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The Ghost Slayers: Thrilling Tales of Occult Detection
‘A soundless baying seemed to come from the open jaws, and in the eyes gleamed a light that was not of this world. It was not the green luminosity of an animal, but a purplish grey reflected from some cold planet beyond the range of our senses.’
Occult or psychic detective tales have been chilling readers since the 1800s. This beguiling subgenre follows specialists in occult lore – often with years of arcane training – investigating supernatural occurrences and pitting their wits against bizarre, terrifying and deadly forces.
This new collection assembles nine unnerving cases, including the strange encounters of prominent psychic detectives such as Carnacki, the Ghost Finder and Dr. Silence along with lesser-known, rarely reprinted episodes investigated by the likes of Flaxman Low, Cosmo Thor, Aylmer Vance and Mesmer Milann.
Occult or psychic detective tales have been chilling readers since the 1800s. This beguiling subgenre follows specialists in occult lore – often with years of arcane training – investigating supernatural occurrences and pitting their wits against bizarre, terrifying and deadly forces.
This new collection assembles nine unnerving cases, including the strange encounters of prominent psychic detectives such as Carnacki, the Ghost Finder and Dr. Silence along with lesser-known, rarely reprinted episodes investigated by the likes of Flaxman Low, Cosmo Thor, Aylmer Vance and Mesmer Milann.
279 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 24, 2022
53 people are currently reading
703 people want to read
About the author
Mike Ashley
278 books129 followersMichael Raymond Donald Ashley is the author and editor of over sixty books that in total have sold over a million copies worldwide. He lives in Chatham, Kent.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
September 16, 2022
Great Collection of ghosts and demons haunted down by clever, intrepid detectives and specialists of the Occult. Although the template for the Stories isn’t very varied, it’s an entertaining read. And some of the authors are very good at evoking weird and haunting atmosphere.
November 2, 2022
Who ya gonna call?
Another anthology in the British Library’s Tales of the Weird series, this one has the theme of psychic detectives – ghost-hunters who investigate hauntings and sometimes set out to lay the ghosts. There are nine stories, some by well-known authors like Algernon Blackwood and William Hope Hodgson, and an array of lesser-known ones, to me at least. Many of the ghost-hunters appeared regularly in their authors’ output, but each of the stories stands on its own. One or two of the psychic detectives’ names seemed familiar to me, although I think that’s because I’ve seen them referenced in other books and stories, suggesting that some at least of them were very well known in their own time – in the way a modern crime novelist would feel secure in mentioning Rebus or Morse, for example. The only one familiar to me from having read some of his own stories is William Hope Hodgson’s Carnacki.
The overall quality of the stories is high – no duds, all rating at either four or five stars. Most of them are not terrifying, focussing more on the ghost-hunt than the scares, and they occasionally have a rather anticlimactic ending as the psychic detective “solves” the haunting. But some have plenty of thrills despite the format, and I found one or two quite chilling, even disturbing. It’s not my favourite kind of ghost story – I tend to find the psychic detective can be a bit of an insufferable know-it-all and I really prefer stories where the victims of hauntings are unsuspecting innocents or guilty people being subjected to ghostly revenge. That’s a subjective issue, of course, but perhaps meant that I appreciated these stories more than I enjoyed them overall. However, it was interesting to learn that there was a thriving sub-genre of fictional psychic detectives, and Mike Ashley’s introduction indicates how this arose out of the real-life interest in spiritualism and the psychical researchers who were developing scientific approaches to investigating reports of spiritualist events.
Here are a few of the stories I most enjoyed:
The Searcher of the End House by William Hope Hodgson – Carnacki tells his friends of an incident that happened when he was a young man, with little experience of psychic events. Staying in a cottage with his mother, he becomes aware of strange knocks and doors opening and slamming closed. But the most disturbing thing is the dreadful smell, as of something rotting, that follows these disturbances. He packs his mother off to safety and sets out to investigate. Hodgson has become one of my favourite horror writers in the last few years, and the Carnacki stories tend to be very imaginative even though Carnacki himself is a bit annoying. This one has elements of humour but is also genuinely scary and I found it a little disturbing.
