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Black Gate Tales
A disused London Underground lift goes way beyond the bottom floor.
A psychic boy discovers what terrors are buried in the fallow field.
A handshake seals a midnight fate in an old farming dispute.
A corpse must be buried by dawn.
BLACK GATE TALES: Fourteen short stories of dread, hope, death and wonder.
A psychic boy discovers what terrors are buried in the fallow field.
A handshake seals a midnight fate in an old farming dispute.
A corpse must be buried by dawn.
BLACK GATE TALES: Fourteen short stories of dread, hope, death and wonder.
96 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2020
33 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
About the author
Paul Draper
8 books19 followersI'm an English writer of dark fiction, with a particular interest in folk horror. I write in both screenplay and prose formats, and also enjoy comedy writing. My latest collection of short stories BLACK GATE TALES is out now.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
March 31, 2023
A wonderful collection of eerie short stories.
In the foreword, Draper discusses his experiences growing up near the River Orwell, exploring mysterious heathland by night and drinking in the 'lore and history' of the Suffolk landscape.
He transfers these experiences deftly, fusing vivid depictions of the countryside with ghastly, morose and strange tales.
In Draper's world, we hear of an ill-mannered and haughty crow, an undertaker carrying the remains of a body through a moonlit village, and an urban exploring mission gone gruesomely wrong. Of flowers punctuating grass in distant woodland, muttering flatfish occupying odd seabeds, and children hearing things inaudible to the average Earth-dweller.
It's outstanding how well Draper fits such gripping and intense detail in such exacting short form. A true talent. I blitzed these stories and re-read those that resonated most. Each one leaves you unnerved.
Themes of grief, loss, addiction, murder, memories; all with a backdrop of pastoral elegance form a really enjoyable collection - highly recommend.
In the foreword, Draper discusses his experiences growing up near the River Orwell, exploring mysterious heathland by night and drinking in the 'lore and history' of the Suffolk landscape.
He transfers these experiences deftly, fusing vivid depictions of the countryside with ghastly, morose and strange tales.
In Draper's world, we hear of an ill-mannered and haughty crow, an undertaker carrying the remains of a body through a moonlit village, and an urban exploring mission gone gruesomely wrong. Of flowers punctuating grass in distant woodland, muttering flatfish occupying odd seabeds, and children hearing things inaudible to the average Earth-dweller.
It's outstanding how well Draper fits such gripping and intense detail in such exacting short form. A true talent. I blitzed these stories and re-read those that resonated most. Each one leaves you unnerved.
Themes of grief, loss, addiction, murder, memories; all with a backdrop of pastoral elegance form a really enjoyable collection - highly recommend.
October 31, 2023
This anthology of dark fantasy is very readable, not least because of the delicate approach that Draper takes to his stories. They are brief, vignettes almost, and across a wide range of strange and often tragic events in the lonely lives of quite normal people weighed down by burdens that they could not possibly have predicted. Death and grief are the chief themes; in "The Under Tow" a wife and husband accidentally summon a tidal wave which briefly reunites them with the drowned corpse of dead son, in another, "Mrs. Pendleton's Corpse," a gravedigger agrees to bury a witch’s talking corpse in a lonely forest to receive an unspecified gift, while his own wife is at home dying, in a third, "With Love, A Meal," a woman cooks a meal and sets a table for her dead family afflicted by grief and depression.
They are dark without being terrifying, sinister without being gruesome, in the ilk of Draper’s own influences, William Hope Hodgson, MR James, Le Fanu and Machen.
They are dark without being terrifying, sinister without being gruesome, in the ilk of Draper’s own influences, William Hope Hodgson, MR James, Le Fanu and Machen.
January 5, 2021
I adored this book.
The author writes beautifully, creating atmospheric nuggets of creepiness which I devoured in two sittings.
Each tale is different but gorgeously crafted. I'm going to read this book again very soon just to experience the pleasure again
The author writes beautifully, creating atmospheric nuggets of creepiness which I devoured in two sittings.
Each tale is different but gorgeously crafted. I'm going to read this book again very soon just to experience the pleasure again
March 8, 2025
Beautiful prose. I enjoyed most of these stories. Mrs Pendleton's corpse was my fave. If you like very gentle horror, this book is for you!
June 26, 2021
I don’t remember in what part of the internet I stumbled upon this book, but I am so glad I did. Paul Draper’s Blackgate Tales is an enchanting collection of various types of horror tales. Many verge on folk horror, but there are also monster and ghost stories, and a couple of haunting tales about the very real horrors of war and human violence.
Personal favorites include the 1939-set, “The Puppeteer of Prague,” the decidedly folk horror, “The King of Gorse,” and the creepy creature tale, “Twenty Steps to the Ditch.”
