Classic Ghost Stories

Latest Episodes:

The Dreams In The Witch House by H P Lovecraft Oct 31, 2024

Show notes

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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The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar by Edgar Allan Poe Oct 25, 2024

Show notes

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.

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The Underground by R. Chetwynd Hayes Oct 18, 2024

Show notes

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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A Haunted House by Tony Walker Oct 12, 2024

Show notes

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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The Family of the Vourdalak by Aleksei Tolstoy Oct 11, 2024

Show notes

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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Never Visit Venice by Robert Aickman Oct 05, 2024

Show notes

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

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19 Great Hanover Street by Lillie Harris Sep 27, 2024

Show notes

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

Mr Humphreys and His Inheritance by M R James Sep 21, 2024

Show notes

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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The Walnut-Tree House by Charlotte Riddell Sep 13, 2024

Show notes

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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The Work of Evil by William Croft Dickinson Sep 06, 2024

Show notes

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