What lives inside beautiful, silent things? In a quiet English manor, a collector of rare objects welcomes guests, family, and... more

What watches us from the trees? A solitary girl begins to wander, again and again, into the woods above her home.... more

What price, a parent's love? A Scottish family, seeking a quiet life, rents Brentwood House – a grand, Georgian mansion... more

What happened down in the cellar? In Andrea Smith's disquieting tale, Peg grapples with her brother Milo's delicate state... more

Who digs in dead ground? A chance encounter on a desolate beach leads Maddox to a discovery that chills the... more

Elliott O'Donnell, a prolific author who often blurred the lines between ghost story and alleged fact, invites us into "The... more

An English traveller, delayed in an unfamiliar village, hears a troubling local legend—one the villagers are reluctant to discuss. Drawn... more

E.F. Benson's "The Wishing-Well" was first published in the United Kingdom in the collection Visible and Invisible by Hutchinson &... more

In a dim parlour by the sea, where the waves sigh like old regrets, Madame Lily Floss lays her tarot... more

Is time an endless ocean? Randolph Carter, armed with a silver key, sets sail across its fathomless depths. His quest:... more

"The House of Horror," despite its pulp sensibilities, clearly resonates with the Poe-esque tradition of detective fiction intertwined with the... more

In W.F. Harvey’s The Beast with Five Fingers, we enter the world of Eustace Borlsover, an eccentric gentleman immersed in... more

Can Death be bargained with? In the town of Erlach, whispers of an old legend linger. They speak of Agnes Weberin,... more

Nothing scares an atheist… so they'd have you believe. For Hector Greatorix, intellect, charisma, and a complete lack of faith... more

Katherine Mansfield's "The Daughters of the Late Colonel" draws you into the subdued world of two sisters, adrift in the... more

The Lodger in Room 16 by David Dixon In a faded guesthouse perched on the edge of an unnamed northern town,... more

Denys Val Baker (1917-1984), a prolific author and editor, made significant contributions to British literature, particularly in short fiction and... more

My voice has given up so I can't record a story without it sounding like a rubber tyre riding on... more

The Open Window by Saki In this masterful tale by Saki, a nervous man arrives for a formal call, bearing a... more

In Edith Wharton’s story Kerfol, published in 1911, a solitary traveller visits an ancient house in Brittany—a place shrouded in... more

Can be haunted by your unlived life? Henry James, master of psychological fiction, invites us into the labyrinth of the human... more

Can a house possess your soul? In Richmal Crompton's "The House Behind The Wood," a stranded trio seeks refuge in... more

On the sun-baked plains of Texas, cowpuncher Steve Brill, driven by crop failure and looming poverty, stumbles upon an ancient... more

In E.F. Benson's "The Chippendale Mirror," an antique looking glass becomes the focal point of a chilling supernatural mystery. As night... more

On a bustling Christmas Eve, John Mudbury, an ordinary man with an ordinary family, has been Christmas shopping. Under his... more

A Humorous Victorian Ghost Story for Christmas Set against the charming backdrop of Cornwall's picturesque villages and folklore-filled hedges, "The Vicar's... more

On a stormy Christmas night in Ireland in 1843, a warm peat fire blazes inside Andy Sweeny's simple home while... more

What lurks in forgotten rooms? In an ancient Tudor mansion in the remotest English countryside, a young heiress's pride becomes her... more

An innocent autumn walk turns into a nightmare of supernatural terror. A lone traveler seeks solace in the misty hills of... more

And so it begins... my run up to Christmas. This isn't a massively Christmassy story though it takes place at... more

Do The Dead Appear At Noon? In the leafy paths of Kensington Gardens, where Victorian ladies take their morning walks, one... more

In Charlotte Riddell's "The Old House in Vauxhall Walk," a young man's desperate search for shelter leads him into a... more

In the shadowy corners of Arkham, where ancient gables loom and whispers of eldritch horrors echo through time-worn streets, lies... more