Personal favorites include the 1939-set, “The Puppeteer of Prague,” the decidedly folk horror, “The King of Gorse,” and the creepy creature tale, “Twenty Steps to the Ditch.”
April 7, 2021
A nice collection of creepy and weird stories with a folk-horror vibe to them. Paul Draper certainly knows how to take you down uncanny alley with his surreal atmospheres which give you a weird feeling of dread. I read these after a few countryside walks, a good little books for holidays and jaunts out into the British countryside.
February 10, 2021
Bite-sized morsels of bedtime fare, provided you don't object to your mind wandering into the what-if world of darker souls.
Like a box of chocolates, I dipped in far too frequently and they ran out on me. I wanted more of them! Mr Draper, Keep Calm and Carry on Writing!
Like a box of chocolates, I dipped in far too frequently and they ran out on me. I wanted more of them! Mr Draper, Keep Calm and Carry on Writing!
October 6, 2021
If you are going to write an introduction in which you place yourself alongside the likes of M.R. James, Sheridan Le Fanu and Ambrose Bierce, you had better have some pretty impressive material to back it up. Sadly, for me, Paul Draper falls a long way short.
What I found here was a collection of very short tales, most of which lack any sort of suspense or surprise. For the most part, they tread well worn and predictable paths, in such a brief fashion that there is no time to even begin to build some tension. It might not be so bad if there was something in the writing style to catch the eye, but it is very plain, almost as if these were treatments or first drafts for longer stories.
It's not all bad - one or two stories buck the trend by providing something different - a touch of humour in 'Mrs Pendleton's Corpse' and of the surreal in 'The Undertow'. But these are nuggets of flavour in what is otherwise rather bland fare. I wanted to like it, I really did, keeping it by my bedside in the hope of some late night scares but, unlike the ghosts, these didn't materialise.
If you are looking for great, really short tales, try Janet Frame. If it's ghost stories you want, this book at least serves to provide a list of authors to seek out.
What I found here was a collection of very short tales, most of which lack any sort of suspense or surprise. For the most part, they tread well worn and predictable paths, in such a brief fashion that there is no time to even begin to build some tension. It might not be so bad if there was something in the writing style to catch the eye, but it is very plain, almost as if these were treatments or first drafts for longer stories.
It's not all bad - one or two stories buck the trend by providing something different - a touch of humour in 'Mrs Pendleton's Corpse' and of the surreal in 'The Undertow'. But these are nuggets of flavour in what is otherwise rather bland fare. I wanted to like it, I really did, keeping it by my bedside in the hope of some late night scares but, unlike the ghosts, these didn't materialise.
If you are looking for great, really short tales, try Janet Frame. If it's ghost stories you want, this book at least serves to provide a list of authors to seek out.
May 30, 2022
A quickly read book and sadly none of the tales reached out and grabbed me enough to grant a higher score.
October 24, 2024
forget the awful writing, who's the imbecile who let this go through publishing?
May 24, 2021
A great offering of short tales that are easily readable in one sitting.
March 17, 2025
Don't miss this collection. "The Scree" is superb.
February 22, 2022
If you love the writers that inspired Paul Draper then you will assuredly enjoy these 14 tales also.
I might add that H.G.Wells was a master of the short story format also and some of these tales reminded me of Wells.
The short stories here are,well, SHORT!! So any discussion on the tales would probably end up being longer than the story itself...ta da!!!!!
Needless to say they can INDEED be read in a 2 sitting session,or if you have a free morning, afternoon or evening,in 1.
My favourites were undoubtedly the following:
Mrs.Pendleton,s Corpse
The Puppeteer of Prague
The King of Gorse
The F0urteenth Day
Twenty Steps To The Ditch
The Screes
and most definitely Snick,which to me was outstanding and would have been well suited to be a novella,as would I feel,Pendleton and Puppeteer, possibly even Gorse.
Well worth investing your time in are these said little gems.
I understand the author is intending a full length novel,which I will certainly be on the lookout for in the future.
All bodes well for a midnight scare or shiver.
I might add that H.G.Wells was a master of the short story format also and some of these tales reminded me of Wells.
The short stories here are,well, SHORT!! So any discussion on the tales would probably end up being longer than the story itself...ta da!!!!!
Needless to say they can INDEED be read in a 2 sitting session,or if you have a free morning, afternoon or evening,in 1.
My favourites were undoubtedly the following:
Mrs.Pendleton,s Corpse
The Puppeteer of Prague
The King of Gorse
The F0urteenth Day
Twenty Steps To The Ditch
The Screes
and most definitely Snick,which to me was outstanding and would have been well suited to be a novella,as would I feel,Pendleton and Puppeteer, possibly even Gorse.
Well worth investing your time in are these said little gems.
I understand the author is intending a full length novel,which I will certainly be on the lookout for in the future.
