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Christmas Gothic Short Stories
A celebration of the gothic for during the holiday season, a delightful gift, and a real treat to curl up and read in the long Winter nights.
The Christmas Gothic (with thanks to author Marina Favila for the suggestion) is a seasonal celebration of the dark and moody, the ghastly, the ghostly and the magical Christmas short story. New stories from open submissions join the classic tales of Algernon Blackwood, James Joyce, E.F. Benson, Elizabeth Gaskell and more.
Flame Tree Gothic & Fantasy, Classic Stories and Epic Tales collections bring together the entire range of myth, folklore and modern short fiction. Highlighting the roots of suspense, supernatural, science fiction and mystery stories, the books in Flame Tree Collections series are beautifully presented, perfect as a gift and offer a lifetime of reading pleasure.
The Christmas Gothic (with thanks to author Marina Favila for the suggestion) is a seasonal celebration of the dark and moody, the ghastly, the ghostly and the magical Christmas short story. New stories from open submissions join the classic tales of Algernon Blackwood, James Joyce, E.F. Benson, Elizabeth Gaskell and more.
Flame Tree Gothic & Fantasy, Classic Stories and Epic Tales collections bring together the entire range of myth, folklore and modern short fiction. Highlighting the roots of suspense, supernatural, science fiction and mystery stories, the books in Flame Tree Collections series are beautifully presented, perfect as a gift and offer a lifetime of reading pleasure.
432 pages, Hardcover
First published October 4, 2022
21 people are currently reading
423 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 7, 2023
This anthology includes over 400 pages of classic and new Christmas gothic short stories. It’s quite a selection with a nice variety. Most of the stories can be categorized as standard gothic style stories but there are also some humorous ones as well as some that are more horror than gothic. Although there were a few older stories that weren’t that great, I enjoyed reading everything. Of course I enjoyed some stories more than others which I show in my ratings at the end.
The introduction by Dr. Jerrold E. Hogle explains the origins and history of telling and reading ghost stories during the Winter Solstice and the Christmas season. Biographies of the authors with sources of the stories are given at the end of the book.
My only critique is that there are a few errors. Some stories, both old and new, have a few typos. In addition, the biography/sources listing for Elizabeth Gaskell has a sentence that is left incomplete and the biography section is missing one author, Mary E. Wilkins Freeman. After some digging I learned that her story “Where the Christmas Tree Grew” first appeared in the January 1888 edition of St. Nicholas Magazine.
It also looks like an extra story was added by accident, “The Dampmere Mystery” by John Kendrick Bangs. It’s not listed on the contents page or the biography/sources page. It begins on page 49 with the title included in the last line of the previous story. It was nice to get an extra story but unfortunately it was one of the weaker ones.
Overall this was a very enjoyable read though.
The following are my favorites of the classic stories:
“Thurlow’s Christmas Story” (1894) by John Kendrick Bangs
This author has three stories in this anthology and they are all of a humorous type. I thought the humor worked best in this story. The first part of the story is a letter from a writer to his editor explaining why his story is late. His explanation involves a ghost and a mysterious benefactor who appears at the last minute. As humorous as the events are, the second part of the story which is the editor’s response had me laughing. A fun story.
“The Horror-Horn” (1923) by E. F. Benson
A man on winter holiday in the Swiss Alps hears stories about dwarfish creatures covered in long hair. They supposedly live in the mountain caves of the Ungeheuerhorn, the Horror-Horn. Later the man gets lost in a snowstorm and learns the truth about the legends. The H. P. Lovecraft Wiki page states that Lovecraft spoke highly of the story. This one reminded me a little of Robert E. Howard. Fast paced and hair-raising.
“Christmas Re-union” (1947) by Sir Andrew Caldecott
This story takes place during a Christmas party. A couple have a guest staying with them, a man who has become rich after going to Australia with his uncle, who disappeared under mysterious circumstances. After receiving a letter from Australia the guest becomes nervous and says he needs to leave. A department store Santa who the couple have hired for the children arrives and the guest becomes even more nervous. Secrets from the past and a mysterious Santa make for an eerie story.
“Where the Christmas Tree Grew” (1888) by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman
On the last day of school before winter break, a young boy and some other children tease Jenny Brown, a shy eight year old from a poor family. She’s told that Christmas trees grow wild in the forest with presents on them and that she had better go up the mountain and find one before they are all gone. Once it was set up this one had me reading frantically to find how it was going to end.
“Bring Me A Light!” (1960-61) by Jane Margaret Hooper
Thomas Winmore inherits a small estate with a mysterious past. The locals believe it’s haunted and stay away. Winemore spends the night alone in the estate. What he encounters there leads him to learning about a terrible event from the past.
“Told After Supper” (1891) by Jerome K. Jerome
A group of people tell ghost stories while drinking whiskey punch on Christmas Eve. The humor is well done. Between some of the names (Teddy Biffle, Dr. Scrubbles) and the witty humor, it was like reading a ghost story by P. G. Wodehouse.
