Haunted by his past as a once-respected Oxford professor, Mandrake Smith struggles with his current life in Morecambe, where he grapples with alcoholism and disturbing memories from Papua New Guinea. As he attempts to escape his demons, he becomes embroiled in a chilling series of supernatural events linked to mysterious corpses found in ancient graves at St. Patrick's Chapel. This gripping narrative explores themes of memory, redemption, and the intersection of the past with the supernatural.
Set against the backdrop of a gritty Chicago alley, a private investigator stumbles upon a chilling poster for "The Sorcery of Chung-Fu," featuring disturbing imagery that hints at perilous magic. As he delves deeper into the case, he questions whether the enigmatic Chung-Fu is linked to a series of unsettling disappearances. This collection of five supernatural horror stories weaves a tapestry of mystery and the macabre, showcasing the talents of an emerging voice in weird fiction.
In a remote Welsh village, Detective Inspector Bernard Owen investigates a series of mysterious disappearances linked to the ominous Dyrysgol Castle and its reclusive owner, Viscount Ravenwood. As local superstitions heighten tensions, Owen must navigate fear and suspicion to uncover the truth. The case intensifies when another man vanishes, leaving behind a car marked with strange claw prints. This gripping tale is part of a unique collection that includes other chilling stories like "The Doll" and "Army of the Damned."
A bizarre and chilling incident unfolds as a man spontaneously combusts on a park bench, leaving behind only ashes and his severed head. Detective Inspector John Dryer faces a perplexing investigation to determine if this was a murder or a tragic accident. This gripping tale is part of a collection of supernatural mysteries that also includes stories like "Souls of the Frozen" and "Pale Lilac," showcasing the author's knack for weaving eerie narratives. Perfect for fans of the macabre and mysterious.
The story revolves around accountant Michael Parker, whose dramatic death by bus collision is initially deemed a suicide after witnesses report his odd behavior. However, the absence of any medical causes raises questions about the true nature of his demise. As the investigation unfolds, it hints at deeper mysteries and potential foul play, challenging the straightforward conclusion and suggesting that there may be more to Michael's tragic end than meets the eye.
The collection features eleven gripping tales that blend elements of horror and fantasy, including shapeshifters, vampires, and mad scientists. Each story offers a unique twist on classic horror themes, such as haunted houses and supernatural investigations, while delivering fast-paced, escapist narratives. Critics praise the vivid graphic horror and the inventive approaches to traditional motifs, marking this anthology as a significant contribution to the genre and showcasing the rise of a promising new voice in horror fantasy writing.
Set against the backdrop of Bulgaria's ancient superstitions and dark folklore, agent Daniel Myers finds himself on the run after fleeing Turkey with crucial secret papers. As he seeks refuge among a secluded gypsy community, he confronts an unsettling atmosphere where modernity clashes with age-old beliefs. The tension escalates as he grapples with the terrifying and inexplicable events that unfold around him, pushing him to the brink of his sanity while evading relentless pursuers.
Richardson had several guided tours that he alternated throughout the week. His favourite was a trip around the Old City, visiting several of the locations where over the years, apparitions had, allegedly, been seen. He would then lead his group into the tunnels and the catacombs beneath street level- into the so-called Undercity; a labyrinthine warren of vaulted, coarse-brick, underground chambers that dated back hundreds of years. In this dark subterranean environment, the poor had lived a squalid, cramped and disease-ridden existence, shut off from the world above. There were countless tales of bloodcurdling horror attached to this place; ones that he would relate and embellish with his own sense of macabre flair... But was it all fiction...?