This deluxe book explores the creation of del Toro’s sinister masterpiece and the dark themes and motifs woven into every frame of this extraordinary film. Featuring extensive interviews with the director, Crimson Peak: The Art of Darkness chronicles the creative odyssey that brought the film to screen, showing how del Toro’s unique perspective, attention to detail, and storytelling prowess were key in crafting a film of incredible visual richness and thematic power. The book also features extensive interviews with the team of artists who helped realize the world of Crimson Peak, from the film’s sumptuous period costumes to the dilapidated majesty of Allerdale Hall and the eerie red-hued ghosts that haunt the halls of “Crimson Peak.” Also featuring insights from the films stars, including Mia Wasikowska, Tom Hiddleston, Jessica Chastain, and Charlie Hunnam, Crimson Peak: The Art of Darkness explores the themes at the heart of this breathtaking supernatural mystery in unparalleled detail. Filled with striking concept art and stunning photography, the book also features a range of amazing special items, including an authentic period letter, daguerreotype photographs, biographies that reveal the secret history of Crimson Peak’s characters, a booklet that showcases the film’s amazing costume designs, and more. A thrilling journey into the macabre heart of Guillermo del Toro’s spine-chilling new tale, Crimson Peak: The Art of Darkness is the perfect companion to this gothic horror masterwork.

    For Tom Dargin, courting an ailing spinster was only one duty in a long life of service to his sire. But after he meets the curious Miss Shaw, will Tom become the seducer or the seduced? Can a love fated to end in tragedy survive a looming grave? In Gaslight Hades, Nathaniel Gordon walks two worlds—that of the living and the dead. Barely human, he's earned the reputation of a Bonekeeper, the scourge of grave robbers. He believes his old life over, until one dreary burial he meets the woman he once loved and almost married. Lenore Kenward stands at her father’s grave, begging the protection of the mysterious guardian, not knowing he is her lost love. Resolved to keep his distance, Nathaniel is forced to abandon his plan and accompany Lenore on a journey into the mouth of Hell where sea meets sky, and the abominations that exist beyond its barrier wait to destroy them.

    She's still reeling from the news when she's offered an unexpected solution: Mr Argenton, a wealthy stranger, asks for her hand in marriage.Marrying Mr Argenton will restore her family's fortunes and save them from scandal, but condemns Sophie to a life in Northwood, a vast and unnaturally dark mansion situated hours from civilisation.Sophie struggles to adjust to her new position as mistress over the desolate house. Mr Argenton's relatives are cold, and Mr Argenton himself is keeping secrets. Even worse, the house is more than it seems.Mr Argenton's young cousin, Elise, draws terrifying images. Doors slam. Inhuman figures slink through the forest surrounding the house. A piano plays in the middle of the night. Blood drips from the ceilings.Sophie is inevitably pulled towards the terrifying truth: Northwood's ancient halls are haunted by the family's long-dead ancestors. The malevolent spirits--produced by grisly deaths--resent her intrusion into their home.Trapped in Northwood and desperate for an escape, Sophie's fate is further complicated as she finds herself irrevocably drawn to the tall, dark-eyed man she married. She suspects her feelings are returned, but Mr Argenton is hiding the truth about the house--and his secrets are so dangerous that they might just be unforgivable.

    The doctors diagnose post-traumatic amnesia and say the memories should start returning. Which they do . . . but these memories are not her own. They belong to Isabel Vavasour, who lived and died at Askerby Hall over four hundred years earlier . . .Returning to Askerby Hall to recuperate, Kate finds herself in a house full of shadows and suspicions. Unable to recognise her family, her friends or even her small son, she struggles to piece together the events that led to her terrible fall. Life at Askerby, it seems, is not as illustrious as the Vavasours would have the public believe. But before she can uncover the mysteries of the present, she must first discover the truth about the past ... Was Isabel's madness real, or was her mistake trusting the one person she thought would never betray her?

    Amber Alton knows that the hours pass differently at Black Rabbit Hall, her London family's country estate, where no two clocks read the same. Summers there are perfect, timeless. Not much ever happens. Until, of course, it does. More than three decades later, Lorna is determined to be married within the grand, ivy-covered walls of Pencraw Hall, known as Black Rabbit Hall among the locals. But as she's drawn deeper into the overgrown grounds, half-buried memories of her mother begin to surface and Lorna soon finds herself ensnared within the manor's labyrinthine history, overcome with an insatiable need for answers about her own past and that of the once-happy family whose memory still haunts the estate. Stunning and atmospheric, this debut novel is a thrilling spiral into the hearts of two women separated by decades but inescapably linked by the dark and tangled secrets of Black Rabbit Hall.

    She sets her sights on the most likely suspect: her friend’s mysterious employer, Doctor Braeden Frost.Dubbed "Dr. Death" by the press, the notorious hematologist is linked to nineteen other suspicious fatalities—all are former patients. The brooding recluse is a man of many secrets, the darkest of which may be lurking beneath the leather gloves he never removes.

    There was talk of foul play, dark whispers, and sidelong glances, all aimed at Sarah, prompting her family to send her to The Laurels, an exclusive asylum in San Francisco, under a cloud of suspicion. Now, on the one-year anniversary of her mother’s murder, Sarah has been summoned home. Convinced of her innocence, she returns to Bennett House, hoping to put the broken pieces of her life back together. But when another murder occurs shortly after her arrival, Sarah once again finds herself a suspect, as she is drawn into a web of suspicion and lies. In order to clear her name, Sarah must remember what happened the fateful night her mother died. But as she works to regain her memory, the real murderer watches, ready to kill again to protect a dark family secret.

    The Showtime TV series was created by John Logan and executive produced by Logan and Sam Mendes and stars Josh Hartnett (Sin City), Eva Green (Casino Royale), Billie Piper (Doctor Who) and Timothy Dalton (License to Kill).

    From acclaimed director Guillermo del Toro.

    Brilliant. A Liability?Doctor Anna Cassidy has been trained by the best; the former Chief Surgeon for the Auckland Police Force. She knows how to dissect a body. She knows how to treat any ailment. And she knows how to find a cause of death. But society is not ready for a female surgeon.Fighting for what she believes in has been ingrained in Anna since she was a young child. But the battles she faces now are not all based on equality. A murderer stalks her fellow Suffragettes and the police inspector in charge of the case could be Anna's downfall.Experienced. Dedicated. Something to hide?Inspector Andrew Kelly holds duty and honour in the highest regard. His role as a detective proves just that; he never stops until justice is served. Love is something he has forsaken, for reasons he'd rather you didn't know.But Anna is not a woman a man can ignore.Fighting his instincts with cold determination is something Kelly has become accustomed to. But a murderer is loose in his adopted city, bringing memories to the fore of a killer who walked in the shadows of Whitechapel, and shining light on a dark past the Inspector is trying hard to forget.A gritty, twisted, and authentic Victorian romantic suspense, sure to rip you apart... just like old Jack.

    Desperate to outrun her troubles, she accepts a governess position at the crumbling gothic manor of the mysterious Ravensdale family. Caring for three orphaned children gives her a purpose, but her vulgar employer, Bly Ravensdale, holds dangerous secrets that may shatter Clara's newfound safe haven. Yet this stubborn brute compels Clara to abandon her etiquette at every turn, and she can't stay away. Disowned by his family, Bly Ravensdale travels the globe as an explorer and agent of the British Crown until his brother’s passing leaves him saddled with three young wards. Charged with returning them to the family's vacant ancestral seat in the English countryside—the one place he wishes to avoid at all costs—Bly quits the role of spy to play family man. But a man nicknamed Devil rarely gets a clean start in life, even with the aid of the prudish yet lovely governess, Clara. Despite her cold exterior, Bly finds himself drawn to her, even as an enemy from his deadly past resurfaces seeking vengeance. Can he protect all that he has suddenly come to hold dear?

    The Haunting of a Duke Communing with spirits has been both gift and curse to Emme Walters. Now it's made her a killer's target. Emme knows why the Dowager Duchess of Briarleigh invited her to a house party--to investigate whether the duke, Rhys Brammel, murdered his wife years ago. But Emme never imagined she would fall in love with the brooding duke. Branded by society as a possible killer, Rhys is suspicious of Emme and her alleged "gift." Then a late night encounter creates awareness of her other, more attractive, aspects. When Emme's life is threatened, Rhys becomes her protector. Emme and Rhys find passion and peril as they join forces to solve the mysteries at Briarleigh. She made him believe in spirits, but can she make him believe in love?.The Redemption of a Rogue Lord Michael Sutherland, Viscount Ellersleigh, is infamous amongst the ton for his powers of seduction and his prowess as a lover. Running from his own ennui and a lover who fancies herself his future wife, Michael retreats to the country and a crumbling, haunted castle won in a game of chance... a castle occupied by an innocent and oh so tempting young woman, Miss Abbigail Barrows. But country life proves to be anything but quiet. At a debauched house party, Michael finds himself confronted with an unfortunate quandary, marry Abbigail, an innocent, or hang for murder. Residing at Blagdon Hall, Michael's faced with the dilemmas of seducing his new wife, who seems to be impervious to his charm, and unraveling the mystery of Blagdon Hall's resident ghost and the nefarious goings on at the neighboring estate. The Enticement of an Earl Spencer, Lord Wolverston and newly named Earl of Kinraven, intended to find peace in the wilds of Scotland, far from the torment of wanting the one woman he believed he could never have. But his inheritance has come with a price he had not foreseen... a curse that is slowly driving him mad. He sends a desperate plea for help to his friend, the Duke of Briarleigh, but that plea is intercepted by the last person he wishes to see... the Duke's sister-in-law, Miss Larissa Walters, the women he left England to escape. Larissa has struggled to put her past behind her and to overcome the abuses she suffered at the hands of Lord Moreland to whom her stepfather had owed a gambling debt. Spencer had saved her then, and now, she knows it is time to return the favor. She sets out on her own to show him, and perhaps herself, that she has the courage to face her fears... and to love him as he deserves. But all is not as it would seem at Kinraven. There is darkness there—plotting, lurking, waiting in the shadows to destroy whatever happiness they may find. Can love truly conquer all, or will the darkness consume them both?Read the complete Dark Regency series:The Haunting of a Duke (Book 1)The Redemption of a Rogue (Book 2)The Enticement of an Earl (Book 3)A Love So Dark (Book 4)A Passion So Strong (Book 5)A Heart So Wicked (Book 6)An Affair So Destined (Book 7)

