A Thin Ghost and Others - A Collection of Ghostly Tales (Fantasy and Horror Classics) (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781473305274)

From the mind of M. R. James, the scholar-writer who redefined the ghost story for the 20th century and founded the 'antiquarian ghost story' genre, comes this essential collection, A Thin Ghost and Others. This volume gathers chilling tales where the quiet worlds of academia and the church are invaded by malevolent spectral forces.

Where meticulous scholars and clergymen unwittingly uncover--or directly invite--supernatural retribution:

• The Residence at Whitminster: A scholar stays at an antiquated clerical house steeped in the lingering, spiteful malice of a former, wicked occupant.

• The Diary of Mr. Poynter: A seemingly innocent scrap of fabric design acquired from an old volume carries a malignant, slowly invasive presence.

• An Episode of Cathedral History: Restoration work uncovers a vast, ancient stone chest in a cathedral wall, freeing a terrifying, sequestered entity.

• The Story of a Disappearance and an Appearance: Festive letters turn grim after a clergyman goes missing, leading to a grotesque show that hints at a darker, ritualistic plot.

• Two Doctors: A professional rivalry over an inheritance descends into the realm of the occult, where dark pacts and malignant forces are deployed for profit.

This collection is a must-have for all lovers of classic ghost stories and supernatural fiction, proving that M. R. James remains the master of refined, creeping dread.