I found this fair-condition hardcover at the local Salvation Army Thrift Store, and thought it'd make a nice release copy. I recognized several of the stories in the table of contents, including some very creepy ones indeed - just the thing for a spooky holiday release?

Among my favorites:

The collection opens with "Jerry Bundler" by W. W. Jacobs (best known for "The Monkey's Paw"). While this story isn't as chilling as that one, it has its own creepy charm - especially for those of us who hate practical jokes!

Hugh Walpole's story "Tarnhelm" features a boy whose uncle is interested in some rather unusual experiments, with perilous results. It reminded me of E. F. Benson's "Lost Hearts" - though which came first I don't know.

"The Crown Derby Plate" by Marjorie Bowen is an old favorite of mine, the kind of story that creeps up on you and that can feel scarier some time after you've read it than while you're reading it.

Nigel Kneale's "The Stocking" is one of the stories that was new to me. It's a short little chiller from a child's point of view... {shudder}

A rather surreal one is "Christmas Eve" by Ronald Chetwynd-Hayes, with a drifter finding himself assisting at a very... odd kind of rebirth.

And there are plenty of other good (as in "scary") stories here too.

I left this book on one of the benches near the passenger pickup area of the Alewife station at about 3:30. hope the finder enjoys it!

*** Released for the D for December challenge, for author name "Dalby". ***

*** Released for the 2012 Christmas/Holiday challenge. ***

Edited to add a thank-you to the finder for posting about the book! (The link in the finder's JE is to a photo of the book as found.) Hope you enjoy it!

http://instagram.com/p/S9JzNSQt_u/