    Glamorous medium Gloria Sutter made her fortune helping the bereaved contact loved ones killed during the Great War. Now she's been murdered at one of her own séances, after leaving a message requesting the help of her former friend and sole rival, Ellie Winter.Ellie doesn't contact the dead—at least, not anymore. She specializes in miraculously finding lost items. Still, she can't refuse the final request of the only other true psychic she has known. Now Ellie must delve into Gloria's secrets and plunge back into the world of hucksters, lowlifes, and fakes. Worse, she cannot shake the attentions of handsome James Hawley, a damaged war veteran who has dedicated himself to debunking psychics.As Ellie and James uncover the sinister mysteries of Gloria's life and death, Ellie is tormented by nightmarish visions that herald the grisly murders of those in Gloria's circle. And as Ellie’s uneasy partnership with James turns dangerously intimate, an insidious evil force begins to undermine their quest for clues, a force determined to bury the truth, and whoever seeks to expose it...

    They are there preparing for World Frock Night - a lavish ball where everyone dresses up in their finest costumes to compete for the grand prize.Ada has been given money by her father to buy a spectacular outfit for the ball, and she's excited to be in with a chance of winning the prize. But, as usual, nothing goes to plan, and becoming the belle of the ball will prove to be Ada's biggest challenge yet . . .Full of intricate black and white illustrations, Goth Girl and the Pirate Queen is a gorgeous World Book Day book from Chris Riddell, award-winning author of Goth Girl and the Ghost of a Mouse.

    Former seamstress Clara Blackwood seems to have found happiness at last. Now a blissfully married baroness, she is mistress of a grand estate. But soon a mysterious summons shatters her contented life. Clara grew up believing that her mother’s family had disowned them. But now the grandmother she never knew is on her deathbed and anxious to disclose vital family secrets before it’s too late—for Clara’s unborn child may be cursed with a horrible fate. When Clara and her husband, Atticus, arrive at dismal Thurnley Hall, they find intrigue brewing. Her boorish uncle, Horace Burleigh, is greedy for her wealth and desperate to protect the family’s mysteries. Superstitious fear of Atticus torments the hulking Romanian servant, Grigore, and even the soft-spoken young ward, Victor Lynch, may have secret motives for getting close to Clara and her husband. When her grandmother dies under suspicious circumstances, Clara feels compelled to investigate. And when Atticus vanishes mysteriously, she must draw on all her strength and determination to find him before his time runs out… before her life can be cursed once more. Fans of the Gothic romances of Victoria Holt, Mary Stewart, and Barbara Michaels won't want to miss this thrilling, romantic sequel to With This Curse, in which Clara faces new challenges and dangers. Just Book Talk gives Cursed Once More five stars and calls it “another exciting adventure . . . [with] a rich cast of spooky and strange characters.” And be sure not to miss Nocturne for a Widow , in which Clara's former employer, vivacious actress Sybil Ingram, is plunged into adventure in a haunted house in the Hudson River Valley.

    Allie is drawn in by his mysterious charm, but he is reluctant to act on his developing feelings.Under the circumstances, the two become close, but this enigmatic stranger is determined to keep his distance, and for good reason - is there more to him than meets the eye?

     From a son who wants to teach his mother a lesson, a deadly myth on Kingly Road, people who have a certain bizarre diet, and more terrifying things than you have ever imagined—these stories will give you goosebumps, shivers, and more. There are also stories about a vengeful unborn baby, a psychotic babysitter, and a creepy bus that leads you to hell. These tales will torment your head with eerie echoes and haunting screams, and compel you to turn and check what's lurking behind... every few minutes. With twisted scenarios that will make you second-guess who you can and cannot trust, these are stories that may tell you what could actually be hiding under your bed... or perhaps make you realize that they're not under the bed... and that maybe you're the monster.

    A carriage accident leaves her alone, in the forest, on the night of the full moon, where something lurks in the trees.A bite that will not heal…After being bitten in the woods, Elinore fears for her sanity. The bite is turning black. She hears things she should not be able to and feels emotions strange and foreign to her. Unnerved by her new surroundings and by the disquieting behavior of her uncle, Hayter, Elinore takes comfort in the companionship she finds at Ravenwood, including her growing affection for Caleb, her cousin by marriage.A deepening mystery…Why is the bite on her arm turning black? Why does she dream of the forest, of wolves and of ravens? Why is she compelled by a wolf howling at night? As Elinore struggles to understand life at Ravenwood, what will happen when the truth is revealed?

    Soak in these tales of Southern Gothic horror: Sinister shopkeepers whose goods hold the highest price, a woman’s search for her mother drags her into the binding embrace of a monster, a witchdoctor’s young niece tells him a life-altering secret, an investigator who knows how to keep a 100% confession rate…. These are stories where the setting itself becomes a character—fog laced cemeteries, sulfur rich salt marshes—places housing creatures that defy understanding and where the grotesque and macabre are celebrated.

    A stunning gift edition collecting together Susan Hill's spinechilling stories of murder, magic and mayhem.'No one chills the blood like Susan Hill' Daily TelegraphFrom the horrifying secret of Eel Marsh House in The Woman in Black to the supernatural terror unleashed by spiteful Leonora van Vorst in Dolly and the deadly danger posed by Professor Parmitter's painting of Venice in The Man in the Picture, Susan Hill's ghost stories never fail to raise the hairs on the back of your neck and keep you turning the pages long past midnight.Here, collected together for the first time - and also including the bestselling Printers Devil Court and The Small Hand - are all of Susan Hill's spinechilling stories of murder, magic and mayhem.Read on if you dare.

    Adapted many times to the stage and screen and an inspiration to countless illustrators, graphic novelists, and musicians, his tales and poems remain a singular presence in popular culture. (His most famous poem inspired the name of the NFL's Baltimore Ravens.) And then there is the matter of Poe's literary influence. "How many things come out of Poe?" Jorge Luis Borges once asked. And yet Poe remains misunderstood, his works easily confused with the legend of a troubled genius. Now, in this annotated edition of selected tales and poems, Kevin J. Hayes debunks the Poe myth, enables a larger appreciation of Poe's career and varied achievements, and investigates his weird afterlives.With color illustrations and photographs throughout, The Annotated Poe contains in-depth notes placed conveniently alongside the tales and poems to elucidate Poe's sources, obscure words and passages, and literary, biographical, and historical allusions. Like Poe's own marginalia, Hayes's marginal notes accommodate "multitudinous opinion" he explains his own views and interpretations as well as those of other writers and critics, including Poe himself. In his Foreword, William Giraldi provides a spirited introduction to the writer who produced such indelible masterpieces as "The Fall of the House of Usher," "The Murders in the Rue Morgue," and "The Black Cat."The Annotated Poe offers much for both the professional and the general reader--but it will be especially prized by those who think of themselves as Poe aficionados.

    From vampires and a monkey paw to an unstoppable heart and haunting apparitions, anecdotes of supernatural terror will have you turning pages long past the witching hour. Allow famous authors such as Edgar Allan Poe, H. P. Lovecraft, Henry James, Washington Irving, and more to prey upon your emotions and peace of mind at slumber parties and camping trips, or anytime you want to end the night with a delightful fright!

    She seems to know who the young woman was, but not how she knows, or how she came to be there. Cassandra becomes inexplicably drawn to the house and the mystery of the "Bones of Blackfriars." As she begins to learn the truth about the Thorne siblings who occupied the house during the reign of Elizabeth I, her own life takes an unexpected turn, and she finds out that her fate is linked to the Thornes in ways she never imagined.The InheritanceKatie Price is baffled when a man claiming to be her grandfather leaves her his entire estate in the Scottish Highlands. The bulk of the estate consists of a thriving whisky distillery and a moldering castle, where the eccentric old man actually lived until his death. The Will stipulates that Katie must travel to Scotland and claim her inheritance in person. As Katie’s stay extends from weeks into months, she uncovers the secret that led to her mother’s birth, and begins to unravel a two-hundred-fifty-year-old mystery surrounding the beautiful, young wife of the last laird of Clan McBride. According to local lore, Isobel McBride vanished from the castle without a trace shortly after the Battle of Culloden, and some believe that her ghost still walks the battlements at night. A strange dream in Isobel’s tower room leads Katie to Isobel’s hiding place, where she discovers love letters from a man other than Isobel’s husband, his initials being the only clue to his identity. As Katie begins to unearth the clues to Isobel’s fate, she embarks on a romantic journey of her own and finds a new life she never expected.The FollyOn a cold, December morning in 1815, the body of nineteen year-old Lady Elizabeth Flynn and her stepson, Captain Jeremy Flynn, are found floating in a lake on the Flynn estate. Sir Henry is devastated by the loss of his young wife and heir to the estate, especially since there is no evidence, no witnesses, and no apparent motive. But nothing is what it seems, and the gruesome find is only one link in a chain of events that started long before. Forbidden love, family secrets, and betrayal have led to this moment, ending months of speculation and gossip and bringing it to a shocking conclusion.

