The Classic Ghost Stories Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

This is for Terry Illikainen. No commentar.y As an experiment, I will do the commentary as a separate post. In a sombre Elizabethan pile above Lake Windermere, the air is thick with more than just decay. Miss Prunella Pendleham, the last of a long line, watches her companion, Amelia, wither into a gaunt and listless shadow. Amelia is the sixth companion; three before her never left these walls alive. Amidst the rattle of mountain rain, thin, high screams echo through the stone-vaulted halls. Is it the onset of madness, or is the house reclaiming a brutal, hidden history? As the light fades, the only certainty is the tightening grip of a terror that will have its say. The Triumph of Death first appeared in The Arkham Sampler, Autumn 1949. It was later collected in Strayers from Sheol (1961) and The Best Ghost Stories of H. Russell Wakefield (1978). H. Russell Wakefield (1888--1964) was an English writer best known for his unsettling ghost stories. Drawing on clerical, military, and publishing-world experience, he brought a sharp psychological edge to the classic British supernatural tale. 📚 Buy my paperbacks here: https://books.by/tony-walker-books 🎙️ Buy my ebooks and audiobooks here: payhip.com/TheClassicGhostStoriesPodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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The Classic Ghost Stories Newsletter — short essays on the genre, odd discoveries, and recommendations. Free, fortnightly. Subscribe: https://www.classicghost.com/#/portal

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*Intro and Outro Music by The Heartwood Institute* 🎼 https://bit.ly/somecomeback 

Tom Enderby is a widower who would like to remarry. There is nothing unusual in that. He has found a woman he is fond of, a gentle and pretty woman who is fond of him in return. There is nothing unusual in that either. What is unusual is what keeps happening to the white linen. His first wife Gloriana has been dead for four years. She asked only one thing of him before she died — a small, strange, domestic request — and he honoured it. He made no promises. He is bound by nothing. And yet. H. D. Everett's "The Death Mask" is a ghost story about what we owe the dead, and about the debts that accumulate, unnoticed, in the ordinary fabric of a marriage. The fabric, in this case, is quite literal. --- "The Death Mask" was first published in 1920 as the title story of *The Death-Mask and Other Ghosts* (London: Philip Allan, Quality Court, Chancery Lane), issued under the name Mrs. H. D. Everett. Henrietta Dorothy Everett (1851–1923) was an English writer of supernatural fiction and historical novels who published her first book at the age of forty-four under the male pseudonym Theo Douglas, and whose ghost stories drew admiring notice from both M. R. James and H. P. Lovecraft. ⭐ Join my Patreon ⭐ https://patreon.com/barcud Go here for a library of ad-free stories, a monthly members only story and early access to the regular stories I put out.  You can choose to have ghost stories only, or detective stories or classic literature, or all of them for either $5 or $10 a month.  Many hundreds of hours of stories. Who needs Audible? Or, if you'd just like to make a one-off gesture of thanks for my work https://buymeacoffee.com/10mn8sk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-classic-ghost-stories-podcast--7002956/support.

*To buy my paperback books:* https://books.by/tony-walker-books

The Classic Ghost Stories Newsletter — short essays on the genre, odd discoveries, and recommendations. Free, fortnightly. Subscribe: https://www.classicghost.com/#/portal

 To buy my ebooks and audiobooks: payhip.com/TheClassicGhostStoriesPodcast

Or, if you'd just like to make a one-off gesture of thanks for my work https://buymeacoffee.com/10mn8sk 

*Intro and Outro Music by The Heartwood Institute* 🎼 https://bit.ly/somecomeback 

A young doctor, recovering from illness, is sent to the Derbyshire hills for his health. He takes lodgings at a remote farm, where he notices the family's reluctance to discuss the valley below. There's a Roman mine nearby that no one acknowledges, and a particular opening in the earth that unsettles him. His diary records what starts as mild interest in local folklore. But as he explores the mine workings beneath the Blue John caverns, his entries shift. The question becomes less about what might exist in the old tunnels, and more about what happens to a man who goes looking for it. First published in The Strand Magazine in August 1910, “The Terror of Blue John Gap” was later collected in The Last Galley: Impressions and Tales in 1911. It draws on the real Blue John Cavern near Castleton, with its distinctive banded fluorite. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859–1930) was a Scottish physician and author, best known as the creator of Sherlock Holmes. Beyond detective fiction, he wrote historical novels, science‑fiction romances, and a rich vein of ghostly and weird tales. Get the last copies of the first edition of Once in a Haunted House, our print magazine. Not many left! Here: https://payhip.com/b/fE1Gz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-classic-ghost-stories-podcast--7002956/support.