All bodes well for a midnight scare or shiver.
January 30, 2021
This collection of horror shorts was irresistible fare, consumed in two sittings. Draper takes us through history and various settings in England and abroad in his storytelling. The book was full of fresh and clever new facets to old ghouls and bugaboos paired with insightful writing and turns-of-phrase that elevated simple horror to literature. In fact, one of the stories, The Committee of Diligence takes place in a library and speaks to the importance of preserving the written word. It is a suggested horror and of the most believable kind, but with a heroine you can't help but cheer.
I enjoyed all the stories in this collection, but the last two, Gently Rises the Grain and Snick whispered my worst fears. And Snick cranked the screws on my existing phobia with a disturbing new twist that I won't soon stop imagining.
I enjoyed all the stories in this collection, but the last two, Gently Rises the Grain and Snick whispered my worst fears. And Snick cranked the screws on my existing phobia with a disturbing new twist that I won't soon stop imagining.
February 24, 2022
4.5🌟
Fantastic collection of short (very short) stories with a particular lean towards folk horror. One of the best collections of short stories I have read for a long while.
Fantastic collection of short (very short) stories with a particular lean towards folk horror. One of the best collections of short stories I have read for a long while.
December 19, 2022
Please Read This Book!
An absolutely fantastic book!! It is joining the ranks of other well loved short story collection's for me such as Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, Ray Bradbury's October Country, Edgar Allan Poe, and HP Lovecraft. Can't recommend this book enough. Loved it!
An absolutely fantastic book!! It is joining the ranks of other well loved short story collection's for me such as Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, Ray Bradbury's October Country, Edgar Allan Poe, and HP Lovecraft. Can't recommend this book enough. Loved it!
January 28, 2022
I am a man of steady blood, as those is our vocation need to be. Many kinds of corpse come through our parlours, some in a violent shape. A talking one was a first.
Recommended in a Folk Horror group I follow on Facebook, the cover art alone meant I was always going to buy a copy of this horror anthology.
The 14 short stories within take the reader all over the map and throughout time. Amongst others, we meet WW1 Anzac soldiers facing up to advancing Nazi tanks, a puppeteer in Prague, and Cal, who knows that drink will be the death of him.
A great read and I look forward to some longer works from Paul Draper. 4 stars.
Recommended in a Folk Horror group I follow on Facebook, the cover art alone meant I was always going to buy a copy of this horror anthology.
The 14 short stories within take the reader all over the map and throughout time. Amongst others, we meet WW1 Anzac soldiers facing up to advancing Nazi tanks, a puppeteer in Prague, and Cal, who knows that drink will be the death of him.
A great read and I look forward to some longer works from Paul Draper. 4 stars.
June 29, 2021
I bought this book after reading positive comments. I didn't dislike it, a couple of the stories were very good indeed, but for me it was just a little bit predictable and I just couldn't "feel" the stories.
March 10, 2021
Adored this.
September 29, 2021
An excellent collection of 14 short stories. Beautifully written with tense and dark themes. Loved each one. Perfect for the longer, darker nights.
March 16, 2023
The last story, never going in a woods again.
February 24, 2021
This wonderfully terrifying collection can easily be consumed in one sitting, but I took bite size pieces, savoring each story over time.
Some of the stories are more speculative, while others explore the darker corners of the human condition. The thread the ties them all together is the deep emotions - terror, jealousy, regret, loss and wonder - felt by each character.
However, this collection is not without humor. “Mrs Pendleton’s Corpse” had me chuckling out loud.
And the writing itself is beautiful. Here’s is my favorite passage, from “The Puppeteer of Prague”: It is in my view that God himself lives in this city, somewhere across the crooked rooftops and garrets. Perhaps as a cat, perhaps as the cold air that blows across the Celetna road, along to the blackened sides of Powder Tower after dark.
The ending of “The Screes” actually chilled my blood.
And perhaps my favorite story, “Snick,” closes out this collection. Definitely nightmare fuel, but not without some beauty and wonder.
My only complaint is this book is too short! I can’t wait to read future publications by this author. Very well done, and highly recommended.
Some of the stories are more speculative, while others explore the darker corners of the human condition. The thread the ties them all together is the deep emotions - terror, jealousy, regret, loss and wonder - felt by each character.
However, this collection is not without humor. “Mrs Pendleton’s Corpse” had me chuckling out loud.
And the writing itself is beautiful. Here’s is my favorite passage, from “The Puppeteer of Prague”: It is in my view that God himself lives in this city, somewhere across the crooked rooftops and garrets. Perhaps as a cat, perhaps as the cold air that blows across the Celetna road, along to the blackened sides of Powder Tower after dark.
The ending of “The Screes” actually chilled my blood.
