Ruth Rendell
573 • In Letters of Fire • [L'homme qui a vu le diable] • (1908) • novelette by Gaston Leroux (trans. of L'homme qui a vu le diable)
593 • The Judge's House • (1891) • short story by Bram Stoker
613 • The Storm • (1944) • short story by McKnight Malmar
627 • The Waxwork • (1931) • short story by A. M. Burrage [as by Ex-Private X]
641 • The Inexperienced Ghost • (1902) • short story by H. G. Wells
655 • Sophy Mason Comes Back • (1930) • short story by E. M. Delafield
669 • The Boogeyman • (1973) • short story by Stephen King
683 • Appendix: Haunted House Novels: A Listing • (2000) • essay by Peter Haining
689 pages, Paperback
First published November 12, 2000
85 people are currently reading
2671 people want to read
About the author
Peter Haining
331 books99 followersPeter Alexander Haining was an English journalist, author and anthologist who lived and worked in Suffolk. Born in Enfield, Middlesex, he began his career as a reporter in Essex and then moved to London where he worked on a trade magazine before joining the publishing house of New English Library.
Haining achieved the position of Editorial Director before becoming a full time writer in the early Seventies. He edited a large number of anthologies, predominantly of horror and fantasy short stories, wrote non-fiction books on a variety of topics from the Channel Tunnel to Sweeney Todd and also used the pen names "Ric Alexander" and "Richard Peyton" on a number of crime story anthologies. In the Seventies he wrote three novels, including The Hero (1973), which was optioned for filming.
In two controversial books, Haining argued that Sweeney Todd was a real historical figure who committed his crimes around 1800, was tried in December 1801, and was hanged in January 1802. However, other researchers who have tried to verify his citations find nothing in these sources to back Haining's claims. A check of the website Old Bailey at for "Associated Records 1674-1834" for an alleged trial in December 1801 and hanging of Sweeney Todd for January 1802 show no reference; in fact the only murder trial for this period is that of a Governor/Lt Col. Joseph Wall who was hanged 28 January 1802 for killing a Benjamin Armstrong 10 July 1782 in "Goree" Africa and the discharge of a Humphrey White in January 1802. Strong reservations have also been expressed regarding the reliability of another of Haining's influential non-fiction works, The Legend and Bizarre Crimes of Spring Heeled Jack.
He wrote several reference books on Doctor Who, including the 20th anniversary special Doctor Who: A Celebration Two Decades Through Time and Space (1983), and also wrote the definitive study of Sherlock Holmes on the screen, The Television Sherlock Holmes (1991) and several other television tie-ins featuring famous literary characters, including Maigret, Poirot and James Bond. Peter Haining's most recent project was a series of World War Two stories based on extensive research and personal interviews: The Jail That Went To Sea (2003), The Mystery of Rommel's Gold (2004), Where The Eagle Landed (2004), The Chianti Raiders (2005) and The Banzai Hunters (2007).
He won the British Fantasy Awards Karl Edward Wagner Award in 2001.
Haining achieved the position of Editorial Director before becoming a full time writer in the early Seventies. He edited a large number of anthologies, predominantly of horror and fantasy short stories, wrote non-fiction books on a variety of topics from the Channel Tunnel to Sweeney Todd and also used the pen names "Ric Alexander" and "Richard Peyton" on a number of crime story anthologies. In the Seventies he wrote three novels, including The Hero (1973), which was optioned for filming.
In two controversial books, Haining argued that Sweeney Todd was a real historical figure who committed his crimes around 1800, was tried in December 1801, and was hanged in January 1802. However, other researchers who have tried to verify his citations find nothing in these sources to back Haining's claims. A check of the website Old Bailey at for "Associated Records 1674-1834" for an alleged trial in December 1801 and hanging of Sweeney Todd for January 1802 show no reference; in fact the only murder trial for this period is that of a Governor/Lt Col. Joseph Wall who was hanged 28 January 1802 for killing a Benjamin Armstrong 10 July 1782 in "Goree" Africa and the discharge of a Humphrey White in January 1802. Strong reservations have also been expressed regarding the reliability of another of Haining's influential non-fiction works, The Legend and Bizarre Crimes of Spring Heeled Jack.
He wrote several reference books on Doctor Who, including the 20th anniversary special Doctor Who: A Celebration Two Decades Through Time and Space (1983), and also wrote the definitive study of Sherlock Holmes on the screen, The Television Sherlock Holmes (1991) and several other television tie-ins featuring famous literary characters, including Maigret, Poirot and James Bond. Peter Haining's most recent project was a series of World War Two stories based on extensive research and personal interviews: The Jail That Went To Sea (2003), The Mystery of Rommel's Gold (2004), Where The Eagle Landed (2004), The Chianti Raiders (2005) and The Banzai Hunters (2007).
He won the British Fantasy Awards Karl Edward Wagner Award in 2001.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
March 27, 2009
I found this volume to be very good reading. Pretty much all of these stories were thrilling, and some were extremely scary, necessitating a brief break before I could continue reading. Some were more sad than anything, with spirits who had no where left to go, so they lingered on the earthly plane in a limbo. It took several months to finish reading this book, but this is the kind of book you read in sessions anyway. Definitely makes me glad that I live in a brand new house. One of my favorites was "The Whistling Room" by William Hope Hodgson. Highly recommended, although I strongly object to Stephen King's story "The Boogeyman" being considered as a haunting short story. That was a straight up monster. That story disturbed rather than scared me. The Gaston Leroux story "Letters of Fire" was very creepy, indeed.
June 23, 2013
I think most importantly, if you are going to put together a collection of stories under the banner "Haunted House Stories" you might want to make sure that all the stories are about haunted houses. While this is somewhat not the case here, I still enjoyed the bulk of it. I should also mention that the number of stories written before 1930 vastly outnumbered those that were more modern. I guess I had expected a book of modern stories about haunted houses. Not necessarily a book containing quite a number of royalty free entries.
To be fair, the majority of stories written after 1960 weren't as good as the ones written before. And I had read a few of them before in other collections. There were some really terrible ones though, a few times I found myself falling asleep. But there are so many stories (over 40, according to the cover) that I have a hard time recalling the bad ones. There were also some great ideas behind some of them. And I would probably rate the book a little higher had it not occasionally caused me to fall asleep.
