Showing results by narrator "Russell Jones" in All Categories

Algernon Blackwood was a writer of weird, occult, and ghost tales. He was also a contemporary of Arthur Machen, both of whom were members of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. It was his interest in esoteric studies that likely served as the inspiration for strange stories such as this one. In this tale Blackwood tells the story of a student up all night studying for his exams when a childhood friend he hasn't thought about in many years unexpectedly pays him a visit.

Author of the Wizard of Oz series, L. Frank Baum, gives us this tale: The elderly chief of a tribe of buffalo falls victim to the usurper of his throne. When the chief's son, and heir to the throne, steps up and attempts to take over as leader of the tribe, sides are drawn and magical things begin to happen.

This is an early piece by Lovecraft, and likely inspired by Arthur Machen. It is a tale of two sculptors, named Kalos and Musides, in a garden of Pan, in ancient Greece. After Kalos dies, an olive tree begins to overtake his tomb, and Musides finds his own thoughts to be increasingly haunted.

In addition to being a prolific writer of Theosophical and occult teachings, Madame Blavatsky also penned a few tales of short fiction, although she often claimed the events of her tales to be true, for added effect. This, one of her more famous short stories, is a tale of an inheritance, a mysterious cave, and supernatural events.

Cummins was an American short story writer. This piece of his from 1902 tells the tale of four old college friends getting together on a cold winter's evening, when a friendly wager determines if any of them are brave enough to enter a nearby crypt at midnight.

A light-hearted ghost-story from 1895, by the author of "The Little Room". A writer is assigned a small ghost as a muse, to help him finish the story he is having trouble writing. Humorous.

Originally published in 1906, this is the tale of a man who, while out on a leisurely drive, crashes his car. After he awakens he finds he is being watched by an unsettling young boy, whom he is forced to lodge with for the night.

Originally published in 1896, this is the story of a debaucherous older man who roams the streets of London at night, under the influence. He encounters a mysterious woman who slowly reminds him of a lover from his past. As more wine is consumed, he seems to descend into madness, until...

Originally published in 1911, this account perhaps more accurately belongs in our series of occult fiction, but it is one of many stories Leadbeater published as being true. This particular tale is the retelling of a story relayed to him by Helena Blavatsky, about two travelers who discover a remote, old house that is haunted by the spirit of a baron who committed suicide. Enjoy this "true story".

Arthur Machen has been cited as an influence to many writers of supernatural horror. He was also a member of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. This story, originally from 1888, is about a monk, in charge of the wine cellar at his abbey, who finds a strange jar and decides to take a drink.

Published in 1905, A Tropical Horror takes place on the high seas, where a creature takes over a ship, preying on the frightened sailors and ravaging the vessel.

In this shocking novel, death violates its restraining order as giant locusts are used by the demonic Shadow Masters. One horrific surprise follows another as we follow the transformation of Maxwell Legassa from an unknown author to an adept teetering on the cusp of madness. At the end, one walks away wondering if, perhaps, these things could really happen.

How many times have we heard a parent say "I did the best I could", yet the tone is that of regret, disappointment, worry, or even heartache about how things have played out? Part of that is the result of unrealistic expectations for sure. Yet, maybe the biggest part is not having a comprehensive, holistic approach to parenting.