“The Great Staircase at Landover Hall” (1900) by Frank Stockton
A man visiting a village learns that a mansion is being put up for auction. The husband and wife who lived there passed away and the heirs do not wish to keep the old building. After being shown around he decides to buy the place. He spends Christmas Eve alone in the mansion. What happens when you fall in love with a ghost that only appears for an hour, once a year? A touching story.
My top four classic favorites:
“Wolverden Tower” (1896) by Grant Allen
Maisie Llewelyn is invited to Wolverden Hall for Christmas and befriends two mysterious young girls. What’s the secret of the recently rebuilt church tower? This story started out like an episode of Downton Abbey and then quickly turned into a ghost story with ancient rituals. I loved the writing, the suspense, and the ethereal atmosphere throughout.
“The Kit-Bag” (1908) by Algeron Blackwood
Just before Christmas a man borrows a kit-bag (duffel bag) from his boss, a lawyer who just represented a murderer. While packing for a trip he hears strange noises and then starts seeing movement in his supposedly empty building. Then it appears that his bag has been moved. Atmospheric and very, very creepy. Fantastic story.
“The Old Nurse’s Story” (1852) by Elizabeth Gaskell
An old nurse tells her charges a spooky story about their mother. This is a classic gothic ghost story: An isolated manor, organ music at night, winter storms, ghostly apparitions, and secrets from the past. Outstanding.
“Oh, Whistle, and I’ll Come to You, My Lad” by M. R. James
A professor goes on a golfing holiday on the coast of England. While he’s there he investigates the ruins of a Templar preceptory and finds an ancient bronze whistle. Strange things begin to happen leading to a final confrontation. I read this for the first time last year and it was a pleasure reading it again. One of my favorite M. R. James stories and one of my favorite ghost stories.
The following are my favorites of the new stories:
“Mr. Anders Meets a Stranger” (2022) by Marina Favila
A toymaker is asked to make something elaborate for a mysterious pale man. When it’s completed the man brings his son to see it. The toymaker figures out that he hasn’t been dealing with an ordinary father and son. I liked the gothic horror/folklore-like atmosphere.
“Aunt Hetty” by (2022) John Linwood Grant
After hearing a story about how a fire broke out in the family house during Christmas of 1857, a man learns a family secret. Moody and well done.
“The Unforgiven” (2022) by K. M. Hazel
An elderly man tells a story about what happened after a Christmas dinner from his childhood in which his mother’s act of kindness gets unwanted attention from the other side. Has a bit of a Dickens vibe with a punch.
“Time and Tide” (2019) by Clare Marsh
Two women are working at an island abbey on Christmas Eve. They keep track of when to return by using a tidal clock which lets them know when it’s safe to use the causeway. I liked the setting and how the history of the island ties into the ending.
“The Last Christmas Tree” (2022) by Jane Nightshade
Three orphans from England are sent to live in America and arrive at Christmas. Strange things happen when they arrive. This one has a real nice old school ghost story feel to it.
My top eight new favorites:
“The Shallows” (2022) by Donna Cuttress
A woman staying at a seaside resort during the Christmas holiday sees a woman fall from a rock into the ocean. When she tells someone what she saw she’s told that she saw a ghost of a woman who died years ago. She is warned not to go into the shallows again but she keeps thinking about what she saw. The writing and the atmosphere gave me a strong M.R. James vibe.
“Yule Cat” (2009) by JG Faherty
Two children spend Christmas with their grandparents in the Appalachians. When their grandfather tells stories from Scandinavia of the Yule Cat which searches for lazy humans to eat, the children scoff. Their grandmother warns them that children today have forgotten the old ways. Later that night they discover how right grandmother is. I really liked the folklore in this one and the story was a wild ride.
“Christmas at Trelwany” (2022) by E. E. King
A woman suffering from depression takes a trip to Trelwany Manor, the oldest estate in Cornwall. She plans on using the time to rest and finish a thesis she has been struggling with. While there she learns something about her mother and the area’s connection with witchcraft. I really liked the writing and the atmosphere in this one.
“Gray Christmas” (2022) by Templeton Moss
The people of a village call the disfigured old man that lives on the hill “The Gray One” and hide whenever he comes into town. One Christmas Eve a little girl sees him leaving his cottage and decides to follow him. I loved how this story commented on the passage of time and the forgotten dead.
“The Dark-Eyed Boy” (2020) by M.C. St. John
Twin boys are taken in by their uncle after their parents are killed. I liked how it was set up, how we learn the back story, and the introduction of Krampus folklore, and how everything ties together, all done in a few pages. Loved that ending.
“Snowman” (2022) by Lamont A. Turner
A family deals with an abusive father during Christmas. This one reminded me of stories from EC Comics. Excellent.
“And a Piece of Coal Where Her Heart Once Beat” (2021) by Suzanne J. Willis
Krampus, growing old, makes a decision about his future. Meanwhile a young girl decides she wants to meet Krampus. Short and dark, with lyrical writing.
“Ashes at Midnight” (2022) by Cassondra Windwalker
After a young woman is rescued from a fire by her childhood friend, she’s haunted by a strange figure. She grows up to marry her rescuer and he also becomes haunted but in a different way. A great story based on Irish myths.
My ratings for each story:
“Wolverden Tower” (1896) by Grant Allen (5/5)
“Ghosts That Have Haunted Me” (1898) by John Kendrick Bangs (3/5)
“The Mystery of My Grandmother’s Hair Sofa” (1898) by John Kendrick Bangs (3/5)
“Thurlow’s Christmas Story” (1894) by John Kendrick Bangs (5/5)
“The Dampmere Mystery” (1898) by John Kendrick Bangs (2.5/5)
“Mustapha” (1904) by S. Baring-Gould (2.5/5)
“The Ghost of Christmas Eve” (1896) by J. M. Barrie (2/5)
“Between the Lights” (1912) by E. F. Benson (2.5/5)
“The Gardner” (1923) by E. F. Benson (3.5/5)
“The Horror-Horn” (1923) by E. F. Benson (4/5)
“The Kit-Bag” (1908) by Algeron Blackwood (5/5)
“Christmas Re-union”(1947) by Sir Andrew Caldecott (4/5)
“Calling Card” (1982) by Ramsey Campbell (3.5/5)
“The Shallows” (2022) by Donna Cuttress (5/5)
“The Haunted Man and the Ghost’s Bargain” (1848) by Charles Dickens (3/5)
“The Story of the Goblins Who Stole a Sexton” (1836) by Charles Dickens (3.5/5)
“Elvis Saves Christmas” (2022) by James Dodds (3/5)
“Yule Cat” (2009) by JG Faherty (5/5)
“Mr. Anders Meets a Stranger” (2022) by Marina Favila (4/5)
“Bone Chill” (2016) by Kevin M. Folliard (3.5/5)
“Where the Christmas Tree Grew” (1888) by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman (4/5)
“The Old Nurse’s Story” (1852) by Elizabeth Gaskell (5/5)
“Aunt Hetty” (2022) by John Linwood Grant (4/5)
“Horror: A True Tale” (1861) by John Berwick Harwood (3/5)
“The Christmas Banquet” (1946) by Nathanel Hawthorne (2.5/5)
The Unforgiven (2022) by K. M. Hazel (4/5)
“Christmas Interrupted” (2022) by Larry Hodges (3/5)
“Bring Me A Light!” (1960-61) by Jane Margaret Hooper (4/5)
“Oh, Whistle, and I’ll Come to You, My” (1904) by M. R. James (5/5)
“The Story of a Disappearance and an Appearance” (1904) by M. R. James (4/5)
“Told After Supper” (1891) by Jerome K. Jerome (4/5)
“The Dead” (1914) by James Joyce (Didn’t read this one yet - planning to read in the Dubliners collection)
“Christmas at Trelwany” by E. E. King (5/5)
“Tannenbaum” (2022) by Johnathan Robbins Leon (3/5)
“Time and Tide” (2019) by Clare Marsh (4/4)
“Workshop” (2020) by Marshall J. Moore (3/5)
“Gray Christmas (2022) by Templeton Moss (5/5)
“The Last Christmas Tree” (2022) by Jane Nightshade (4/5)
“In the Howling of the Wind” (2008) by Marie O’Regen (3.5/5)
“Midnight for Clementine” (2022) by Katherine Quevedo (3/5)
“A Strange Christmas Game” (1898) by J. H. Ridell (3/5)
“The Dark-Eyed Boy” (2020) by M.C. St. John (5/5)
“The Great Staircase at Landover Hall” (1900) by Frank Stockton (4/5)
“Snowman” (2022) by Lamont A. Turner (4/5)
“And a Piece of Coal Where Her Heart Once Beat” (2021) by Suzanne J. Willis (5/5)
“Ashes at Midnight” (2022) by Cassondra Windwalker (5/5)
The introduction by Dr. Jerrold E. Hogle explains the origins and history of telling and reading ghost stories during the Winter Solstice and the Christmas season. Biographies of the authors with sources of the stories are given at the end of the book.
My only critique is that there are a few errors. Some stories, both old and new, have a few typos. In addition, the biography/sources listing for Elizabeth Gaskell has a sentence that is left incomplete and the biography section is missing one author, Mary E. Wilkins Freeman. After some digging I learned that her story “Where the Christmas Tree Grew” first appeared in the January 1888 edition of St. Nicholas Magazine.
It also looks like an extra story was added by accident, “The Dampmere Mystery” by John Kendrick Bangs. It’s not listed on the contents page or the biography/sources page. It begins on page 49 with the title included in the last line of the previous story. It was nice to get an extra story but unfortunately it was one of the weaker ones.
Overall this was a very enjoyable read though.