To be fair, the majority of stories written after 1960 weren't as good as the ones written before. And I had read a few of them before in other collections. There were some really terrible ones though, a few times I found myself falling asleep. But there are so many stories (over 40, according to the cover) that I have a hard time recalling the bad ones. There were also some great ideas behind some of them. And I would probably rate the book a little higher had it not occasionally caused me to fall asleep.
August 3, 2015
There are a lot of ghostly stories in this book. And with a book that is just a bit bigger than a paperback and small print this is quite a punch in a small package. A lot of the stories are European (mainly English) and a lot of them are quite old. Each story has a brief introduction to the author which was a nice feature as a lot of the authors I knew nothing about. Again a lot of these stories are quite old so the authors of course have faded with time. Perhaps to haunt someone else wherever they may have ended up. I only skipped over two stories due to the obscure and arcane language used in ye olden times. So for a large collection of haunting this book should fill the bill.
November 27, 2023
Haunted Places: Stories of Fact and Fiction
The Haunted House • (2000) by Elizabeth Albright and Ray Bradbury 4⭐
Foreword: I Live In A Haunted House • (2000) • essay by Peter Haining 3.25⭐
The Haunted and the Haunters • (1919) by Edward Bulwer-Lytton (variant of The Haunted and the Haunters; or, The House and the Brain 1859) 5⭐
Authentic Narrative of a Haunted House • (1862) by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu 3⭐
A Case of Eavesdropping • [Jim Shorthouse] • (1900) by Algernon Blackwood 4⭐
A Haunted House • (1921) by Virginia Woolf 4⭐
Ghost Hunt • (1948) by H. Russell Wakefield 4.25⭐
Dark Winner • (1976) by William F. Nolan 4.25⭐
Avenging Spirits Tales of Dangerous Elementals
The Old House in Vauxhall Walk • (1882) by Mrs. J. H. Riddell 4.25⭐
No. 252 Rue M. Le Prince • (1895) by Ralph Adams Cram 4⭐
The Southwest Chamber • (2000) by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman 3.25⭐
The Toll-House • (1907) by W. W. Jacobs 5⭐
Feet Foremost • (1932) by L. P. Hartley 4⭐
Happy Hour • (1990) by Ian Watson 5⭐
Shadowy Corners Accounts of Restless Spirits
The Ankardyne Pew • (1979) by William Fryer Harvey [as by W. F. Harvey] 2.5⭐
The Real and the Counterfeit • (1988) by Mrs. Alfred Baldwin [as by Louisa Baldwin] 4.25⭐
A Night at a Cottage ... • (1926) by Richard Hughes 3.5⭐
The Considerate Hosts • (1939) by Thorp McClusky 4.5⭐
The Grey House • (1967) by Basil Copper 5⭐
Watching Me, Watching You • (1981) by Fay Weldon 4.25⭐
Phantom Lovers Sex and the Supernatural
A Spirit Elopement • (1915) by Richard Dehan 3⭐
The House of Dust • (1920) by Herbert de Hamel 3.75⭐
The Kisstruck Bogie • (1946) by A. E. Coppard 3.25⭐
Mr. Edward • (1947) by Norah Lofts 3.25⭐
House of the Hatchet • (1941) by Robert Bloch 5⭐
Napier Court • (1971) by Ramsey Campbell 3.5⭐
Little Terrors Ghosts and Children
Lost Hearts • (1895) by M. R. James 4.5⭐
The Shadowy Third • (1916) by Ellen Glasgow 5⭐
A Little Ghost • (1922) by Hugh Walpole 3⭐
The Patter of Tiny Feet • (1950) by Nigel Kneale 4⭐
Uninvited Ghosts (1981) by Penelope Lively 3⭐
Psychic Phenomena
Playing with Fire • (1966) by Arthur Conan Doyle 3.5⭐
The Whistling Room • [Carnacki (Hodgson)] • (1910) by William Hope Hodgson 4.25⭐
Bagnell Terrace • (1925) by E. F. Benson 4.25⭐
The Companion • (1978) by Joan Aiken 4.25⭐
The Ghost Hunter • (2000) by James Herbert 3.5⭐
Computer Séance • (1997) by Ruth Rendell 2.5⭐
In Letters of Fire • [L'homme qui a vu le diable] • (1908) by Gaston Leroux 3.25⭐
The Judge's House • (1891) by Bram Stoker 4⭐
The Storm • (1944) by McKnight Malmar 5⭐
The Waxwork • (1931) by A. M. Burrage [as by Ex-Private X] 5⭐
The Inexperienced Ghost • (1902) by H. G. Wells 4⭐
Sophy Mason Comes Back • (1930) by E. M. Delafield 4.25⭐
The Boogeyman • (1973) by Stephen King 5⭐
August 22, 2021
This collection was gifted to me from a friend and I'm so happy that she knows me well enough to know that I would like it. I also buddy read this with my friend Ashley. As it turns out, her edition had another section that mine did not and so she was able to read 7 more stories. My edition is from 2000. I'm actually kind of bummed about that teehee. I'm rating this collection a 3.5 stars.
With all collections I like to focus on my favorites. This particular collection had 35 stories in it and that would make my review much too long, if I talked about all of them. So if you are interested in the stories I will include the Titles and authors of the stories and give a star rating next to them. These stories were separated by themes.
Haunted Places-
1. Haunted and the Haunters by Edward Bulwer-Lytton (4 stars)
2. Authentic Narrative of A Haunted House by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu (3 star)
3. A Case of Eavesdropping by Algernon Blackwood ( 4 star)
4. A Haunted House by Virginia Woolf (4 star) Gorgeous writing!
5. Ghost Hunt by H. Russell Wakefield (5 star) One of my favorites
6. Dark Winner by William F. Nolan (2 star)
Avenging Ghosts-
7. The Old House in Vauxhall Walk (3 stars)
8. No. 252 Rue M. Le Prince by Ralph Adams Cram (3 stars)
9. The Southwest Chamber by Mary Eleanor Freeman (2.5 stars)
10. The Toll-House by W.W. Jacobs (3 stars) *This is the author of The Monkey's Paw*
11. Feet Foremost by L.P. Hartley (3.5 stars)
12. Happy Hour by Ian Watson (5 stars) Most interesting story in the collection
Shadowy Corners-
13. The Ankardyne Pew by W.F. Harvey (2 stars) there's a cock-fight and a ghost.
14. The Real and the Counterfeit by Louisa Baldwin (5 stars) this one was GREAT!
15. A Night at a Cottage by Richard Hughes (5 stars) proper ghost story! Loved. Like Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.
