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Ghostly Quarters
Sarob Press is spookily delighted to present a new volume of ghost stories by C.E. Ward. Stories of dark deeds, supernatural evils, weird black magic and of terrible and dread-filled ghostly vengeance. C.E. Ward is, possibly, one of the most Jamesian of authors writing today (he is a life-long admirer of M.R. James and of all things darkly supernatural and ghostly), and his stories are replete with well researched historical detail and a brooding, chilling and (dare I say again) ghostly atmosphere… so here are four wholly original and all new lengthy tales (the four ‘quarters’) to best enjoy, perhaps, late at night (preferably, if one’s eyes allow, by candlelight, before a roaring log fire and with a glass of something rather particular to hand). Mr Ward is the author of the Sarob Press volumes, Vengeful Ghosts, Seven Ghosts and One Other, Malevolent Visitants, Legionnaire and An Unheavenly Host.
Stories: “Promenade Walk (19,259 words)” “Some Episodes of a Family History (16,761 words)” “Where His Feet Pass (17,725 words)” & “Warlock’s End (19,225 words)”
Stories: “Promenade Walk (19,259 words)” “Some Episodes of a Family History (16,761 words)” “Where His Feet Pass (17,725 words)” & “Warlock’s End (19,225 words)”
167 pages, Hardcover
Published June 1, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 5, 2025
Ward, C. E. - Ghostly Quarters
Four novellas, all bearing the lingering echoes of M. R. James to varying degree.
The family vacations at Stowby-by-Sea, a faded seaside town that had know better days, and would only know worse in its future. Idling a break, mother and son take turn about the town, then turn into the “Promenade Walk” arriving at an emporium of antiques, relics, treasure, junk. Only it is closed. No matter. The mother had been alarmed and left hurriedly.
Years pass, along with a few more outings, and the young man continues to be drawn to the shop. More so, it appears, even after he learns bits of the murky history of the proprietor and his family.
James unexpectedly inherits a country estate, manor and grounds. A series of deaths had filled “Some Episodes Of A Family History” causing the fortuitous bequest. The estate is too much for one person, and the solicitor assumes James will sell. The new owner, however, is curious, especially after he hears that the place has a “history”, and, as one character declares, “it isn’t very pleasant.”
The most Jamesian of the novellas is “Warlock’s End”. The manor had been renamed by a sinister new arrival to Prior’s Bromley. Domineering type, self-possessed and apparently able to hex any opposition, literally. For fans of Mr. Karswell, the stylish Lucian Starlight could pass for his brother.
Four novellas, all bearing the lingering echoes of M. R. James to varying degree.
The family vacations at Stowby-by-Sea, a faded seaside town that had know better days, and would only know worse in its future. Idling a break, mother and son take turn about the town, then turn into the “Promenade Walk” arriving at an emporium of antiques, relics, treasure, junk. Only it is closed. No matter. The mother had been alarmed and left hurriedly.
Years pass, along with a few more outings, and the young man continues to be drawn to the shop. More so, it appears, even after he learns bits of the murky history of the proprietor and his family.
James unexpectedly inherits a country estate, manor and grounds. A series of deaths had filled “Some Episodes Of A Family History” causing the fortuitous bequest. The estate is too much for one person, and the solicitor assumes James will sell. The new owner, however, is curious, especially after he hears that the place has a “history”, and, as one character declares, “it isn’t very pleasant.”
The most Jamesian of the novellas is “Warlock’s End”. The manor had been renamed by a sinister new arrival to Prior’s Bromley. Domineering type, self-possessed and apparently able to hex any opposition, literally. For fans of Mr. Karswell, the stylish Lucian Starlight could pass for his brother.
February 21, 2026
New fiction from Ward is a proper event. And these four long short stories don’t disappoint. They’re well worth savoring. In fact, I think this is some of his best stuff.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews