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Mrs. Zant and the Ghost
Short novel. According to Wikipedia: "William Wilkie Collins (8 January 1824 - 23 September 1889) was an English novelist, playwright, and writer of short stories. He was hugely popular in his time, and wrote 27 novels, more than 50 short stories, at least 15 plays, and over 100 pieces of non-fiction work. His best-known works are The Woman in White, The Moonstone, Armadale and No Name."
76 pages, Nook
First published January 1, 1885
13 people are currently reading
385 people want to read
About the author
Wilkie Collins
2,411 books2,969 followersWilkie Collins was an English novelist and playwright, best known for The Woman in White (1860), an early sensation novel, and The Moonstone (1868), a pioneering work of detective fiction. Born to landscape painter William Collins and Harriet Geddes, he spent part of his childhood in Italy and France, learning both languages. Initially working as a tea merchant, he later studied law, though he never practiced. His literary career began with Antonina (1850), and a meeting with Charles Dickens in 1851 proved pivotal. The two became close friends and collaborators, with Collins contributing to Dickens' journals and co-writing dramatic works.
Collins' success peaked in the 1860s with novels that combined suspense with social critique, including No Name (1862), Armadale (1864), and The Moonstone, which established key elements of the modern detective story. His personal life was unconventional—he openly opposed marriage and lived with Caroline Graves and her daughter for much of his life, while also maintaining a separate relationship with Martha Rudd, with whom he had three children.
Plagued by gout, Collins became addicted to laudanum, which affected both his health and later works. Despite declining quality in his writing, he remained a respected figure, mentoring younger authors and advocating for writers' rights. He died in 1889 and was buried in Kensal Green Cemetery. His legacy endures through his influential novels, which laid the groundwork for both sensation fiction and detective literature.
Collins' success peaked in the 1860s with novels that combined suspense with social critique, including No Name (1862), Armadale (1864), and The Moonstone, which established key elements of the modern detective story. His personal life was unconventional—he openly opposed marriage and lived with Caroline Graves and her daughter for much of his life, while also maintaining a separate relationship with Martha Rudd, with whom he had three children.
Plagued by gout, Collins became addicted to laudanum, which affected both his health and later works. Despite declining quality in his writing, he remained a respected figure, mentoring younger authors and advocating for writers' rights. He died in 1889 and was buried in Kensal Green Cemetery. His legacy endures through his influential novels, which laid the groundwork for both sensation fiction and detective literature.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews
September 2, 2017
'Mrs. Zant and the Ghost' is a classic Victorian ghost story, recently offered as an Audible freebie. Since it was free, I figured I'd give it a go, even though it wasn't a story that really appealed to me. Unfortunately, my initial impression proved accurate.
Mrs. Zant is recently widowed. She has taken to walking in the gardens, where she and her husband first professed their love to one another. While in the gardens, she believes that she sees the ghost of the husband that she loved so dearly.
Her "encounter" with the ghost is witnessed by Mr. Rayburn, who also happens to be in the park that day. Needless to say, Mrs. Zant appears crazy to onlookers. However, the more he talks to her, the more that Mr. Rayburn begins to believe the widow.
While this story might hold some appeal for others, it didn't do much of anything for me. I never felt a connection to either of the main characters. Mostly, this story seemed frigid and boring to me. I couldn't manage to muster an ounce of concern or interest.
It was a short story and it was free, so there is that. If you're curious, it won't cost you anything to try it out. It just wasn't for me. I didn't feel even the slightest connection to this story.
Check out more of my reviews at www.bookaddicthaven.com
Mrs. Zant is recently widowed. She has taken to walking in the gardens, where she and her husband first professed their love to one another. While in the gardens, she believes that she sees the ghost of the husband that she loved so dearly.
Her "encounter" with the ghost is witnessed by Mr. Rayburn, who also happens to be in the park that day. Needless to say, Mrs. Zant appears crazy to onlookers. However, the more he talks to her, the more that Mr. Rayburn begins to believe the widow.
While this story might hold some appeal for others, it didn't do much of anything for me. I never felt a connection to either of the main characters. Mostly, this story seemed frigid and boring to me. I couldn't manage to muster an ounce of concern or interest.
It was a short story and it was free, so there is that. If you're curious, it won't cost you anything to try it out. It just wasn't for me. I didn't feel even the slightest connection to this story.
Check out more of my reviews at www.bookaddicthaven.com
November 4, 2017
Mrs. Zant and the Ghost
By: Wilkie Collins
Narrated by: Gillian Anderson
This audible book has a lovely feel to it and hearing Gillian Anderson's voice adds to this richness, and lush appeal. It makes you feel you are back in 1930's, and overseas, where there is a prim and proper way to do everything.