16. The Considerate Hosts by Thorp McClusky (4 stars) A storm, a traveler, a broken down car and a phone call.
17. The Grey House by Basil Copper (5 stars) Vampire-esque, loved!
18. Watching Me, Watching You by Fay Weldon (3 stars)
Phantom Lovers-
19. A Spirit Elopement (3 stars) Such a weird premise. Very interesting.
20. The House of Dust by Herbert de Hamel (3 stars) ghostly succubus?
21. The Kisstruck Bogie by A.E. Coppard (3 stars) A bored ghost who wants to talk
22. Mr. Edward by Norah Lofts (2 stars)
23. House of the Hatchet by Robert Bloch (5 stars) * This is the author of Psycho* Really liked this one. There was a misdirect.
24. Napier Court by Ramsey Campbell (1 star) I didn't understand who killed the main character.
Little Terrors-
25. Lost Hearts by M.R. James (3 stars) Creepy
26. The Shadowy Third by Ellen Glasgow (3 stars) Love a good revenge ghost story
27. A Little Ghost by Hugh Walpole (4 stars) This story made me smile
28. The Patter of Tiny Feet by Nigel Kneale (2 stars) Poltergeist?
29. Uninvited Ghosts by Penelope Lively (3 stars) this one made me laugh
Psychic Phenomena-
30. Playing with Fire by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (3 stars) *Sherlock Holmes duh* Super weird seance and a unicorn.
31. The Whistling Room by William Hope Hodgson (3 stars) meh
32. Bagnell Terrace by E.F. Benson (3 stars) meh
33. The Companion by Joan Aiken (3 stars) meh
34. The Ghost Hunter by James Herbert (2 stars) *author of Rats* I wish it was longer
35. Computer Seance by Ruth Rendell (2 stars) hated the ending
I'm super bummed that this edition didn't have the 7th collection theme- House of Horror. I think it would have made this book better. All the stories in Psychic Phenomena was just mediocre and not memorable.
I very much enjoyed reading this collection and getting to read older "classic" ghost stories/haunted houses. I love the way the pacing was different back then. The way things were described for example, “…we collared the lamps off the table and went to have a look.” Using the word 'collared' makes sense and I love it.
The 5 star reads in this collection weren't many, but I'm definitely interested in reading more books from those authors because I just loved their writing.
Recommend if you want a taste of classic haunted house stories.
With all collections I like to focus on my favorites. This particular collection had 35 stories in it and that would make my review much too long, if I talked about all of them. So if you are interested in the stories I will include the Titles and authors of the stories and give a star rating next to them. These stories were separated by themes.
Haunted Places-
1. Haunted and the Haunters by Edward Bulwer-Lytton (4 stars)
2. Authentic Narrative of A Haunted House by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu (3 star)
3. A Case of Eavesdropping by Algernon Blackwood ( 4 star)
4. A Haunted House by Virginia Woolf (4 star) Gorgeous writing!
5. Ghost Hunt by H. Russell Wakefield (5 star) One of my favorites
6. Dark Winner by William F. Nolan (2 star)
Avenging Ghosts-
7. The Old House in Vauxhall Walk (3 stars)
8. No. 252 Rue M. Le Prince by Ralph Adams Cram (3 stars)
9. The Southwest Chamber by Mary Eleanor Freeman (2.5 stars)
10. The Toll-House by W.W. Jacobs (3 stars) *This is the author of The Monkey's Paw*
11. Feet Foremost by L.P. Hartley (3.5 stars)
12. Happy Hour by Ian Watson (5 stars) Most interesting story in the collection
Shadowy Corners-
13. The Ankardyne Pew by W.F. Harvey (2 stars) there's a cock-fight and a ghost.
14. The Real and the Counterfeit by Louisa Baldwin (5 stars) this one was GREAT!
15. A Night at a Cottage by Richard Hughes (5 stars) proper ghost story! Loved. Like Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.
16. The Considerate Hosts by Thorp McClusky (4 stars) A storm, a traveler, a broken down car and a phone call.
17. The Grey House by Basil Copper (5 stars) Vampire-esque, loved!
18. Watching Me, Watching You by Fay Weldon (3 stars)
Phantom Lovers-
19. A Spirit Elopement (3 stars) Such a weird premise. Very interesting.
20. The House of Dust by Herbert de Hamel (3 stars) ghostly succubus?
21. The Kisstruck Bogie by A.E. Coppard (3 stars) A bored ghost who wants to talk
22. Mr. Edward by Norah Lofts (2 stars)
23. House of the Hatchet by Robert Bloch (5 stars) * This is the author of Psycho* Really liked this one. There was a misdirect.
24. Napier Court by Ramsey Campbell (1 star) I didn't understand who killed the main character.
Little Terrors-
25. Lost Hearts by M.R. James (3 stars) Creepy
26. The Shadowy Third by Ellen Glasgow (3 stars) Love a good revenge ghost story
27. A Little Ghost by Hugh Walpole (4 stars) This story made me smile
28. The Patter of Tiny Feet by Nigel Kneale (2 stars) Poltergeist?
29. Uninvited Ghosts by Penelope Lively (3 stars) this one made me laugh
Psychic Phenomena-
30. Playing with Fire by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (3 stars) *Sherlock Holmes duh* Super weird seance and a unicorn.
31. The Whistling Room by William Hope Hodgson (3 stars) meh
32. Bagnell Terrace by E.F. Benson (3 stars) meh
33. The Companion by Joan Aiken (3 stars) meh
34. The Ghost Hunter by James Herbert (2 stars) *author of Rats* I wish it was longer
35. Computer Seance by Ruth Rendell (2 stars) hated the ending
I'm super bummed that this edition didn't have the 7th collection theme- House of Horror. I think it would have made this book better. All the stories in Psychic Phenomena was just mediocre and not memorable.
I very much enjoyed reading this collection and getting to read older "classic" ghost stories/haunted houses. I love the way the pacing was different back then. The way things were described for example, “…we collared the lamps off the table and went to have a look.” Using the word 'collared' makes sense and I love it.
The 5 star reads in this collection weren't many, but I'm definitely interested in reading more books from those authors because I just loved their writing.
Recommend if you want a taste of classic haunted house stories.