*To buy my paperback books:* https://books.by/tony-walker-books

The Classic Ghost Stories Newsletter — short essays on the genre, odd discoveries, and recommendations. Free, fortnightly. Subscribe: https://www.classicghost.com/#/portal

 To buy my ebooks and audiobooks: payhip.com/TheClassicGhostStoriesPodcast

Or, if you'd just like to make a one-off gesture of thanks for my work https://buymeacoffee.com/10mn8sk 

*Intro and Outro Music by The Heartwood Institute* 🎼 https://bit.ly/somecomeback 

19 Great Hanover Street by Lillie Harris In the shadows of Victorian England, 19 Great Hanover Street stands as a silent witness to unspeakable horrors. Dr. Alan Forsyth, a man of science and reason, finds his convictions challenged as he confronts a terrifying presence that defies explanation. As the boundary between the living and the dead blurs, Forsyth must unravel the dark history of his new residence before it claims him as its next victim. Lillie Harris weaves a chilling tale that explores the limits of rationality and the power of the unknown, leaving readers questioning what truly lurks in the corners of their own homes Thanks to Ed Winter for sponsoring this episode. ⭐ Join my Patreon ⭐ https://patreon.com/barcud Go here for a library of ad-free stories, a monthly members only story and early access to the regular stories I put out.  You can choose to have ghost stories only, or detective stories or classic literature, or all of them for either $5 or $10 a month.  Many hundreds of hours of stories. Who needs Audible? Or, if you'd just like to make a one-off gesture of thanks for my work https://buymeacoffee.com/10mn8sk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-classic-ghost-stories-podcast--7002956/support.

*To buy my paperback books:* https://books.by/tony-walker-books

The Classic Ghost Stories Newsletter — short essays on the genre, odd discoveries, and recommendations. Free, fortnightly. Subscribe: https://www.classicghost.com/#/portal

 To buy my ebooks and audiobooks: payhip.com/TheClassicGhostStoriesPodcast

Or, if you'd just like to make a one-off gesture of thanks for my work https://buymeacoffee.com/10mn8sk 

*Intro and Outro Music by The Heartwood Institute* 🎼 https://bit.ly/somecomeback 

In the quiet, rural expanse of Eastern England, a young man unexpectedly inherits an old, isolated estate filled with mysteries long buried by time. As Mr Humphreys explores his newfound inheritance, a labyrinthine maze within the garden begins to reveal profound, unsettling secrets. With every step deeper into the maze's heart, the line between past and present blurs, unveiling a haunting legacy that threatens to consume more than just his curiosity. Join Humphreys as he uncovers the chilling echo of his family's history and the malevolent forces lurking in the shadows of Wilsthorpe Hall. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-classic-ghost-stories-podcast--7002956/support.

*To buy my paperback books:* https://books.by/tony-walker-books

The Classic Ghost Stories Newsletter — short essays on the genre, odd discoveries, and recommendations. Free, fortnightly. Subscribe: https://www.classicghost.com/#/portal

 To buy my ebooks and audiobooks: payhip.com/TheClassicGhostStoriesPodcast

Or, if you'd just like to make a one-off gesture of thanks for my work https://buymeacoffee.com/10mn8sk 

*Intro and Outro Music by The Heartwood Institute* 🎼 https://bit.ly/somecomeback 

Thanks to Ed W. for sponsoring this classic Victorian tale. In Victorian London, a once-grand mansion holds secrets that span generations. When Edgar Stainton inherits the property, he uncovers more than just dust and decay. Charlotte Riddell's "The Walnut-Tree House" weaves a tale of a child's ghost, a missing will, and long-buried family truths. Through her nuanced storytelling, Riddell examines the injustices of 19th-century society, using the supernatural to illuminate very real human struggles. This is a story where the past refuses to stay silent, and where redemption comes from unexpected places. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-classic-ghost-stories-podcast--7002956/support.

*To buy my paperback books:* https://books.by/tony-walker-books

The Classic Ghost Stories Newsletter — short essays on the genre, odd discoveries, and recommendations. Free, fortnightly. Subscribe: https://www.classicghost.com/#/portal

 To buy my ebooks and audiobooks: payhip.com/TheClassicGhostStoriesPodcast

Or, if you'd just like to make a one-off gesture of thanks for my work https://buymeacoffee.com/10mn8sk 

*Intro and Outro Music by The Heartwood Institute* 🎼 https://bit.ly/somecomeback 

Deep within the Special Books Collection of a time-honored Scottish university, a darkly potent grimoire is secured under lock and iron in an ominously silent room. Previously owned by John, 3rd Earl of Gowrie, a notorious black magic practitioner, the book radiates a malignant presence, its malevolent forces palpably stretching beyond its confinement. Maitland Allan, the sole custodian with access to the key, feels an escalating dread over the powerful tome’s influence. Driven by a mounting sense of responsibility, he seeks out an unlikely ally—an underappreciated colleague from a distant department. In the shadowy enclave of special collections, Maitland reveals the daunting legacy of his burden, hoping to find solace and solution in shared counsel. ⭐ Join my Patreon ⭐ https://patreon.com/barcud Go here for a library of ad-free stories, a monthly members only story and early access to the regular stories I put out.  You can choose to have ghost stories only, or detective stories or classic literature, or all of them for either $5 or $10 a month.  Many hundreds of hours of stories. Who needs Audible? Or, if you'd just like to make a one-off gesture of thanks for my work https://buymeacoffee.com/10mn8sk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-classic-ghost-stories-podcast--7002956/support.

