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The Darkest Midnight in December: Ghost Stories for the Winter Season
The ghost story is a Christmas tradition; shadows looming over the brightly-lit tree in a room where logs crackle in the hearth, and the smell of spice and brandy fill the air. Outside the weather is chill; perhaps snow is falling. The house is far from town – lights twinkle in the distance. And over the festive season, as people gather to celebrate and welcome in the New Year, eerie breath might be heard in a dark corridor, hurrying footsteps overhead, a sigh in the depths of a stairwell. When all are supposed to be happy and secure, the intrusion of fear, grief or sadness are alien, and yet bizarrely integral to a time of celebration whose roots lie in ancient, pagan festivals. What stirs in the darkness?
We invited a selection of authors to play with the tropes of the Christmas season, and the stories within this collection are diverse in theme, tone and location. Some of the stories have ghosts, some are purely haunting. All the tales are previously unpublished, J. E. Bryant, Storm Constantine, Louise Coquio, Wendy Darling, Nerine Dorman, Rosie Garland, Jessica Gilling, Suzanne Gyseman, Misha Herwin, Rick Hudson, Rhys Hughes, Hannah Kate, Fiona Lane, Fiona McGavin and Adele Marie Park.
We invited a selection of authors to play with the tropes of the Christmas season, and the stories within this collection are diverse in theme, tone and location. Some of the stories have ghosts, some are purely haunting. All the tales are previously unpublished, J. E. Bryant, Storm Constantine, Louise Coquio, Wendy Darling, Nerine Dorman, Rosie Garland, Jessica Gilling, Suzanne Gyseman, Misha Herwin, Rick Hudson, Rhys Hughes, Hannah Kate, Fiona Lane, Fiona McGavin and Adele Marie Park.
216 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 3, 2018
2 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
Storm Constantine
144 books502 followersStorm Constantine was a British science fiction and fantasy author, primarily known for her Wraeththu series.
Since the late 1980s she wrote more than 20 novels, plus several non-fiction books. She is featured in the Goth Bible and is often included in discussions of alternative sexuality and gender in science fiction and fantasy; many of her novels include same-sex relationships or hermaphrodites or other twists of gender. Magic, mysticism and ancient legends (like the Grigori) also figure strongly in her works.
In 2003 she launched Immanion Press, based out of Stafford, England. The publishing company publishes not only her own works but those of new writers, as well as well-known genre writers, mainly from the UK.
Since the late 1980s she wrote more than 20 novels, plus several non-fiction books. She is featured in the Goth Bible and is often included in discussions of alternative sexuality and gender in science fiction and fantasy; many of her novels include same-sex relationships or hermaphrodites or other twists of gender. Magic, mysticism and ancient legends (like the Grigori) also figure strongly in her works.
In 2003 she launched Immanion Press, based out of Stafford, England. The publishing company publishes not only her own works but those of new writers, as well as well-known genre writers, mainly from the UK.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
March 7, 2025
This wonderful collection of winter tales has a Xmas flavour and is an ideal present for fans of Immanion books. Damned creepy, leaning more towards the macabre and hauntings rather than gore. Mind you, one excited boy does find a severed leg in his Xmas stocking in the morning which is initially gross, but then turns funny. You’ll have to read it to find out why.
My favourite stories include the sinister origins of Santa and his reindeer, a ghostly woman on a train, and the editor's own lovely, albeit sad story of an English lady lost in the past.
The collection suffers from the predictable trope in which the storyteller meets an odd person on a dark night, followed by later knowledge that the person turned out to be a ghost – yawn. But such simple minded plots are thankfully kept to the minimum, and let's face it, it wouldn't be a proper Christmas collection without them.
My favourite story was Jay’s Ghost by Louise Coquio. I hope she turns to writing full-length novels.
Lots here to bring good cheer on a late December night.
My favourite stories include the sinister origins of Santa and his reindeer, a ghostly woman on a train, and the editor's own lovely, albeit sad story of an English lady lost in the past.
The collection suffers from the predictable trope in which the storyteller meets an odd person on a dark night, followed by later knowledge that the person turned out to be a ghost – yawn. But such simple minded plots are thankfully kept to the minimum, and let's face it, it wouldn't be a proper Christmas collection without them.
My favourite story was Jay’s Ghost by Louise Coquio. I hope she turns to writing full-length novels.
Lots here to bring good cheer on a late December night.
Displaying 1 of 1 review