Ms Anderson's voice leads us on a mournful tale of a wife who recently lost her husband of just a short time. A brother-in-law that is trying to take advantage of her, and a widower that is just looking out for the sad woman. But she has a protector...
A short story tells of boundless love, that is everlasting and immortal. The narrator makes you FEEL the story, she immerses the story into your bones. Excellent. I don't think I would have enjoyed the story half as much if I hadn't picked up the audible version with Anderson narrating.
By: Wilkie Collins
Narrated by: Gillian Anderson
This audible book has a lovely feel to it and hearing Gillian Anderson's voice adds to this richness, and lush appeal. It makes you feel you are back in 1930's, and overseas, where there is a prim and proper way to do everything.
Ms Anderson's voice leads us on a mournful tale of a wife who recently lost her husband of just a short time. A brother-in-law that is trying to take advantage of her, and a widower that is just looking out for the sad woman. But she has a protector...
A short story tells of boundless love, that is everlasting and immortal. The narrator makes you FEEL the story, she immerses the story into your bones. Excellent. I don't think I would have enjoyed the story half as much if I hadn't picked up the audible version with Anderson narrating.
February 29, 2016
Mrs. Zant and the Ghost was a sweet little ghost story.
Even though it wasn't scary, it was entertaining, and I thought that Gillian Anderson did a decent job of narrating the tale. A little bit more distinction between the voices would have been nice, but this book was short, so it was just a slight annoyance.
Recommended for fans of ghost stories, (though I would recommend the volumes of M.R. James before this one.)
Even though it wasn't scary, it was entertaining, and I thought that Gillian Anderson did a decent job of narrating the tale. A little bit more distinction between the voices would have been nice, but this book was short, so it was just a slight annoyance.
Recommended for fans of ghost stories, (though I would recommend the volumes of M.R. James before this one.)
October 29, 2020
This was perhaps my last ghost story of the month (maybe I'll squeeze in one more). I found this on Audible Plus (another of those freebies), but to tell the truth, although Gillian Anderson gave a pleasant reading of a Gothic story steeped in creepy atmosphere and minimalism, I think I might have enjoyed a more intimate reading on my own. In fact, I did reread large portions on my own over the internet.
Widower in the park with his young daughter, engages with a Widow (Mrs. Zant) who seems to be emotionally unbalanced. It later transpires that she was only recently married and almost immediately widowed. I'm sure I'm not the only one who jumped to conclusions, especially since it appears that she married him when he was already consumptive; but, in fact, it transpires that theirs was a true love, enduring even after death. My cynicism probably derives from reading too many twisty thrillers with unreliable characters.
Widower cannot help being a decent person, sticking his nose where it doesn't belong, but while doing so, together with the ghost of her dead husband, helps to save the Widow Zant from her unscrupulous, besotted brother-in-law.
For those of you with Audible subscriptions, there is a two (books) for one (credit) going for the next few days, albeit, from a limited selection. Never-the-less, this thrifty reader managed to find two gems (I always do) - another Wilkie Collins, The Woman in White, performed by Ian Holm, and The Poisonwood Bible.
Widower in the park with his young daughter, engages with a Widow (Mrs. Zant) who seems to be emotionally unbalanced. It later transpires that she was only recently married and almost immediately widowed. I'm sure I'm not the only one who jumped to conclusions, especially since it appears that she married him when he was already consumptive; but, in fact, it transpires that theirs was a true love, enduring even after death. My cynicism probably derives from reading too many twisty thrillers with unreliable characters.
Widower cannot help being a decent person, sticking his nose where it doesn't belong, but while doing so, together with the ghost of her dead husband, helps to save the Widow Zant from her unscrupulous, besotted brother-in-law.
For those of you with Audible subscriptions, there is a two (books) for one (credit) going for the next few days, albeit, from a limited selection. Never-the-less, this thrifty reader managed to find two gems (I always do) - another Wilkie Collins, The Woman in White, performed by Ian Holm, and The Poisonwood Bible.
May 17, 2016
This was okay. I started it a couple of months ago and stopped after 8 minutes because the narration was driving me crazy. I liked Gillian Anderson's performance much better today and was able to finish the story. It wasn't particularly exciting but it was a decent story in the end.
December 2015
Free Audible pre-order! Narrated by Gillian Anderson!! http://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/Mrs...
December 2015
Free Audible pre-order! Narrated by Gillian Anderson!! http://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/Mrs...
March 19, 2013
A short tale of ghosts and love.