In *The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar*, Edgar Allan Poe presents a gripping tale where the boundaries of... more

In the shadowy tunnels of the London Underground, Laura Munro encounters a ghostly figure from the past that will unravel... more

In a dimly lit room on Curwen Street, an old wooden table bears the stains of countless encounters. A mysterious... more

In the remote Serbian countryside of 1759, a young French diplomat finds himself entangled in a chilling tale of familial... more

Henry Fern, an elitist who nevertheless lives a most un-elite life, finds himself drawn to Venice by a recurring dream... more

19 Great Hanover Street by Lillie Harris In the shadows of Victorian England, 19 Great Hanover Street stands as a silent... more

In the quiet, rural expanse of Eastern England, a young man unexpectedly inherits an old, isolated estate filled with mysteries... more

Thanks to Ed W. for sponsoring this classic Victorian tale. In Victorian London, a once-grand mansion holds secrets that span generations.... more

Deep within the Special Books Collection of a time-honored Scottish university, a darkly potent grimoire is secured under lock and... more

Prepare to be captivated by M.E. Braddon's "The Shadow in the Corner," a masterpiece of Victorian Gothic fiction that will... more

In "The Quest of Iranon," follow the mysterious traveler Iranon as he embarks on a relentless search for a mythical... more

In a moonlit Victorian mansion, a man delves into his family's mysterious past. As night falls, the line between reality... more

Prepare to be transported to the desolate moorlands of Garside Fell, where the haunting whistle of a train echoes through... more

Prepare yourself for a chilling journey into the dark underbelly of 19th-century Edinburgh, where the pursuit of medical knowledge leads... more

On a bitterly cold winter's night in New Hampshire, a delicate young man alights from a train to find his... more

Dive into the shadowy corners of Victorian London with Herbert Stephen’s “No. 11 Welham Square,” a chilling tale that intertwines... more

Prepare to be enthralled by Tony Walker's gripping narration of Edgar Wallace's "The Stranger of the Night," a well-crafted supernatural... more

On a mist-shrouded night in March, two brave souls, Muriel Fisher and Scotty McCormack, dare to confront the malevolent secrets... more

Imagine settling into a new home, only to find yourself tormented by a ghostly presence that manifests as a single,... more

Imagine receiving a phone call from someone you thought was gone forever. In Mary Treadgold's chilling tale "The Telephone," a... more

Step into the quietly unsettling world of A.M. Burrage's "Playmates," where the veil between the seen and unseen is delicately... more

Delve into the enigmatic realm of E.F. Benson's "In the Tube," a haunting tale where the boundaries of time, reality,... more

In Sabine Baring-Gould's haunting tale, "A Dead Finger," an ordinary visit to the National Gallery in London spirals into a... more

In the darkness of a Mediterranean night, the _Osiris_ slices through the waves, carrying with it a passenger burdened by... more

Prepare to delve into the haunting world of Guy de Maupassant's "Who Knows?", a chilling tale that blurs the lines... more

In this haunting and enigmatic short story by Shirley Jackson, an unnamed woman eagerly awaits her wedding day, only to... more

M.R. James's "A Warning to the Curious" (1925) is a seminal ghost story that explores the consequences of disturbing ancient... more

M.R. James (1862-1936) was an English author, medievalist scholar, and provost of King's College, Cambridge. Best known for his ghost... more

Fritz Leiber (1910-1992) was an influential American writer of fantasy, horror, and science fiction. He is best known for his... more

Alan Noel Latimer Munby (25 December 1913 – 26 December 1974) was a distinguished English librarian, bibliographical scholar, and book... more

Robert E. Howard (1906–1936) was an influential American author primarily known for his contributions to the genres of fantasy, horror,... more

Abraham "Bram" Stoker was born on November 8, 1847, in Clontarf, Dublin, Ireland. He was the third of seven children... more

