A solid set of picks by the master himself. There are a few clunkers but there are some real spine tinglers in here as well - August Heat is a masterpiece I'd somehow never read, and Casting the Runes proves to me I need to seek out more MR James as soon as possible. Gorey's illustrations are minimal (one per story plus a frontispiece for the entire collection) but for the most part powerful and well-chosen. ( )

A collection of Victorian and Edwardian ghost stories, each with an illustration by the ever-pleasing Edward Gorey. All of the stories fit into Gorey's peculiar aesthetic, and several such as Robert Louis Stevenson's "The Body-Snatcher" and W.W. Jacobs's "The Monkey's Paw" have become ubiquitous without losing their power. There were one or two stories that failed to do anything for me.

I'm looking at you "The Thirteenth Tree".

R.H. Malden's story of a man's vision at a friend's country estate has an eerie quality, but it doesn't have the flair of horror and unease that the other stories possessed. But I will give him credit for the unusual subject.

E. Nesbit's "Man-Size in Marble" bothered me far too much, but I enjoyed it immensely. And "August Heat" by W.F. Harvey...whaaat?

This was the perfect book to keep next to the bed through October, on those nights I couldn't spare a long evening to reading, but needed a quick chill to take under the covers with me. ( )

Anything written and/or illustrated by Edward Gorey is automatically a good read in my opinion. This anthology of classic ghost stories is no exception. ( )

the thirteenth tree, the body-snatcher, casting the runes

Z LOVED this collection of Victorian era tales. Most were spooky and suspenseful without being gory . . . a perfect read-aloud for a Poe/Gorey/Gaiman-loving kid or adult. Bonus to read E. Nesbitt do scary - same with R.L. Stevenson. ( )