Mrs Zant has recently lost her beloved husband and while walking in the Kensington Gardens, the spot where she and her deceased husband declared their love for each other, she feels his presence trying to warn her of some coming danger.
Mr. Rayburn witnesses it all and he'll have to fight his own incredulity regarding the supernatural and his gut feeling that the disturbed young woman is telling the truth.
Collins at his best, much better than "The turn of the screw" by James, the story tells much more and with a sublime grace that James' prose lacks in most of his novels.
Mrs Zant has recently lost her beloved husband and while walking in the Kensington Gardens, the spot where she and her deceased husband declared their love for each other, she feels his presence trying to warn her of some coming danger.
Mr. Rayburn witnesses it all and he'll have to fight his own incredulity regarding the supernatural and his gut feeling that the disturbed young woman is telling the truth.
Collins at his best, much better than "The turn of the screw" by James, the story tells much more and with a sublime grace that James' prose lacks in most of his novels.
February 10, 2016
Gillian Anderson was fantastic.
December 26, 2015
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1630
Opening: THE course of this narrative describes the return of a disembodied spirit to earth, and leads the reader on new and strange ground.
Not in the obscurity of midnight, but in the searching light of day, did the supernatural influence assert itself. Neither revealed by a vision, nor announced by a voice, it reached mortal knowledge through the sense which is least easily self-deceived: the sense that feels.
January 12, 2018
Wilkie Collins needs no introduction. I have always wanted to read this short tale. Thankfully I chose the audio version. Excellent choice! Gillian Anderson's performance as Mrs. Zant is solid. The narrative tone she breathes into the eerie content is, in my opinion, hypnotic perfection. Each character is distinguishable; one can feel Mrs. Zant's emotional distress. This is a great, old fashioned ghost story mixed with one part mystery - which Collins did so very well. Influenced by Dickens, Wilkie Collins pioneered detective fiction.
March 14, 2025
A nice little, old-fashioned, Victorian ghost story.
September 14, 2020
Yeah, a woman so frail and delicate she has to have the entire cast fuss over her doesn't do a think for me. The story just doesn't translate well to modern sensibilities.
December 23, 2015
I listened to this via the audiobook with Gillian Anderson's narration. It brought so much to the book and I immensely enjoyed it.
March 26, 2016
A nice, simple ghost story.
Not quite up to the standards of The Woman in White or The Moonstone, but enjoyable.
Not quite up to the standards of The Woman in White or The Moonstone, but enjoyable.
October 17, 2017
Not Collins' best, but an enjoyable ghost story, especially with Andersen's reading.
October 24, 2025
3.0 Stars Read this as a Halloween read, as I adore Wilke Collins.
This story was actually a good one and was rolling right along looking to be a solid 4 star read. And then it ended.
That’s right. Just like that, it ended.
Now, it’s true that the heroine was out of immediate danger from the bad guy. It’s true that we know who the ghost was. But then it’s just sort of ends with that information. No follow on about the protagonist of the story, Mr Rayburn, and the ending between the protagonist and the heroine is sort of unclear. We also don’t know for sure what happens to the bad guy antagonist. Does he die? Or just remain incapacitated?
In other words, a very rushed ending. Decent story, but very rushed ending. It just felt odd. Like Mr Collins ran out of time and just slapped down a couple of sentences to end the story.
Oh well. Still worth a read.
This story was actually a good one and was rolling right along looking to be a solid 4 star read. And then it ended.
That’s right. Just like that, it ended.
Now, it’s true that the heroine was out of immediate danger from the bad guy. It’s true that we know who the ghost was. But then it’s just sort of ends with that information. No follow on about the protagonist of the story, Mr Rayburn, and the ending between the protagonist and the heroine is sort of unclear. We also don’t know for sure what happens to the bad guy antagonist. Does he die? Or just remain incapacitated?
In other words, a very rushed ending. Decent story, but very rushed ending. It just felt odd. Like Mr Collins ran out of time and just slapped down a couple of sentences to end the story.
Oh well. Still worth a read.
September 22, 2020
Reading Wilkie Collins always reminds me of how far the popular imagination has moved since his day. The ghost in "Mrs Zant and The Ghost" is barely more than a suggestion. This isn't horrifying by modern standards of slash and splatter.
Yet, allow yourself to imagine it actually happening to you, to find yourself confronted with such a presence and it becomes enough to change how you see the world. It's Collins' gift to help even someone with a palette as jaded as mine, taste that delicate shock.
Yet, allow yourself to imagine it actually happening to you, to find yourself confronted with such a presence and it becomes enough to change how you see the world. It's Collins' gift to help even someone with a palette as jaded as mine, taste that delicate shock.
