Episodes
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And so it begins... my run up to Christmas. This isn't a massively Christmassy story though it takes place at Christmas.
Who's really in the lift?
In L.P. Hartley's "Someone in the Lift," a young boy's festive hotel stay turns into a chilling encounter with the unknown. As he repeatedly glimpses a shadowy figure in the elevator, his parents' dismissals only deepen the mystery. The line between childhood imagination and genuine supernatural presence blurs, leading to a haunting climax that defies easy explanation. Hartley's masterful storytelling weaves innocence, fear, and the uncanny into a tapestry of unease that clings to the mind like frost on a winter window.
Listen to this classic ghost story and decide for yourself: is there truly someone in the lift? Ha ha ha ha! (etc)
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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.
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Do The Dead Appear At Noon?
In the leafy paths of Kensington Gardens, where Victorian ladies take their morning walks, one woman feels an impossible touch. Not in darkness, but in searching daylight. Not with terror, but with recognition that defies reason.
Someone watches her from behind curtained windows, measuring time with a doctor's patience. Family ties can bind or strangle, and some kinds of protection leave no visible trace.
Wilkie Collins crafts a story where morning sunshine holds more mysteries than midnight, where what cannot be seen might prove more solid than shadow, and where the line between protection and possession blurs in the space between heartbeats.
Take a while out of your busy day and listen to "Mrs. Zant and the Ghost," where daylight offers no refuge from what waits beyond the veil
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Missing episodes?
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In Charlotte Riddell's "The Old House in Vauxhall Walk," a young man's desperate search for shelter leads him into a world where past and present collide. As Graham Coulton unravels the mysteries of a haunted Victorian mansion, he confronts the spectral remnants of greed, regret, and unfinished business. This ghostly tale weaves together themes of redemption, social responsibility, and the enduring consequences of our choices. Riddell's nuanced approach to the supernatural offers more than mere scares; it presents a poignant reflection on morality and human nature in Victorian society. If you're intrigued by stories that blend historical insight with otherworldly encounters, consider giving this classic ghost story a listen.
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In the shadowy corners of Arkham, where ancient gables loom and whispers of eldritch horrors echo through time-worn streets, lies the infamous Witch House.
Within its warped walls, young Walter Gilman finds himself ensnared in a web of mathematical arcana and otherworldly terror. As he delves deeper into non-Euclidean geometries and the forbidden lore of long-dead sorceress Keziah Mason,
Gilman's fevered dreams begin to blur the boundaries between reality and nightmare. H.P. Lovecraft's "The Dreams in the Witch House" weaves a tale of cosmic dread and insidious witchcraft, where the very fabric of space and time unravels before the protagonist's—and the reader's—horrified gaze.
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In *The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar*, Edgar Allan Poe presents a gripping tale where the boundaries of life and death are pushed in ways both fascinating and unnerving. The story unfolds with clinical precision, yet reveals a deeper, more disturbing reality that lingers long after the last word. If you’re drawn to stories that provoke thought and unsettle in equal measure, this is one you won’t want to miss. Listen now for an experience that quietly questions the limits of science and the mysteries that lie beyond.
⭐ 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
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In the shadowy tunnels of the London Underground, Laura Munro encounters a ghostly figure from the past that will unravel the very fabric of her family history.
R. Chetwynd-Hayes' "The Underground" weaves a haunting tale of wartime secrets, generational trauma, and the spectral echoes that linger long after the bombs have fallen silent.
As Laura navigates the claustrophobic world beneath the city streets, she finds herself drawn into a mystery that blurs the lines between the living and the dead, challenging her understanding of both her family and herself. This chilling story explores the depths of human guilt and the power of unresolved grief, all set against the backdrop of post-war Britain's changing social landscape.
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In a dimly lit room on Curwen Street, an old wooden table bears the stains of countless encounters. A mysterious woman offers a strange drink, and memories begin to blur.
What starts as a simple recollection of childhood fears spirals into a haunting journey of self-discovery.
