Tag Archives: ghost story

Review of “The Whistling Room” by William Hope Hodgson: Halloween Countdown

Plot: Carnacki recounts his adventures at (fictional) Iastrae Castle, some twenty miles northeast of Galway, Ireland. Mr. Sid K. Tassoc, the new owner, requested his help after finding the castle haunted. He bought the castle, intending to renovate it before marrying and bringing his bride to live there. He’s frustrated because sounds—whistling and sometimes screaming—comeContinue reading “Review of “The Whistling Room” by William Hope Hodgson: Halloween Countdown”

Review of “The Haunting of Hill House” by Shirley Jackson and “The Haunting” (1963)

The Haunting (1963) was our Saturday bad movie and pizza night offering. I remember seeing bits and pieces of it years ago on something called broadcast TV. I’ve read that the book it was based on, The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson, was one of the best horror novels. (Yes, the same ShirleyContinue reading “Review of “The Haunting of Hill House” by Shirley Jackson and “The Haunting” (1963)”

Review of “Thurnley Abbey” by Perceval Landon: Halloween Countdown

For October 29 Plot:The unnamed narrator, traveling across Europe, meets Alastair Colvin aboard a train. They will then board a ship. Alastair makes an unusual request to the narrator when the two know each other only casually: “Will you let me sleep in your cabin on the Osiris?” The narrator hems and haws and triesContinue reading “Review of “Thurnley Abbey” by Perceval Landon: Halloween Countdown”

Review of “The Open Door” by Mrs. Margaret Oliphant: Halloween Countdown

For October 20 Plot: On his return from India in 18—, Colonel Mortimer takes a house called Brentwood for his family. Edinburgh is within reach so his daughters can have the masters and lessons they need, and his boy, Roland, whose education has been neglected, can now receive the proper education for a lad hisContinue reading “Review of “The Open Door” by Mrs. Margaret Oliphant: Halloween Countdown”

Review of “The Burned House” by Vincent O’Sullivan: Halloween Countdown

For October 5 Plot: Aboard a ship crossing the Atlantic, the narrator hears other passengers discuss being (maybe) over the spot where the Lusitania went down, which leads to a discussion of death by drowning and a discussion of ghosts, which in turn leads to laughter. One passenger, a man from Fall River (MA?), doesContinue reading “Review of “The Burned House” by Vincent O’Sullivan: Halloween Countdown”

Review of “Amour Dure” by Vernon Lee: Halloween Countdown

For October 3 Plot:Polish scholar Spiridion Trepka, working for a German university, is in Italy researching the archives of the fictional town of Urbania. He has come to find the Past. He comes across the story of Medea di Capri, a 16th-century noblewoman who left a trail of dead husbands and lovers and was finallyContinue reading “Review of “Amour Dure” by Vernon Lee: Halloween Countdown”

Review of “The Frontier Guards” by H. Russell Wakefield Halloween Countdown

13) “The Frontier Guards” by H. Russell Wakefield Plot: While playing golf, James Brinton asks his old friend William Lander about a charming little cottage they pass by. Lander concedes that it’s charming on the outside, but it’s haunted by whole pack of ghosts who are lethal to those who rent it. Over dinner, LanderContinue reading “Review of “The Frontier Guards” by H. Russell Wakefield Halloween Countdown”

Review of “Brickett Bottom” by Amyas Northcote Halloween Countdown

Plot: Reverend Arthur Maydew takes a well-deserved vacation of sorts by swapping parishes with an elderly Mr. Roberts. His two daughters, Alice and Maggie, go with him. Both girls are social and attractive. They like going for strolls in the area. On one of their walks, Alice comes upon an old-fashioned brick house with aContinue reading “Review of “Brickett Bottom” by Amyas Northcote Halloween Countdown”