Showing results by author "M. R. James" in All Categories

M. R. James is one of the finest English language ghostwriters ever published. These short stories are not only classics of their genre, but are outstanding examples of beautifully paced, understated terror and sociological horror, reaching to the dark expanse of the unconscious mind.

Dive into the eerie and enthralling world of the supernatural with master anthologist Joseph Lewis Frenchs collection of the finest ghost stories ever penned. From the early influential works of Daniel Defoe and Edward Bulwer-Lytton to the chilling narratives of contemporary legends like M. R. James, Algernon Blackwood, and E. F. Benson, this anthology promises to deliver a treasure trove of haunting tales that will keep you on the edge of your seat and awake through the darkest hours of the night! - Summary by Ben Tucker

Buckle up for an explosive ride into the heart of battle with 'Contested Landing' – the ultimate anthology of military science fiction that'll leave you on the edge of your seat! Get ready to dive headfirst into the fray as fearless defenders clash with relentless invaders in heart-pounding actions across the cosmos. From pulse-pounding firefights to jaw-dropping heroics, these adrenaline-fueled tales will thrust you into the heart of interstellar conflict like never before.

Delve into the eerie world of Montague Rhodes James (1862-1936), a renowned medieval scholar and Provost of King‚s College, Cambridge, who masterfully crafted ghost stories intended to be shared aloud during the haunting hours of Christmas Eve. Set against tranquil rural landscapes, his tales feature unassuming, scholarly protagonists who find themselves entwined with supernatural forces. The horror in his narratives is subtly woven, relying on the serene backdrop to heighten the dread of otherworldly encounters. Ghost Stories of an Antiquary‚ compiles two of his celebrated collections ...

Many hybrid forms of the mystery-crime-thriller genre exists. All of them are narratives that keep one in suspense about what is about to happen. The thriller also shares a literary lineage with ancient epic and myth populated by monsters, terror and danger. Alexandre Dumas, Alfred Hitchcock, and Robert Ludlum are some of the masters of the genre.

Midnight Shadows features two classics of horror and the supernatural. "Young Goodman Brown" is the chilling story of a young Puritan man who finds himself drawn into a world of witchcraft and unspeakable black magic. "The Ash Tree" is the tale of Sir Richard, who encounters an ancient tree that harbors a dark and grotesque secret.

Best remembered for his ghost stories, this is a collection of M. R. James' finest.

M.R. James (1862-1936) was provost of King's College, Cambridge, and Eton College. He was a highly regarded scholar and academic in his time but today is remembered for his ghost stories, which are considered among the finest in the genre. The seven stories in this Volume One are: "A School Story", "Rats", "A Warning to the Curious", "Two Doctors", "The Haunted Doll's House", "Casting the Runes", "There Was a Man Dwelt by a Churchyard".

This is a story from the Classic Ghost Stories collection.

Mystery surrounds a certain Mr. Karswell. He has purchased an old abbey, is a known alchemist, and has written a ludicrous history of witchcraft. Are these mysterious behaviors those of an irascible eccentric or a coldhearted murderer?

This is a story from the "Great Ghost Stories" collection.

A gripping collection of mystery stories, strange tales and horrible crimes: 'The Perfect Murder', by Stacy Aumonier; 'The Magic Casket', by F. Austin Freeman; 'The Shadow of the Shark', by G. K. Chesterton; 'The Marionettes', by O. Henry; 'Charles', by A. J. Alan; 'Moon's Gibbet', by Egerton Castle; 'The Severed Hand', by Wilhelm Hauff; 'The Man with the Watches', by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle; 'The Adventure of the Diamond Necklace', by G. F. Forrest; 'My Adventure at Chislehurst', by A. J. Alan; 'Blackmail', by John Galsworthy.

M. R. James wrote, arguably, the finest supernatural tales in English literature, and this collection contains the best of them, including ‘Canon Alberic’s Scrapbook’, ‘Oh, Whistle, and I’ll Come To You, My Lad’, ‘Lost Hearts’, ‘Casting the Runes’, and ‘Count Magnus’. James was something of an actor and gifted storyteller and read his tales aloud to select gatherings on many a Christmas Eve. His intention, he said, was to implant in his listener the idea that, ‘if I am not careful, something of this kind might happen to me!’

Here's a chilling ghost story about a young student taking up temporary residence at an out-of-the-way inn. The inn is well-tended by its elderly owners, all except for one room which stands unoccupied and securely locked. What is the mysterious secret of the room? The student, much to his horrified dismay, soon finds out.

Featuring two classic horror stories that are sure to send shivers up your spine, Frightful Tales includes "The Night Wire", a story of a small town overrun by a horrible, animated fog and the night wireman who observes helplessly as unspeakable acts occur, and "Rats", a story of a deserted room at an out-of-the-way inn, and the young man who dares to enter.

Another collection of 16 classic tales of the macabre and supernatural by some of the best-known writers in these genres.

A sacred volume, a forgotten ritual, and the lingering presence of something not entirely gone— The Uncommon Prayer-book whispers of devotion turned to dread. M. R. James crafts a world where piety and peril overlap, where quiet study leads not to understanding, but to unease. This tale moves with the hush of cloisters and the rustle of ancient pages, all the while drawing the listener ever closer to an encounter best left unwritten. Dark, refined, and utterly disquieting.

Montague Rhodes James, the greatest English writer of ghost stories, was born in 1862 at Goodnestone Parsonage in Kent, where his father was Curate, and spent most of his boyhood at Livermere, near Bury St Edmunds in East Anglia, where his father had become Rector. From childhood he was passionately interested in mediaeval books and antiques. At the age of six, attending his first children’s party, he burst into tears, but was soon comforted by being taken into the library of the house and left there alone.

This is a story from the Classic Ghost Stories collection.

There are rooms best left unopened. In Rats, M. R. James guides us into one such space—silent, neglected, and waiting. Known for his restrained, academic horrors, James delivers here a tale that creeps up slowly and lingers uncomfortably. With a master's touch, he suggests far more than he shows, letting unease breed in the shadows and silence. This story is a quiet descent into something primal and cold, where the mundane turns menacing, and a moment's curiosity opens a door to ancient fear. Listen carefully—some noises can't be explained.