John William Polidori, an Italian-English physician and writer born in 1795, was a notable figure associated with the Romantic movement.... more

Henry James (1843–1916) was an American author renowned for his contributions to literature, particularly within the realm of psychological realism.... more

John Stephen Glasby (23 September 1928 – 5 June 2011) was a British author born in East Retford, Nottinghamshire. Trained... more

Nigel Kneale was a highly acclaimed British screenwriter and novelist, best known for his pioneering work in the science fiction... more

Stuart Strauss remains an enigmatic figure in the world of weird fiction, with scant information available about his life. He... more

Ernst Benjamin Salomo Raupach, born on May 21, 1784, in Straupitz, Silesia, was a prominent German dramatist of the 19th... more

This is a reading of H. P. Lovecraft's The Beast In The Cave. "The Beast in the Cave" is a short... more

Elizabeth Jane Howard, born on March 26, 1923, in London, England, was a distinguished English novelist known for her versatile... more

Basil Copper, born on February 5, 1924, in London, and passing away on April 3, 2013, was an English writer... more

Lewis Darley is a copywriter and illustrator living in Nottingham. He contacted me early in 2023 about an animated film... more

Herbert Russell Wakefield (1888 – 2 August 1964) was a distinguished English writer known for his multifaceted contributions to literature.... more

Elinor Glyn, born Elinor Sutherland on October 17, 1864, in Jersey, Channel Islands, was a prominent English novelist and scriptwriter... more

Certainly! "The Story of the Goblins Who Stole a Sexton" is a short story written by Charles Dickens as part... more

Charlotte Riddell, born Charlotte Cowan in 1832, was a prolific and accomplished British writer during the Victorian era. She was... more

Edmund Gill Swain, born on the 19th of February 1861 in Stockport, Cheshire, was a respected English cleric and author... more

Dorothy Kathleen Broster, known by her pen name D.K. Broster, stands as a notable but often overlooked figure in literature,... more

Hugh and Margaret Grainger rent a lovely old house near a golf course. At the bottom of the garden is... more

Adrian Christopher Synnot Cole, the celebrated British author, was born in Plymouth, England, on July 22, 1949. His early years... more

Arthur Erskine Ellis, born on October 1, 1902, in Bangalore, British India, was a distinguished British biologist and author known... more

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) was a renowned Irish playwright, poet, and author known for his exceptional wit, flamboyant style, and profound... more

Joseph Payne Brennan (1918-1990) was an American writer renowned for his contributions to horror, fantasy, and science fiction. Born in... more

Robert Silverberg, born in Brooklyn, New York, on January 15, 1935, is a highly esteemed author known for his significant... more

"The Graveyard Rats" stands as a testament to Henry Kuttner's exceptional storytelling prowess. This eerie tale, originally published in the... more

Clark Ashton Smith (1893–1961) was an American writer and artist known for his unique contributions to literature and art. -... more

Mary Elizabeth Braddon (4 October 1835 – 4 February 1915) was a renowned English novelist of the Victorian era, celebrated... more

It's been a long time since I’ve read a story by a living author. This story, “The Hand of M.... more

Robert Murray Gilchrist, born on November 29, 1867, in Sheffield, England, was a Victorian writer whose literary contributions remain an... more

Fitz James O'Brien (1828 – April 6, 1862) was an Irish-American writer, best known for his works in the genre... more

People have been asking for more of my own stories, so here's one. However, I have to warn you that... more

Step into the mysterious realm of Eugene Field's short story "The Werewolf." 🌕 This narrative unfolds a tale of love... more

Thank you to Jay Rothermel for suggesting I read these stories. You can read his take on them here:[https://jayrothermel.substack.com/p/two-stories-by-rose-macaulay-1881]Dame Emilie... more

Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu Joseph Thomas Sheridan Le Fanu (1814-1873) was an Irish writer and one of the leading ghost story... more

