Tag Archives: horror story

Review of “The Dead Woman” by David H. Keller: Halloween Countdown

Plot:The authorities find Mr. Thompson, a bookkeeper, “slightly confused, a trifle bewildered, but otherwise apparently normal.” He makes no effort to conceal his conduct, the knife in his hand, or “the pieces in the trunk.” Rather than taking him directly to the slammer, the police bring him to a psychiatrist. Mr. Thompson tells the psychiatristContinue reading “Review of “The Dead Woman” by David H. Keller: Halloween Countdown”

Review of “Count Magnus” by M. R. James: Halloween Countdown

Plot:The story’s narrator says he has come into possession of some papers belonging to Mr. Wraxall, a traveler and writer of travel guides. In the early summer of 1863, Mr. Wraxall sets off to explore Sweden. At the time, most Britons considered Scandinavia to be a backwater. Snobs. He spends time conducting research at aContinue reading “Review of “Count Magnus” by M. R. James: 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 “The Waxwork” by A. M. Burrage: Halloween Countdown

For October 31—Happy Halloween! Plot:Down-on-his-luck Journalist Raymond Hewson has arranged to spend the night at Marriner’s Waxworks Murderers’ Den. Hewson is freelancing, hoping to sell his story to The Morning Echo. The manager of Marriner’s promises him a five-pound note once the story is published. Hewson wasn’t looking forward to the task, but he hadContinue reading “Review of “The Waxwork” by A. M. Burrage: Halloween Countdown”

Review of “The Fall of the House of Usher” by Edgar Allen Poe: Halloween Countdown

For October 12 Plot: The unnamed narrator arrives at the home of a childhood friend, Roderick Usher, after receiving a letter requesting that he come and cheer the friend up. Usher is not well and appears anxious and depressed. The narrator’s first glance of the house is dispiriting. It is old and covered with mossContinue reading “Review of “The Fall of the House of Usher” by Edgar Allen Poe: Halloween Countdown”

Review of “The Feast at the Abbey” by Robert Bloch: Halloween Countdown

For October 7 Plot: Traveling through a forest to meet his brother, the narrator is caught in a storm and takes refuge in a monastery he happens across. A short, rotund abbot admits him and summons two servants (whom he refers to with the unfortunate term “blackamoors”) dressed in “great baggy trousers of red velvetContinue reading “Review of “The Feast at the Abbey” by Robert Bloch: 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”