This unique volume features the most terrifying tale from Alexandre Dumas’ The Thousand and One Ghosts and presents the gothic vampire tale as a stand-alone short story that is sure to keep you up at night. The Pale Lady is a gripping vampire tale following Hedwig, a Polish lady, who is sent to a monastery in the Carpathian Mountains for safety. She draws the attention of two very different brothers and soon finds herself in more danger than ever before. A supernatural story featuring creepy castles, misty monasteries, and tragic romance. From the remarkable author of The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo, The Pale Lady has been translated from the original French and is the perfect dark read for fans of horror and the supernatural.
Proud and solitary, Eel Marsh House surveys the windswept reaches of the salt marshes beyond Nine Lives Causeway. Arthur Kipps, a junior solicitor, is summoned to attend the funeral of Mrs Alice Drablow, the house's sole inhabitant, unaware of the tragic secrets which lie hidden behind the shuttered windows. It is not until he glimpses a pale young woman, dressed all in black, at the funeral, that a creeping sense of unease begins to take hold, a feeling deepened by the reluctance of the locals to talk of the woman in black - and her terrible purpose.
The mysterious Lord Ruthwen travels to Venice and strikes again, killing the beautiful Bettina and torturing her lover, Leonti, who swears to avenge her. He joins vampire hunters Aubrey and Nadoor Ali to search for the elusive monster... Cyprien Berard's The Vampire Lord Ruthwen (1820) was the first sequel to continue John-William Polidori's 1819 ground-breaking story that had introduced the character of the handsome, but evil Vampire lord. Also drawing upon The Thousand and One Nights for inspiration, Berard weaves stories of mystical Venice, Arabian Nights and Vampire legends into one exotic and suspenseful tale of revenge against the Undead. "A significant stepping-stone in the evolution of the modern image of the vampire, foreshadowing the other major thread of subsequent vampire fiction: the seductive female vampire." Brian Stableford.
In Conjure wife, Norman Saylor learns that his wife is a sorceress. In Our Lady of Darkness, horror writer Franz Westen searches for the paranormal in San Francisco.
A horror author is drawn into a mysterious curse in this World Fantasy Award–winning novel from the author of the Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser series. Fritz Leiber may be best known as a fantasy writer, but he published widely and successfully in the horror and science fiction fields. His fiction won the Hugo, Nebula, Derleth, Gandalf, Lovecraft, and World Fantasy Awards, and he was honored with the Life Achievement Lovecraft Award and the Grand Master Nebula Award. One of his best novels is the classic dark fantasy Our Lady of Darkness, winner of the 1978 World Fantasy Award. Our Lady of Darkness introduces San Francisco horror writer Franz Westen. While studying his beloved city through binoculars from his apartment window, he is astonished to see a mysterious figure waving at him from a hilltop two miles away. He walks to Corona Heights and looks back at his building to discover the figure waving at him from his apartment window—and to find himself caught in a century‐spanning curse that may have destroyed Clark Ashton Smith and Jack London.
M. R. James was born in Kent, England in 1862. James came to writing fiction relatively late, not publishing his first collection of short stories - Ghost Stories of an Antiquary (1904) - until the age of 42. Modern scholars now see James as having redefined the ghost story for the 20th century and he is seen as the founder of the 'antiquarian ghost story'. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions with a brand new introductory biography of the author.
This early work by E. T. A. Hoffmann was originally published in 1819. Born in Königsberg, East Prussia in 1776, Hoffmann's family were all jurists, and during his youth he was initially encouraged to pursue a career in law. However, in his late teens Hoffman became increasingly interested in literature and philosophy, and spent much of his time reading German classicists and attending lectures by, amongst others, Immanuel Kant. Hoffman went on to produce a great range of both literary and musical works. Probably Hoffman's most well-known story, produced in 1816, is 'The Nutcracker and the Mouse King', due to the fact that - some seventy-six years later - it inspired Tchaikovsky's ballet The Nutcracker. In the same vein, his story 'The Sandman' provided both the inspiration for Léo Delibes's ballet Coppélia, and the basis for a highly influential essay by Sigmund Freud, called 'The Uncanny'. (Indeed, Freud referred to Hoffman as the "unrivalled master of the uncanny in literature.") Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900's and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions.
Villiers De L'isle Adam was one of the greatest symbolist writers of the 19th century. His works, in the Romantic style, are often fantastic in plot and filled with mystery and horror. Originally published in 1886, 'The Future Eve' is a stunning work, noted for popularizing the term 'android'. Many of the horror stories of monsters and ghouls, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.
Arthur Machen's collection 'Arthur Machen: 30+ Horror Classics, Supernatural Mysteries & Fantasy Books' offers a grand anthology of the author's diverse and captivating works. Machen is known for his eerie and mysterious storytelling, blending elements of horror, fantasy, and the supernatural. His vivid descriptions and intricate plots create a sense of unease and wonder, making his works a unique contribution to the literary world of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. From tales of ancient myths to modern-day horrors, Machen's stories are sure to leave readers enthralled and haunted. Born in Wales in 1863, Machen's fascination with folklore, mythology, and the occult heavily influenced his writing. His life experiences and personal beliefs often seeped into his narratives, giving them a sense of authenticity and depth. Through his exploration of the unknown and the macabre, Machen paved the way for future horror and fantasy writers, leaving a lasting impact on the genre. I highly recommend 'Arthur Machen: 30+ Horror Classics, Supernatural Mysteries & Fantasy Books' to any reader with a taste for the eerie and the supernatural. Machen's craftsmanship and storytelling abilities make this anthology a must-read for fans of horror, fantasy, and the macabre.
The '60 GOTHIC CLASSICS - Boxed Set' encompasses an unparalleled collection of dark fantasy novels, supernatural mysteries, horror tales, and gothic romances, offering an expansive exploration of the Gothic tradition that has shaped much of the literary landscape from the 18th century to the early 20th century. This anthology encapsulates the varied narrative structures, themes of transgression, decay, and the sublime, and the richly painted settings of isolation and melancholy inherent in Gothic literature. The selection thrives on its diversity, featuring foundational texts of the genre alongside lesser-known gems that collectively underscore the depth and complexity of Gothic fiction. The inclusion of works from a broad spectrum of authors, ranging from the brooding landscapes of the Brontë sisters to the psychological depths explored by Edgar Allan Poe, showcases the genres ability to evolve and adapt, remaining vibrant and profoundly influential over the decades. The contributing authors and editors of this collection are titans in the literary world, whose individual and collective contributions have not only defined the contours of Gothic fiction but also influenced numerous cultural and literary movements. The backgrounds of these authors, encompassing the transformative periods of Romanticism, Victorianism, and early modernism, offer a rich tapestry of socio-political contexts that deeply inform their Gothic creations. This diversity of perspective enriches the collection, allowing readers to traverse the manifold expressions of Gothic tension and terror while engaging with the historical conditions that spurred their creation. '60 GOTHIC CLASSICS - Boxed Set' is essential reading for anyone eager to delve into the shadowy corridors of Gothic literature. It presents a unique opportunity to experience the multifaceted dimensions of fear, obsession, and longing that characterize the genre. This anthology not only serves as a comprehensive educational resource but also invites readers to witness the dialogues between different epochs, cultural shifts, and literary styles. It is a testament to the enduring allure and relevance of Gothic fiction, making it a must-have for scholars, enthusiasts, and newcomers alike.