The following are my favorites of the classic stories:
“Thurlow’s Christmas Story” (1894) by John Kendrick Bangs
This author has three stories in this anthology and they are all of a humorous type. I thought the humor worked best in this story. The first part of the story is a letter from a writer to his editor explaining why his story is late. His explanation involves a ghost and a mysterious benefactor who appears at the last minute. As humorous as the events are, the second part of the story which is the editor’s response had me laughing. A fun story.
“The Horror-Horn” (1923) by E. F. Benson
A man on winter holiday in the Swiss Alps hears stories about dwarfish creatures covered in long hair. They supposedly live in the mountain caves of the Ungeheuerhorn, the Horror-Horn. Later the man gets lost in a snowstorm and learns the truth about the legends. The H. P. Lovecraft Wiki page states that Lovecraft spoke highly of the story. This one reminded me a little of Robert E. Howard. Fast paced and hair-raising.
“Christmas Re-union” (1947) by Sir Andrew Caldecott
This story takes place during a Christmas party. A couple have a guest staying with them, a man who has become rich after going to Australia with his uncle, who disappeared under mysterious circumstances. After receiving a letter from Australia the guest becomes nervous and says he needs to leave. A department store Santa who the couple have hired for the children arrives and the guest becomes even more nervous. Secrets from the past and a mysterious Santa make for an eerie story.
“Where the Christmas Tree Grew” (1888) by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman
On the last day of school before winter break, a young boy and some other children tease Jenny Brown, a shy eight year old from a poor family. She’s told that Christmas trees grow wild in the forest with presents on them and that she had better go up the mountain and find one before they are all gone. Once it was set up this one had me reading frantically to find how it was going to end.
“Bring Me A Light!” (1960-61) by Jane Margaret Hooper
Thomas Winmore inherits a small estate with a mysterious past. The locals believe it’s haunted and stay away. Winemore spends the night alone in the estate. What he encounters there leads him to learning about a terrible event from the past.
“Told After Supper” (1891) by Jerome K. Jerome
A group of people tell ghost stories while drinking whiskey punch on Christmas Eve. The humor is well done. Between some of the names (Teddy Biffle, Dr. Scrubbles) and the witty humor, it was like reading a ghost story by P. G. Wodehouse.
“The Great Staircase at Landover Hall” (1900) by Frank Stockton
A man visiting a village learns that a mansion is being put up for auction. The husband and wife who lived there passed away and the heirs do not wish to keep the old building. After being shown around he decides to buy the place. He spends Christmas Eve alone in the mansion. What happens when you fall in love with a ghost that only appears for an hour, once a year? A touching story.
My top four classic favorites:
“Wolverden Tower” (1896) by Grant Allen
Maisie Llewelyn is invited to Wolverden Hall for Christmas and befriends two mysterious young girls. What’s the secret of the recently rebuilt church tower? This story started out like an episode of Downton Abbey and then quickly turned into a ghost story with ancient rituals. I loved the writing, the suspense, and the ethereal atmosphere throughout.
“The Kit-Bag” (1908) by Algeron Blackwood
Just before Christmas a man borrows a kit-bag (duffel bag) from his boss, a lawyer who just represented a murderer. While packing for a trip he hears strange noises and then starts seeing movement in his supposedly empty building. Then it appears that his bag has been moved. Atmospheric and very, very creepy. Fantastic story.
“The Old Nurse’s Story” (1852) by Elizabeth Gaskell
An old nurse tells her charges a spooky story about their mother. This is a classic gothic ghost story: An isolated manor, organ music at night, winter storms, ghostly apparitions, and secrets from the past. Outstanding.
“Oh, Whistle, and I’ll Come to You, My Lad” by M. R. James
A professor goes on a golfing holiday on the coast of England. While he’s there he investigates the ruins of a Templar preceptory and finds an ancient bronze whistle. Strange things begin to happen leading to a final confrontation. I read this for the first time last year and it was a pleasure reading it again. One of my favorite M. R. James stories and one of my favorite ghost stories.
The following are my favorites of the new stories:
“Mr. Anders Meets a Stranger” (2022) by Marina Favila
A toymaker is asked to make something elaborate for a mysterious pale man. When it’s completed the man brings his son to see it. The toymaker figures out that he hasn’t been dealing with an ordinary father and son. I liked the gothic horror/folklore-like atmosphere.
“Aunt Hetty” by (2022) John Linwood Grant
After hearing a story about how a fire broke out in the family house during Christmas of 1857, a man learns a family secret. Moody and well done.
“The Unforgiven” (2022) by K. M. Hazel
An elderly man tells a story about what happened after a Christmas dinner from his childhood in which his mother’s act of kindness gets unwanted attention from the other side. Has a bit of a Dickens vibe with a punch.
“Time and Tide” (2019) by Clare Marsh
Two women are working at an island abbey on Christmas Eve. They keep track of when to return by using a tidal clock which lets them know when it’s safe to use the causeway. I liked the setting and how the history of the island ties into the ending.
“The Last Christmas Tree” (2022) by Jane Nightshade
Three orphans from England are sent to live in America and arrive at Christmas. Strange things happen when they arrive. This one has a real nice old school ghost story feel to it.