The Fear by Claude and Alice Askew – The psychic detective here is Aylmer Vance, which is one of those names I mentioned as feeling familiar although I hadn’t read any of their stories before. Mr Balliston, a self-made millionaire, has taken out a lease on Camplin Castle, but has now had to leave it because he, his family and servants have all experienced sensations of overwhelming Fear. Vance and his sidekick agree to stay in the castle, and it’s not long before they too feel the Fear! They investigate, which basically involves talking to elderly villagers about the history of the castle. The ending is rather flat, but the story is dark and interesting and the descriptions of the effects of the Fear are great – really effectively scary!
Forgotten Harbour by Gordon Hillman – my favourite story of the collection! The psychic detective this time is Cranshawe, an expert in poltergeists, and the story is told by his “Watson”, who is unnamed. The narrator is visiting Forgotten Harbour in Newhaven, where there’s a lighthouse known to the locals as Dead Man’s Light, ever since two lighthouse keepers mysteriously disappeared a year ago. Now, just as happened before they disappeared, the local telephone exchange is receiving strange calls from the lighthouse, although the current lighthouse keepers deny making them. Cranshawe investigates, and the story he uncovers is one of treachery, murder and revenge! It’s very well told, and again effectively scary. What makes it even spookier is that Mike Ashley tells us in the mini-bio that the author apparently murdered his mother in real life!
So some excellent stories here, and by chance I seem to have highlighted the scariest ones. But always remember I’m a wimp – what is scary to me is still always at the mild end of horror for real aficionados... 4½ stars for me, so rounded up.
NB This book was provided for review by the publisher, the British Library.
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
Another anthology in the British Library’s Tales of the Weird series, this one has the theme of psychic detectives – ghost-hunters who investigate hauntings and sometimes set out to lay the ghosts. There are nine stories, some by well-known authors like Algernon Blackwood and William Hope Hodgson, and an array of lesser-known ones, to me at least. Many of the ghost-hunters appeared regularly in their authors’ output, but each of the stories stands on its own. One or two of the psychic detectives’ names seemed familiar to me, although I think that’s because I’ve seen them referenced in other books and stories, suggesting that some at least of them were very well known in their own time – in the way a modern crime novelist would feel secure in mentioning Rebus or Morse, for example. The only one familiar to me from having read some of his own stories is William Hope Hodgson’s Carnacki.
The overall quality of the stories is high – no duds, all rating at either four or five stars. Most of them are not terrifying, focussing more on the ghost-hunt than the scares, and they occasionally have a rather anticlimactic ending as the psychic detective “solves” the haunting. But some have plenty of thrills despite the format, and I found one or two quite chilling, even disturbing. It’s not my favourite kind of ghost story – I tend to find the psychic detective can be a bit of an insufferable know-it-all and I really prefer stories where the victims of hauntings are unsuspecting innocents or guilty people being subjected to ghostly revenge. That’s a subjective issue, of course, but perhaps meant that I appreciated these stories more than I enjoyed them overall. However, it was interesting to learn that there was a thriving sub-genre of fictional psychic detectives, and Mike Ashley’s introduction indicates how this arose out of the real-life interest in spiritualism and the psychical researchers who were developing scientific approaches to investigating reports of spiritualist events.
Here are a few of the stories I most enjoyed:
The Searcher of the End House by William Hope Hodgson – Carnacki tells his friends of an incident that happened when he was a young man, with little experience of psychic events. Staying in a cottage with his mother, he becomes aware of strange knocks and doors opening and slamming closed. But the most disturbing thing is the dreadful smell, as of something rotting, that follows these disturbances. He packs his mother off to safety and sets out to investigate. Hodgson has become one of my favourite horror writers in the last few years, and the Carnacki stories tend to be very imaginative even though Carnacki himself is a bit annoying. This one has elements of humour but is also genuinely scary and I found it a little disturbing.
The Fear by Claude and Alice Askew – The psychic detective here is Aylmer Vance, which is one of those names I mentioned as feeling familiar although I hadn’t read any of their stories before. Mr Balliston, a self-made millionaire, has taken out a lease on Camplin Castle, but has now had to leave it because he, his family and servants have all experienced sensations of overwhelming Fear. Vance and his sidekick agree to stay in the castle, and it’s not long before they too feel the Fear! They investigate, which basically involves talking to elderly villagers about the history of the castle. The ending is rather flat, but the story is dark and interesting and the descriptions of the effects of the Fear are great – really effectively scary!