*To buy my paperback books:* https://books.by/tony-walker-books

The Classic Ghost Stories Newsletter — short essays on the genre, odd discoveries, and recommendations. Free, fortnightly. Subscribe: https://www.classicghost.com/#/portal

 To buy my ebooks and audiobooks: payhip.com/TheClassicGhostStoriesPodcast

Or, if you'd just like to make a one-off gesture of thanks for my work https://buymeacoffee.com/10mn8sk 

*Intro and Outro Music by The Heartwood Institute* 🎼 https://bit.ly/somecomeback 

Prepare to be captivated by M.E. Braddon's "The Shadow in the Corner," a masterpiece of Victorian Gothic fiction that will send shivers down your spine. This chilling tale follows the arrival of Maria, a young servant girl, at the foreboding Wildheath Grange. As she settles into her new role, Maria becomes increasingly aware of a mysterious presence that seems to haunt the very walls of the ancient house. Braddon's expert prose builds an atmosphere of creeping dread, blending psychological tension with hints of the supernatural. More than just a ghost story, this narrative offers a compelling glimpse into the social dynamics of 19th-century England, touching on themes of class, gender, and the unseen burdens carried by those on society's margins. Let our narration transport you to a world where the line between reality and the unknown grows ever thinner, and where the shadows in the corner may be more than mere tricks of the light. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-classic-ghost-stories-podcast--7002956/support.

*To buy my paperback books:* https://books.by/tony-walker-books

The Classic Ghost Stories Newsletter — short essays on the genre, odd discoveries, and recommendations. Free, fortnightly. Subscribe: https://www.classicghost.com/#/portal

 To buy my ebooks and audiobooks: payhip.com/TheClassicGhostStoriesPodcast

Or, if you'd just like to make a one-off gesture of thanks for my work https://buymeacoffee.com/10mn8sk 

*Intro and Outro Music by The Heartwood Institute* 🎼 https://bit.ly/somecomeback 

In "The Quest of Iranon," follow the mysterious traveler Iranon as he embarks on a relentless search for a mythical city shrouded in beauty and enigma. Prepare to be spellbound by the surreal landscapes he traverses, the enigmatic beings he encounters, and the eerie truths he unveils along the way. This tale promises to unravel the boundaries between reality and dreams in a way that will leave you questioning your own perceptions. "The Quest of Iranon" occupies a unique place in H.P. Lovecraft's fiction, showcasing his profound exploration of themes such as longing, existential introspection, and the illusory nature of dreams. While not as overtly cosmic or macabre as some of his other works, this story delves into the psychological and emotional complexities of its protagonist, Iranon, offering a glimpse into Lovecraft's fascination with the human psyche and the transient nature of earthly experiences. Within the tapestry of Lovecraft's mythos, "The Quest of Iranon" stands out as a poignant and introspective narrative that blends elements of fantasy and existential contemplation, inviting readers to ponder the fragile boundaries between reality and fantasy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-classic-ghost-stories-podcast--7002956/support.

*To buy my paperback books:* https://books.by/tony-walker-books

The Classic Ghost Stories Newsletter — short essays on the genre, odd discoveries, and recommendations. Free, fortnightly. Subscribe: https://www.classicghost.com/#/portal

 To buy my ebooks and audiobooks: payhip.com/TheClassicGhostStoriesPodcast

Or, if you'd just like to make a one-off gesture of thanks for my work https://buymeacoffee.com/10mn8sk 

*Intro and Outro Music by The Heartwood Institute* 🎼 https://bit.ly/somecomeback 

In a moonlit Victorian mansion, a man delves into his family's mysterious past. As night falls, the line between reality and the supernatural begins to blur. When an unwilling friend is drawn into a late-night escapade, he finds himself caught between loyalty and an unsettling presence that seems to permeate the old house. In this chilling tale of family secrets and spectral mysteries, the true nature of inheritance is called into question. As the night deepens, so too does the sense that some legacies are not easily claimed, and some spirits are not ready to relinquish their hold on the living. Will the secrets of the old house be revealed, or will they remain hidden in the shadows of the past? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-classic-ghost-stories-podcast--7002956/support.

*To buy my paperback books:* https://books.by/tony-walker-books

The Classic Ghost Stories Newsletter — short essays on the genre, odd discoveries, and recommendations. Free, fortnightly. Subscribe: https://www.classicghost.com/#/portal

 To buy my ebooks and audiobooks: payhip.com/TheClassicGhostStoriesPodcast

Or, if you'd just like to make a one-off gesture of thanks for my work https://buymeacoffee.com/10mn8sk 

*Intro and Outro Music by The Heartwood Institute* 🎼 https://bit.ly/somecomeback