And perhaps my favorite story, “Snick,” closes out this collection. Definitely nightmare fuel, but not without some beauty and wonder.
My only complaint is this book is too short! I can’t wait to read future publications by this author. Very well done, and highly recommended.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2021
Draper takes us on a fantastic, creepy, chilling, awe-inspiring journey through these short stories and flash pieces. I challenge you to NOT ask yourself if you've neglected being a good human being, and if a certain tap, tap, tap is going to chase you on a dark night, until you see ... the smallest of figures.
These pieces stick with me. Haunting tales, like "With Love, a Meal," though I quickly knew where that tale was headed, the lump in my throat, the tears in my eyes, were no less. Diabolical tales, like "The Puppeteer of Prague" and "The Aldwych Elevator." Other pieces help lighten the mood, like the oh-so-satisfying progression in "The Committee on Diligence."
I look forward to reading more of Draper's richly satisfying tales.
These pieces stick with me. Haunting tales, like "With Love, a Meal," though I quickly knew where that tale was headed, the lump in my throat, the tears in my eyes, were no less. Diabolical tales, like "The Puppeteer of Prague" and "The Aldwych Elevator." Other pieces help lighten the mood, like the oh-so-satisfying progression in "The Committee on Diligence."
I look forward to reading more of Draper's richly satisfying tales.
February 14, 2022
RA
Some excellent and varied short and sinister stories around the theme of strangeness in nature. The last story was a good horror, evocative of my childhood exploring a local nature reserve. But this story in particular was laced with Americanisms: gasoline, not petrol; dating, not going out; and do we have 'jocks' in UK universities? These jarred with the very British "flask of tea" taken onto the heath. This is a weakness of a lot of supposedly British contemporary fiction. Having made that point, these are very quick, atmospheric, mood-laden cleverly sinister and enjoyable tales. The sort of material that inspires a child to get lost in a book (or a maze) for life.
Some excellent and varied short and sinister stories around the theme of strangeness in nature. The last story was a good horror, evocative of my childhood exploring a local nature reserve. But this story in particular was laced with Americanisms: gasoline, not petrol; dating, not going out; and do we have 'jocks' in UK universities? These jarred with the very British "flask of tea" taken onto the heath. This is a weakness of a lot of supposedly British contemporary fiction. Having made that point, these are very quick, atmospheric, mood-laden cleverly sinister and enjoyable tales. The sort of material that inspires a child to get lost in a book (or a maze) for life.
January 6, 2022
This is an interesting collection. They're sold as 'horror' and some do that category, though somewhat loosely. Usually I'm frustrated when an author (and horror writers are especially guilty in this regard) spins out a simple idea into a 500 page tome. With this collection I experienced the opposite: too many of the tales are too short. They have ideas that require a novel or a novella to fully develop them.
March 31, 2025
Not far into this collection, I paused to reflect on what I’d just read. The story is called Mrs Pendleton’s Corpse and it is superb. Succinct, funny, and beautiful. The rest of the book doesn’t disappoint either. Draper’s writing is deft and concise as he takes the reader on a journey across landscapes old and new in this haunting collection of chilling tales.
February 18, 2021
I'm not normally a fan of horror, but having read and immensely enjoyed some of the author's other work, I decided to stretch my comfort zone a bit. Paul Draper's Black Gate Tales transports the reader with elegant language and exotic settings to a separate place and time where the gruesome twists and turns feel chillingly possible, even inevitable. Much like the gorgeous cover that drew me in, each of the short stories promises a certain darkness that is part and parcel to the natural beauty of the world - a force, the narrator seems to be saying, that cannot be defeated and may not even be worth fighting. The author makes great use of natural detail (individual bird calls or spider biology, for example) to bring the reader up close and intimate with the narrator's sensual experiences- whether she wishes to be or not! My favorite story by far was the second, "Mrs. Pendleton's Corpse," which had me laughing out loud with her shouty caps way of bossing around the village undertaker. This is a great collection well worth the read savored over a week's time or gobbled up in a single sitting.
June 6, 2021
This short collection of spooky stories will give you the creeps, but in a good way. From Giant spiders to drunken agreements that don't end well, anyone who loves a little bit of a scary twist in their stories will love these tales.
February 11, 2022
A rather enchanting, folk horror-flavoured, collection of short stories. Some are beautiful vignettes but some, such as 'The wrong harvest', 'The puppeteer of Prague', 'The committee of diligence' and 'Snick' could definitely bear further and deeper investigation.
February 16, 2022
Dark, eldritch and ancient things in the hedgerows, ditches and forgotten mazes in the countryside of old England. Forgotten things to make your skin crawl.
Paul Draper is your guide to these short tales. Don't let their brevity fool you. They have depth.
Paul Draper is your guide to these short tales. Don't let their brevity fool you. They have depth.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews