More Tales to Tremble By

by Stephen P. Sutton (Editor), Gordon Laite (Illustrator)

A second collection of great stories of haunting and suspense.

The Red Lodge, by H. R. Wakefield.
Sredni Vashtar, by Saki.
Thurnley Abbey, by P. Landon.
"God grante that she lye stille", by C. Asquith.
The voice in the night, by W. H. Hodgson.
The extra passenger, by A. Derleth.
Casting the runes, by M. R. James.
The book, by M. Irwin.

Genres: Horror, Fiction, Short Stories, Anthologies, Middle Grade

210 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1968

Reviews

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a companion volume to what was probably the first anthology of horror stories that I owned and was certainly my introduction to the works of classic authors Bram Stoker, Washington Irving, Charles Dickens, Ambrose Bierce, F. Marion Crawford, and Guy de Maupassant. This one has stories by Saki, M.R. James, August Derleth, and William Hope Hodgson (who remains one of my all-time favorites) among others. The books were published in the Whitman Classics line, the titles of which could usually be found in Woolworth's or Kresge's or Murphy's adjacent to the toy section with the Crayolas and coloring books. Some of the antiquated prose was a little dense for me, but I developed a life-long love of the ghostly and supernatural thanks to the editorial efforts of Stephen P. Sutton and the wonderful Gordon Laite illustrations. I'm sure I can still remember how happy I was when I unwrapped this one on a Christmas morning and saw that it was More.

[Canavan · Rating 4 out of 5]

✭✭✭✭

“The Red Lodge”, H. R. Wakefield (1928). ✭✭✭✭✭
“Sredni Vashtar”, Saki (1910). ✭✭✭✭½
“Thurnley Abbey”, Perceval Landon (1908). ✭✭✭
“ ‘God Grante That She Lye Stille’ ”, Cynthia Asquith (1931). ✭✭✭½
“The Voice in the Night”, William Hope Hodgson (1907). ✭✭✭✭
“The Extra Passenger”, August Derleth (1947). ✭✭✭✭
“Casting the Runes”, M. R. James (1911). ✭✭✭✭✭
“The Book”, Margaret Irwin (1930). ✭✭✭½

[Will Arbaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grabbed this from a Goodwill on a whim and I am immensely glad I did. The cover is a little kitschy and unassuming, but the trembly tales within will stick with you. Before Stephen King and Clive Barker, these were the titans of horror. They work is far more lyrical and terrifying than those “greats”. “Srendi Vashtar” by Saki is particularly intriguing and “The Book” by Margaret Irwin is every dedicated bibliophile’s nightmare writ large.
I can’t wait to read these aloud to my two kids when October comes ‘round again.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent classic horror tales. Worth the effort of finding an old copy.

[LuAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deliciously creepy tales, all of them, superior to many in the previous volume, Take to Tremble By. I don’t know how to describe the style of the two tone illustrations done in the 1960s but they suit the stories. I will be looking for more stores by Cynthia Asquith, M. R. James, Margaret Irwin, in particular.

[Sylvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful mix of various scary stories, each one a different type. Perfect for children and adults!

[Squid · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The book" a haiku

Ahh haunted bookcase

My wife and children bore me

Guess I'll kill myself



Pretty good, still relevant.

[Gary · Rating 3 out of 5]

An old Whitman youth book which I read as a child. I decided to reread it for nostalgia's sake. Some surprisingly good spooky stories for the reading level at which this was directed.

[Bill Borre]

Thurnley Abbey is also printed in the Big Book of the Masters of Horror

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book of horror stories I've ever owned. I still have the very same copy after all these years.

[ava · Rating 3 out of 5]

excellent illustrations & cover art