    Night after night she answers the graveyard’s call, though she dreads her encounters with the creature that dwells there.But she’ll soon come to learn that memories are much more dangerous than monsters…

    The room darkens and time seems to stop when she is born, but is it really her fault? Is she as evil as Mother insists, or does it forebode a life of abuse and cruelty?With only one positive influence in her life—that of her nanny—Abigail tries her best to stay out of Mother’s way. But Mother always seems to be present when there’s a chance to hurt. And Father is no use at all.If she could just keep the attentions of the wealthy and handsome Conrad Scott until he proposes, he could be her lifeline.But after a violent accident and a disturbing series of events that permanently warp Abigail’s mental state, she finds herself drawn to stay in the very home of her abuse, and she’ll do anything to force her siblings to stay too—anything.

    Wells, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Mary Shelley, is perfect for fans of Libba Bray, Leigh Bardugo, and classic horror and science fiction. This collection also contains a sneak peek of The Cage, the first book in Megan Shepherd's gripping new series about teens held captive in a human zoo by an otherworldly race.The Madman's Daughter, inspired by The Island of Dr. Moreau, is the story of Dr. Moreau's daughter Juliet, who travels to her estranged father's island only to encounter murder, madness, and a scintillating love triangle.Her Dark Curiosity: Inspired by The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, this tantalizing sequel explores the hidden natures of those we love and how far we'll go to save them from themselves.A Cold Legacy: With inspiration from Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, this breathless conclusion to the Madman's Daughter trilogy explores the things we'll sacrifice to save those we love . . . even our own humanity.

    what could go wrong?" Meet the second book of Sinister Tales... where anything could go wrong. From Halloween terrors, a boy who just wants to fit in, a village where everyone's afraid of Santa Claus, a small town that may seem normal, and more goosebump-worthy stories that will make you wonder what actually goes bump in the night. Add to that stories that will make you ponder who your relatives really are, and that stalkers may be more dangerous than you think. If Demented has tormented your mind with eerie echoes and haunting screams, then get ready for Twisted and its chilling silence that will make your skin positively prickle. Whisper your last goodbyes because Twisted is finally here.

    She’s so desperate that she’ll take anything, and besides, she doesn’t believe in ghosts. Little does she know that her new employer is the seducer who lied and deceived her many years ago. Sir Richard Ballister inherited an estate with a ghost and a curse, and every governess he hires leaves within a week. Finally, a woman desperate enough to stay arrives on his doorstep—but she’s the seductress who dropped him many years earlier for a richer man. The last thing Richard and Edwina want is to work together, but they have no choice. Can they overcome the bitterness of the past in time to unravel a centuries-old knot and end the Christmas curse? This novella was originally published in the boxed set, Captivated By His Kiss.

    Step inside a nightmarish game with a devious young woman as your host, as she weaves a tale full of guilt, sorrow, and the ultimate karma. If you enjoyed Dr. Seuss books as a child, and Tim Burton movies as an adult, you'll love This Beautiful Curse.This is a short, quick read at around 1600 words, with illustrations. Due to each device's personal settings, the illustrations may appear differently than the author and illustrators intended; Please consider adjusting your Kindle or Kindle app settings to provide a more pleasant reading experience, should it be necessary.Please rate and review!

      A Christmas Hope   “Very much recommended . . . a wonderful story.”—Historical Novel Review   Claudine Burroughs dreads the holiday season. She feels she has nothing in common with her circle of wealthy, status-minded friends, and the only time she’s remotely happy is when she is volunteering at a women’s clinic, a job her husband strongly disapproves of. When Claudine meets a charming poet at a Yuletide gala, her spirits are finally lifted—until he is accused of killing a fellow guest. Believing in his innocence, Claudine vows to do her utmost to help. But it seems that hypocritical London society would rather send an innocent man to the gallows than expose the shocking truth about one of their own.   A New York Christmas   “A perfect present for [Anne Perry’s] readers.”—RT Book Reviews   Jemima Pitt, the daughter of Thomas Pitt, head of Britain’s Special Branch, is crossing the Atlantic for the first time. Her companion, Delphinia Cardew, is to marry in a grand Manhattan affair that will join together two fabulously wealthy families. But a shadow darkens the occasion: Missing from the festivities is Delphinia’s disgraced mother—and the groom’s charismatic brother has asked Jemima to help him find her and forestall the scandal that will surely follow if the prodigal parent turns up at the wedding. From Hell’s Kitchen to Fifth Avenue, from the Lower East Side to Central Park, Jemima trudges through snowy streets, asking questions but getting few answers—and never suspecting that she is walking into mortal danger.From the Trade Paperback edition.

    Clara Blackstone has just been released after one year in a private asylum for the insane. Clara has two goals: to reunite with her husband, Henry, and to never—ever—return to the asylum. As she enters Durham, Clara finds her carriage surrounded by a mob gathered to witness the imprisonment of Mary Ann Cotton—England’s first female serial killer—accused of poisoning nearly twenty people, including her husbands and children.Clara soon finds the oppressive confinement of her marriage no less terrifying than the white-tiled walls of Hoxton. And as she grows increasingly suspicious of Henry’s intentions, her fascination with Cotton grows. Soon, Cotton is not just a notorious figure from the headlines, but an unlikely confidante, mentor—and perhaps accomplice—in Clara’s struggle to protect her money, her freedom and her life.In the lineage of Margaret Atwood's Alias Grace, The Savage Instinct is the chilling story of one woman's struggle for her sanity, set against the backdrop of the arrest and trial of Mary Ann Cotton, England’s first female serial killer.

    Often finding himself in random surroundings, Burton conveys thoughts, ideas and memories with simple sketches on the most convenient surface available – a napkin.

    Poe is viewed as the ultimate doomed romantic whose last days are shrouded in sordid mystery. His life was a disaster, but his achievements in writing are amazing. He is widely recognized as father of the modern short story, inventor of the detective story and the master of horror. A Boston born writer, editor, and literary critic, he's best known for his creepy and macabre tales as well as being one of the central figures in the Romanticism movement in the United States.  Accurately being dubbed as the ultimate doomed romantic, Poe was a drunk, his last days are shrouded in mystery akin to that of his short stories.  During his lifetime, Edgar Allan Poe didn't make a dime out of writing, but his legacy to the world is one of never-ending riches.  He left behind seventy-three wonderfully gruesome stories and a novel filled with suspense and brilliantly twisted plots.  Hist stories and poems are now read and revered globally.  As another master of horror, Stephen King, has said, we are all "the children of Poe." Abraham Lincoln, Josef Stalin, Michael Jackson, and Bart Simpson all have one thing in common; they are fans of the nineteenth century American writer and poet, Edgar Allan Poe.  The writer of "The Raven" has legions of such devotees across the globe.  The list of authors inspired by Poe is long and varied, but his profound influence reaches much further-into music, film, and art just as much as modern day literature.  There have been more than a dozen film adaptations of his story "The Fall of the House of Usher," and his works have inspired composers ranging from Claude Debussy to Lou Reed.  More than 160 years after his death, Charlotte Montague has written a fascinating account of Poe's life and times, in which she uncovers a strange man, standing deep in the shadows, who's unique imagination and macabre writing have changed popular culture forevermore.  n the process, she uncovers a strange man, standing deep in the shadows, whose macabre stories and twisted plots changed literature forever. The Oxford People series offers deep dives into the most influential people, subjects, and cultures from history. From horror-fiction legends like H. P. Lovecraft and Edgar Allen Poe, to historical heavyweights like Houdini and JFK, to the supernatural world of vampires, werewolves, and ghosts—Oxford People encompasses it all. Other titles in this series include: Angels, Che, Creating Sherlock Holmes, Extreme Science, Gettysburg, Ghosts, Gunfighters, Houdini, HP Lovecraft, John F. Kennedy, Myths and Legends, Privates and Privateers, Roosevelt and Churchill, Royal Weddings, Skies of WWII, Tesla, Tesla vs. Edison, Vampires, Vikings, Werewolves, Women of Invention, Zombies.

    There they create the album that will make their reputation, but at a terrifying cost: Julian Blake, the group’s lead singer, disappears within the mansion and is never seen or heard from again.Now, years later, the surviving musicians, along with their friends and lovers—including a psychic, a photographer, and the band’s manager—meet with a young documentary filmmaker to tell their own versions of what happened that summer. But whose story is true? And what really happened to Julian Blake?

    . . When New York journalist and recently bereaved mother Charlotte “Charlie” Cates begins to experience vivid dreams about children she’s sure that she’s lost her mind. Yet these are not the nightmares of a grieving parent, she soon realizes. They are messages and warnings that will help Charlie and the children she sees, if only she can make sense of them.After a little boy in a boat appears in Charlie’s dreams asking for her help, Charlie finds herself entangled in a thirty-year-old missing-child case that has never ceased to haunt Louisiana’s prestigious Deveau family. Armed with an invitation to Evangeline, the family’s sprawling estate, Charlie heads south, where new friendships and an unlikely romance bring healing. But as she uncovers long-buried secrets of love, money, betrayal, and murder, the facts begin to implicate those she most wants to trust—and her visions reveal an evil closer than she could’ve imagined.A Southern Gothic mystery debut that combines literary suspense and romance with a mystical twist, The Gates of Evangeline is a story that readers of Gillian Flynn, Kate Atkinson, and Alice Sebold won't be able to put down.

    That same day locals find a dog, nearly dead and tethered to an empty skiff. Odd yet seemingly trivial, the arrival of a masterless dog and a returned letter triggers a series of events that will dramatically change the lives of three friends and affect all of the residents of Bayou Chene.Gwen Roland s debut novel, set in 1907 in a secluded part of Louisiana, follows young adults Loyce Snellgrove, her cousin Lafayette Fate Landry, and his friend Valzine Broussard as they navigate between revelations about the past and tensions in the present. Forces large and small the tragedies of the Civil War, the hardships of swamp life, family secrets, as well as unfailing humor create a prismatic depiction of Louisiana folklife at the turn of the twentieth century and provide a realistic setting for this enchanting drama.Roland anchors her work in historical fact and weaves a superb tale of vivid characters. In Postmark Bayou Chene, she uses the captivating voice that described the beauty and challenges of the swamp to legions of readers in her autobiographical Atchafalaya Houseboat. Her ear for dialogue and eye for detail bring the now-vanished community of Bayou Chene and the realities of love and loss on the river back to life in a well-crafted, bittersweet tribute."

     Great-aunt Jeanne’s deadly fall down her 800 year-old staircase leads her niece Chantal Harrison to the baffling discovery that her great-aunt had sold her lovingly preserved medieval home the day she died. When Chantal commits to unraveling what, or who, forced Jeanne to sell her home, she is assailed with dangerous domestic accidents by day and maddening visions by night. Is the house guarding its centuries-old Cathar secrets or is a modern day villain to blame? Forced into a wary alliance with Berenger Morel, the new owner, who is also her top suspect, Chantal soon finds her heart faces even more danger than her body and mind.

    They had done it all, in grand style—until the mysterious scandal that brought their fame crashing to an end. Now Fraser’s grandson, John, has come to the crumbling Blacklaw ancestral home on the Scottish moors, looking for answers, in search of a story that will make his career.But what he finds is much more than a cover-up of a scandalous secret. A brooding terror lurks in the shadows of Black law House, something that skitters in the eaves and rustles in the pages of the books in the old library—a dark entity that whispers in John’s ear, seducing and promising. Meanwhile, outside in the mist, something walks the fog-bound moors, getting ever closer to the house even as Jon closes in on the secret.The race is on for John to find the answer and reap the prize, before the horror takes root in his soul.

    Unfortunately, a series of unfortunate events leave her stranded in the middle of nowhere instead. Help comes in the unlikely form of a huge gothic castle, and her rather reluctant host, Simeon Calversham, Lord Pendlebury. However, it quickly transpires that Mitchelham Castle is not the place of safety she had hoped it would be. Eloisa is quickly plunged into a desperate battle for survival in the long, draughty corridors, where more than the ghosts go bump in the night. Simeon finds himself feeling more for his guest than any respectable host should, but is determined to protect her, whatever the cost to his sanity. It quickly becomes impossible to ignore the raging desire that surges between them but, with the dangers looming ever closer, Simeon is faced with a desperate battle to keep them both alive while trying to unmask the cold-blooded killer who stalks the house. Will the castle’s sinister secrets prevent any chance of a happy ending? Or will he be forced to let her go just to keep her alive? If he does, could he ever hope to win her back again?

    With her mind wiped clean, finding her way back to a home she can't remember won't be easy. Chased by a dragon, wanted by the king and stalked by a handsome wildman, Memory must find out who she is before she is found by those who want her dead. Memory's stolen past holds dangerous secrets. Will she survive long enough to discover them, or will the secrets themselves destroy her?"remarkably unique and unpredictable" - My Book Addiction Reviews "a stunning cast of characters both in writing and in art" - Nicole B "the perfect mix of fantasy, action, adventure, and magic" - Mer's ReviewsThis omnibus includes all three books in the young adult fantasy Memory's Wake Trilogy- Book One- Memory's Wake Book Two- Hope's Reign Book Three- Providence Unveiled Illustrated by world renowned fantasy artist Selina Fenech, The Memory's Wake Omnibus contains over 120 illustrations.If you love high-stakes adventure, Victorian fairylands, and unexpected twists, you'll love Selina Fenech's enchanting series. Discover the unique magical world of the Memory's Wake Trilogy by picking up your copy today.

    When the opera cast is given a few days reprieve from rehearsals, she dreads a promise she made to stay with Erik in his underground home. She would much rather spend her time with the charming Vicomte de Chagny than be a prisoner to Erik’s world of darkness. But as she begins to understand her once angel and his secrets, she starts to open her heart.“Untouchable” shows a new version of these beloved characters in this adored story. What if Christine were a bit stronger? What if Erik were a little more patient? Against the backdrop of the holiday season, true love sparks for the first time, and a man who always considered himself “untouchable” learns what it means to hope.

    Ravencrest Manor has always been part of the family. The ancestral home of the Mannings, Ravencrest’s walls have been witness to generations of unimaginable scandal, horror, and depravity. Imported stone by stone from England to northern California in the early 1800s, the manor now houses widower Eric Manning, his children, and his staff. Ravencrest stands alone, holding its memories and ghosts close to its dark heart, casting long, black shadows across its grand lawns, through the surrounding forests, and over the picturesque town of Devilswood, below. Dare to Cross the Threshold ... Ravencrest Manor is the most beautiful thing new governess, Belinda Moorland, has ever seen, but as she learns more about its tangled past of romance and terror, she realizes that beauty has a dark side. Ravencrest is built on secrets, and its inhabitants seem to be keeping plenty of their own - from the handsome English butler, Grant Phister, to the power-mad administrator, Mrs. Heller, to Eric Manning himself, who watches her with dark, fathomless eyes. But Belinda soon realizes that the living who dwell in Ravencrest have nothing on the other inhabitants - the ones who walk the darkened halls by night … the ones who enter her dreams … the ones who are watching … and waiting … Welcome to Ravencrest ... Who is the man digging in the garden beyond Belinda’s bedroom window? Who - or what - is watching her from the vents? From ghostly screams and the clutching bony fingers of death in the indoor pool, to the trio of gliding nuns in the east wing who come at Belinda with black blazing eyes, to the beckoning little girl in the red dress who died more than two centuries ago, Belinda is thrust into a world of waking nightmares where there is no distinction between the living and the dead, and there are no limits to the horrors that await. Witchcraft is afoot at Ravencrest and as unspeakable terrors begin to unfold, Belinda realizes that her beautiful new home is a keeper of tragedy, a collector of souls. And it wants to add her to its collection …

    He begins to form friendships, but life at camp becomes more confusing as questionable activities and uncertain agendas bring about conflict that tests his character in ways he never expected. Finally, faced with a friend’s betrayal, Levi is forced to confront true evil. Will God help him find the courage to stand his ground, and to become the hero he was always meant to be?

    Especially women who have correspondence with sorcerers...and speak with the dead.5 Star Review by Caitlin E. Jones Jun 18, 2015:"A most hauntingly charming piece.I actually read the first two chapters of this aloud when I found them the first time. My beta reading group and I were supposed to edit chapters, but we read this instead, and we smiled the whole way through. In light of a full review, I went back and re-read everything, just to get a feel for the story, and I was still so blown away by the sheer skill this shows.From the first paragraph onward, I was hooked by the narrative voice, which is an enjoyable and often humorous presence. Likewise, I was hooked by Beatrice, whose plight and personality are equal parts natural and fun to read. The other characters, such as the artist, the elusive husband, and yes- even the Woman With The Winged Turban, are intriguing to read and learn more about.The writing itself does something that you seriously should be proud of. It just flows. There is never a hiccup or break in which I was taken out of the story. And with the minimal of dialogue this has, that is enviously good. I'm an impatient reader sometimes, and I have put down published novels for waxing too long, but the narrator actually kept me wanting to read. Not just the story, but the prose itself, made this absolutely fantastic and worthy of reading over again.I hope for a continuation, whether it is published here or elsewhere. This is still probably one of best things on this site, and deserves every bit of praise it gets."

    Her dream seems impossible until she discovers she is heir to a fortune. Unfortunately, there’s one catch. Nora must spend two weeks at Autumn Hill, along with the four other heirs, to inherit. An evil reputation plagues the house, and the death of her uncle, found murdered in a locked room within Autumn Hill's dark walls, only intensifies the house’s menacing atmosphere. But Nora’s not frightened easily, and she’s smart. Suspecting that the murderer may be one of the heirs, and she hires investigator Gabe O’Brien to accompany her. Gabe isn’t a bodyguard, but he’s intrigued by Nora’s appeal and agrees. Unfortunately, Nora soon has doubts about him when she nearly dies in a suspicious accident. Surrounded by strangers, Nora’s not sure who to trust, and relying upon the handsome investigator threatens to put her heart in as much danger as her life. But Nora refuses to give up her dream, no matter the cost. She’s determined to unmask the killer, claim her inheritance, and discover if she can trust Gabe with her life and her love.

     The man: Basil Jenkins, collector of intriguing objects, who becomes fascinated by his newest purchase – an exquisite chessboard. The journal: written by the mysterious Reginald Perigar, recording the ferocious chess matches he played throughout history. The contest: black versus white, living versus dead, as Jenkins fights to save himself from becoming a pawn in Perigar’s endgame… The Journal of Reginald Perigar is a chilling short story for the dark months. From the author of the nightmarish 'A Gathering of Ghosts' and modern horrors 'The Cage' and 'Beneath The Boards'.

    Bones, a creator of Grindylow. As disturbing events unfold, Jack remembers his mother's mysterious death, working with his exorcist/coachman father, and how he became Reiko's Jack in Victorian-era London.

    He hasn’t uttered a word since. Institutionalized for the last twelve years, he spends his days numb and unresponsive, shut away in a dismal, silent world of his own.Until he meets Marina.Large bright feline eyes. Long chestnut hair. Rough edges of bitten fingernails. Hands that once murdered an entire family. Marina talks to Stanley. And before long, Stanley talks back.As their friendship grows, Marina’s influence draws Stanley out of his shell. The doctors, pleased with Stanley’s progress, decide it’s time for his release.Returning to the isolated Midwestern farmhouse where he grew up, Stanley is determined to start putting the pieces of his broken life back together. He never believes he will see Marina again. Not as long as he lives.Until, one black and rainy night, Marina appears on Stanley’s doorstep.“They let me out,” she tells him.Stanley wants so badly to believe her.Stanley has no choice but to let her in…RELEASE is a Gothic fairy tale of love, death, guilt, and madness.And it will never let you go.Advance Praise for RELEASE:"Reading Amelia Mangan’s Release is like being trapped in a slowly sinking ship while icy water rises all around you. It’s creepy, claustrophobic, and disturbingly vivid; I couldn’t put it down."—Kelly Braffet, author of Save Yourself and Josie and Jack"Beautifully written and utterly absorbing, Release is the story of a young man trapped in an insular world of memories and madness. Returning to the rat-infested farmhouse where he grew up, Stanley Fitzgerald settles into a routine. He cooks, he cleans, he listens to the radio. One day fades into the next, but there is a certain comfort in the mundane. A certain hopefulness in the simplicity of his new existence. Then a beguiling young woman shows up at his door and Stanley soon realizes that for a man such as he, there can be only one release."Amelia Mangan’s writing is so rich and evocative, the reader will be tempted to race through the pages, but don’t. Release is to be savored, preferably on a moonlit night with a chill in the air."—Amanda Stevens, author of The Graveyard Queen series"Haunting and hard to shake off. Release wraps its chilled fingers around you and doesn't let go."—Kathy Charles, author of John Belushi Is Dead"Release is the novel you'd get if you put Stephen King and Angela Carter in a room together and got them good and mean drunk. Scary, thrilling, gimlet-eyed, and so sharp you could cut yourself on it, this is a triumph of horror novels, and heralds an exciting new talent in Amelia Mangan."—Jessica Alcott, author of Even When You Lie To Me

    Rebecca Ravenshaw, daughter of missionaries, spent most of her life in India. Following the death of her family in the Indian Mutiny, Rebecca returns to claim her family estate in Hampshire, England. Upon her return, people are surprised to see her… and highly suspicious. Less than a year earlier, an imposter had arrived with an Indian servant and assumed not only Rebecca’s name, but her home and incomes.That pretender died within months of her arrival; the servant fled to London as the young woman was hastily buried at midnight. The locals believe that perhaps she, Rebecca, is the real imposter. Her home and her father’s investments reverted to a distant relative, the darkly charming Captain Luke Whitfield, who quickly took over. Against her best intentions, Rebecca begins to fall in love with Luke, but she is forced to question his motives–does he love her or does he just want Headbourne House? If Luke is simply after the property, as everyone suspects, would she suffer a similar fate as the first “Rebecca”?A captivating Gothic love story set against a backdrop of intrigue and danger, Mist of Midnight will leave you breathless.

    It tasted meat-thick, and salt, and sweet, familiar as wine or milk or oil. He gulped it down and down. And as he drank, every physical apparatus of his body shone within as if with cores of fire.’ Presenting twenty tales of vampire horror from acclaimed fantasy and horror writer Tanith Lee. Selected from Tanith’s incredible body of writing, the stories represent a journey through time into darkness from which you may not emerge unscathed. From the Roman Empire to cursed Dukes; from sickly sisters to haunted Ladies; from the Parisian underground to a far flung and unknowable future: Tanith Lee’s incredible imagination knows no bounds, and the horrors and visions revealed by her words will stay with you forever. Including five stories original to this collection and fifteen previously published works, this book represents Tanith Lee at the very height of her literary powers. Drink deep, and never forget ...

    After a whirlwind romance during the London Season, Lady Isabel Sutton finds herself quickly engaged to the handsome Lord Tresham  Bleddyn, Earl of Dancy.  When his father passes away suddenly, however, his period of mourning delays their marriage and ruins the season for Tresham’s  younger, twin sisters, Annalise and Rosamund.After the girls invite Isabel to their Yorkshire home, Bleddyn  Hall, Tresham  seems an entirely different man than the one she fell in love with in London.  Not only that, but all is not well within the walls of Bleddyn  Hall. The house’s dark secrets lead to murder, mystery, and a gruesome discovery.Was Isabel’s happy future with Tresham  nothing more than an illusion?  What is more, will she survive her stay at Bleddyn Hall?

    From vampires and a monkey paw to an unstoppable heart and haunting apparitions, anecdotes of supernatural terror will have you turning pages long past the witching hour. Allow famous authors such as Edgar Allan Poe, H. P. Lovecraft, Henry James, Washington Irving, and more to prey upon your emotions and peace of mind at slumber parties and camping trips, or anytime you want to end the night with a delightful fright!

    Schwader, who has already distinguished herself by an array of meticulous and imaginative poetry that elaborates upon themes in H. P. Lovecraft’s work, has in the past decade and more written some of the most scintillating tales of any author of Lovecraftian fiction. In a number of stories, Schwader has written interconnected narratives that bring Lovecraftian terror to the remote regions near her native Wyoming, with Native American characters drawing upon their spiritual resources to battle the cosmic forces. Several of these stories—“Twenty Mile,” “Experiencing the Other,” “Paradigm Wash,” “Night of the Piper,” “The Wind-Caller”—feature an amateur anthropologist, Cassie Barrett, as a recurring character and constitute some of Schwader’s most vivid narratives. Other tales—such as “Her Beloved Son,” a plangent account of Lavinia Whateley’s relationship with her cosmic twins, and “The Death Verses of Yian-Ho,” a tale of psychic possession that draws upon the Seven Cryptical Books of Hsan—display the full range of Schwader’s sensitive adaptations of Lovecraftian elements.With this volume of sixteen stories (four of them unpublished), Ann K. Schwader establishes herself as a leading voice in Lovecraftian fiction, uniting Lovecraft’s sense of place and cosmic vision with a delicacy of character portrayal and carefully crafted prose that is all her own.

    As Undead Souths reveals, physical emanations of southern undeadness are legion, but undeadness also appears in symbolic, psychological, and cultural forms, including the social death endured by enslaved people, the Cult of the Lost Cause that resurrected the fallen heroes of the Confederacy as secular saints, and mourning rites revived by Native Americans forcibly removed from the American Southeast.To capture the manifold forms of southern haunting and horror, Undead Souths explores a variety of media and historical periods, establishes cultural crossings between the South and other regions within and outside of the U.S., and employs diverse theoretical and critical approaches. The result is an engaging and inclusive collection that chronicles the enduring connection between southern culture and the refusal of the dead to stay dead.

    Somehow he know she was a witch possessed of overwhelming supernatural powers and determined to save him from the real and imagined dangers of the modern world. Now a successful writer in Hollywood, Niko is helping create and animated version of Hansel and Gretel while he struggles to protect his beautiful young wife from sexy, New Age witches who hope to sacrifice her to please the ancient crone. This is an epic horror romance set against a background of legends, with complex villains, a magical young couple, and a storyline straight from the darkest pages of the Brothers Grimm.

    Andrew Doran is back! Narrowly saving the world from the cosmic advance of the Nazi armies, Andrew Doran is loathing with his new position as dean of Miskatonic University. The duties of a dean are too slow for the lifestyle that Andrew had become accustomed to … but he doesn't have to wait long until he finds that the previous dean had sold documents to the Nazis direct from the library of Miskatonic University. Specifically, the documentation of a fateful voyage by Dr. William Dyer to the Antarctic and the horrors he faced there. Knowing that the German army won't hesitate to travel to the Antarctic and seize the alien weaponry that is held there, Andrew and his faithful companion, Leo, embark on an adventure to find the missing Dr. Dyer and beat the Nazis to the lost city in the frozen wasteland at the end of the world. To make matters worse, Andrew is battling his own demons in the form of the physical manifestation of his own insanity. Can Andrew find the missing William Dyer and beat the Nazi menace to the cache of weapons before his insanity literally consumes him?