Want to read
November 27, 2022PLACEHOLDER REVIEWS
"The Ankardyne Pew" by William Fryer Harvey - told as a series of diary entries and letters, we follow the Rev. Thomas Prendergast and friend, and their record of the occurrences in 1890 at Ankardyne House - and the titular "pew" (a separate sub-building of the Church - itself next to Ankardyne house - built long in the past so that the squire could have personal services). But Miss Ankardyne confides that there is something evil and haunting about the house, vague and indeterminate - which bothers her (and the Reverend's) sleep, so that he sends her away and calls a friend, who seems to have knowledge of the supernatural, to visit...
While in many ways this feels like a standard M.R. James British Antiquarian Ghost Story (an old chiseled inscription proves to have been changed after the fact, the eerie night-cry of a strange bird), there are some modern flourishes (the House and Chapel are described early as looking like "a wicked uncle, setting off for a walk in the woods with one of the babes" which seems strikingly modern in its language and implication) and a willingness to "cut to the chase," as it were - revealing a wicked ancestor and his hideous actions (and death) in the past. Solid.
"The Ankardyne Pew" by William Fryer Harvey - told as a series of diary entries and letters, we follow the Rev. Thomas Prendergast and friend, and their record of the occurrences in 1890 at Ankardyne House - and the titular "pew" (a separate sub-building of the Church - itself next to Ankardyne house - built long in the past so that the squire could have personal services). But Miss Ankardyne confides that there is something evil and haunting about the house, vague and indeterminate - which bothers her (and the Reverend's) sleep, so that he sends her away and calls a friend, who seems to have knowledge of the supernatural, to visit...
While in many ways this feels like a standard M.R. James British Antiquarian Ghost Story (an old chiseled inscription proves to have been changed after the fact, the eerie night-cry of a strange bird), there are some modern flourishes (the House and Chapel are described early as looking like "a wicked uncle, setting off for a walk in the woods with one of the babes" which seems strikingly modern in its language and implication) and a willingness to "cut to the chase," as it were - revealing a wicked ancestor and his hideous actions (and death) in the past. Solid.
February 21, 2015
I love "horror" stories! None of them really frighten me, but I like to see if I can figure out the endings. This one has many, many interesting stories from Victorian to Stephen King. Some are by well-known writers - Gaston Leroux (Phantom of the Opera), Bram Stoker (Dracula), H. G. Well (this one is REALLY funny!!!!), and Stephen King. Most are by authors you probably don't know unless you follow this genre and have read many of the old classic authors like M. R. James.
My absolute favorite in here for imagination is The Whistling Room. An occult detective is asked to visit Ireland and investigate an Irish castle with a room that actually whistles. Carnacki relates the tale to a circle of his friends. The dectective is not a great character and I don't like the way the story is set up. I love it because of what the whistling room is and how it's described.
For some fun before bed, read one of these. They won't necessarily scare you, but they're great entertainment.
My absolute favorite in here for imagination is The Whistling Room. An occult detective is asked to visit Ireland and investigate an Irish castle with a room that actually whistles. Carnacki relates the tale to a circle of his friends. The dectective is not a great character and I don't like the way the story is set up. I love it because of what the whistling room is and how it's described.
For some fun before bed, read one of these. They won't necessarily scare you, but they're great entertainment.
dnf
October 17, 2019I just couldn't get into this. Short stories and me just don't mesh well.
March 2, 2013
It took me a while to read this because I tended to read a short story or two between books, but I really enjoyed most of the stories. It is quite uneven though some stories are really good, others just make you say : "bah". I think my favorite part of the book is the last section where the favorite haunted house short stories of the stars of horror movies are presented; I especially liked the favorite of Vincent Price The Waxwork by A.M. Burrage. I also really enjoyed Boris Karloff's favorite The Storm by McKnight Malmar; this one is all about atmosphere. Taken as a whole the book is good enough and I think fans of the genre should be satisfied, I am.
November 24, 2009
As tends to be the case with these big collections, some stories are dull, some are good, some are better. This particular anthology leans heavily towards the 19th century, but I tended to like the stories from the 20th century for their slightly less canonical flavor.
February 3, 2020
4.3 stars!
"IT'S all nonsense," said Jack Barnes. "Of course people have died in the house; people die in every house. As for the noises--wind in the chimney and rats in the wainscot are very convincing to a nervous man. Give me another cup of tea, Meagle."
-W.W. Jacobs
Strong collection of old fashion haunted house stories. I enjoyed this anthology more than most of Mammoth Horror anthology series. I especially liked the old ornate prose.
"After reading some English letters that had come
during the day, and dipping for a few minutes into a
book, he became drowsy and got ready for bed. Just
as he was about to get in between the sheets, he
stopped for a moment and listened. There rose in the
night, as he did so, the sound of steps somewhere in
the house below. Listening attentively, he heard that
it was somebody coming upstairs—a heavy tread, and
the owner taking no pains to step quietly. On it came
up the stairs, tramp, tramp, tramp—evidently the
tread of a big man, and one in something of a hurry."
-Algernon Blackwood
Some of the stories are several hundred years old, others only a few decades old. Two thirds of the tales are English while most of the rest are new world American.
Welcome addition to any serious haunted house collection.
"IT'S all nonsense," said Jack Barnes. "Of course people have died in the house; people die in every house. As for the noises--wind in the chimney and rats in the wainscot are very convincing to a nervous man. Give me another cup of tea, Meagle."
-W.W. Jacobs
Strong collection of old fashion haunted house stories. I enjoyed this anthology more than most of Mammoth Horror anthology series. I especially liked the old ornate prose.
"After reading some English letters that had come
during the day, and dipping for a few minutes into a
book, he became drowsy and got ready for bed. Just
as he was about to get in between the sheets, he
stopped for a moment and listened. There rose in the
night, as he did so, the sound of steps somewhere in
the house below. Listening attentively, he heard that
it was somebody coming upstairs—a heavy tread, and
the owner taking no pains to step quietly. On it came
up the stairs, tramp, tramp, tramp—evidently the
tread of a big man, and one in something of a hurry."
-Algernon Blackwood
Some of the stories are several hundred years old, others only a few decades old. Two thirds of the tales are English while most of the rest are new world American.
Welcome addition to any serious haunted house collection.
August 8, 2020
I love short story collections. Each takes you to a different time and character, in a well chosen selection like this each tale brings something different.
Many offer a wonderful insight into the mores and tastes of the era and place. Really varied, a few stories I didn't like, but overall well worth reading.