January 22, 2016
Sometimes folks get what they deserve.
I thoroughly enjoyed this short story made even better by the fantastic narration performed by Gillian Anderson. That accent! Swoon!
I thoroughly enjoyed this short story made even better by the fantastic narration performed by Gillian Anderson. That accent! Swoon!
October 9, 2018
OK. So this is the way to enjoy Wilkie Collins for those like me for whom Victorian scary tales generally don’t scare or even entertain all that much. Get Gillian Anderson to narrate them. And not Scully Anderson, we’re talking DS Gibson, proper British accent and all. And still Mrs. Zant and The Ghost leave something to be desired, but at least it’s nice to listen to. The writing is perfectly elegant, but like so many other fights of antiquity (yes, this is a nod to M.R. James, the man whose tales lead to so much nodding off it only seems fair to mention) it just doesn’t have the same effect on modern audience at it must have once had on the far more delicate one of the bygone era. In the end even Ms. Anderson can only do so much with it, but her accent is much more exciting than the story itself, which is tepid at best. Of course, the story’s age must be taken into account and it is a perfect product of its era, but preserved through time like literature tends to be, it doesn’t offer much to the reader aside from a glimpse into the past’s standards for ghost fiction. But then again it’s only 95 minutes or so of a listen.
December 26, 2017
A classic Victorian ghost story, first published in 1885, which I got as an Audible freebie. Narrated by Gillian Anderson (X-Files).
I found it to be a pretty dull ghost story, with the stereotypical gender roles of the time.
Gillian Anderson's narration was a bit breathy for my taste and the different characters were not terribly distinct and pretty much in the same register, regardless of situation.
It was short, it was free, it was ok.
I found it to be a pretty dull ghost story, with the stereotypical gender roles of the time.
Gillian Anderson's narration was a bit breathy for my taste and the different characters were not terribly distinct and pretty much in the same register, regardless of situation.
It was short, it was free, it was ok.
March 4, 2017
A 76-page novella. Supernatural short story written especially for the young Anne (Nannie) Wynne. It was originally published as 'The Ghost's Touch' in The Irish Fireside, 30 September - 14 October 1885; Harper's Weekly, 23 October 1885; and in The Ghost's Touch and Other Stories (with 'My Lady's Money' and 'Percy and the Prophet', Harper's Handy Series, no 30, 1885).
Mr Rayburn, a widower, and his young daughter, Lucy, meet the widowed Mrs Zant in Kensington Gardens while she seems to be experiencing a vision. Rayburn is intrigued and bewitched, and investigates Mrs Zant's history, and her strange relationship with her brother-in-law, and follows Mrs Zant when she stays with him on the south coast.
Is the widow in danger, and, if so, can Rayburn, or even the dead husband, save her?
A very satisfactory tale. As it unfolds, one desperately wants a happy ending, but does Wilkie Collins want to give us one?
Mr Rayburn, a widower, and his young daughter, Lucy, meet the widowed Mrs Zant in Kensington Gardens while she seems to be experiencing a vision. Rayburn is intrigued and bewitched, and investigates Mrs Zant's history, and her strange relationship with her brother-in-law, and follows Mrs Zant when she stays with him on the south coast.
Is the widow in danger, and, if so, can Rayburn, or even the dead husband, save her?
A very satisfactory tale. As it unfolds, one desperately wants a happy ending, but does Wilkie Collins want to give us one?
April 17, 2024
2.5
Book source ~ Purchased at Audible
Mrs Zant sees a ghost. Mr Rayburn sees a ghost. He thinks. Was it really? Something weird is definitely going on.
I listened to this last September while driving home to NC from OH on one of the many trips to and from after losing my mom in July. I honestly can’t remember a single thing about it. It is forgettable. I think there was a ghost? Maybe?
Writing: meh.
Plot: meh.
Narration: meh
Book source ~ Purchased at Audible
Mrs Zant sees a ghost. Mr Rayburn sees a ghost. He thinks. Was it really? Something weird is definitely going on.
I listened to this last September while driving home to NC from OH on one of the many trips to and from after losing my mom in July. I honestly can’t remember a single thing about it. It is forgettable. I think there was a ghost? Maybe?
Writing: meh.
Plot: meh.
Narration: meh
December 22, 2021
Free | The writing was about what I expected, not Collins' best, of course, but not his worst either. But I really disliked Anderson's narration, she sounded affected, way too breathy, and I had to put it to 1.3x speed or give up entirely.
January 9, 2016
Gillian Anderson's performance elevates Wilkie Collins's good story to greatness.
November 4, 2017
We write much better ghost stories now.
November 10, 2017
A short supernatural tale from Wilkie Collins.
Mrs. Zant and the Ghost is a story of loss and renewal. Belief in the hereafter.
While Mr. Rayburn and his young daughter are in Kensington Gardens, they witness a woman who looks disturbed. Not wishing the lady to come to any harm, Mr. Rayburn follows her home and the tale unfolds.
I really enjoyed this short story from Wilkie Collins, it had just the right touches to hold you and keep you turning the pages. And it definitely helped having the sultry tones of Gillian Anderson as the narrator.
The audiobook is at a lower price than the Kindle edition, and well worth listening to.
If you like the review and would like to read my other reviews on books I have read, visit my blog at www.finalchapterreadersgroup.wordpres...... like, comment and follow.
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January 1, 2026Two examples why Wilkie Collins is always great out of context:
"I have every reason to be grateful to the man against whom I have been supernaturally warned!"
"Mr. Zant looked at his visitor with a bland smile, and said: 'Please let me see your feet.'"
"I have every reason to be grateful to the man against whom I have been supernaturally warned!"
"Mr. Zant looked at his visitor with a bland smile, and said: 'Please let me see your feet.'"
January 3, 2020
I found this audio book very hard to follow....
September 20, 2023
When Gillian Anderson narrates a ghost story, you listen to it. Period. A great and entertaining piece of prose narrated with a great style and talent. Was the story too melodramatic at times? Definitely. But when dealing with this genre, over the top is just a regular occurrence. Intriguing enough and with great characters, this is such a gem of the ghost story genre.
September 7, 2016
Mrs. Zant and the Ghost Mrs. Zant and the Ghost is a simple ghost story. Not spooky, not particularly exciting and quite predictable. Of course I need to remember this was written back in the 1800s and I am sure much more fresh and intriguing back then.
Mrs. Zant recently lost her husband, a mere few weeks after their wedding. While walking her dog in Kensington Gardens, a place that was special to both of them, she feels his presence. This is witnessed by Lucy, a child, who is playing in the park. Lucy is upset because she doesn't know what is wrong with Mrs. Zant and alerts her father, Mr. Rayburn. Mr. Rayburn is concerned and assumes a bit of responsibility for Mrs. Zant even though she is a stranger to him. The story of course goes on from there. Is Mrs. Zant really feeling her husband or is she mad? That apparently is the question.
I obtained the free audiobook from Audible. I am not a big fan of audiobooks but with a 45 minute commute to work (and back), it helps make the time go a bit faster. Gillian Anderson, from the X-files, reads this book. She has such a soft and soothing voice I found myself getting sleepy... which is not a good thing when you are driving. I had to shut the audio off a few times. She did the best as the voice of Mrs. Zant and I found myself tearing up a few times when Mrs. Zant recalled her husband.
I covered by first bingo square!
You can obtain the free audiobook at amazon.
Mrs. Zant and the Ghost
Mrs. Zant recently lost her husband, a mere few weeks after their wedding. While walking her dog in Kensington Gardens, a place that was special to both of them, she feels his presence. This is witnessed by Lucy, a child, who is playing in the park. Lucy is upset because she doesn't know what is wrong with Mrs. Zant and alerts her father, Mr. Rayburn. Mr. Rayburn is concerned and assumes a bit of responsibility for Mrs. Zant even though she is a stranger to him. The story of course goes on from there. Is Mrs. Zant really feeling her husband or is she mad? That apparently is the question.
I obtained the free audiobook from Audible. I am not a big fan of audiobooks but with a 45 minute commute to work (and back), it helps make the time go a bit faster. Gillian Anderson, from the X-files, reads this book. She has such a soft and soothing voice I found myself getting sleepy... which is not a good thing when you are driving. I had to shut the audio off a few times. She did the best as the voice of Mrs. Zant and I found myself tearing up a few times when Mrs. Zant recalled her husband.
I covered by first bingo square!
You can obtain the free audiobook at amazon.
Mrs. Zant and the Ghost
January 1, 2016
I'm liking some of these actor-narrated Audible books (Bill Nighy - The Collectors by Philip Pullman, Claire Danes - The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood, Benedict Cumberbatch - The Spire by William Golding, Sissy Spacek - To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee), and this one is no exception. Don't know how simply reading this would have struck me--seems like a solid ghost story, if that's not an oxymoron of some kind--but Gillian Anderson's narration strengthened the eerie mood for me. Treat yourself to an audio visit with the mysterious Mrs. Zant...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews