The Jamesian Break in Ghost Stories
Before the Break There was a Jamesian break in the ghost story model that happened around 1900. This really came home to me as I Read More
Tag: M. R. James
The House on the Marsh: Mythos Mimic
“The House on the Marsh” by Fredrick Cowles is a good Mythos mimic. I found it while spending some time with Michel Parry’s excellent Mayflower Read More
December’s Shivery Hand Upon Us
December’s shivery hand upon us and you know what that means…ghost stories. Unlike my fellow North Americans I do not subscribe to October as the Read More
Impossible Crimes: The Horror-Stained Mystery
Impossible Crimes are Mystery stories that appear to be supernatural but turn out to be explainable. These stories have a way of shoving people off Read More
Link: Do You Believe in Ghosts?
“Do I believe in ghosts? No, but I’m afraid of them.” Thus is the modern attitude toward all things ghostly, as stated by the Marquise Read More
Into Outer Darkness
H. Russell Wakefield (1888-1964) is the third man in a triumvirate of English ghost story writers. The first two are M. R. James and E. Read More
Link: A Lesson in Squidgy History
We are creeped out by cold, slimy limbs, flesh that lacks bones. I recently experienced this feeling first-hand while snorkeling, when I got to touch Read More
John Dickson Carr and M. R. James
John Dickson Carr John Dickson Carr (1906-1977) belongs to the Golden Age of mystery writing. Though perhaps not as well known today as he once Read More
A Science Fiction Double Feature
The iconic lyrics to the opening song of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, “Science Fiction Double Feature” does a great job of summarizing the favorite Read More
The James Gang: Ghost Story Writers
Montague Rhodes James (1862-1936) is in my opinion the greatest of all the ghost story writers. The Cambridge don began a tradition of writing a Read More