Many offer a wonderful insight into the mores and tastes of the era and place. Really varied, a few stories I didn't like, but overall well worth reading.
December 14, 2024
Short stories that depict various times eras and levels of society.
Set the USA, England, Ireland, France and Belgium.
Sadly, the narratives often capture people's mistreatment of vulnerable people, notably poor Sophy Mason in France.
Capturing the changing times, Stephen King's Boogeyman is the plea for women and children to be treated as human beings.
1 Places
1 Edward Bulwer-Lytton: Haunted
Concerns an old woman’s brother, a woman (Marianna), and nephew/niece.
2 Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu: Haunted House
A family of five and their six servants relocate to a Kilkee house which was formerly a government store wheere there are strange goings on.
.
3 Algernon Blackwood: Eavesdropping
Jim Shorthouse recounts his experience staying in the former residence of the owner of a company called Steinhardt and Co.
4 Virginia Woolf: Haunted House
A lady feels the presence of former owners, a couple, going softly around her rural house.
5 Russell Wakefield: Grange
A house by the Thames river has had numerous deadly incidents involving that location. Professor Mignon and his friend, Mr. Weldon do some investigating.
6 William Nolan: Dark Winner
Mrs. Franklin Evans recounts the visit Frank, her husband, makes to his childhood home where he had met a young, unhappy boy.
2 Spirits
7 Charlotte Riddle: Vauxhall Walk
Assisted by his father’s servant, Williams, a young man, Graham Coulton, ends up staying the night in a house where an older woman, the owner’s sister, Miss Tynan, had been murdered for her money.
8 Ralph Adams Cram: Rue M. Le Prince
An American man visits a friend, Eugene Marie d’Ardeche, who is originally from Boston, in the Parisien Latin Quarter.
9 Mary Eleanor Freeman: Ackley Mansion
The house is owned by sisters Sophia and Amanda Gill. Their other sister, Jane Scott, had married, and died shortly thereafter. Jane’s daughter, Flora Scott, lives with Sophia and Amanda.
10 W. W. Jacobs: Toll-house
Jack Barnes, Lester, White, Meagle are discussing mysterious goings on at the Toll-house at the Three Feathers Inn. A tramp had recently been found dead (hanged) by the back staircase.
11 L. P. Hartley: Low Threshold Hall
Guests are gathered for a house-warming party at the newly renovated hall.
12 Ian Watson: Roebuck Public House
Meeting up each week for “happy hour” with an attractive woman.
3 Shadowy
13 W. F. Harvy: Ankardyne Pew
Reverend Thomas Prendergast discovers an unsettling occurrence in the pew of the Ankardyne family.
14 Louisa Baldwin: Real/Counterfeit
Recounts the vacation of three male college friends who talk about a Cistercian monk.
15 Richard Hughes: Farm-labourer’s cottage
A man, recently released from Worcester Jail, finds shelter in an empty cottage set back from the road.
16 Thorp McClusky: Hosts
John Reed, is electrocuted for a crime, and his wife, Grace, dies at around the same time.
17 Basil Cooper: Grey House
About a "Une maison d’assignation” which had formerly belonged to the de Meneval family; the last of the line was Gaston who had died a violent death.
18 Fay Waldon: Watching me
Anne and Vanessa reflect on their successive marriages to a man called Maurice (writer).
4 Lovers
19 Richard Dehan (Clotilde Mary Graves (1863-1932):
Elopement
Vavasour gets married and his wife recounts how she is upset with a woman that he thinks about called Kate.
20 Herbert de Hamel: Dust
Set in Brevolt, Belgium a Prussian, Captain Kurt von Unserbach is asked, late one night, by a mother and daughter (Alsace) to escort them safely through a security checkpoint
21 A. E. Coppard: Kisstruck
A man staying in a house recounts how the ghost of a man who had killed himself because his wife left him only settles down when he meets a new attractive ghost.
22 Norah Lofts: Edward
One of Mrs. Avery's jobs is to stay in a house, previously owned by a man called Edward, while it is being renovated.
23 Robert Bloch: Kluva Mansion
A couple, the narrator and Daisy, turn the tables on a couple, Homer Keenan and his wife, who were promoting a horror story.
24 Ramsey Campbell: Napier Court
The story revolves around a young woman Alma, who, left at home alone, hears sounds in the house.
5 Children
25 M. R. James: Aswarby Hall
Mr. Abney, a pagan scholar, threatens three children: Phoebe Stanley, Giovanni Paoli and his nephew, Stephen Elliott.
26 Ellen Glasgow: Shadowy Third
Dr. Roland Maradick, his second wife, a step-daughter (the shadowy third) and a “queer” will. From the perspective of a nurse, Miss Roland.
27 Hugh Walpole: Baldwin
A child gives comfort to a man who has lost a good friend.
28 Nigel Kneale: Patter
Mr. Hutchinson is visited by Joe Banner and Mr. Staines, journalists, investigating the sound of tiny feet in his house.
29 Penelope Lively: Uninvited
Marion, Stephen and their parents move into a new house where ghosts irritate the children.
6 Psychic
30 Arthur Conan Doyle: Fire
A Frenchman disrupts the seance of British people - John Moir, Harvey Deacon, William, Markham and Mrs. Delamere.
31 William Hope Hodgson: Whistling
Carnacki recounts to Jessop, Arkwright, Taylor and the narrator about Mr. Sid K. Tassoc (Iastrae), engaged to Miss Donnehue (Arlestrae) hearing a whistling sound.
32 E. F. Benson: Bagnell
Combines a trip to Egypt and a man’s second house purchase on Bagnell Terrace, from Naboth who lives next door to Hugh Abbot, the man’s friend.
33 Joan Aiken: Companion
Mrs. Clyrard, Helena Soames and Miss Morgan’s sister aren’t able to help Miss Morgan.
34 James Herbert: Hunter
Ash gets disoriented with odd goings on in this house which he is investigating. Kate McCarriick says: “you drink too much.”
35 Ruth Rendell: Computer
Seance conducted by Sophia de Vasco whose brother complicates her movements.
7 Houses
36 Gaston Leroux: Fire. La Chaux-de-Fonds, Jura, France
Four men have been out hunting and need shelter one night. A gentleman steps up to offer them hospitality. He is with his dog, Misere.
He is represented by others as being Faustian, and as having dealt with the “Evil Spirit”.