As the lines between past and present, memory and reality fade, one question emerges: who really sits at this table, and what awaits in the small, windowless room at the top of the stairs? This chilling tale explores the inevitability of fate and the secrets we keep, even from ourselves.
Here's a short story that I've written for my forthcoming live readings around Halloween. People have been asking me to post more of my own, so here you are.
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In the remote Serbian countryside of 1759, a young French diplomat finds himself entangled in a chilling tale of familial love twisted by ancient superstition. As night falls on a secluded village, the air thick with dread, he witnesses a family's agonising vigil for their patriarch's return.
But when the old man appears precisely at the appointed hour, an unsettling question arises: has he come back as the loving father they remember, or as something far more sinister?
Aleksei Tolstoy's "The Family of the Vourdalak" weaves a haunting narrative where the lines between the living and the undead blur, and where the warmth of hearth and home may conceal the coldest of horrors.
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Henry Fern, an elitist who nevertheless lives a most un-elite life, finds himself drawn to Venice by a recurring dream of romance and connection. His arrival in the famed city brings not the fulfillment of his fantasies, but a stark confrontation with decay and disillusionment. As Fern grapples with his shattered expectations, a mysterious encounter leads him on a haunting gondola ride through Venice's shadowy canals. What begins as a journey to reclaim a lost dream soon unravels into a chilling exploration of desire, mortality, and the thin line between reality and nightmare. This narration delves into the depths of human longing and the sometimes terrifying consequences of pursuing our deepest wishes.
⭐ 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 -
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 -
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.
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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.
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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 -
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.
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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.
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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?
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Prepare to be transported to the desolate moorlands of Garside Fell, where the haunting whistle of a train echoes through the mist-shrouded night. In L.T.C. Rolt's chilling tale, "The Garside Fell Disaster," the line between past and present blurs as an unsuspecting railway enthusiast uncovers a tragic history that refuses to stay buried.
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Prepare yourself for a chilling journey into the dark underbelly of 19th-century Edinburgh, where the pursuit of medical knowledge leads down a treacherous path of moral corruption and supernatural terror. In Robert Louis Stevenson's "The Body Snatcher," you'll follow the descent of a promising young medical student as he becomes entangled in a web of grave robbing, murder, and haunting guilt. As the line between science and sacrilege blurs, and the dead refuse to rest quietly, you'll find yourself questioning the limits of ambition and the price of progress. With each twist of this Gothic tale, the tension mounts, culminating in a heart-stopping climax that will leave you breathless. Are you brave enough to unearth the secrets that lie buried in the night? Listen now, if you dare, but be warned: some truths, once exhumed, can never be laid to rest again.
Full notes here
https://tonywalker.craft.me/bodysnatcher
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On a bitterly cold winter's night in New Hampshire, a delicate young man alights from a train to find his expected transport, a sleigh, is not there. It seems he has been forgotten. A chance encounter with a young man named Frank Rainer leads to an invitation to his uncle's grand, yet eerily quiet home. As George Faxon steps into the opulence of Overdale, he is drawn into an unsettling world where the warmth of hospitality hides chilling secrets. What begins as a simple gesture of kindness soon spirals into a supernatural encounter that will shake him to his core, unraveling hidden motives and exposing the darkness lurking beneath the surface. Prepare yourself for Edith Wharton's haunting tale, "The Triumph of Night," where reality and the supernatural blur, and betrayal is only a shadow away.
Full notes here
https://tonywalker.craft.me/24AQbkT9FOQj56
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Dive into the shadowy corners of Victorian London with Herbert Stephen’s “No. 11 Welham Square,” a chilling tale that intertwines family secrets with ghostly encounters. When Edward, newly appointed at the British Museum, revisits his ancestral home, he unravels a haunting mystery that has plagued his lineage for generations. Amidst creaking floorboards and whispered legends, each room of the stately mansion might hold the key to spectral apparitions and cursed legacies. Will Edward uncover the truth, or will the ghosts of Welham Square claim another victim? Tune in to the spine-tingling narration of this forgotten classic, where every whisper and shadow could be your last.
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