By Jim Mcleod 
For generations, the chill of a well-told ghost story, the creeping dread of Gothic decay, and the profound terror of the uncanny have found a home in the pages of literary horror. Now, Penguin Books invites readers to rediscover the foundations of fear with their new series, PENGUIN HORROR, a celebration of the very best in the genre. This collection brings together terrifying novels and tales that have for decades thrilled, captivated, and kept readers wide awake long into the night.
These are not merely stories of jump scares and simple monsters; they are masterclasses in atmosphere, psychology, and the timeless art of suspense. From haunted estates and historical witch trials to razor-sharp social satire draped in darkness, the series showcases the incredible breadth and enduring power of horror fiction. Ready to be enthralled? Check out these five brilliant new editions of classics, each one a gateway into the shadows.
PENGUIN HORROR: A celebration of the very best literary horror, a series of terrifying novels and tales that for generations have thrilled, captivated and kept readers wide awake at night.
Check out these five brilliant new editions of classics of the horror genre.
How Penguin Horror Brings Back Forgotten Scares
Moths – Rosalind Ashe
Like moths to a flame, people are drawn to Dower House. To see the estate in dappled sunlight, to feel the breeze blown in from the river, is to forever be in love. Among those caught in its spell are James and Nemo Boyce, who quickly buy it, and Professor Harry Harris, who becomes captivated by both the house and its new mistress. But an uninvited guest soon corrupts their paradise, and quickly reveals the dark heart of the home…
A tour-de-force of chest-tightening tension, Moths, one of the great gothic horrors of twentieth century, is an extraordinary tale of possession and sinister seduction.
‘A magical novel, passionate, exciting, and beautifully written’ Iris Murdoch
The Witch and the Priest –Hilda Lewis
Joan Flower is long dead when she first appears to Samuel Fleming, a priest plagued by doubts about her and her daughters’ execution for witchcraft. Did he do all he could to rescue them from damnation? From beyond the grave, Joan reveals to him the spine-chilling tale of her seduction by Satan, her temptation of her own daughters to the Devil’s coven, her murderous sacrifices, and her final rejection by both Heaven and Hell – yet Samuel still strives for a way to redeem her sins. Over their terrifying conversations, Samuel learns the way of the witches’ sabbath and comes to the dark realisation that Joan’s soul may not be the only one in need of saving. . .
Based on real seventeenth-century witch trials in Lincolnshire, The Witch and the Priest is a masterpiece of historical atmosphere and psychological horror.
‘Strange terror fills this tale of seventeenth-century witchcraft … horrific and written with much skill.’ – Daily Telegraph
Classic Horror: An Anthology Various Authors
Step into the terrifying world of ghostly apparitions, grotesque monsters and terrible, creeping dread – but be careful, who knows if you’ll make it out alive?
This collection brings together ten of the greatest literary horror stories every written, from Mary Shelley’s iconic tale of a ‘body swap’ gone wrong, to Edgar Allen Poe’s terrifying account of a great family’s downfall, and Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s chilling description of female subjugation. A treasure trove of scares and spooks, Classic Horror: An Anthology is a timeless celebration of all that curdles the blood and goes bump in the night …
Pomegranate Seed and Other Ghostly Tales – Edith Wharton
Known for writing some of the most incisive and elegant novels of the early twentieth century, Edith Wharton was also a master practitioner of the ghost story, producing dozens of frightful fictions throughout her lifetime. Combining pristine prose with strange, suffocating atmospheres and a profound sense of the uncanny, Pomegranate Seed and Other Ghostly Tales, a collection of Wharton’s very best haunting narratives, detail spectral handwriting, isolated houses in lonely landscapes, and a husband with a terrible secret…
‘Masterly stories of horror and unease’ New Yorker
Benighted – J. B. Priestley
A group of travellers find themselves marooned in the Welsh countryside by torrential rains and buffeting winds. Desperate to find shelter from the storm, they flee to a crumbling mansion, where they are reluctantly taken in by the cloistered, erratic Femm family. Strange on first meeting, the secretive family’s true peculiarities only become clear as the night unfolds…
A gothic treat shot through with the dejection and anxiety of a world recovering from the horrors of the First World War, J. B. Priestley’s Benighted is a razor-sharp blend of dark social satire and even darker dread.
‘There are none too many stories comparable with this one’ The New York Times
Horror Features on Ginger Nuts of Horror
If you’re a fan of spine-chilling tales and hair-raising suspense, then you won’t want to miss the horror features page on The Ginger Nuts of Horror Review Website. This is the ultimate destination for horror enthusiasts seeking in-depth analysis, thrilling reviews, and exclusive interviews with some of the best minds in the genre. From independent films to mainstream blockbusters, the site covers a broad spectrum of horror media, ensuring that you’re always in the loop about the latest and greatest.
The passionate team behind The Ginger Nuts of Horror delivers thoughtful critiques and recommendations that delve into the nuances of storytelling, character development, and atmospheric tension. Whether you’re looking for hidden gems to stream on a dark and stormy night or want to explore the work of up-and-coming horror filmmakers, this page is packed with content that will ignite your imagination and keep you on the edge of your seat.
So grab your favourite horror-themed snacks, find a cosy spot where you can fully relax, and prepare to immerse yourself deeply in the chilling and captivating world of horror literature and film. Head over to The Ginger Nuts of Horror and embark on an unforgettable journey through the eerie, the strange, and the truly extraordinary. This is an adventure filled with thrilling twists and spine-tingling moments that you won’t soon forget!