37 Bram Stoker: Judge, Benchurch, Hampshire
Staying at the former house of a judge from the past, Malcolm Malcolmson, a young mathematics student, crosses the unsympathetic judge’s path, to his cost.
38 McKnight Malmar: Storm
A recently married woman, Janet, gets awfully frightened during a storm. Her house is isolated, and her husband, Benj. T. Wilson, Esq. isn’t home.
39 A. M. Burrage: Waxwork
Raymond Hewson, a freelance journalist, stays the night in the downstairs area of the waxworks museum in order to write an article for a newspaper.
40 Oscar Wilde: Mermaid Club, Bromley, Kent
Clayton, twenty-five years old, Sanderson (Freemason), Evans, Wish and the narrator are at their club.
Clayton tells a story about the club’s ghost about whom the men are rather skeptical.
41 E. M. Delafield: Sophy Mason
The fate of an English girl in France without caring relatives or friends.
42 Stephen King: Boogeyman
Lester Billings (1944) married Rita (1947) in 1965, three children in quick succession Denny (1967), Shirl (1971), Andy 1973.
Dropped out of college, loads Pepsi-Cola later sells drill bits, Cluett and Sons.
His mother takes an aversion to Rita.
Lester’s behavior is highly highly suspicious: “she still wanted to do what I told her.”
Set the USA, England, Ireland, France and Belgium.
Sadly, the narratives often capture people's mistreatment of vulnerable people, notably poor Sophy Mason in France.
Capturing the changing times, Stephen King's Boogeyman is the plea for women and children to be treated as human beings.
1 Places
1 Edward Bulwer-Lytton: Haunted
Concerns an old woman’s brother, a woman (Marianna), and nephew/niece.
2 Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu: Haunted House
A family of five and their six servants relocate to a Kilkee house which was formerly a government store wheere there are strange goings on.
.
3 Algernon Blackwood: Eavesdropping
Jim Shorthouse recounts his experience staying in the former residence of the owner of a company called Steinhardt and Co.
4 Virginia Woolf: Haunted House
A lady feels the presence of former owners, a couple, going softly around her rural house.
5 Russell Wakefield: Grange
A house by the Thames river has had numerous deadly incidents involving that location. Professor Mignon and his friend, Mr. Weldon do some investigating.
6 William Nolan: Dark Winner
Mrs. Franklin Evans recounts the visit Frank, her husband, makes to his childhood home where he had met a young, unhappy boy.
2 Spirits
7 Charlotte Riddle: Vauxhall Walk
Assisted by his father’s servant, Williams, a young man, Graham Coulton, ends up staying the night in a house where an older woman, the owner’s sister, Miss Tynan, had been murdered for her money.
8 Ralph Adams Cram: Rue M. Le Prince
An American man visits a friend, Eugene Marie d’Ardeche, who is originally from Boston, in the Parisien Latin Quarter.
9 Mary Eleanor Freeman: Ackley Mansion
The house is owned by sisters Sophia and Amanda Gill. Their other sister, Jane Scott, had married, and died shortly thereafter. Jane’s daughter, Flora Scott, lives with Sophia and Amanda.
10 W. W. Jacobs: Toll-house
Jack Barnes, Lester, White, Meagle are discussing mysterious goings on at the Toll-house at the Three Feathers Inn. A tramp had recently been found dead (hanged) by the back staircase.
11 L. P. Hartley: Low Threshold Hall
Guests are gathered for a house-warming party at the newly renovated hall.
12 Ian Watson: Roebuck Public House
Meeting up each week for “happy hour” with an attractive woman.
3 Shadowy
13 W. F. Harvy: Ankardyne Pew
Reverend Thomas Prendergast discovers an unsettling occurrence in the pew of the Ankardyne family.
14 Louisa Baldwin: Real/Counterfeit
Recounts the vacation of three male college friends who talk about a Cistercian monk.
15 Richard Hughes: Farm-labourer’s cottage
A man, recently released from Worcester Jail, finds shelter in an empty cottage set back from the road.
16 Thorp McClusky: Hosts
John Reed, is electrocuted for a crime, and his wife, Grace, dies at around the same time.
17 Basil Cooper: Grey House
About a "Une maison d’assignation” which had formerly belonged to the de Meneval family; the last of the line was Gaston who had died a violent death.
18 Fay Waldon: Watching me
Anne and Vanessa reflect on their successive marriages to a man called Maurice (writer).
4 Lovers
19 Richard Dehan (Clotilde Mary Graves (1863-1932):
Elopement
Vavasour gets married and his wife recounts how she is upset with a woman that he thinks about called Kate.
20 Herbert de Hamel: Dust
Set in Brevolt, Belgium a Prussian, Captain Kurt von Unserbach is asked, late one night, by a mother and daughter (Alsace) to escort them safely through a security checkpoint
21 A. E. Coppard: Kisstruck
A man staying in a house recounts how the ghost of a man who had killed himself because his wife left him only settles down when he meets a new attractive ghost.
22 Norah Lofts: Edward
One of Mrs. Avery's jobs is to stay in a house, previously owned by a man called Edward, while it is being renovated.
23 Robert Bloch: Kluva Mansion
A couple, the narrator and Daisy, turn the tables on a couple, Homer Keenan and his wife, who were promoting a horror story.
24 Ramsey Campbell: Napier Court
The story revolves around a young woman Alma, who, left at home alone, hears sounds in the house.
5 Children
25 M. R. James: Aswarby Hall
Mr. Abney, a pagan scholar, threatens three children: Phoebe Stanley, Giovanni Paoli and his nephew, Stephen Elliott.
26 Ellen Glasgow: Shadowy Third
Dr. Roland Maradick, his second wife, a step-daughter (the shadowy third) and a “queer” will. From the perspective of a nurse, Miss Roland.
27 Hugh Walpole: Baldwin
A child gives comfort to a man who has lost a good friend.
28 Nigel Kneale: Patter
Mr. Hutchinson is visited by Joe Banner and Mr. Staines, journalists, investigating the sound of tiny feet in his house.
29 Penelope Lively: Uninvited
Marion, Stephen and their parents move into a new house where ghosts irritate the children.
6 Psychic
30 Arthur Conan Doyle: Fire
A Frenchman disrupts the seance of British people - John Moir, Harvey Deacon, William, Markham and Mrs. Delamere.
31 William Hope Hodgson: Whistling
Carnacki recounts to Jessop, Arkwright, Taylor and the narrator about Mr. Sid K. Tassoc (Iastrae), engaged to Miss Donnehue (Arlestrae) hearing a whistling sound.