Edith Wharton was born Edith Newbold Jones on January 24, 1862, into a wealthy New York family. She was a... more

Arthur Conan Doyle's "The New Catacomb" is a chilling exploration of the themes of revenge, betrayal, and obsession, all set... more

Walter de La Mare (1873-1956) was an English poet, novelist, and short story writer known for his imaginative and evocative... more

Prepare for a chilling journey as we delve into the eerie world of Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu's "An Account of... more

Prepare to be captivated by E.F. Benson's haunting tale, 'Negotium Perambulans.' Join us as we journey into the depths of... more

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was a renowned British writer and physician, best known for creating the famous detective character Sherlock... more

I've done this terrifying story by E F Benson before, but that was in 2019 and the sound wasn't great.... more

Thanks to Gavin Critchley for sponsoring this episode!Ted Hughes (1930-1998) was an English poet and writer who is widely regarded... more

David H. Keller was an American author known for his contributions to science fiction and pulp magazines during the early... more

Robert AickmanRobert Aickman was a British author best known for his highly influential and distinctive contributions to the genre of... more

n this classic ghost story by E.F. Benson, two friends rent an idyllic country house for a month of fishing,... more

Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu was an Irish writer born on August 28, 1814, in Dublin, Ireland. He was the third... more

This episode features an audiobook reading of William Hope Hodgson's classic horror story, "The Voice in the Night." The story... more

P. G. Wodehouse Sir Pelham Grenville Wodehouse, popularly known as P. G. Wodehouse, was a British humorist and author who was... more

Francis Marion Crawford was an American author and journalist who lived from 1854 to 1909. He was born in Bagni... more

Step back in time to Victorian Paris, a city of mystery and intrigue, where danger lurks around every corner and... more

In this episode, we delve into the dark and unsettling world of Robert W. Chambers' short story "The Repairer of... more

ames Hogg (1770-1835) was a Scottish poet, novelist, and essayist known for his work in the Romantic literary movement. He... more

Join The Classic Ghost Stories Podcast for a thrilling reading of 'Our Feathered Friends' by renowned British author Philip MacDonald. Originally... more

M. R. James's The Tractate Middoth is a classic ghost story  first published in 1911. This short story takes place in... more

Join Tony as we explore Edward Bulwer-Lytton's classic short story, 'The House & The Brain'. This captivating tale, first published... more

Rosemary Timperley was born in 1920 in North London and died in November 1988. Her father was an architect and... more

Edith Wharton's "Afterward" is a haunting and evocative audiobook. It is about a young woman named Mary Boyne, who moves... more

Thank you to Steven Shipman for recommending this story.The Lonesome Place was published by August Derleth in 1962 in a... more

The Shadow by E Nesbit is a masterful story of an apparition that signifies death. It is set in a... more

Dickens's second Christmas story is called "The Chimes." The main character in this story is an old messenger Toby Veck who... more

Frederick McCarthy Forsyth CBE is an English author and journalist. He was born on August 25, 1938. A former RAF pilot... more

One of my own stories, specially written for Christmas 2022. It’s a very personal story, and you may find it... more

Get the Book that this story comes fromhttps://amzn.to/3Uu4kGX (affiliate link)A most wonderful Christmas Ghost story. I know I tend to... more

The Ghost of Jerry Bundler by W. W. Jacobs is Jacob's second most famous supernatural fiction short story after The... more

A Fall of Snow by James Turner is a beautifully written and poignant story about a childhood visit to his... more

The Magic Shop by H G Wells was published in 1903. "The Magic Shop" is a fantasy short story about... more

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving is the classic Halloween story. It appears to be a ghost story,... more

The Dead is is the last story, and the longest from James Joyce's 1914 short stories collection: Dubliners. It is... more

The Company of Wolves by Angela Carter is a work of genius. There, I've said it.The Company of Wolves by... more

Ray Bradbury wrote "The Witch Door" in 1995.The main characters live in a dilapidated New England farmhouse. They've come to... more

The Stalls of Barchester Cathedral by M R James was published in 1910. It is one of Montague Rhodes James's... more

Happy Halloween! A disturbing and scary tale that will be performed live in Whitehaven this Halloween as part of our... more

Sardonicus by Ray Russell is possibly the best Gothic horror story written in the 20th century.  Ray Russell's mastery of... more

Basil Netherby is a masterpiece of brooding supernatural fiction. This unabridged audio book style story narrates a ghost story or... more

Brickett Bottom by Amyas Northcote is about a mysterious house deep in the woods that no one but lonely young... more

This story by Nugent Barker comes from his anthology Written By My Left Hand, which I guess is a pointer... more

The Birds by Daphne du Maurier was adapted into the 1963 horror thriller movie The Birds by Alfred Hitchcock. Daphne... more

The Outcast by E F Benson First we are introduced to Mrs Bertha Acres through the eyes of Tony and his... more

Pallinghurst Barrow by Grant Allen A horror story about spirits who linger in old places in the English countryisde. Published 1892.... more

The Doll by Daphne du Maurier Dame Daphne du Maurier, Lady Browning was born in 1907 in London in 1931 and... more

A Pair of Muddy Shoes by Lennox Robinson Lennox Robinson was an Irish author, poet, dramatist and theatre produce who was... more

The Ghost Ship by Richard Barham Middleton Richard Barham Middleton was born in 1882 in Staines then in Middlesex, but since... more

The Milk-White Child of Ravenglass by Tony Walker, is one of mine. As I explain in the notes, this is... more

The Entrance by Gerald DurrellGerald Durrell was born in Jamshedpur which was then part of British India, in 1925 and... more

Clark Ashton SmithClark Ashton Smith was an American writer born in Long Valley, California in 1893 who died in Pacific... more

The Masque of the Red Death by Edgar Allan PoeThe Masque of the Red Death was published in 1842 by... more

Ruskin BondRuskin Bond was born in 1934 in Kasauli in Punjab, India. His first novel was published when he was... more

Amelia B EdwardsBorn in 1831 in London and died in 1892 aged 60 in Weston Supermare at the seaside near... more

The Catacomb by Peter Shilston was recommended by one of my Patreons but it was hard to get hold of.... more

The Middle Toe of the Right Foot by Ambrose Bierce is a ghost story set in the late 19th Century... more

Mean Mr Mullins by Cathu Sahu is an original story by a living author: Cathy Sahu. A tale of a... more

The Secret Of The Vault by J Wesley RosenquestRecommended by Mary Ware in August 2021. Published in Weird Tales, May 1938J... more

The Call of Cthulhu by H P Lovecraft was commissioned by Gavin Critchley for me to read for all of... more

Anthony BoucherAnthony Boucher known as was the pen name of William Anthony Parker White and he was known at Tony.... more

The Crown Derby Plate by Marjorie Bowen is a classic ghost story and much requested. It has a ghost, a... more

E F BensonEdward Frederic Benson was born in 1867 at Wellington College, where his father was headmaster,  in Berkshire just... more

The Hounds of Tindalos by Frank Belknap LongFrank Belknap  Long was born in 1901 in Harlem, New York (not the... more

Ernst Theodor Amadeus HoffmanE T A Hoffman, as he is known, was born in 1776 in Konigsberg, East Prussia, Germany... more

Walter de la MareWalter de la Mare is most famous as a poet. He was born in 1873 in Charlton... more

The Music of Erich Zann by H P Lovecraft. I recorded it ages ago and I can't believe I never... more

Edward John Moreton Drax Plunkett, 18th Baron DunsanyEdward John Moreton Draw Plunkett, or Lord Dunsany was known to his friends... more

A man in a car crash starts wondering how come the crowds gather so fast, and then he wonders why... more

