Reviews

A couple of very good stories - the Aickman and James selections - while none of the others is anything less than entertaining.

One to dip into again once every few years.

creolelitbelle's review against another edition

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3.0

From the spooky to the mysteriously confusing and eerily heartwarming, this book seems to have it all in terms of chilly Christmastime tales. I quite enjoyed it but do not recommend reading some stories late at night in a dark, quiet house.

amandadelbrocco's review against another edition

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3.0

As always, this compilation of short stories was uneven. My favorites were

Dinner for One - Jenn Ashworth (I read this a couple of times, definitely creepy!)
Nicholas Was - Neil Gaiman
The Ghost of the Blue Chamber - Jeroke K Jerome
The Lady and the Fox - Kelly Link

ina_s's review

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challenging dark mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

charlottesometimes's review against another edition

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dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

voxlunae's review against another edition

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4.0

4+ stars for The Shadow, Christmas Eve on a Haunted Hulk, and The Lady and the Fox. 3 stars for a few others here and there. Less for a couple others. Uneven, as collections tend to be, but overall an enjoyable read for a cold winter morning.

amalia1985's review

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mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

''And what a long night it is, out there beyond the warm rooms and the firelight. Don't worry about the noises. Ignore the moving shapes. It's time to step out. Turn the page. Oh, and happy Christmas. If you come back.''
Tim Martin

Α grotesque dream is merged with reality. The spirit of an abusive husband refuses to leave his wife in peace even in death. A shadow seeks revenge. A tragedy haunts the son of a happy family. The injustice done to a poor family creates the ghostly steps of the Erinyes in a tale of which Dickens would be proud. A strange man appears in an elevator and is seen only by a young boy. A famous actress initiates a peculiar game of fate. A ghostly young man becomes a faithful companion to a girl.

These and other stories are included in this collection of eerie, melancholic tales. From Muriel Spark to Robert Aickman, from Louis de Bernieres to Jenn Ashworth, this volume is compulsory reading for those eerie, silent winter nights.

Beautiful Introduction by Tim Martin.

My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com/

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