My top eight new favorites:
“The Shallows” (2022) by Donna Cuttress
A woman staying at a seaside resort during the Christmas holiday sees a woman fall from a rock into the ocean. When she tells someone what she saw she’s told that she saw a ghost of a woman who died years ago. She is warned not to go into the shallows again but she keeps thinking about what she saw. The writing and the atmosphere gave me a strong M.R. James vibe.
“Yule Cat” (2009) by JG Faherty
Two children spend Christmas with their grandparents in the Appalachians. When their grandfather tells stories from Scandinavia of the Yule Cat which searches for lazy humans to eat, the children scoff. Their grandmother warns them that children today have forgotten the old ways. Later that night they discover how right grandmother is. I really liked the folklore in this one and the story was a wild ride.
“Christmas at Trelwany” (2022) by E. E. King
A woman suffering from depression takes a trip to Trelwany Manor, the oldest estate in Cornwall. She plans on using the time to rest and finish a thesis she has been struggling with. While there she learns something about her mother and the area’s connection with witchcraft. I really liked the writing and the atmosphere in this one.
“Gray Christmas” (2022) by Templeton Moss
The people of a village call the disfigured old man that lives on the hill “The Gray One” and hide whenever he comes into town. One Christmas Eve a little girl sees him leaving his cottage and decides to follow him. I loved how this story commented on the passage of time and the forgotten dead.
“The Dark-Eyed Boy” (2020) by M.C. St. John
Twin boys are taken in by their uncle after their parents are killed. I liked how it was set up, how we learn the back story, and the introduction of Krampus folklore, and how everything ties together, all done in a few pages. Loved that ending.
“Snowman” (2022) by Lamont A. Turner
A family deals with an abusive father during Christmas. This one reminded me of stories from EC Comics. Excellent.
“And a Piece of Coal Where Her Heart Once Beat” (2021) by Suzanne J. Willis
Krampus, growing old, makes a decision about his future. Meanwhile a young girl decides she wants to meet Krampus. Short and dark, with lyrical writing.
“Ashes at Midnight” (2022) by Cassondra Windwalker
After a young woman is rescued from a fire by her childhood friend, she’s haunted by a strange figure. She grows up to marry her rescuer and he also becomes haunted but in a different way. A great story based on Irish myths.
My ratings for each story:
“Wolverden Tower” (1896) by Grant Allen (5/5)
“Ghosts That Have Haunted Me” (1898) by John Kendrick Bangs (3/5)
“The Mystery of My Grandmother’s Hair Sofa” (1898) by John Kendrick Bangs (3/5)
“Thurlow’s Christmas Story” (1894) by John Kendrick Bangs (5/5)
“The Dampmere Mystery” (1898) by John Kendrick Bangs (2.5/5)
“Mustapha” (1904) by S. Baring-Gould (2.5/5)
“The Ghost of Christmas Eve” (1896) by J. M. Barrie (2/5)
“Between the Lights” (1912) by E. F. Benson (2.5/5)
“The Gardner” (1923) by E. F. Benson (3.5/5)
“The Horror-Horn” (1923) by E. F. Benson (4/5)
“The Kit-Bag” (1908) by Algeron Blackwood (5/5)
“Christmas Re-union”(1947) by Sir Andrew Caldecott (4/5)
“Calling Card” (1982) by Ramsey Campbell (3.5/5)
“The Shallows” (2022) by Donna Cuttress (5/5)
“The Haunted Man and the Ghost’s Bargain” (1848) by Charles Dickens (3/5)
“The Story of the Goblins Who Stole a Sexton” (1836) by Charles Dickens (3.5/5)
“Elvis Saves Christmas” (2022) by James Dodds (3/5)
“Yule Cat” (2009) by JG Faherty (5/5)
“Mr. Anders Meets a Stranger” (2022) by Marina Favila (4/5)
“Bone Chill” (2016) by Kevin M. Folliard (3.5/5)
“Where the Christmas Tree Grew” (1888) by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman (4/5)
“The Old Nurse’s Story” (1852) by Elizabeth Gaskell (5/5)
“Aunt Hetty” (2022) by John Linwood Grant (4/5)
“Horror: A True Tale” (1861) by John Berwick Harwood (3/5)
“The Christmas Banquet” (1946) by Nathanel Hawthorne (2.5/5)
The Unforgiven (2022) by K. M. Hazel (4/5)
“Christmas Interrupted” (2022) by Larry Hodges (3/5)
“Bring Me A Light!” (1960-61) by Jane Margaret Hooper (4/5)
“Oh, Whistle, and I’ll Come to You, My” (1904) by M. R. James (5/5)
“The Story of a Disappearance and an Appearance” (1904) by M. R. James (4/5)
“Told After Supper” (1891) by Jerome K. Jerome (4/5)
“The Dead” (1914) by James Joyce (Didn’t read this one yet - planning to read in the Dubliners collection)
“Christmas at Trelwany” by E. E. King (5/5)
“Tannenbaum” (2022) by Johnathan Robbins Leon (3/5)
“Time and Tide” (2019) by Clare Marsh (4/4)
“Workshop” (2020) by Marshall J. Moore (3/5)
“Gray Christmas (2022) by Templeton Moss (5/5)
“The Last Christmas Tree” (2022) by Jane Nightshade (4/5)
“In the Howling of the Wind” (2008) by Marie O’Regen (3.5/5)
“Midnight for Clementine” (2022) by Katherine Quevedo (3/5)
“A Strange Christmas Game” (1898) by J. H. Ridell (3/5)
“The Dark-Eyed Boy” (2020) by M.C. St. John (5/5)
“The Great Staircase at Landover Hall” (1900) by Frank Stockton (4/5)
“Snowman” (2022) by Lamont A. Turner (4/5)
“And a Piece of Coal Where Her Heart Once Beat” (2021) by Suzanne J. Willis (5/5)
“Ashes at Midnight” (2022) by Cassondra Windwalker (5/5)
November 7, 2022
Chuffed to have a story of mine, The Last Christmas Tree, in this wonderful anthology mixing old and new spooky Christmas stories. Forty-five tales are included, so this is good for a few winter nights by a crackling fire. Beautifully formatted on premium paper and bound in stamped imitation leather, as always from Flame Tree
December 2, 2022
Four stars for this premise! Scary stories, but make it Xmas? Umm yes please. Also helps that the weather has reached its wintery woes where I am and that I can glance up from the pages and glimpse our own tree's multicolored lights winking at me in the reflection of the blackened tv set. Oooh. Look at me, miss wannabe Gothic! These stories only got stale on the older/public domain bits. Sadly, I don't have much patience for older gothic short stories; description plus most of them ending with "was it an illusion/who was the at the foot of my bed?" doesn't quell my eye-rolling. However, Flame Tree runs the gambit again: Krampus acting as a doting adoptive dad, a scary Santa's village where the elves are akin to servants, a proto Christmas Carol from Dickens himself, plus a humorous skeleton come bearing cake on Christmas, a haunted waterside town, and more make this anthology worth the having. Cue the list!
*"The Mystery of My Grandmother's Hair Sofa"-John Kendrick Bangs
*"The Ghost of Christmas Eve"-J. M. Barrie
*"Between the Lights"-E.F. Benson
*The Gardner"-E.F. Benson
*"The Horror-Horn"-E.F. Benson
*"Calling Card"-Ramsey Campbell
*"The Shallows"-Donna Cuttress
*"The Story of the Goblins Who Stole a Sexton"-Charles Dickens
*"Mr. Anders Meets a Stranger"-Marina Favila
*"Bone Chill"-Kevin M. Folliard
*'Where the Christmas-Tree Grew"-Mary E. Wilkins Freeman
*"Aunt Hetty"-John Linwood Grant
*"The Unforgiven"-K.M. Hazel
*"Christmas at Trelawney"-E.E. King
*"Tannenbaum"-Johnathan Robbins Leon
*"Gray Christmas"-Templeton Moss
*"The Last Christmas Tree"-Jane Nightshade (what a name!)
*"In the Howling of the Wind"-Marie O' Regan
*"Midnight for Clementine"-Katherine Quevedo
*"The Dark-Eyed Boy"-M.C. St. John
*"Snowman"-Lamont A. Turner
*"And a Piece of Coal Where Her Heart Once Beat"-Suzanne J. Willis
*"Ashes at Midnight"-Cassondra Windwalker
*"The Mystery of My Grandmother's Hair Sofa"-John Kendrick Bangs
*"The Ghost of Christmas Eve"-J. M. Barrie
*"Between the Lights"-E.F. Benson
*The Gardner"-E.F. Benson
*"The Horror-Horn"-E.F. Benson
*"Calling Card"-Ramsey Campbell
*"The Shallows"-Donna Cuttress
*"The Story of the Goblins Who Stole a Sexton"-Charles Dickens
*"Mr. Anders Meets a Stranger"-Marina Favila
*"Bone Chill"-Kevin M. Folliard
*'Where the Christmas-Tree Grew"-Mary E. Wilkins Freeman
*"Aunt Hetty"-John Linwood Grant
*"The Unforgiven"-K.M. Hazel
*"Christmas at Trelawney"-E.E. King
*"Tannenbaum"-Johnathan Robbins Leon
*"Gray Christmas"-Templeton Moss
*"The Last Christmas Tree"-Jane Nightshade (what a name!)
*"In the Howling of the Wind"-Marie O' Regan
*"Midnight for Clementine"-Katherine Quevedo
*"The Dark-Eyed Boy"-M.C. St. John
*"Snowman"-Lamont A. Turner
*"And a Piece of Coal Where Her Heart Once Beat"-Suzanne J. Willis
*"Ashes at Midnight"-Cassondra Windwalker
December 31, 2024
A great collection of short stories from various notable and new authors. Perfect if you like Christmas with a difference!
