Tag Archives: revenge

Review of “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe: Halloween Countdown

Plot:Montresor tells the reader that he had borne the injuries from his friend Fortunato as best he could, but when Fortunato insulted him, he vowed revenge. He kept up the pretense of friendship until he could exact his revenge—and he would do so with impunity. Fortunato’s weak point was his belief in his connoisseurship ofContinue reading “Review of “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe: Halloween Countdown”

Review of “The Screaming Skull” by F. Marion Crawford: Halloween Countdown

Plot:Retired Captain Braddock has come to live in his late cousin Luke Pratt’s house. Cousin Luke was a doctor. His wife pre-deceased him. Their son was killed (in the Boer War?) in South Africa. Braddock isn’t nervous—so he keeps telling his unnamed houseguest, who is also an old sailor. He’s heard the skull scream often.Continue reading “Review of “The Screaming Skull” by F. Marion Crawford: Halloween Countdown”

Review of “The Mark of the Beast” by Rudyard Kipling: Halloween Countdown

For October 18 Plot: It’s New Year’s Eve in India during the Raj. Strickland of the police; Fleete, newly arrived and unfamiliar with native customs; and the unnamed narrator are tying one on—especially Fleete. His family’s property is in the hinterlands, so he usually doesn’t come into town. He ends up staggering home because hisContinue reading “Review of “The Mark of the Beast” by Rudyard Kipling: Halloween Countdown”

Review of “Casting the Runes” by M. R. James: Halloween Countdown

For October 8 Plot: The story opens with an exchange of letters in which the secretary of the “—Association” tells Mr. Karswell the Association has, after careful consideration, declined to accept his paper, “The Truth of Alchemy.” Mr. Karswell wants to know who’s responsible for the decision. The secretary tells him that he cannot possiblyContinue reading “Review of “Casting the Runes” by M. R. James: Halloween Countdown”

Review of “The Messenger” by Robert W. Chambers Halloween Countdown (…late…)

21) “The Messenger” by Robert W. Chambers Plot: In 1896 on the Breton coast where Dick Darrel has settled down with his beloved Lys, a gruesome discovery of a mass grave, the remains of English invaders is revealed in a wheatfield. The men of Bannalaec retrieve thirty-eight skulls with bullet holes, plus other human bones,Continue reading “Review of “The Messenger” by Robert W. Chambers Halloween Countdown (…late…)”

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”

Review of “The Four-Fifteen Express” by Amelia B. Edwards Halloween Countdown

7) “The Four-Fifteen Express” by Amelia B. Edwards Plot: On his way to visit his friend Jonathan Jelf for Christmas, narrator William Langford is surprised to find a gentleman letting himself into what he expected to be his private rail car with a key. Langford declines to make a fuss because he recognizes the interloperContinue reading “Review of “The Four-Fifteen Express” by Amelia B. Edwards Halloween Countdown”

Review of “Indestructible Man” (1956)

This is this week’s Saturday night pizza and bad movie offering. Plot: Told in flashback by the investigating detective, Lt. Dick Chasen (Max Showalter billed as Casey Adams), this depicts the last days of convicted criminal  Charles “Butcher” Benton (Lon Chaney Jr.). Benton’s *cough* lawyer, Paul Lowe (Ross Elliott), breaks the news to him inContinue reading “Review of “Indestructible Man” (1956)”

Review of “Curse of the Undead” (1959)

This is this week’s pizza and bad movie, an unusual mixture of western and horror. Basil and garlic pizza didn’t seem to faze the bad guy who did wear the required black. Plot:In an unspecified area of the former Spanish territory of the Old West, perhaps around 1880, several young girls have come down withContinue reading “Review of “Curse of the Undead” (1959)”