    Instead of peace and safety, Miranda discovers the flat agricultural plains and salt marshes are rife with tales of mysterious fires, gutted animals, and strange sights and sounds in the night. Her new charge is a disturbed nine-year-old known as the Demon Child. In addition, rumors supported by the local curate claim that her employer, a badly scarred veteran of the Napoleonic Wars, is a demon. And those are only the beginnings of her troubles as she attempts to teach two fatherless boys and deal with her wayward heart, which she swore would never love again.

    Damien Cole, a dangerously attractive man with dark secrets, a man who may well be a remorseless killer. In HIS DARK KISS, Emma Parrish accepts a position as governess at isolated Manorbrier Castle, a crumbling abode said to harbor great evil. She is soon plagued by strange events that lead her into the arms of seductive Anthony Craven, the castle's dark lord, a dangerous man rumored to be a murderer. Read all Eve's Historical Romantic Suspense with a Gothic Twist! Each book is a stand-alone and the series can be read in any order. DARK DESIRES HIS DARK KISS DARK PRINCE HIS WICKED SINS SEDUCED BY A STRANGER

    When a young John Lambton skips church to go fishing, he catches something unnatural. Fearful of his father's reaction to both skipping church and bringing such a foul creature to the house - he throws it in the well. Years later, after fighting in the Crusades, John returns home to an unwanted surprise. When all seems lost, and he seems doomed to die - he finds help from a most unexpected person. This is a short story, approx 6000 words including the footnotes. The actual story is approx 5800 words.

    Kings without crowns, knights who left their shining armor behind. Witches, hermits, berserkers, and other honest outlaws. Ballads sung to the lute and spells spoken by moonlight.Stories within stories, a Thousand and One Sherwoodian Nights.And in the end...redemption.

     A Shadow of Autumn takes you back to childhood nostalgia while peeling away the mask to reveal things that haunt your worst nightmares. Within these pages, you’ll find the usual denizens of the holiday—demons, witches, ghosts, and bloodsuckers—along with strange and unknown creatures lurking everywhere from innocuous cornfields and pumpkin patches to basement hatches and high school dances. These fourteen tales of fall magic and Halloween horrors will keep you looking over your shoulder long after the last light of October has waned. Don’t say we didn’t warn you...

    Hunted... Hounded... He will allow nothing to stop him.In his quest to learn the secrets of his creation, the Monster of Frankenstein seeks out various eccentric doctors and researchers such as Adam Weishaupt—the founder of the Illuminati, the murderous duo of Burke and Hare, and Andrew Crosse, who created life in his laboratory. Along the way, the Monster battles ghouls, witches, and mad scientists! See him captured by madmen and forced to battle other monsters in the arena of death!

    R. James sit alongside a selection of tales by modern writers, all of whom use the best-loved hallmarks of the ghost story with precision: dilapidated houses and taciturn servants; creaking floorboards and mysterious figures; hair-raising sightings of beings by turns benevolent, evil, or so alien as to defy comprehension. All shades of the dark are explored here, from the crawling horror of Arthur Conan Doyle’s ‘The Captain of the ‘Pole-Star’’ to Shirley Jackson’s pleasantly chilling ‘A Visit’. With stories from writers such as Ambrose Bierce, Vladimir Nabokov, A. S. Byatt and F. Marion Crawford, this is a collection indeed destined to haunt its readers.

    The real specter is hungry for life—and when she steps into Felicity’s skin, nobody, least of all dashing Sir James Darrington, is prepared for what happens next. James and Felicity must overcome the bitter misunderstanding that has kept them apart in order to solve the mystery and save Felicity before the ghost’s growing influence takes over entirely. Prepare yourself for spooky chills, charming romance, and “DeWees’ signature witty repartee” (Volatilisanguis, Amazon reviewer) in this fun-filled short story starring Felicity Reginald, first seen in Sea of Secrets, winner of the 2012 RONÉ Award in mystery. Fans of traditional gothic romance in the tradition of Mary Stewart, Victoria Holt, and Barbara Michaels will delight in what reviewers are calling “a beautiful, haunting tale filled with twists and turns” (Caitlyn, Amazon reviewer) and “a thoroughly enchanting story of romance, betrayal, secret passageways, and ghostly occurrences” (Darrell, Goodreads). And if this is your first time exploring Amanda DeWees’s Victorian gothic works, you won’t want to miss a single one of her other books in the genre. Categories: ghost stories, historical gothic romance, Victorian era, Christmas stories, cozy mystery, traditional gothic romance, 19th century, sweet romance, historical romantic suspense, paranormal, romantic comedy, spinoff characters, aristocracy, manor house

    And quickly discovers she is as unprepared for marriage as she is for her new family—a mother-in-law who insists on living in Wales' Medieval past and a sister-in-law who seems to be trying to get rid of her. Jocelyn is also plagued by the problem of her husband's mistress and a series of disastrous incidents—some potentially lethal—that dog her footsteps. As she grows more alienated from her husband, who barks at her to "grow up," she finds herself the classic stranger in a strange land. Where it appears someone is trying to kill her.Author's Note: The Welshman's Bride is a Gothic novel in the tradition of Victoria Holt, Mary Stewart, Phyllis Whitney, and my previous Regency Gothics, Brides of Falconfell, The Mists of Moorhead Manor, and The Demons of Fenley Marsh. As has happened before, I've created a heroine who has flaws, this one more than most. I hope you'll like her anyway.

    Following a series of dates, he finally meets a girl he truly likes. Everything is perfect until he discovers something peculiar about her and is forced to decide if it is a relationship deal breaker.This is Book 4 of The Me and My Friend Maddie Gothic Book Series.

    Catherine Spooner reads a comprehensive range of popular texts from Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series and Tim Burton's film adaptations of Sweeney Todd and Dark Shadows to fashion, advertising, tourism, TV makeover shows, stand-up comedy, sitcom and children's media. In doing so, she argues that conventional academic and media accounts of Gothic culture have overlooked the significance of this celebratory strain of 'Happy Gothic'.Identifying a shift in subcultural sensibilities following media coverage of the Columbine shootings, Spooner suggests that changing perceptions of Goth subculture have shaped the development of 21st-century Gothic. Reading these contemporary trends back into their sources, Spooner also explores how they serve to highlight previously neglected strands of comedy and romance in earlier Gothic literature.

    LESS than 3 years after the release of Bram Stokers novel Dracula, Whitby is tormented by a diehard fan who sees Dracula as his role model; and it isn’t long before womenare being murdered, and the residents of Whitby are scared to leave their homes.WHEN a young lady from London, who has travelled to Whitby with her new husband, is targeted, it is a race against time to catch this cloaked monster before he kills again.

    Dorian returns to one of his former universities, having been summoned by his old friend, Adam Notting. Instead, he is greeted by BEAUTY: the product of Notting's research into artificial intelligence. But is BEAUTY all it seems to be? And what of the BEAST...? Note: The Confessions of Dorian Gray contains adult material and is not suitable for younger listeners.

    What begins as an icy exchange, born of weariness, becomes within minutes one of the most extraordinary encounters of her life. It will take her on a journey deep into her past and towards the fateful assignation that already awaits her on the other side of the night.Set amid the elegance and sophistication of the Belle Époque, and the Gothic splendour of late Victorian England, ‘The Hours Before’ is a story of drama, mystery and romance, revealing a hidden world of vice and malevolence – but also a pathway of transformation and knowledge.[image]Video Trailer

    Translated to English, French, Spanish, German and Italian. Sweet nightmares!

    One day is all it took to change everything she ever knew. Never knowing her past, Khalida, is thrown into a world of vampires and just not any vampires, ones who will hunt to the end to kill her. Everyone around her is in danger and she must fight to protect those she loves. Thrust into the chaos, Luke, a boy whom she could never walk completely away from, one who would give his life to protect hers. And Carey, the ex-boyfriend who will stop at nothing to make sure that the darkness that surrounds Khalida succeeds in taking everything away from her. Though, Luke, would take on the world to save her, can he help Khalida save her from herself?

    Once there, she discovers that her fellow officers are otherworldly beings, and they police the supernatural world. They have called her in as the first human to ever work at Caledonia Interpol. Her job is to investigate a crime considered unimaginable to the Fae: the first serial killing of supernaturals. Urban fantasy pairing the grit and dark humour of everyday modern Glasgow with Scottish folklore, Caledonia follows Leah and her Victorian selkie partner, Dorian Grey, as they investigate supernatural crime in Scotland's city of culture.

    They may also be running from reality itself, as they seem to have acquired a new friend in the form of a talking cartoon bunny rabbit called Craig. As Craig grows bigger and bigger, the girls soon discover exactly what kind of creature has joined them on their adventure. Running away is not as easy as it seems.Rachael Smith’s follow up to the acclaimed House Party is a surreal and affecting coming-of-age tale that captures the wonder and vulnerability of youth. Both funny and sinister, familiar yet fantastical. You won’t soon forget The Rabbit.

    This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

    John and his fiancée prepare to marry, his family is blackmailed by a former acquaintance. Hoping to set things straight, he accepts an invitation to dine at the Blackmailer’s family estate.But how many should die...Estelle agrees to accompany Benedict, but nothing prepares her for the mysteries and bodies she stumbles across during her time at Hawthorne Hall.Before the shocking truth is exposed? Hawthorne Hall holds many secrets, but will Estelle and Benedict escape to see the day their union is blessed, or will they succumb to an untimely end?

    A. Opperman immediately places himself in the forefront of contemporary weird verse. Deeply influenced by Clark Ashton Smith, George Sterling, and other masters of the form, Opperman nonetheless reveals a vibrancy and originality of outlook that stamps his poetry as very much his own. A master of several of the most rigorous forms of metrical poetry—the sonnet, the quatrain, the rhyming couplet—Opperman's poetic brilliance conveys, seemingly without effort, images of terror, gruesomeness, and bleak melancholy. The book concludes with tributes to Opperman by D. L. Myers and Ashley Dioses.

    Labeled as the White Witch, cursed from her father’s sins, Lady Victoria Orpha Leslie lives in constant fear of her cold-hearted peers, a spoiled cousin, and an aggressive uncle, the Duke of Basingstoke. But there is something much darker, more evil to dread. Having a sixth sense she feels and sees things only found in nightmares. On the night of a grand ball her life changes forever, with the appearance of the mysterious and devilishly handsome Earl of Stone. Fate is altered, in a very dangerous way. If his maroon suit, scarlet top hat, pale skin, stark black hair and the most eerie set of silver eyes she had ever beheld weren't enough to give her caution, then the silver violin strapped to his hip should have. Victoria is immediately thrust into a world where good and evil wrestle with each other and danger is as real as her fluttering heart every time she looks at him. Her traitorous desires soften for the demon musician who is fighting every second for his soul. In a harsh turn of events where betrayal taints the bounds of destiny, Victoria is thrust forward 200 years, with no memory of her past life. An institution on California Island, a secluded research zone for the insane. Had she really been an elaborate experiment? What was real, and what was not?!. Angry with a vengeance she couldn’t control, she vows for revenge. She has two weeks, and surrendering her heart once again was part of her strategy.

    Explore the horrifying depths of being buried alive, experience the vengeance of a girl made of fire, and elucidate your mind from the confines of sanity into the warmth of passion and madness.

    (UF / NA) With only his mother for company, rural isolation in East Texas was as boring and bleak a life as Christian could imagine. The most exciting thing to look forward to were monthly visits from the nice old lady who took his mother shopping in town. After being subjected to a bizarre and humiliating birthday ritual, Christian leaves home to think things through, and when the opportunity for adventure presents itself, he jumps at the chance. But being on his own is more terrifying than a sheltered and naïve teenager would ever have dreamed.Miraculously surviving a brutal attack in a bus station restroom, Christian finds himself being hunted across the country by an ancient, bloodthirsty evil, putting him and those he cares for in mortal peril. Homeless and alone, he is befriended by a group of streetwise kids but danger still lurks around every corner.He must quickly learn to navigate the hazards of the gritty streets of New York City if he is going to survive the tough Punk music scene long enough to discover his destiny. Can he survive on the street? Will he find the life of adventure he hoped for? And what the hell does OMFUG mean anyway?Oh… and there’s vampires.**Due to mature subject matter, this book is intended for readers 18 years of age or older.**

    The literary critic S. T. Joshi stated, "His work is more consistently meritorious than any weird writer's except Dunsany's."The Algernon Blackwood Collection features: The CentaurJimbo: A FantasyThe Human ChordA Prisoner In FairylandThe Extra DayJulius Levallon: An EpisodeThe Bright MessengerThe Wave: An Egyptian AftermathThe Promise Of AirThe Garden Of SurvivalThe WillowsThe WendigoThe DamnedThe Man Whom The Trees LovedThe Insanity Of JonesThe Man Who Found OutThe Glamour Of The SnowSandThree John Silence StoriesThree More John Silence StoriesThe Empty HouseA Haunted IslandA Case Of EavesdroppingKeeping His PromiseWith Intent To StealThe Wood Of The DeadSmith: An Episode In A Lodging-HouseA Suspicious GiftThe Strange Adventures Of A Private Secretary In New YorkSkeleton Lake: An Episode In CampThe TrystThe Touch Of PanThe Wings Of HorusInitiationA Desert EpisodeThe Other WingThe Occupant Of The RoomCain’s AtonementAn Egyptian HornetBy WaterH. S. H.A Bit Of WoodTransitionThe TraditionThe Wolves Of GodChinese MagicRunning WolfFirst HateThe Tarn Of SacrificeThe Valley Of The BeastsThe CallEgyptian SorceryThe DecoyThe Man Who Found OutThe Empty SleeveWireless ConfusionConfessionThe Lane That Ran East And Westand“Vengeance Is Mine”

    Jaded by her boring life with her busybody grandmother, Gertrude enters the Phantom Train and begins her gothic adventures as they intertwine and weave a dark maze around her, all involving a supernatural elixir.

    Irregularity and the grotesque have been associated with Gothic architecture and are also indicative of wayward flesh and its deformities. Through an investigation of the body and its oppression by the church, the medical profession and the state, this book reveals the actual horrors lying beneath fictional horror in settings as diverse as the monastic community, slave plantation, operating theatre, Jewish ghetto and battlefield trench. Original readings of canonical Gothic literary and film texts include The Castle of Otranto, The Monk, Frankenstein, Dracula and Nosferatu. This collection of fictionalised dangerous bodies will be traced back to the effects of the English Reformation, Spanish Inquisition, French Revolution, Caribbean slavery, Victorian medical malpractice, European anti-Semitism and finally warfare, ranging from the Crimean up to the Vietnam War. Dangerous Bodies demonstrates how the Gothic corpus is haunted by a tangible sense of corporeality, often at its most visceral. Chapters set out to vocalise specific body parts such as skin, genitals, the nose and eyes, as well as blood. The endangered or dangerous body lies at the centre of the clash between victim and persecutor and has generated tales of terror and narratives of horror, which function to either salve, purge or dangerously perpetuate such oppositions. This ground-breaking book will be of interest to academics and students of Gothic studies, gender and film studies and especially to readers interested in the relationship between history and literature.

    Gifted with uncanny abilities, yet also cursed with the taint of madness, Dominic must walk a fine line. After the horror of his past, his fractured soul is safe only in solitude…until one day, his refuge is irrevocably breached by an ethereal beauty haunted by demons of her own. Dominic is torn between protecting himself and his brothers from exposure and persecution and following the desires of his heart...

    For her grief-stricken parents the true story of their daughter's life is about to begin.Her father, slowly demolishing the world around him, tries to eradicate painful memories by throwing out his lifelong collection of film memorabilia. Her mother is convinced Frieda has been reincarnated as a new born foal.But Frieda isn't dead. She is travelling Europe hoping to rescue her father's discarded collection. A journey of redemption that takes her to Nice, Prague, Turin and Vienna, where she meets a crooked dealer in antique silverware, joins a funeral party full of mourners who can't stop laughing, falls in love with a beautiful marionette, and discovers a plan to destroy the legacy of Mozart.The One Rule of Magic explores Frieda's attempts to make amends for the crimes of her old life, come to terms with what she has become, and prepare her parents for the bizarre truth surrounding their daughter's disappearance.

    Each episode will release on a weekly basis barring any publication issues*** Erica Marks knows there are things that lurk in the dark. At the age of fourteen, she watched the man she loved like a father ritualistically murder her cousin to gain a deadly power. The rest of that night is a black hole in her memory. Police reports marked her as the only survivor of the Carnival of Horrors Serial Killer, Edgar Clairborne, but deep in her soul Erica knows he's still out there. Waiting. Ten years later, the murders begin once more and the victims scream for her to avenge them from beyond the grave, to lay them to rest. The twisted darkness longs for Erica's blood, reanimating the corpses of the victims, and forcing her to take a stand or die. Every drop of blood spilled ties her closer to the realm of the dead, leaving behind more questions than answers. Answers only a stranger seems to posses. One man, the mysterious, sexy, and very dangerous Jules Desbois, knows the answers to the murderer's return, but he has secrets of his own. Secrets that go into Erica's past and force the duo to return to the abandoned Carnival of Horrors where it all began. The attraction that ignites between them pulses with a life of its own, one laced with danger that threatens to destroy them both. Should Erica trust Jules or does the darkness in his heart hide a more sinister purpose?

    But Jackie's no normal seventeen-year-old. She picks up emotions from people and objects like a freak. The emotions make her sick, and the guilt she feels for lying to her church when she was twelve causes her to deny her psychic abilities. So Jackie goes goth to make others stay away from her and forget her past. But her past is soon resurrected when her jealous friend Trish invites a demon, a persecutor of healers, to steal away Jason's love for Jackie. The demon causes Jackie to be bullied for the lie she told and puts her best friend, Jason, in danger. Jackie must learn how to use her gift to protect Jason and herself and to heal the negative energies of those around her. To do so means she must overcome her guilt and accept who she is before the demon claims her soul.

    As events unfold, her obsessions begin to turn on her, and force Victoria to question her sanity. Is she simply slipping into madness, or are there other factors at play?The Portrait features a mixture of contemporary and historical scenes brought forward as Victoria explores the world of her muse. Using both prose and art, every scene yields a new piece of the puzzle, which provides insights on the origins of her character’s portrait, and the model within.Discover how a vision from the past becomes a writer’s deadly obsession.

    They were abridgements, so shorter versions, of Gothic novels which made them very cheap. These tiny tales of terror were often set in dark castles, cursed abbeys, and haunted houses. This year’s collection is called the Cursed Edition because many of the places featured hold an imprint of something terrible that happened. Many also feature cursed buildings, houses - and people. Some people use the word ‘curse’ jokingly, but some religions, beliefs and cultures do believe that objects, places, and people can become overwhelmed by misfortune. It’s often thought that people can place curses on others, or on objects with the hope that harm and hurt will be inflicted. Whether or not you believe in curses there are those that not only believe in them but believe they can place them – so beware. In this collection you will find haunted and cursed hotels, an old woman who enjoys to knit quietly – keeping her dark secret guarded. There is a meeting with Robert the Doll – believe created with Voodoo, and of course there is a meeting with our dear friend Death. We hope that you enjoy this, our fifth Gothic Blue Book – The Cursed Edition featuring fiction by Maria Alexander and poetry Stephanie M. Wytovich. Cynthia (cina) PelayoGravedigger/PublisherBurial Day Books

    Obsessions become manias. And sometimes, manias turn into nightmares. What happens when one wants so badly that all else, including sanity and self, is consumed by the bonfires of desire? What happens when one achieves the dream, only to discover the nightmares lurking behind the illusions? Firbolg Publishing's fifth anthology, Enter at Your Own Risk: Dreamscapes into Darkness, explores the old adage of "Be Careful What You Wish For." Journey down wishful thinking's twisted pathways and discover what dark ends and detours await-with an introduction from Daniel Knauf, and featuring stories from D.H. Lawrence, Mary Shelley, A.M. Burrage, H.P. Lovecraft, and more Gothic masters from yesteryear and today... enter at your own risk, and be careful not to make a wish!

    This book is horrifying. This book is cunning. This book is edgy, seductive, violent, fiendish, indecent, and unfair. This collection is a work of fiction. Consider yourself trigger warned.

    Indigenous native peoples around the world held beliefs about shamans and witch doctors who could transform themselves into animals. The ancient Egyptians worshiped a whole pantheon of animal-headed gods. The superstitious folk of medieval Europe believed that a witch or a gypsy could curse a man to become a werewolf by night. Pacific islanders told tales of men changing into sharks. Certain African peoples feared leopard men.Coming from all over the world and from every culture, werebeast legends naturally vary. Among the ways said to become a werewolf include being bitten by a werewolf, being bitten by a normal wolf, a potion or curse from a gypsy or a witch, a family curse, a genetic disorder, drinking rainwater from the paw print of a wolf, wearing an enchanted pelt made from wolfskin, through a pact with Satan or a demon, through the act of cannibalism, etc. Some werewolves have no memory or control over their change while others do. Some change only by the light of a full moon while others can change at any time. Some werewolves look like normal wolves, some look like giant wolves, and still others are mutant man-beasts. Some are solitary and some live and hunt in packs or clans.Herein are gathered a number of tales portraying the glorious and bestial nature of the werewolf. There are horror, sci-fi, Gothic, cyber, fairy tale, and fantasy stories and poems that embrace the essence of the beast, told by an assortment of scribes with diverse styles and voices.Now the Full Harvest Moon is rising and the soft wail of the autumnal wind begins…Edited by Scott David AniolowskiIncluding stories:The Wolves Outside the Cage by Abraham KawaThirteen by Alyne de WinterThe Hunting of Philip Ackroyd by Josh ReynoldsAdjustment by Paul L. BatesAgainst a Sea of Brilliant White by Michael MathesonArcadia by Donald Jacob UitvlugtBest Left Buried by Evan DickenWolfGang by Glynn BarrassHappy? by Daryl WayneHellhound by Aurelio Rico Lopez IIIHer Mother’s Fur by Rebecca L. BrownInto the Moonlight by Donald R. BurlesonLast Night... by Eric J. GuignardAt Long Last by Mollie L. BurlesonLucy Still Eats Meat by Michael PenkasMalediction of the Moon by T. Fox DunhamMoonburn by Robert M. PriceWerewolf Root Canal by Lois GreshOver Exposure by Jonathan TemplarTeenage Werewolf by Catharine Clark-SaylesThe Shrieking Shack by Richard L. TierneyWolf by Ernest WalwynThe Better to Type With, My Dear by Megan EngelhardtThe Blood of the Moon by Caitlin WalshThe Bone Cruncher by Karen GillardThe Clothes Maketh by Juliet BoydThe Vestals by Ann K. SchwaderThe Wolfgirl in the Cupboard by Gitte ChristensenMr. Lupus by T.E. Grau

    Yet, despite the unquestioned significance of the Graveyard Poets, critical attention has been scant, and until now there has been no anthology of their writings.The Graveyard School: An Anthology features works by thirty-three authors and provides a broad and comprehensive examination of the phenomenon of Graveyard poetry. Included are seminal works, such as Robert Blair’s “The Grave”, Thomas Parnell’s “A Night Piece on Death”, and excerpts from Edward Young’s Night Thoughts, as well as once-popular but now little-remembered poems by authors like Mark Akenside, James Beattie and William Collins. Of particular interest in this collection is its inclusion and discussion of authors not normally associated with the Graveyard School, such as Alexander Pope, William Wordsworth and Washington Irving, as well as a number of female poets, among them Susanna Blamire and Charlotte Smith.Edited by Prof. Jack G. Voller, who provides an introduction and extensive annotations throughout, this volume of melancholy and macabre verse is certain to be welcomed by scholars and students of 18th-century and Gothic literature, as well as those readers interested in the darker side of literature.

    Giger that very few artists dare to explore. Nekro, however, has ventured back into this territory and has returned with a spectacular new volume which exhibits the significant evolution his artwork has undergone and confirms his place as one of today's most important fantasy illustrators. Without letting go of his particular style, Nekro has improved on all levels, his images overflowing with symbolism and detail which force the reader to stop and contemplate them while trying to decipher the many mysteries that are held within. A spectacular edition with more than 60 previously unpublished illustrations, as well as a collection of his most recent book cover art and other collaborations, XIII includes an explanation of his creative process in addition to texts by Luis Royo and Victoria Franc�s, among others.

    Behind the manse lies Silma Hill, crowned with a circle of ancient standing stones.Old Sangster unearths a pagan icon in the peat beneath Silma Hill and hands it over to Burnett, who plans to write a paper on it for the Historical Antiquities Society. Hours after finding the relic, Sangster is found dead. Fiona is drawn into accusations of witchcraft, fuelled by hatred of her father.As hysteria in the village builds, will Fiona’s father be able to put aside his pride to save his daughter? Or will she be consumed by the fire of anger, fear and superstition that has enveloped Abdale?‘An atmospheric evocation of an earlier age we might suppose lost if it didn’t feel so lived-in. The true terror of the tale lies in what it tells us of ourselves today – as morally equivocal as ever.’ Ronald Frame, author of Havisham and The Lantern Bearers.‘Silma Hill should be required reading.’Scotland on Sunday‘An enthralling and thought-provoking tale.’Blue Book Balloon‘Maloney weaves a tight plot and is economical in his writing.’The Skinny‘Engagingly disturbing … and leaves the reader asking questions about the nature of society and the role of religion and belief. The story is in many respects timeless.’Undiscovered Scotland‘It is clear Mr Maloney has thoroughly researched the subject and therefore it is an interesting work … an enjoyable read and good story.’Press and Journal

    They went to high school together where they both were on the football team. Sammy was the starting quarterback while Bill sat on the sidelines as his backup. Sammy married Rachel, the woman Bill was in love with throughout high school. Bill now lives a lone, strange enough, next door to Sam, his lovely wife, and their thee adorable kids. One night when Bill was drunk, he hears a strange noise coming from the ceiling above his office. When he investigates he finds something strange. A toy chest. Bill investigates to find the toys to not only be alive, but violent as well. He then conjures up a scheme that is both sinister an deadly.

    It all starts when he brings the sole survivor of a mysterious accident into his household. Soon people close to Lord Welton begin to disappear and a tenebrous danger falls upon the one he loves the most.

    Masterful, profound, and full of spirit, The Gorge is literary entertainment of the highest order.

    As an infant I wept and trembled as I looked into their transparently truthful depths. My favourite game as a child was to walk up and down the room or the garden, holding a mirror in front of me, gazing into its abyss, walking over the edge at every step, and breathless with giddiness and terror. Even as a girl I began to put mirrors all over my room, large and small ones, true and slightly distorted ones, some precise and others a little dull. I got into the habit of spending whole hours, whole days, in the midst of intercrossing worlds which ran one into the other, trembled, vanished, and then reappeared again. It became a singular passion of mine to give my body to these soundless distances, these echoless perspectives, these separate universes cutting across our own and existing, despite our consciousness, in the same place and at the same time with it. This protracted actuality, separated from us by the smooth surface of glass, drew me towards itself by a kind of intangible touch, dragged me forward, as to an abyss, a mystery. I was drawn towards the apparition which always rose up before me when I came near a mirror and which strangely doubled my being. I strove to guess how this other woman was differentiated from myself, how it was possible that my right hand should be her left, and that all the fingers of this hand should change places, though certainly on one of them was—my wedding-ring.

    As one can guess, she wants out. To get reassigned to Paradise, she needs to unlock her mysterious past. A boy named Tuck is very much alive and willing to help her in exchange for his own ethereal answers. As the pair travel around the world to cut through the red tape of Hell's bureaucracy, they befriend an odd collection of demons and creatures. Focused on their own quest, they step right into Satan's plan for retirement...if he can just survive long enough to get there. But who exactly wants him eliminated? Or maybe a better question for the sake of saving time, who doesn't? Damini and Tuck need answers fast to keep Hell from falling under the control of someone really bad. Yes, that's right, worse than Satan.