December 22, 2022
This is probably my favourite of all the Flame Tree collections I've read so far. I loved nearly all the stories. I didn't have very high hopes of a Christmas-themed collection (I bought it mainly out of curiosity), but there was a great balance of tales. Some of them were funny, others were real horror stories. Similarly the blend of older stories to new ones struck a good balance, and they didn't feel too incongruous beside one another.
June 18, 2024
“I was in no mood to be haunted.”
A solid collection of old and new authors that spotlights well-known and more obscure pieces. Several of the stories were a bit lackluster but there were also delightful works that helped round out the bunch.
A lot of these weren’t very gothic or spooky, so if you’re looking explicitly for a Christmas horror/ghost story collection this may not be up your alley.
++++++++++++++++++
INDIVIDUAL REVIEWS
++++++++++++++++++
The Story of a Disappearance and an Appearance - ⭐️⭐️
“A man is not always master of himself.”
The most interesting part of this tale is the somewhat unreliable narrator of the letter writer, though the ramblings of each letter did more to bore than to entice.
+++
The Old Nurse’s Story - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Alas! What is done in youth can never be undone in age!”
A sad, ghostly tale that may not be outright scary, yet creeps into your nerves and into your heart.
+++
Oh Whistle and I’ll Come to You, My Lad - ⭐️⭐️
“Who is this who is coming?”
Well-written but a bit slow in plot and builds almost no anticipation for the reader. The dialogue between characters was amusing enough; I just wish there would have been a bit more action or suspense to keep me invested.
+++
The Horror-Horn - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I saw then how terrible a living thing can be, and how terrible, in consequence, was life itself.”
My stand-out favorite in the collection. You pretty much can’t miss me on any sort of cryptid tale, and I’m always so delighted when I stumble upon one. With a fresh take on the snowy yetis, Benson delivers a gory, disturbing, and page-turning story that made me desperate for more.
A solid piece of horror with vivid descriptions that will give any reader chills (pun intended).
+++
The Christmas Banquet - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Time, except in matters purely external, had done nothing for him, either of good or evil.”
A banquet held for the most wretched souls in existence every year — a place to compare miseries and ruminate on the shortcomings of man — yet the most miserable of all is the man who is completely unknowable to himself and the rest of the world.
+++
The Haunted Man and the Ghost’s Bargain - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
“The past is past. It dies like the brutes.”
This story from Dickens reads more like a fable with a strong moral to appreciate your memories, the good and the bad, for they are the very things that shape who we are; without them, our ability to feel empathy and compassion would be lost.
The Tetterbys were my favorite characters in this novella and really made me chuckle at their dynamic. Poor Johnny with that monster of a baby!
+++
Between the Lights - ⭐️⭐️
“I began to be afraid of being frightened too.”
There are no real thrills and chills in this ghost story, but it sets the mood beautifully at its outset. I wish there would have been more follow-through.
+++
Told After Supper - ⭐️⭐️
“There must be something ghostly in the air of Christmas — something about the close, muggy atmosphere that draws up the ghosts, like the dampness of the summer rain brings out the frogs and snails.”
All of the little ghost stories contained within were too short and had too little detail to create any real impact. The family itself was entertaining enough and I did chuckle once or twice at their antics, which saved this from being a one-star.
+++
The Dead - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
“His soul swooned slowly as he heard the snow falling faintly through the universe and faintly falling, like the descent of their last end, upon all the living and the dead.”
Beautifully written if not also slightly dull. I’m self-aware enough to acknowledge that perhaps with more study of this work, I may like it more — for now, I just think it’s lovely in execution and lacking a bit in plot. The best parts happened in the last few pages with what seemed to me a lot of pointless exposition at the beginning.
+++
The Story of the Goblins Who Stole a Sexton - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Setting all the good of the world against the evil, he came to the conclusion that it was a very decent and respectable sort of world after all.”
The holidays are not always a happy time of year; for some, it can put them in the foulest of moods to see the joy from their neighbors that they themselves cannot take part in.
For anyone who has pitied that lonely soul, this is a tale that puts into perspective all of the goodness in the world and attempts to tip the scales back to joy for any withered soul.
A solid collection of old and new authors that spotlights well-known and more obscure pieces. Several of the stories were a bit lackluster but there were also delightful works that helped round out the bunch.
A lot of these weren’t very gothic or spooky, so if you’re looking explicitly for a Christmas horror/ghost story collection this may not be up your alley.
++++++++++++++++++
INDIVIDUAL REVIEWS
++++++++++++++++++
The Story of a Disappearance and an Appearance - ⭐️⭐️
“A man is not always master of himself.”
The most interesting part of this tale is the somewhat unreliable narrator of the letter writer, though the ramblings of each letter did more to bore than to entice.
+++
The Old Nurse’s Story - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Alas! What is done in youth can never be undone in age!”
A sad, ghostly tale that may not be outright scary, yet creeps into your nerves and into your heart.