32 E. F. Benson: Bagnell
Combines a trip to Egypt and a man’s second house purchase on Bagnell Terrace, from Naboth who lives next door to Hugh Abbot, the man’s friend.
33 Joan Aiken: Companion
Mrs. Clyrard, Helena Soames and Miss Morgan’s sister aren’t able to help Miss Morgan.
34 James Herbert: Hunter
Ash gets disoriented with odd goings on in this house which he is investigating. Kate McCarriick says: “you drink too much.”
35 Ruth Rendell: Computer
Seance conducted by Sophia de Vasco whose brother complicates her movements.
7 Houses
36 Gaston Leroux: Fire. La Chaux-de-Fonds, Jura, France
Four men have been out hunting and need shelter one night. A gentleman steps up to offer them hospitality. He is with his dog, Misere.
He is represented by others as being Faustian, and as having dealt with the “Evil Spirit”.
37 Bram Stoker: Judge, Benchurch, Hampshire
Staying at the former house of a judge from the past, Malcolm Malcolmson, a young mathematics student, crosses the unsympathetic judge’s path, to his cost.
38 McKnight Malmar: Storm
A recently married woman, Janet, gets awfully frightened during a storm. Her house is isolated, and her husband, Benj. T. Wilson, Esq. isn’t home.
39 A. M. Burrage: Waxwork
Raymond Hewson, a freelance journalist, stays the night in the downstairs area of the waxworks museum in order to write an article for a newspaper.
40 Oscar Wilde: Mermaid Club, Bromley, Kent
Clayton, twenty-five years old, Sanderson (Freemason), Evans, Wish and the narrator are at their club.
Clayton tells a story about the club’s ghost about whom the men are rather skeptical.
41 E. M. Delafield: Sophy Mason
The fate of an English girl in France without caring relatives or friends.
42 Stephen King: Boogeyman
Lester Billings (1944) married Rita (1947) in 1965, three children in quick succession Denny (1967), Shirl (1971), Andy 1973.
Dropped out of college, loads Pepsi-Cola later sells drill bits, Cluett and Sons.
His mother takes an aversion to Rita.
Lester’s behavior is highly highly suspicious: “she still wanted to do what I told her.”
July 20, 2011
Mammoth book of Haunted House Stories by Peter Haining is a collection of real life and fictional of haunted house stories by writers around the world.
I was really terror stricken while reading some of the hardcore horror stories in this book. That is what horror stories do to you. I read many horror stories till date but mammoth book is the ultimate book where you will get all the greatest horror stories of all times in one place. This book has a wide variety of horror to offer you, ranging from lighter fare as just ghost sightings to darker fare as psychic phenomena and avenging spirits. The book has over 40 stories of horror. I was pretty in shock after reading the first chapter THE HAUNTED AND THE HAUNTERS. It is so scary that it gave me goosebumps.
Expanded with great new stories, this is the biggest and best anthology of ghostly hauntings ever. Over 40 tales of visitation by the undead—from vengeful and violent spirits, set on causing harm to innocent people tucked up in their homes, to rarer and more kindly ghosts, returning from the grave to reach out across the other side. Yet others entertain desires of a more sinister bent. This new edition includes a selection of favorite haunted house tales chosen by famous screen stars such as Boris Karloff, Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. In addition, a top ranking list of contributors includes Stephen King, Bram Stoker, Ruth Rendell, and James Herbert—all brought together by an anthologist who himself lives in a haunted house.
I was really terror stricken while reading some of the hardcore horror stories in this book. That is what horror stories do to you. I read many horror stories till date but mammoth book is the ultimate book where you will get all the greatest horror stories of all times in one place. This book has a wide variety of horror to offer you, ranging from lighter fare as just ghost sightings to darker fare as psychic phenomena and avenging spirits. The book has over 40 stories of horror. I was pretty in shock after reading the first chapter THE HAUNTED AND THE HAUNTERS. It is so scary that it gave me goosebumps.
Expanded with great new stories, this is the biggest and best anthology of ghostly hauntings ever. Over 40 tales of visitation by the undead—from vengeful and violent spirits, set on causing harm to innocent people tucked up in their homes, to rarer and more kindly ghosts, returning from the grave to reach out across the other side. Yet others entertain desires of a more sinister bent. This new edition includes a selection of favorite haunted house tales chosen by famous screen stars such as Boris Karloff, Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. In addition, a top ranking list of contributors includes Stephen King, Bram Stoker, Ruth Rendell, and James Herbert—all brought together by an anthologist who himself lives in a haunted house.
April 8, 2009
I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of this book. I have been reading ghost stories for so many years that many stories feel formulaic to me. I am also delighted when I find a large collection of stories that are not repeats for me and that I have a hard time predicting how the stories will end. Plus, the authors represented here are very talented. I really enjoyed a lot of the language and description that they provided. Several of the stories are instant classics with me and I'm glad tat I bought the book so it can sit on my shelf and I can read it again when I need a ghost story fix.
A couple of critiques: This is supposedly a new addition with an added section of favorite stories from horror movie actors. I did enjoy finding out what some of the favorite stories were for Boris Karloff, Christopher Lee, and Alan Cushing (the latter two are also some of my favorite actors from Star Wars movies), but some were stories that have been printed in several collections. I also think they could have left the Stephen King story off the end. It seemed a little superfluous, almost like they felt like they had to have a token story from him. His story wasn't really a ghost story, it seemed more along the lines of horror, though I suppose you could argue it was about a haunted house, and it had a really unnecessary F-word.
So, hey, I can recommend the book, just don't read the last story
A couple of critiques: This is supposedly a new addition with an added section of favorite stories from horror movie actors. I did enjoy finding out what some of the favorite stories were for Boris Karloff, Christopher Lee, and Alan Cushing (the latter two are also some of my favorite actors from Star Wars movies), but some were stories that have been printed in several collections. I also think they could have left the Stephen King story off the end. It seemed a little superfluous, almost like they felt like they had to have a token story from him. His story wasn't really a ghost story, it seemed more along the lines of horror, though I suppose you could argue it was about a haunted house, and it had a really unnecessary F-word.
So, hey, I can recommend the book, just don't read the last story
April 18, 2018
A good collection of haunted house stories,. Most of them are fro the 19th and early-20th Century but there are a few more modern tales, including a less-than-subtle Stephen King to finish the book off.
Obviously some are better than others but there are no obvious duds.
Don't do as I did though and try to read the book through in one long slog. Some of the stories might have stuck in my mind more if I'd read them perhaps one each day.
Obviously some are better than others but there are no obvious duds.
Don't do as I did though and try to read the book through in one long slog. Some of the stories might have stuck in my mind more if I'd read them perhaps one each day.
September 14, 2010
Lots of wonderful spooky stories that (for the most part) lack the cheesiness that pervades the vast majority of ghost story anthologies. The selection of authors is great, and although I own a ton of ghosty anthologies, there were tons in here that I hadn't read before.
January 27, 2012
Although I had read a number of stories from this collection before, about half were previously unknown to me. I enjoyed them all--it was a perfect collection of eerie haunted house stories. None were overly graphic (which is often a problem with horror stories).
Currently reading
February 4, 2009This is a solid collection of ghost tales. I was surprised to learn that even Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote supernatural stories!
January 22, 2011
I must say that if I read a book blurb and a house and ghost are mentioned there is a 99.8% chance that I will read said book, so this collection was a little slice of heaven for me.
June 2, 2015
From Robert Bloch to Stephen King, terrific haunted house storied.
July 4, 2017
Overall, a good collection. A lot of the older stuff. Or I just liked the older stuff better, it's hard to say.
A Case of Eavesdropping by Algernon Blackwood is pretty nice; his stuff tends to be good.
Ghost Hunt by H. Russell Wakefield was also pretty good.
The Southwest Chamber by Mary Eleanor Freeman was very good.
The Toll-House by W.W. Jacobs was also very good. I've read it before, and it's still good.
The Ankardyne Pew by W.F. Harvey was good.
The Real and the Counterfeit by Louisa Baldwin was also good.
Mr Edward by Norah Lofts was good and creepy.
House of the Hatchet by Robert Bloch was good and scary.
Lost Hearts by M.R. James was good. It always is; I've read it a couple of different times at this point.
The Whistling Room by William Hope Hodgson was good and a bit creepy.
Computer Séance by Ruth Rendell was a bit silly and good.
The Judge's House by Bram Stoker was very good, very scary.
The Storm by McKnight Malmar was good and well done. I couldn't figure it out, which was great.
The Waxwork by A.M. Burrage was good, I've read it before. And I think I have a recording of Vincent Price doing it.
The Inexperience Ghost by H.G Wells is always very good, although nowadays I tend to skip to the end.
The Boogyman by Stephen King is good. It's scary and gross, and you really feel that the villain gets his good desserts.
A Case of Eavesdropping by Algernon Blackwood is pretty nice; his stuff tends to be good.
Ghost Hunt by H. Russell Wakefield was also pretty good.
The Southwest Chamber by Mary Eleanor Freeman was very good.
The Toll-House by W.W. Jacobs was also very good. I've read it before, and it's still good.
The Ankardyne Pew by W.F. Harvey was good.
The Real and the Counterfeit by Louisa Baldwin was also good.
Mr Edward by Norah Lofts was good and creepy.
House of the Hatchet by Robert Bloch was good and scary.
Lost Hearts by M.R. James was good. It always is; I've read it a couple of different times at this point.
The Whistling Room by William Hope Hodgson was good and a bit creepy.
Computer Séance by Ruth Rendell was a bit silly and good.
The Judge's House by Bram Stoker was very good, very scary.
The Storm by McKnight Malmar was good and well done. I couldn't figure it out, which was great.
The Waxwork by A.M. Burrage was good, I've read it before. And I think I have a recording of Vincent Price doing it.
The Inexperience Ghost by H.G Wells is always very good, although nowadays I tend to skip to the end.
The Boogyman by Stephen King is good. It's scary and gross, and you really feel that the villain gets his good desserts.
May 12, 2022
I've been reading this book on and off over the last several years. Toward the back now but I still have 14 stories left. It's a mixed bag in terms of story quality but I have gotten a lot of enjoyment out of coming back to this book every so often to read a story or two when I need a distraction.
Not every story is buzzing with excitement but one aspect of this collection that keeps me coming back is how old the majority of the stories are. Many were written in the late 1800s and early 1900s. I felt that even most of the stories where not a lot happened, still had some charm to them for being from a different era. I felt transported to a different world, it's comforting in the same way watching an old noire film or something like that can be. Would recommend it but may not be for everybody.
Not every story is buzzing with excitement but one aspect of this collection that keeps me coming back is how old the majority of the stories are. Many were written in the late 1800s and early 1900s. I felt that even most of the stories where not a lot happened, still had some charm to them for being from a different era. I felt transported to a different world, it's comforting in the same way watching an old noire film or something like that can be. Would recommend it but may not be for everybody.
August 21, 2021
I'm usually hard pressed to find a short story collection that I rate any higher or lower than a 3 star and this was no exception. Some stories were great while others lacked. I did appreciate the choice of authors included in this collection. I got a taste of some of the "classic" authors' writing without having to read their tomes so now I have a little bit of a better idea of their styles. Def reading The Phantom of the Opera in the near future. And any short story collection that ends with Stephen King deserves at least a three star in my mind.
November 11, 2023
What a massive volume of haunted house stories. Most of them were hit and I really liked the different sections: haunted places, avenging spirits, shadowy corners, phantom lovers (one of my favorites), little terrors, psychic phenomena, houses of horror, incl. The Boogeyman by Stephen King. Included is a nice list of haunted house novels at the end. Great anthology I can highly recommend for the time of the season.
March 9, 2019
I love ghost stories. I particularly like haunted house stories. Hell House, The Canterville Ghost and The Shunned House being among my favorites. This is a great collection of haunted house stories. There are a few bad tales in here but they are easily out numbered by the well written stories. Really recommend this book.
March 27, 2021
I really was wanting to like this book....and I was really looking forward to reading it but I have to say that I was sadly disappointed. Of the many short stories included in the collection I only really enjoyed one or two of them. Not much more to say than that....
June 3, 2018
In all honesty, this books was a bit boring, alot of the stories were hard to get into. I gave 3 stars just because that's the credit it needs, a 2 would have been insulting.
October 3, 2018
I would have preferred the language to be a bit more modern.
January 11, 2019
Excellent selection of short stories, and clever introductions to them. Includes an appendix of haunted house novels. A must read for ghost/paranormal fans.
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