
audiobook
by M. R. (Montague Rhodes) James
A compact anthology of turn‑of‑the‑century hauntings, this collection gathers twelve unsettling tales that linger long after the final whisper. The stories are narrated with the measured cadence of an antiquarian, each one rooted in ordinary objects that suddenly reveal an uncanny side. From forgotten relics in dusty attics to quiet country manors, the atmosphere is thick with the scent of old wood, candle‑wax and something just beyond the light.
The opening piece follows a seasoned dealer who acquires a delicate, intricately furnished doll’s house—an item that seems harmless until its very walls begin to echo with a presence that defies explanation. As the new owner wrestles with the delicate transport and placement of the miniature rooms, a subtle tension builds, hinting that some curiosities are better left untouched. The tale captures the uneasy feeling of looking too closely at something that was perhaps meant to remain hidden.
The remaining stories explore similar themes of curiosity, inheritance, and the thin veil between the material world and the spectral. Each narrative offers a different shade of the supernatural—whether it be a lingering portrait, a restless spirit bound to an heirloom, or an ancient curse awakened by careless hands. Listeners will find a satisfying blend of historical detail and shivering suspense, perfect for evenings when the house itself seems to listen.
Language
en
Duration
~3 hours (188K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Emmanuel Ackerman, David E. Brown, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This book was produced from scanned images of public domain material from the Google Books project.)
Release date
2021-12-04
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1862–1936
Best known for turning the ghost story into something quiet, clever, and deeply unsettling, this English writer was also a leading medieval scholar. His tales often begin in libraries, churches, and old colleges before slipping into real dread.
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