Tim Martin delivers a nice mix of classic stories and more contemporary tales in Ghosts of Christmas Past (2018).
My favorite stories are the eerie Robert Hickman story, “The Visiting Star, ” where a famous artist brings more than excitement to her visit to a small town. Then there’s the haunting Neil Gaiman tale, “Nicholas Was.” Kelly Link’s enchanting “The Lady and the Fox” will stay with you long after you finish reading the story.
If you’re in the mood for some well-crafted ghost stories with a special Christmas theme, Ghosts of Christmas Past will delight you! GRADE: A
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
INTRODUCTION by Tim Martin — 1
The story of a disappearance and an appearance / M. R. James — 7
Dinner for one / Jenn Ashworth — 33
The shadow / E. Nesbit — 49
This beautiful house / Louis de Bernieres — 69
The leaf sweeper / Muriel Spark — 83
Christmas Eve on Haunted Hulk / Frank Cowper — 95
The step / E. F. Benson — 133
The vanishing house / Bernard Capes — 157
Someone in the lift / L. P. Hartley — 167
The visiting star / Robert Aickman — 179
Nicholas was / Neil Gaiman — 223
The ghost of the blue chamber / Jerome K. Jerome — 227
The lady and the fox / Kelly Link — 249
I am in the mood for it. Will see if I can hunt one down.
Patti, I’m sure you’ll enjoy GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS PAST. Your local public library should have a copy.
Always up for a Christmas ghost story. It must be all the English blood in me. A solid collection of writers here. Thanks much for the tip.
Where are the Christmas CD reviews?
Best wishes
Byron, the Christmas CDs will show up next week and run until the end of the month. I have plenty to choose from!
Good group of authors. I read an Aickman collection last year. I ‘ve read a lot of James, also Gaiman and Spark.
Jeff, there’s a good mix of stories in GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS PAST. An entertaining, quick read!
Love the cover.
Gaiman’s story is indeed a creepy one. *shivers*
Carl, I love Neil Gaiman’s ability to creep readers out!
My husband has a copy of this, and I had forgotten about it. Now I want to try some stories from this book, and of course finish up the stories from the book you featured last week, MISTLETOE MYSTERIES.
Tracy, more Christmas collections are coming in the weeks ahead.
I’m unfamiliar with Martin, but know a number of the older stories, at least. What I’ve read suggests he does have good taste.
Todd, I found GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS to be a solid, entertaining anthology.
George, you are reviewing some great Christmas anthologies. This seems very interesting. I haven’t read any of the stories. Will search for this one.
Neeru, I have more Christmas mystery anthologies to review in the weeks ahead! Glad you’re enjoying them!