+++
Oh Whistle and I’ll Come to You, My Lad - ⭐️⭐️
“Who is this who is coming?”
Well-written but a bit slow in plot and builds almost no anticipation for the reader. The dialogue between characters was amusing enough; I just wish there would have been a bit more action or suspense to keep me invested.
+++
The Horror-Horn - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I saw then how terrible a living thing can be, and how terrible, in consequence, was life itself.”
My stand-out favorite in the collection. You pretty much can’t miss me on any sort of cryptid tale, and I’m always so delighted when I stumble upon one. With a fresh take on the snowy yetis, Benson delivers a gory, disturbing, and page-turning story that made me desperate for more.
A solid piece of horror with vivid descriptions that will give any reader chills (pun intended).
+++
The Christmas Banquet - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Time, except in matters purely external, had done nothing for him, either of good or evil.”
A banquet held for the most wretched souls in existence every year — a place to compare miseries and ruminate on the shortcomings of man — yet the most miserable of all is the man who is completely unknowable to himself and the rest of the world.
+++
The Haunted Man and the Ghost’s Bargain - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
“The past is past. It dies like the brutes.”
This story from Dickens reads more like a fable with a strong moral to appreciate your memories, the good and the bad, for they are the very things that shape who we are; without them, our ability to feel empathy and compassion would be lost.
The Tetterbys were my favorite characters in this novella and really made me chuckle at their dynamic. Poor Johnny with that monster of a baby!
+++
Between the Lights - ⭐️⭐️
“I began to be afraid of being frightened too.”
There are no real thrills and chills in this ghost story, but it sets the mood beautifully at its outset. I wish there would have been more follow-through.
+++
Told After Supper - ⭐️⭐️
“There must be something ghostly in the air of Christmas — something about the close, muggy atmosphere that draws up the ghosts, like the dampness of the summer rain brings out the frogs and snails.”
All of the little ghost stories contained within were too short and had too little detail to create any real impact. The family itself was entertaining enough and I did chuckle once or twice at their antics, which saved this from being a one-star.
+++
The Dead - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
“His soul swooned slowly as he heard the snow falling faintly through the universe and faintly falling, like the descent of their last end, upon all the living and the dead.”
Beautifully written if not also slightly dull. I’m self-aware enough to acknowledge that perhaps with more study of this work, I may like it more — for now, I just think it’s lovely in execution and lacking a bit in plot. The best parts happened in the last few pages with what seemed to me a lot of pointless exposition at the beginning.
+++
The Story of the Goblins Who Stole a Sexton - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Setting all the good of the world against the evil, he came to the conclusion that it was a very decent and respectable sort of world after all.”
The holidays are not always a happy time of year; for some, it can put them in the foulest of moods to see the joy from their neighbors that they themselves cannot take part in.
For anyone who has pitied that lonely soul, this is a tale that puts into perspective all of the goodness in the world and attempts to tip the scales back to joy for any withered soul.
February 26, 2023
Rather uneven collection that somewhat lives up to it's advertising.
Marked 7 stories that I liked.
No idea why Joyce's story was included other than to fill pages.
Marked 7 stories that I liked.
No idea why Joyce's story was included other than to fill pages.
December 28, 2023
Some good stories some a bit bobbins written from 18th century through to the 20th century
April 16, 2024
Another fantastic addition to the gothic fantasy collection, this one is Christmas horror themed which I absolutely loved reading, this anthology is full of short stories blended perfectly with old classic writers and new modern writes as they tell their dark, gothic, macabre, gloomy, haunted, creepy, tragically heartbreakingly sad, thrilling, spine chilling, spooky, stories of terrifying ghosts and their victims. This book was fantastic to read I absolutely adored reading this book, this book is perfect for curling up on a cold rainy winters night by the fire. The book cover captivated me in the story immediately and after a glancing at the book knew immediately I had to read it. I love the variety of stories and authors throughout the book giving you an experience with contemporary writers and classic stories. This gothic fantasy collection is ideal for any lovers of horror and gothic hauntings. Some of my favourite stories in this book are….
February 25, 2023
I have not read all the short stories in this book. There is a huge clash of modern and Victorian story-telling that is jarring to switch back and forth with. Some stories were gruesomely awesome and others were painstakingly boring. Will pick back up next December
December 9, 2025
There are lots of wonderful stories in this. Some heartfelt, some very gothic and some downright scary. All revolve around death or ghosts, or monsters. Each one is very unique. Recommended if you're bored of the regular Christmas feel good stories!
December 18, 2024
I started this last December but didn’t finish during the season so I saved the last half for this year!
If you’re going to read Christmas stories why not spooky ones
If you’re going to read Christmas stories why not spooky ones
January 2, 2025
if it’s not written before 1920 it’s not worth reading
November 19, 2025
Fun. Easy. Pretty. Big fan. re-read stories each Xmas time.
November 20, 2025
I'm not normally a fan of short stories and not all of these are great but the vast majority are. Just the job on a dark winters night in front of the fire
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