Forgotten Harbour by Gordon Hillman – my favourite story of the collection! The psychic detective this time is Cranshawe, an expert in poltergeists, and the story is told by his “Watson”, who is unnamed. The narrator is visiting Forgotten Harbour in Newhaven, where there’s a lighthouse known to the locals as Dead Man’s Light, ever since two lighthouse keepers mysteriously disappeared a year ago. Now, just as happened before they disappeared, the local telephone exchange is receiving strange calls from the lighthouse, although the current lighthouse keepers deny making them. Cranshawe investigates, and the story he uncovers is one of treachery, murder and revenge! It’s very well told, and again effectively scary. What makes it even spookier is that Mike Ashley tells us in the mini-bio that the author apparently murdered his mother in real life!
So some excellent stories here, and by chance I seem to have highlighted the scariest ones. But always remember I’m a wimp – what is scary to me is still always at the mild end of horror for real aficionados... 4½ stars for me, so rounded up.
NB This book was provided for review by the publisher, the British Library.
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
September 9, 2023
This was a great entry into the series! Not every story was a five star, but every story was worth it! The Bertram Ackey story was my favorite and I’m sad there aren’t any more extant Mesmer Milann stories out there anymore!
June 19, 2022
a pretty good foray into the foundations of the ghost (monster) hunter genre. the selection was both exciting and atmospheric and deliciously grim.
it was interesting to me that up to 50 years ago, the genre primarily lived in the form of short stories and episodic adventures - very much like the detective genre - and how this has nearly disappeared now. this collection firmed my belief that we need to revive the popularity of the short story as a form.
favourite stories were 'a psychical invasion' by algernon blackwood (john silence), 'the searcher of the end house' by william hope hodgson (thomas carnacki), 'the valley of the veils of death' by bertram atkey (mesmer milann), 'the death hound' by dion fortune (dr. taverner) and 'in death as in life' by joseph payne brennan (lucius leffing)
it was interesting to me that up to 50 years ago, the genre primarily lived in the form of short stories and episodic adventures - very much like the detective genre - and how this has nearly disappeared now. this collection firmed my belief that we need to revive the popularity of the short story as a form.
favourite stories were 'a psychical invasion' by algernon blackwood (john silence), 'the searcher of the end house' by william hope hodgson (thomas carnacki), 'the valley of the veils of death' by bertram atkey (mesmer milann), 'the death hound' by dion fortune (dr. taverner) and 'in death as in life' by joseph payne brennan (lucius leffing)
July 1, 2022
Another great one by BL. All the stories have a Conjuring Insidious Vibe. Loved the story of Moor road, Psychical Invasion, The Fear, and Forgotten Harbour.
March 17, 2024
Excellently chosen examples of Occult Detective fiction! I only have two editions of these British Library books, and I already love them. Beautifully presented!
April 11, 2025
So many of these tales read like Sherlock Holmes and Watson but with REAL supernatural elements and ghosts and that was exactly what I wanted!
January 4, 2023
The "occult detective story" has always been one of my favorite sub-genres, and this offering from veteran anthologist Mike Ashley provided some relatively rare and seldom-collected offerings for my eager, albeit esoteric, palate.
The first story, a Flaxman Low tale by K. and H. Prichard, was one of the best in the volume (open strong, and grab the attention from the gate). "The Story of the Moor Road" is one of the creepier Low stories I've read, and the third of twelve to see publication. As Low is widely regarded to be the first "psychic detective" to appear in print, one might think his exploits would weaken with age. Indeed, time often fades early characters and stories, making original material seem trite and cliched. But "Moor Road" happily does not fall under those rubrics, and provides a welcome dose of "frisson" for the reader.
"A Psychical Invasion" is the first story featuring Algernon Blackwood's John Silence character. The Silence stories are readily available in print and eBook form, so I won't go into too much detail on the character's history and reception. I will say, however, that I was much less enthusiastic about "Invasion" than I was about "Moor Road." The Blackwood story seemed ponderous and overly purple, and, frankly, soporific. It took several sittings to plow through it because of the wordiness of what should have been its most exciting scene, when Silence spends the night in the haunted house and confronts the ghostly manifestations.
"The Searcher of the End House" was a revisitation for me, as William Hope Hodgson's Carnacki is an old favorite. Hodgson is a capable writer, and I would recommend any of the Carnacki yarns to those who enjoy his nautical horror stories, or his two major works, "The House on the Borderland," or "The Boats of the Glen Carrig." Carnacki is distinguished from many other psychic detectives by his ability to blend occult savvy with technological know-how; his electric pentacle is one of my favorite contrivances in all of ghostly fiction.
"The Fear," by Claude and Alice Askew, features Aylmer Vance, a self-styled "ghost-seer." Vance is singular in that he is one of the first occult detectives to prefer the company of a Watson-like companion, a Mr. Dexter who narrates his stories. Interestingly, while Vance professes to be able to see manifestations of supernatural phenomena, Dexter also possesses at least a rudimentary psychic ability. "The Fear" may be a bit anti-climactic for those readers who like a conclusive resolution, but the descriptions of the emotional impact of the haunting on the two protagonists can be quite affecting if the reader is in the mood to be affected.
Mesmer Milann, Bertram Atkey's occult investigator, stars in "The Valley of the Veils of Death." As far as I know (and Mike Ashley concurs), the Mesmer Milann stories have never been reprinted, so finding one in this collection is a treat. Milann's abilities, like those of Aylmer Vance and his sidekick, are supernatural in nature, but unique: he can project his astral form over great distances to investigate locations without being physically present. "Valley" presents a tale with higher stakes than most of the others in this volume, with at least three grisly deaths occurring or being related in the tale. And, although Milann himself may seem a bit cartoonish (think "Madnrake the Magician" or "Sargon the Sorcerer"), the plot is original and engaging.
"The Death Hound" features Dion Fortune's Dr. Taverner, an occultist who seems to have a more in common with Dr. Strange than many other heroes in this anthology. He manipulates supernatural energy and performs feats that can only be described as spellcasting in the pursuit of justice for his clients. He is also the only protagonist in "The Ghost Slayers" who comes into conflict with his opposite number-an occult manipulator who uses his powers for unsavory purposes. Well worth reading, if only for the final disposition of the black hat.
"The Case of the Fortunate Youth" pits Cosmo Thor against the psychic impressions left by an evil death-cult. Moray Dalton's tale is one of the least memorable in the collection, although it is not without its merits. Thor is probably the flattest detective character here, but the tale is one of the darkest in in the book. Probably the only story I felt I could have given a miss.
The singly-named Cranshawe is the detective in Gordon Hillman's "Forgotten Harbour," one of my favorites in the volume. "Harbour" features not only the most pulp-style action and pacing, it also contains both human and ghostly villains, and an honest-to-gosh twist ending. In his intro to the story, Mike Ashley points out that Hillman's actual life is almost as sensational as his stories. I won't spoil it, except to urge you in no uncertain terms to READ THE INTRODUCTION.
The Lucius Leffing story, "In Death As In Life," presents good writing, a fine plot, and the most striking physical manifestation of psychic energy in the entire book. Joseph Payne Brennan is an accomplished writer, and the Leffing tales have been reprinted several times, but somehow this is the only one I've ever read. I will definitely seek out the others.
One further note: several of the authors represented in "Ghost Slayers" are actually females using male pseudonyms. Readers looking for lady ghost-story writers will not be disappointed by their representation here.
I can recommend "Ghost Slayers" as a well-curated survey of a little-known sub-genre. Those of you who are fans of John Silence, or Carnacki, or Aylmer Vance already may find some other avenues down which to tread contained herein.
The first story, a Flaxman Low tale by K. and H. Prichard, was one of the best in the volume (open strong, and grab the attention from the gate). "The Story of the Moor Road" is one of the creepier Low stories I've read, and the third of twelve to see publication. As Low is widely regarded to be the first "psychic detective" to appear in print, one might think his exploits would weaken with age. Indeed, time often fades early characters and stories, making original material seem trite and cliched. But "Moor Road" happily does not fall under those rubrics, and provides a welcome dose of "frisson" for the reader.
"A Psychical Invasion" is the first story featuring Algernon Blackwood's John Silence character. The Silence stories are readily available in print and eBook form, so I won't go into too much detail on the character's history and reception. I will say, however, that I was much less enthusiastic about "Invasion" than I was about "Moor Road." The Blackwood story seemed ponderous and overly purple, and, frankly, soporific. It took several sittings to plow through it because of the wordiness of what should have been its most exciting scene, when Silence spends the night in the haunted house and confronts the ghostly manifestations.
"The Searcher of the End House" was a revisitation for me, as William Hope Hodgson's Carnacki is an old favorite. Hodgson is a capable writer, and I would recommend any of the Carnacki yarns to those who enjoy his nautical horror stories, or his two major works, "The House on the Borderland," or "The Boats of the Glen Carrig." Carnacki is distinguished from many other psychic detectives by his ability to blend occult savvy with technological know-how; his electric pentacle is one of my favorite contrivances in all of ghostly fiction.
"The Fear," by Claude and Alice Askew, features Aylmer Vance, a self-styled "ghost-seer." Vance is singular in that he is one of the first occult detectives to prefer the company of a Watson-like companion, a Mr. Dexter who narrates his stories. Interestingly, while Vance professes to be able to see manifestations of supernatural phenomena, Dexter also possesses at least a rudimentary psychic ability. "The Fear" may be a bit anti-climactic for those readers who like a conclusive resolution, but the descriptions of the emotional impact of the haunting on the two protagonists can be quite affecting if the reader is in the mood to be affected.
Mesmer Milann, Bertram Atkey's occult investigator, stars in "The Valley of the Veils of Death." As far as I know (and Mike Ashley concurs), the Mesmer Milann stories have never been reprinted, so finding one in this collection is a treat. Milann's abilities, like those of Aylmer Vance and his sidekick, are supernatural in nature, but unique: he can project his astral form over great distances to investigate locations without being physically present. "Valley" presents a tale with higher stakes than most of the others in this volume, with at least three grisly deaths occurring or being related in the tale. And, although Milann himself may seem a bit cartoonish (think "Madnrake the Magician" or "Sargon the Sorcerer"), the plot is original and engaging.
"The Death Hound" features Dion Fortune's Dr. Taverner, an occultist who seems to have a more in common with Dr. Strange than many other heroes in this anthology. He manipulates supernatural energy and performs feats that can only be described as spellcasting in the pursuit of justice for his clients. He is also the only protagonist in "The Ghost Slayers" who comes into conflict with his opposite number-an occult manipulator who uses his powers for unsavory purposes. Well worth reading, if only for the final disposition of the black hat.
"The Case of the Fortunate Youth" pits Cosmo Thor against the psychic impressions left by an evil death-cult. Moray Dalton's tale is one of the least memorable in the collection, although it is not without its merits. Thor is probably the flattest detective character here, but the tale is one of the darkest in in the book. Probably the only story I felt I could have given a miss.
The singly-named Cranshawe is the detective in Gordon Hillman's "Forgotten Harbour," one of my favorites in the volume. "Harbour" features not only the most pulp-style action and pacing, it also contains both human and ghostly villains, and an honest-to-gosh twist ending. In his intro to the story, Mike Ashley points out that Hillman's actual life is almost as sensational as his stories. I won't spoil it, except to urge you in no uncertain terms to READ THE INTRODUCTION.
The Lucius Leffing story, "In Death As In Life," presents good writing, a fine plot, and the most striking physical manifestation of psychic energy in the entire book. Joseph Payne Brennan is an accomplished writer, and the Leffing tales have been reprinted several times, but somehow this is the only one I've ever read. I will definitely seek out the others.
One further note: several of the authors represented in "Ghost Slayers" are actually females using male pseudonyms. Readers looking for lady ghost-story writers will not be disappointed by their representation here.
I can recommend "Ghost Slayers" as a well-curated survey of a little-known sub-genre. Those of you who are fans of John Silence, or Carnacki, or Aylmer Vance already may find some other avenues down which to tread contained herein.
April 7, 2023
I always find entries in the Tales of the Weird series a good bet for me. The British Library launched the series of supernatural, odd, uncanny, and just plain weird about five years ago. Each book collects short stories on a theme, presented by a knowledgable editor. Most feature a healthy mix of well-known pieces with relatively unknown stories — some only seen upon their first publication more than a century ago.
Here Mike Ashley gathered stories that include a supernatural detective, a popular but specific genre. Each story revolves around an unusual event, that might have a ghostly explanation. The victim of the apparitional experience seeks out the expertise of the story’s hero, as they would Sherlock Holmes or any other private detective. The structure is a familiar one for detective story readers — a wildly popular category — but the mysteries have an uncanny aspect.
The first, “The Story of the Moor Road” (1898), is a vehicle for Flaxman Low, the prototype psychic investigator. Low learns of a spectre following and frightening people on the Mood Road. He questions the witnesses and then visits the location to invite the experience himself. The story closes with a theoretic explanation for the scary vision. What’s most interesting to are the many clues to a rational, scientific explanation as well.
Algernon Blackwood was an in-demand novelist and writer in the Edwardian era, and he is most known for his ghostly stories. In “A Psychical Invasion” (1908), his detective Dr. John Silence listens to a fantastical story from a client in his parlor before conducting his own investigation in an empty house. The structure is very much like a Holmes story. Interestingly, Dr. Silence employs the prowess of a dog named Flame and a cat named Smoke in his overnight inquiry, because “animals were more often, and more truly, clairvoyant than human beings. Many of them, he felt convinced, possessed powers of perception far superior to that mere keenness of senses common to all dwellers in the wilds where the senses grow specially alert.” This story also hints at a scientific though less likely explanation.
Also included is “The Searcher of the End House” (1910) by William Hope Hodgson, creator of Thomas Carnacki the Ghost-Finder. Carnacki investigates some odd goings-on in his mother’s home. Alymer Vance appears in “The Fear” (1914) by Claude and Alice Askew, a married couple who were killed in WWI. Mesmer Millan helps a young woman retrieve a priceless treasure in the Australian desert guarded by an evil force in “The Valley of the Veils of Death” (1914) by Bertram Atkey. Dion Fortune shares her own psychical research through her detective Dr. Taverner in “The Death Hound” (1922). Moray Dalton wrote just six stories starring her Scottish psychic detective Cosmo Thor. One, the very rare “The Case of the Fortunate Youth” (1927), is collected here. Cranshawe is called to investigate the always spooky forlorn lighthouse mystery in “The Forgotten Harbor” (1931) by Gordon Hillman (no doubt inspired by the real-life Flannan Isles Mystery). The book closes with an American tale with the ghost of a Revolutionary War soldier in “In Death As In Life” (1963).
I was truly riveted by the tales, both for the adventure of the story but also the possibility of multiple explanations. They display philosophical ideas and thought experiments in the shape of an entertaining story.
My thanks to Thomas at British Library Publishing for the review copy.
Here Mike Ashley gathered stories that include a supernatural detective, a popular but specific genre. Each story revolves around an unusual event, that might have a ghostly explanation. The victim of the apparitional experience seeks out the expertise of the story’s hero, as they would Sherlock Holmes or any other private detective. The structure is a familiar one for detective story readers — a wildly popular category — but the mysteries have an uncanny aspect.
The first, “The Story of the Moor Road” (1898), is a vehicle for Flaxman Low, the prototype psychic investigator. Low learns of a spectre following and frightening people on the Mood Road. He questions the witnesses and then visits the location to invite the experience himself. The story closes with a theoretic explanation for the scary vision. What’s most interesting to are the many clues to a rational, scientific explanation as well.
Algernon Blackwood was an in-demand novelist and writer in the Edwardian era, and he is most known for his ghostly stories. In “A Psychical Invasion” (1908), his detective Dr. John Silence listens to a fantastical story from a client in his parlor before conducting his own investigation in an empty house. The structure is very much like a Holmes story. Interestingly, Dr. Silence employs the prowess of a dog named Flame and a cat named Smoke in his overnight inquiry, because “animals were more often, and more truly, clairvoyant than human beings. Many of them, he felt convinced, possessed powers of perception far superior to that mere keenness of senses common to all dwellers in the wilds where the senses grow specially alert.” This story also hints at a scientific though less likely explanation.
Also included is “The Searcher of the End House” (1910) by William Hope Hodgson, creator of Thomas Carnacki the Ghost-Finder. Carnacki investigates some odd goings-on in his mother’s home. Alymer Vance appears in “The Fear” (1914) by Claude and Alice Askew, a married couple who were killed in WWI. Mesmer Millan helps a young woman retrieve a priceless treasure in the Australian desert guarded by an evil force in “The Valley of the Veils of Death” (1914) by Bertram Atkey. Dion Fortune shares her own psychical research through her detective Dr. Taverner in “The Death Hound” (1922). Moray Dalton wrote just six stories starring her Scottish psychic detective Cosmo Thor. One, the very rare “The Case of the Fortunate Youth” (1927), is collected here. Cranshawe is called to investigate the always spooky forlorn lighthouse mystery in “The Forgotten Harbor” (1931) by Gordon Hillman (no doubt inspired by the real-life Flannan Isles Mystery). The book closes with an American tale with the ghost of a Revolutionary War soldier in “In Death As In Life” (1963).
I was truly riveted by the tales, both for the adventure of the story but also the possibility of multiple explanations. They display philosophical ideas and thought experiments in the shape of an entertaining story.
My thanks to Thomas at British Library Publishing for the review copy.
October 26, 2024
The Ghost Slayers: tales of occult detection.In 'The Story of the Moor Road', by K. and H. Prichard, something nasty is lurking on the titular Moor Road! Can Flaxman Low, the first known psychic detective, figure out what it is? In 'A Psychical Invasion', by Algernon Blackwood, John Silence is here to teach us all about the horrific unforeseen consequences of consuming - whisper the name - cannabis. Just say no, kids. Meaning, sadly difficult to take seriously at certain points. Still, there's an enjoyable appearance from two very good boys. William Hope Hodgson once again blends the worlds of the shades and the merely shady in one of Carnacki's early-life adventures, 'The Searcher of the End House'. The moral of the story is to look into the history of a house before you start living in it, which also applies to 'The Fear', by married collaborators Claude and Alice Askew. A self-made millionaire has bought himself an old family castle without looking into the family, so when his own relatives are all suddenly possessed by terror he calls in psychic detective Aylmer Vance. This was notable for letting the Watson have some psychic abilities of his own, but after the initial visit to the haunted house, the story peters out. The early detectives have all been rather on the scientist model, so it's a change to arrive at the somewhat cartoonish psychic, demi-sorceror and astral projectionist Mesmer Milann in 'The Valley of the Veils of Death', by Bertram Atkey. He's been called in about a bag of precious stones, hidden in a valley in Australia and guarded by two skeletons. Personally, I'd think the wildlife had it covered, but they can be thorough if they like. This is followed by another straight-up magician in Dr. Taverner, who runs a rest home for the near-terminally haunted in Hindhead. (Hindhead has been better known for its tuberculosis sanatoria, but they're not so different, right?) Dr. Taverner is pitted against a dark sorceror trying to frighten a rival to death, and only some light, well-intentioned mind control can save the day.
In 'The Case of the Fortunate Youth', by Moray Dalton, private investigator Cosmo Thor deals with the lingering effects of a sinister...ly African cult. Very grim, what with the murders of innocents and all, and yet oddly dull. Gordon Hillman's story 'Forgotten Harbour', about a haunted lighthouse, is effectively frightening. Still, I was more unnerved by the fun fact in the bio, about how the author bludgeoned his mother to death when her health issues became too inconvenient for him. But, you know, why hold that against a man? The story 'In Death as in Life', by Joseph Payne Brennan, sees eccentric pseudo-Victorian detective Lucius Leffing investigating a sinister pond. The darkest story in the collection, featuring murder, sexual abuse and exploitation of enslaved people, but the appearance of the spectre itself fell flat for me.
I don't know if this is the result of having too limited a brief, or if the genre just tended towards the formulaic, but many of these stories blurred together for me.
In 'The Case of the Fortunate Youth', by Moray Dalton, private investigator Cosmo Thor deals with the lingering effects of a sinister...ly African cult. Very grim, what with the murders of innocents and all, and yet oddly dull. Gordon Hillman's story 'Forgotten Harbour', about a haunted lighthouse, is effectively frightening. Still, I was more unnerved by the fun fact in the bio, about how the author bludgeoned his mother to death when her health issues became too inconvenient for him. But, you know, why hold that against a man? The story 'In Death as in Life', by Joseph Payne Brennan, sees eccentric pseudo-Victorian detective Lucius Leffing investigating a sinister pond. The darkest story in the collection, featuring murder, sexual abuse and exploitation of enslaved people, but the appearance of the spectre itself fell flat for me.
I don't know if this is the result of having too limited a brief, or if the genre just tended towards the formulaic, but many of these stories blurred together for me.
December 26, 2025
The Flaxman Low and Carnaki and Aylmer Vance stories here (The Story of Moor Road, the Searcher of End House and the Fear respectively) are quite poor examples of their detectives (The story of Konnor Old House is my favourite Flaxman Low, and pretty much any other Carnaki - there's no electric pentagram here or pseudo scientific method) - but they are quite obscure stories, so I guess that's why they are included here - It's just a very disappointing start - however you can't miss out Low, Carnaki or Vance when covering early occult detectives and if you are a fan of this genre you should already be very familiar with both anyway.
Blackwood's John Silence tale - A psychical Invasion is excellent. And the rest of this is a true delight of super rare and obscure tales - There's a Mesmer Milann and Lucas Leffing in here, Dion Fortune's Dr. Taverner, Cosmo Thor, Gordon Hillman's Crankshaw in Forgotten Harbour (haunted lighthouses always good) -
While not all the stories are brilliant - this is an excellent introduction to the origins of urban fantasy and paranormal detectives and its a wonderful array of detectives - which gives you a great starting point to go off and read more. Plus some of these stories are very hard to track down. So 4 starts from me for being a great showcase for early paranormal detectives, and I would love to see a second volume at some point.
Blackwood's John Silence tale - A psychical Invasion is excellent. And the rest of this is a true delight of super rare and obscure tales - There's a Mesmer Milann and Lucas Leffing in here, Dion Fortune's Dr. Taverner, Cosmo Thor, Gordon Hillman's Crankshaw in Forgotten Harbour (haunted lighthouses always good) -
While not all the stories are brilliant - this is an excellent introduction to the origins of urban fantasy and paranormal detectives and its a wonderful array of detectives - which gives you a great starting point to go off and read more. Plus some of these stories are very hard to track down. So 4 starts from me for being a great showcase for early paranormal detectives, and I would love to see a second volume at some point.
September 27, 2022
A nice collection. The most well-known (and easily available elsewhere) stories were the best. If the aim of the series is "to offer a new readership a chance to read some of the rare material of the British Library's collections" then a selection of rare material only would have been nice. I'd like to know what the 'minor edits' were - grammar, punctuation, or smoothing over what "may not be endorsed by the publishing standards of today"?
April 30, 2024
An interesting selection of tales, all with a focus on a psychic detective who solves ghostly, or occult mysteries. I enjoyed all of them and the information about the authors. It seems these stories are quite obscure, but I am very pleased to have read them, all the detectives were admirable and their adversaries frightening and convincing.
I have just got another book edited by MikeAshley, I hope he has made good choices for the next one too.
I have just got another book edited by MikeAshley, I hope he has made good choices for the next one too.
Read
March 2, 2023This volume will introduce you to several authors whose stories individually would be well worth the price of this book. William Hope Hodgson is the best of the lot, not surprisingly the publishers have another book in this stories entirely devoted to him!
August 20, 2023
2.8 - I really enjoyed some of these stories like Forgotten Harbour and The Death Hound but I also found some of them slow and boring. Overall a great read coming into fall and would be great to read in October!
October 19, 2023
One of the best short story collections I've read in a long time. As well as the old faithfuls (John Silence and Flaxman Low, for example, I've found another handful of occult detectives to follow.
Haunted houses, haunted lighthouses and haunted deserts. Who could ask for more?
Haunted houses, haunted lighthouses and haunted deserts. Who could ask for more?
June 27, 2022
Like the Curate's Egg - good in parts. Some good stories - others not so good/dated + yet others I've read before. I confess I do no 'get' Carnacki the Ghost Finder.
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October 2, 2022Only read Flaxman Low in The Story of the Moor Road, Kate and Hesketh Prichard, so far
October 13, 2022
Great selection of short stories! really enjoyable reading!
November 2, 2022
This book reignited my love for Victorian/ 19th century’s literature. I love these stories the most!
November 19, 2023
unusual but enjoyable
The collection included a number of authors that were new to me. I will be searching for more examples of their work! Strongly recommended
The collection included a number of authors that were new to me. I will be searching for more examples of their work! Strongly recommended
May 27, 2025
All of the occult detectives in this volume seem to have been stamped out with the same cookie cutter and they all act in a similar way. John Silence is the best of them.
August 10, 2025
3.5 rounded up
A good collection of tales of unnatural mysteries
A good collection of tales of unnatural mysteries
September 28, 2025
I liked the bits where things happened
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2025
[3.5]
Big fan of these British Library Weird Fiction anthologies. These paranormal detective stories lean a little further into the "detective" aspect than the "paranormal", but they're still quaintly effective short stories about occultists with the coolest names.
Big fan of these British Library Weird Fiction anthologies. These paranormal detective stories lean a little further into the "detective" aspect than the "paranormal", but they're still quaintly effective short stories about occultists with the coolest names.
April 21, 2025
Some very scary stuff in here - would have been nice if more of the stories had a greater focus on the occult as some of them were more just ghost stories with little on the theme of the occult. Due to the real nature of the occult, its one of the things I find most terrifying to read about having become quite desensitized to horror now, so its a shame this didn't lean into it more when I wanted a good spook, but still lots of intriguing stories in here!
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