Masterpieces of Mystery in Four Volumes: Ghost Stories
The Listener / Algernon Blackwood Number 13 / Montague Rhodes James Joseph: A Story / Katherine Rickford The Horla / Guy de Maupassant The Beast with Five Fingers / William F. Harvey Sister Maddelena / Ralph Adams Cram Thrawn Janet / Robert Louis Stevenson The Yellow Cat / Wilbur Daniel Steele Letter to Sura / Pliny the Younger.
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"Masterpieces of Mystery in Four Volumes: Ghost Stories" by Joseph Lewis French is a collection of ghost stories likely compiled in the early 20th century. This anthology showcases the evolution of ghost storytelling, featuring a range of tales from various authors that reflect the genre's enduring appeal and imaginative evolution over time. The opening section introduces readers to the concept of ghost stories as one of the oldest forms of narrative, seamlessly blending the supernatural with the human experience. At the start of the volume, the editor discusses the historical significance and charm of ghost stories, emphasizing how they have retained their popularity and how skilled writers have refined the art over the years. The opening specifically sets the stage for a haunting narrative by introducing a character who has recently moved into a creaky, old London apartment. As he grapples with isolation and discomfort in his surroundings, strange occurrences unfold, suggesting the building's hidden history—foreshadowing the chilling experiences that will occupy his mind. This opening establishes an intriguing atmosphere of suspense and sets the tone for the unsettling tales that follow in the collection. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Reading ease score: 79.6 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.
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