Do we really know ourselves or just place a mask over who we truly are? Do we have a dark side? A desire you tell no one of, a strange lingering need. Many have. Most have. What then do you do when you discover it? From the pen of Raymond Walker, master of the horror story comes this collection of shattering tales. You will find yourself growing uneasy, awkward, or strange whilst reading of man's domination of women, illicit love affairs, nurture destroying nature, monsters who are real and often all too human. Wrath and war seep through into everyday lives and those once good will end up damned. Those damned will revel in the abandonment of Hell. You may feel odd reading these tales, most who read them used the words "uneasy", Queasy" some suggested, "strange" others "discomfited" Most saw themselves somewhere in these stories. Mr. Walker draws you in and skews perceptions of yourself while telling some cracking horror stories. Robert Anderson. Author of Elizabeth and From the Top

This richly illustrated anthology gathers together classic short stories from masters of supernatural fiction including M. R. James, Sheridan Le Fanu and Arthur Machen, alongside lesser-known voices in the field including Eleanor Scott and Margery Lawrence, and popular writers less bound to the horror genre, such as Thomas Hardy and E. F. Benson. These are damnable tales, selected and beautifully illustrated by Richard Wells. They stalk the moors at night, the deep forests, cornered fields and dusky churchyards, the narrow lanes and old ways of these ancient places, drawing upon the haunted landscapes of folk-horror – a now widely used term first applied to a series of British films from the late 1960s and 1970s: Witchfinder General (1968), Blood on Satan’s Claw (1971), and The Wicker Man (1973). But as this collection shows, writers of uncanny fiction were dabbling in the dark side of folklore long before. These twenty-two stories take the reader beyond the safety and familiarity of the town into the isolated and untamed wilderness. Unholy rites, witches’ curses, sinister village traditions and ancient horrors that lurk within the landscape all combine to remind us that the shiny modern, urban world might not have all the answers...

The Horror Beyond Life's Edge: 560+ Macabre Classics, Supernatural Mysteries & Dark Tales is a literary journey that transcends the commonplace, delving into the realms of the macabre, the supernatural, and the darkly mysterious. This anthology boasts a collection that spans a broad spectrum of literary styles, from gothic horror and eerie ghost stories to unsettling tales of the uncanny and supernatural investigations. The diversity and significance of the works included cannot be overstated, featuring standout pieces from the Victorian era to the early twentieth century, encapsulating the evolution of horror and mystery in literature. The anthology serves as a conduit to explore the depths of human fears, anxieties, and the unknown through a compendium of narratives that challenge the boundaries of imagination and reality. The contributing authors and editors of this collection represent a pantheon of literary giants, each bringing their unique voice and perspective to the overarching theme. From the psychological terror of Edgar Allan Poe to the cosmic horror of H.P. Lovecraft; from the gothic romance of the Brontë sisters to the social critiques of Charles Dickens and the pioneering science fiction of H.G. Wells; these authors collectively contribute to the rich tapestry of horror and supernatural literature. The anthology aligns with various historical, cultural, and literary movements, enriching the readers understanding by offering a myriad of lenses through which to view the complexities of fear, the supernatural, and the human condition. The Horror Beyond Life's Edge: 560+ Macabre Classics, Supernatural Mysteries & Dark Tales is an indispensable volume for readers seeking to immerse themselves in the breadth and depth of gothic, horror, and supernatural literature. This anthology offers a unique opportunity to explore a multiplicity of perspectives, themes, and narratives within a single tome. It is a call to readers to delve into the abyss of the macabre, to confront the shadows lurking at the edges of life, and to explore the diversity of human expression found in the confrontation with the unknown. For scholars, enthusiasts, and casual readers alike, this collection stands as a monumental testament to the enduring power and appeal of the horror and mystery genre.

We collect here for your delectation the august works of HOWARD PHILIPS LOVECRAFT, the "Old Gentleman of Providence," and the finest master of the gothic and macabre to ever take up pen. A legend in his own time, HPL has become in the intervening decades since his tragic death, a titan in the horror and supernatural fiction genre, having created such deathless montrosities as Nyarlathotep, the hideous, many-tentacled Cthulhu (who lurks beneath the world in a watery grave), and the fabled "Necronomicon" of the "Mad" Abdul Alhazred, a book by which the mysterious, forbidden gates between this world and the next may be thrown open, "When the stars are in alignment." Come, explore with us the secrets and lore of the dark mind that inspired such modern horror maestros as Clive Barker and Stephen King! A dizzying, frightful collection unlike ANYTHING you've Ever read before!

THE SPELL HAS BEGUN: 550+ Supernatural Mysteries, Macabre & Horror Classics' is a meticulously curated anthology that spans a vast literary landscape of the supernatural, horror, and mystery genres. This expansive collection showcases the diversity and depth of literary styles, from the gothic horror of the 19th century to the psychological thrills of the early 20th century, capturing the evolving nature of fear and the supernatural within the human psyche. The anthology is a testament to the thematic richness and stylistic variety of its contents, featuring seminal works that have defined and transcended their time, influencing countless readers and writers alike. The inclusion of masterpieces by a broad spectrum of authors underlines the anthology's significance as a comprehensive compendium of supernatural literature. The backgrounds of the contributors to 'THE SPELL HAS BEGUN' read like a whos who of literary greatness, encompassing a range of nations, time periods, and personal histories. This collection brings together the likes of Poe's macabre genius, Wilde's piercing wit, Stoker's unparalleled knack for tension, and Lovecraft's cosmic dread, among others. These authors, through their inventive narratives and unique perspectives, contribute to a collective exploration of humanity's darkest fears and unexplained phenomena. The anthology aligns with and contributes to various historical, cultural, and literary movements, offering a panoramic view of the evolution of supernatural and horror literature. Their collective works enrich the anthology, providing a multifaceted exploration of themes such as the human condition, existential dread, and the supernatural, each author adding layers of complexity and depth to the overarching narrative of horror and mystery literature. 'THE SPELL HAS BEGUN' is more than just an anthology; it is an invitation to traverse the shadowy paths of fear, suspense, and the supernatural. Readers eager to explore the breadth of human imagination, to delve into tales that have haunted minds for centuries, and to engage with the minds of some of literature's greatest will find this collection invaluable. It presents a unique opportunity to understand the themes of horror and the supernatural from varied cultural and individual perspectives, making it essential reading for enthusiasts of the genre, scholars, and anyone captivated by the exploration of the human psyche through literary craft.

Good Press presents to you this unique collection, designed and formatted to the highest digital standards and adjusted for readability on all devices. Content: Bram Stoker: Dracula The Squaw... John William Polidori: The Vampyre James Malcolm Rymer & Thomas Peckett Prest: Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street Washington Irving: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Rip Van Winkle Edgar Allan Poe: The Cask of Amontillado The Masque of the Red Death The Premature Burial Mary Shelley: Frankenstein The Mortal Immortal The Evil Eye Gaston Leroux: The Phantom of the Opera Marjorie Bowen: Black Magic Oscar Wilde: The Picture of Dorian Gray Henry James: The Turn of the Screw The Ghostly Rental... H. P. Lovecraft: The Dunwich Horror The Shunned House... Charles Dickens: The Mystery of Edwin Drood The Haunted House... Wilkie Collins: The Haunted Hotel The Woman in White Richard Marsh: The Beetle Arthur Conan Doyle: The Hound of the Baskervilles The Silver Hatchet... Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu: Carmilla... Arthur Machen: The Great God Pan... William Hope Hodgson: The Ghost Pirates The Night Land E. F. Benson: The Room in the Tower The Terror by Night... Nathaniel Hawthorne: The Birth Mark The House of the Seven Gables... Thomas Hardy: What the Shepherd Saw The Grave by the Handpost Jane Austen: Northanger Abbey Charlotte Brontë: Jane Eyre Emily Brontë: Wuthering Heights Guy de Maupassant: The Horla Horace Walpole: The Castle of Otranto William Thomas Beckford: Vathek Matthew Gregory Lewis: The Monk Ann Radcliffe: The Mysteries of Udolpho The Italian Théophile Gautier: Clarimonde The Mummy's Foot M. R. James: Ghost Stories of an Antiquary A Thin Ghost and Others Ambrose Bierce: Can Such Things Be? Present at a Hanging and Other Ghost Stories M. P. Shiel: Shapes in the Fire Rudyard Kipling: My Own True Ghost Story The City of Dreadful Night The Mark of the Beast... Stanley G. Weinbaum: The Dark Other Émile Erckmann & Alexandre Chatrian: The Man-Wolf... Amelia B. Edwards: The Phantom Coach... Pedro De Alarçon: The Nail Walter Hubbell: The Great Amherst Mystery Some Real American Ghosts Some Chinese Ghosts...

This horror anthology is a remarkable collection that spans the gamut of the most chilling and macabre tales in English literature, from the eerie subtleties of psychological terror to the stark dread of the supernatural. The collection showcases a diverse range of literary styles, from the gothic to the modernist, encapsulating the evolution of horror as a genre across different periods. Standouts in the collection reveal the genre's capacity to explore the deepest fears of the human psyche, making manifest the anxieties of the times. The editors have meticulously curated works that not only entertain but also serve as a critical lens through which to examine the broader cultural and historical contexts from which these stories spring. The contributing authors and editors, hailing from varied backgrounds, bring a rich tapestry of cultural perspectives to the anthology, underscoring the universal appeal and adaptability of the horror genre. Figures such as Edgar Allan Poe and H.P. Lovecraft, whose work has defined and redefined horror literature, are presented alongside authors like Charlotte Perkins Gilman and Elizabeth Gaskell, who contribute uniquely feminist perspectives to the collection. This amalgam of voices aligns with notable literary movements, including Romanticism, Victorianism, and Modernism, providing readers with a comprehensive overview of the genre's evolution and its intersections with social and political issues. This anthology presents a unique opportunity for readers to engage with the horror genre in all its diversity and complexity. It encourages a deeper exploration of the themes of fear, the unknown, and the supernatural, showcasing how these themes resonate across different times and cultures. The collection is an invaluable resource for both aficionados of horror literature and those new to the genre, offering educational insights and prompts for further reflection. By fostering a dialogue between the works of different authors, this anthology serves not only as a testament to the enduring power of horror literature but also as an invitation to explore the shadows that linger in the human mind.