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Ghost stories (for adults)

30 replies

Jewelanemone · 17/12/2022 15:53

I'm after recommendations for good ghost stories. Ideally a collection of short stories but a single story is fine too.

It's for me - I've got the M R James collection and I always re-read it at this time of year. Anyone got any other spooky suggestions?

Thank you! 👻🙂

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MrsMappFlint · 18/04/2025 14:39

The Woman in Black is superb, as is the original film of it-not the nonsensical one starring Daniel Radcliffe.

Agree with @PortiasBiscuit when she recommends the ghost stories of EF Benson!

Would also add, The Uninvited by Dorothy Macardle. She was an Irish writer and published this story about a brother and sister who move to Devon in the 1940s.

Welshwhales · 18/04/2025 09:00

If you like ghost stories listen to Uncanny on BBC sounds, it's fascinating!!

Iamthewombat · 26/12/2022 10:47

Thanks for great recommendations.

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 26/12/2022 09:44

The Woman in Black and The Turn of the Screw are classics that you’ve probably already read…

Swissnotswiss · 26/12/2022 09:43

I've just finished a collection called Haunters at the Hearth that I strongly recommend!

PortiasBiscuit · 25/12/2022 18:11

EF Benson.. marvellous!

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 25/12/2022 18:10

If it’s short ones you’re after then Virago book of Victorian ghost stories (there are others) Richard Dalby edited one book, I think I had 3 in this series and they’re all great.

Nightmares and Dreamscapes (not sure if I’ve read them all but think I have), Stephen King’s book of modern day ghost stories is great ‘You Know They’ve Got One Hell of a Band’ is one of my faves and another I think it’s called ‘Sneakers’, anyway it’s about seeing a trainer/sneaker in a work washroom/bathroom toilet cubicle. He really knows how to pace his stories though…

Witchofthedales · 17/12/2022 19:03

Saucery · 17/12/2022 16:35

The Monkey’s Paw is just perfect, isn’t it @Witchofthedales ? Not just the visceral horror of it, but the reality of what exactly is knocking on the door. I find it so sad.

Lost Places, by Simon Kurt Unsworth has been rereleased. There is a story in there that had me Googling to see if it was, in fact, real. I’m still not entirely sure Shock

It really is! And absolutely! It's heartbrreaking really the reality of it 😢 so creepy but so sad at the same time.

Saucery · 17/12/2022 17:57

I just bought Chill Tidings based on a review that spat “woke” and “feminist” as a negative Xmas Grin

FlyingUnicornWings · 17/12/2022 17:27

Chill Tidings
The Travelling Bag
Fireside Gothic

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Jewelanemone · 17/12/2022 17:02

planesandtrains · 17/12/2022 16:46

Another recent thread you might find useful

As night closes in .... Favourite ghost stories www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/4654703-as-night-closes-in-favourite-ghost-stories

How did I miss this? Thank you 🙂

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Jewelanemone · 17/12/2022 17:01

beastlyslumber · 17/12/2022 16:40

OP, if you like the Pan books you should definitely check out Black Shuck books and also Sinister Press. They both publish loads of amazing horror and ghost stories!

I'll take a look, thank you!

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planesandtrains · 17/12/2022 16:46

Another recent thread you might find useful

As night closes in .... Favourite ghost stories www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/4654703-as-night-closes-in-favourite-ghost-stories

beastlyslumber · 17/12/2022 16:40

OP, if you like the Pan books you should definitely check out Black Shuck books and also Sinister Press. They both publish loads of amazing horror and ghost stories!

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Jewelanemone · 17/12/2022 16:39

beastlyslumber · 17/12/2022 16:19

Following for the horror

When I was younger I read all my gran's collection of the Pan horror story paperbacks. I'm quite tempted to revisit them as there were some brilliant stories, including The Monkey's Paw.

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Jewelanemone · 17/12/2022 16:36

So many suggestions! I'm a fast reader so all these will keep me going over new year as well. 🥰 Can't wait to go to bed tonight and start reading them with a cup of tea and a packet of Lebkuchen.

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Saucery · 17/12/2022 16:35

The Monkey’s Paw is just perfect, isn’t it @Witchofthedales ? Not just the visceral horror of it, but the reality of what exactly is knocking on the door. I find it so sad.

Lost Places, by Simon Kurt Unsworth has been rereleased. There is a story in there that had me Googling to see if it was, in fact, real. I’m still not entirely sure Shock

ElizabethinherGermanGarden · 17/12/2022 16:28

I liked The Uninvited Guests by Sadie Jones - Edwardian country house story, but by a modern writer so with some modern sensibility.

feebal · 17/12/2022 16:27

Another spooky You Tube channel is Encrypted Horror.. there's a few ghost stories on there. https://youtube.com/@EnCryptedClassicHorror

beastlyslumber · 17/12/2022 16:24

Best channel on youtube is Tony Walker telling all the creepy ghost stories you could ever want to hear: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ghost+stories+tony+walker

Here's him reading The Monkey's Paw:

Witchofthedales · 17/12/2022 16:22

Saucery · 17/12/2022 16:01

One single story that always sticks in my mind is Smee, by AM Burrage. It’s why I’d never play hide and seek in a big old house Grin
And of course, The Monkey’s Paw, if you haven’t come across that one.

Yes! The Monkey's paw - scared the living daylights out of me! Good choice.

Bunnyfuller1 · 17/12/2022 16:21

Dark Matter by Michelle Paver. Well written, perfect for icy nights and subtly scary. I’ve read it about 5 times now!

beastlyslumber · 17/12/2022 16:19

Following for the horror

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Jewelanemone · 17/12/2022 16:17

anormalperson · 17/12/2022 16:15

Oh the Lost Ones by Anita Frank is brilliant, and the Whistling by Rebecca Netley. Both single stories

I'll add these too! Thank you.

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Jewelanemone · 17/12/2022 16:17

I've bought 'Smee and other stories' and 'The Haunting Season'. The rest, including Ormally's suggestions, are on my Amazon list.

Thank you all again!

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