A tale of the New Forest in England where Mr and Mrs Bittacy settle after years abroad. A painter with... more

The Picture of Dorian Gray is now done. Hooray. That's it done. The commentary at the end is slightly nutty... more

The Picture of Dorian Gray. Here's the latest. For those of you who are loving it, I hope you continue... more

The Picture of Dorian Gray. I have had one of those Mandela Effect mind blips. I have thought and continued... more

The Picture of Dorian Gray. Dorian is rather unpleasant and comes home to see his portrait knows what he's done.... more

Here's another hour of Dorian Gray in which Dorian is very excited, Lord Harry is languid, Basil the Painter disapproves,... more

The beautiful story of a beautiful man living a beautiful life that starts in a beautiful garden and ends this... more

Beyond the Door is a story of a haunting. A man is haunted by visions of something coming out of... more

Number 13 by M R JamesNumber 13 by M R James is a spooky story of a missing room and... more

The Earlier Service by Margaret IrwinThe Earlier Service is a tale of what happens in a remote English church late... more

A timid man and his worried wife take a trip through Wales. The weather is awful and they worry they... more

The Pleasure Pilgrims by Ella D’ArcyThe Pleasure Pilgrims can be seen as a love story, a murder tale or a... more

A short Christmas Ghost story. A couple move into an old house, a house whose foundations go back centuries. Once... more

A man who has lost everything goes to a remote part of the country for Christmas. In that beautiful landscape... more

Thrawn or Twisted Janet is a tale of devilish possession written in broad Scots. A chilling tale, if you can... more

Sir Gawain & The Green KnightSir Gawain and The Green Knight is the original Christmas Ghost Story. Or technically a... more

Harry by Rosemary TimperleyThank you to Steve Cuff for suggesting I read this story. Rosemary Timperley was born in 1920... more

An Irish story told by Douglas Hyde, first president of Ireland and the craoibhinn aobhinn himself. I thought it was... more

Gerald KershFirstly, I need to thank Gavin Critchley who commissioned me to record this for his birthday in August and... more

A man driving home on a winter's night thinks he sees a big cat stalking the moor. He crashes his... more

The Haunting of Unit 409 is an original horror story by me, Tony Walker and will be part of my... more

The story of a female vampire, a femme fatale, a girl who just one day walks into a photographer's studio... more

A dark fairytale set in the wild moors of the North of England. A foolish girl falls in love with... more

In the Backwoods, they do Bad Things. or "Be A Sport, Tessie!"My reading and analysis of The Lottery by Shirley... more

Get a great discount on my Horror Stories For Halloween audiobook & ebook bundlehttps://spirit.ghostpod.org/horror-stories-for-halloween (https://spirit.ghostpod.org/horror-stories-for-halloween)The Pomegranate SeedThe pomegranate seed is... more

Towards the end of the American Civil War in north west Arkansas, an old woman is faced with a dilemma.... more

Well after midnight in a newsroom high up above the city, a strange story comes tip-tapping in down the night... more

In rural Pakistan, a rickshaw driver stops by a Peepal Tree and a beautiful bride steps out from the shadows.... more

The First Sheaf is a folk horror story set in the backwaters of rural England. A new vicar goes to... more

Over in the Wild West of Wales, (despite him calling it England, the village is Croes y Ceiliog after all),... more

In which a writer starts to receive mysterious and increasingly menacing postcards from an apparent stranger. He asks his friends... more

Joan AikenJoan Delano Aiken was the daughter of Conrad Aiken, whose story Mr Arcularis we read out on The Classic... more

Edith BagnoldEdith Bagnold, later Lady Jones was born in 1889 in Rochester, Kent and died in 1981 in London .... more

H G WellsHerbert George Wells was born in 1866 in Bromley, Kent just outside London. He Died aged 79 at... more

The Grey Woman Part 3In which Anna and Amante go on the run, meet some good souls, some bad ones... more