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The Statement of Stella Maberly
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New Releases > The Statement of Stella Maberly (1896) by F. Anstey

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Valancourt Books (valancourt_books) | 1020 comments Mod
Now available! A rediscovered Victorian classic of madness and possession, F. Anstey's THE STATEMENT OF STELLA MABERLY (1896). Stella believes her friend Evelyn – seemingly lovely and innocent – is actually dead and that her body has been reanimated by an evil spirit. Is Stella insane, or could her horrific conjectures be true? Features a new introduction and notes, plus several previously unpublished manuscripts, including the 1916 screenplay for a never-produced film adaptation, An Evil Spirit.

description

Book Description

After her father loses his fortune, Stella Maberly is forced to go into service as a paid companion to her former schoolfellow, Evelyn Heseltine. When Stella finds Evelyn one morning apparently dead from an accidental--or perhaps intentional--poisoning, she is shocked and horrified. But it is nothing compared to her horror when Evelyn reawakens. Stella believes her friend's body is animated by something evil. Is Stella insane, or has a spirit of darkness actually taken possession of Evelyn?

Available worldwide:

Paperback
Website | Amazon US | Amazon UK
eBook
Website | Amazon US | Amazon UK


Nancy Oakes (quinnsmom) | 302 comments I ordered mine yesterday! I'm beyond excited.


Kimberly (kimberly_3238) | 382 comments Nancy wrote: "I ordered mine yesterday! I'm beyond excited."

I ordered mine with the paperback of ELTONSBRODY just a few days ago--when I saw an "unannounced" Valancourt title, I had to pounce on it!!!


Kimberly (kimberly_3238) | 382 comments *We need to get our Valancourt buddy reads back together--I have quite a few still waiting (they keep getting pushed back by NEW Valancourt releases--LOL).*


Nancy Oakes (quinnsmom) | 302 comments Kimberly wrote: "Nancy wrote: "I ordered mine yesterday! I'm beyond excited."

I ordered mine with the paperback of ELTONSBRODY just a few days ago--when I saw an "unannounced" Valancourt title, I had to pounce on ..."


Eltonsbrody is such a good book - I hope you like it, Kimberly.


Kimberly (kimberly_3238) | 382 comments Nancy wrote: "Kimberly wrote: "Nancy wrote: "I ordered mine yesterday! I'm beyond excited."

I ordered mine with the paperback of ELTONSBRODY just a few days ago--when I saw an "unannounced" Valancourt title, I ..."


I LOVED it! Review will be on Horror After Dark tomorrow, and already up on Amazon, Amazon UK, and here. :)


Nancy Oakes (quinnsmom) | 302 comments Kimberly wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Kimberly wrote: "Nancy wrote: "I ordered mine yesterday! I'm beyond excited."

I ordered mine with the paperback of ELTONSBRODY just a few days ago--when I saw an "unannounced" Valanc..."


It was beyond good, wasn't it? I loved it.


Kimberly (kimberly_3238) | 382 comments Nancy wrote: "Kimberly wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Kimberly wrote: "Nancy wrote: "I ordered mine yesterday! I'm beyond excited."

I ordered mine with the paperback of ELTONSBRODY just a few days ago--when I saw an "un..."


I couldn't think of a more "perfect" example of a Gothic horror novel if I tried! I would have never heard of most of these if Valancourt wasn't re-releasing them. I'm "gifting" a kindle version to my mother. I have one and ordered the paperback, but if she doesn't get her OWN copy to read and RE-read, my paperback will be mysteriously "missing" after her next visit.... ;)


Nancy Oakes (quinnsmom) | 302 comments Kimberly wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Kimberly wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Kimberly wrote: "Nancy wrote: "I ordered mine yesterday! I'm beyond excited."

I ordered mine with the paperback of ELTONSBRODY just a few days ago--whe..."


"a more "perfect" example of a Gothic horror novel" -- spot on.


message 10: by Valancourt Books (last edited Feb 21, 2017 04:14PM) (new) - added it

Valancourt Books (valancourt_books) | 1020 comments Mod
Let me know how STELLA MABERLY goes for you, Nancy!

Kimberly, when I read ELTONSBRODY for the first time I was on vacation at my Grandmother's house. I finished it around 4 am and started texting Jay to get the book at all costs. And plan a trip to Barbados. :P

I'm still waiting on my trip to Barbados.


Nancy Oakes (quinnsmom) | 302 comments Valancourt Books wrote: "Let me know how STELLA MABERLY goes for you, Nancy!

Kimberly, when I read ELTONSBRODY for the first time I was on vacation at my Grandmother's house. I finished it around 4 am and started texting ..."


You will love Barbados. Beautiful island.


Kimberly (kimberly_3238) | 382 comments Valancourt Books wrote: "Let me know how STELLA MABERLY goes for you, Nancy!

Kimberly, when I read ELTONSBRODY for the first time I was on vacation at my Grandmother's house. I finished it around 4 am and started texting ..."


My mother already "claimed" her gift of ELTONSBRODY! I'm STILL thinking of that one--I HAD to get the paperback because I can see myself re-reading it a dozen times. Overall, I've purchased more books from Valancourt over the past year than any other publisher--you and Jay have done something incredible in bringing these books back into print. When I ordered STELL MABERLY, I didn't know anything about it, other than it was being released by Valancourt--LOL!

(I'd keep at him about that trip to Barbados.... And take lots of pictures to share!!)


Nancy Oakes (quinnsmom) | 302 comments My book's here!!!! Guess what I'm reading tonight! Thanks, guys.


Latasha (latasha513) | 116 comments you had me at madness and possession <3 my car will be paid off soon and i need to take that extra income and order a massive amount of your books.


Kimberly (kimberly_3238) | 382 comments Nancy wrote: "My book's here!!!! Guess what I'm reading tonight! Thanks, guys."

I have shipping notices for 3 separate Vanancourt books from Amazon (paperbacks), but nothing here yet :(. May have to read one of my other Valancourt titles to tide me over!

@Latasha: What book are you up for next for a buddy read? (I have a pretty good selection already on shelves just waiting to be read!!)


Latasha (latasha513) | 116 comments Oh wow, I have no idea! I'll look this evening or you can pick one.


Latasha (latasha513) | 116 comments I think the priest and the witch has been in my to read list the longest, or it might be the other way around.


Kimberly (kimberly_3238) | 382 comments Do you have DEVIL IN THE DARKNESS Devil in the Darkness by Archie Roy , or THE DEADLY DOWAGER The Deadly Dowager by Edwin Greenwood ? I recently saw a good review for DEVIL IN THE DARKNESS.

(Also have THE MUMMY, ALL SOULS' NIGHT, NOVEMBER NIGHT TALES, GOLGOTHA FALLS, I AM YOUR BROTHER, NOVEMBER NIGHT TALES, THE CADAVER OF GIDEON WYCK, and FENGRIFFEN & Other Tales.....(waiting on the delivery of 3 more--LOL)! If not, I'll look up the priest and the witch.


Latasha (latasha513) | 116 comments No I don't have any so I'll have to buy the book either way.


Kimberly (kimberly_3238) | 382 comments I also have the Victorian Christmas stories (collection)--I never got a chance to read during the season. The witch and the priest looks good, too--I don't mind buying that one. Should we post it on the "buddy reads" as a VALANCOURT read, and see if anyone else is interested in a specific title??? I could read anything of theirs. :)


Latasha (latasha513) | 116 comments Let's see if anyone else has a suggestion.


Kimberly (kimberly_3238) | 382 comments Latasha wrote: "Let's see if anyone else has a suggestion."

Works for me. :)


Latasha (latasha513) | 116 comments Sorry I was scatter brain, my mom was visiting. I'd post it in the buddy read, just a valancourt read, say we're open for suggestions and go from there. I can do it sometime this weekend or you can. I'm easy to get along with. :)


Nancy Oakes (quinnsmom) | 302 comments Finished. The shrieks of delight in my head didn't stop the entire time I was reading it.


Kimberly (kimberly_3238) | 382 comments Nancy wrote: "Finished. The shrieks of delight in my head didn't stop the entire time I was reading it."

Still waiting for mine--I'm going to check if I get the free eBook for ordering the paperback.


Latasha (latasha513) | 116 comments Kimberly, let's read Devil In The Darkness


Kimberly (kimberly_3238) | 382 comments Latasha wrote: "Kimberly, let's read Devil In The Darkness"

Sounds good to me!


Latasha (latasha513) | 116 comments Let's wait til after the 13th to start.


Kimberly (kimberly_3238) | 382 comments Latasha wrote: "Let's wait til after the 13th to start."

Good plan--I can get the few I'm working on now finished by then. :)


message 30: by Latasha (last edited Mar 04, 2017 03:54PM) (new) - rated it 3 stars

Latasha (latasha513) | 116 comments Kimberly wrote: "Latasha wrote: "Let's wait til after the 13th to start."

Good plan--I can get the few I'm working on now finished by then. :)"


ok, I wasn't near a calendar but I am now. how about....the 25th or later?


Kimberly (kimberly_3238) | 382 comments That's the big Guitar Fest weekend for my one son (I'll have a book in my bag at all times!) A lot of time waiting for other group classes to end.... :)


Latasha (latasha513) | 116 comments Ok how about next month?


Kimberly (kimberly_3238) | 382 comments I meant the 25th will be "good for reading"--LOL! I mostly have to sit around at these things, waiting for his turn. I have 2 reviews @ the 15th, but after that, I only have 1 lined up. So 25th or after is great. :)


Valancourt Books (valancourt_books) | 1020 comments Mod
Nancy wrote: "Finished. The shrieks of delight in my head didn't stop the entire time I was reading it."

Glad you enjoyed it!! :)


Latasha (latasha513) | 116 comments Oh ok Kimberly.


Kimberly (kimberly_3238) | 382 comments My paperback of THE STATEMENT OF STELLA MAYBERLY is shipping soon; but I did go through and get the "matchbook kindle" version of all, so I don't have to wait for my paperbacks to arrive now! I may have to jump right into this one....


Nancy Oakes (quinnsmom) | 302 comments Kimberly wrote: "My paperback of THE STATEMENT OF STELLA MAYBERLY is shipping soon; but I did go through and get the "matchbook kindle" version of all, so I don't have to wait for my paperbacks to arrive now! I may..."

My suggestion -- read it twice. It pays off big time in the long run.


message 38: by Kimberly (last edited Mar 05, 2017 10:40AM) (new) - rated it 5 stars

Kimberly (kimberly_3238) | 382 comments Nancy wrote: "Kimberly wrote: "My paperback of THE STATEMENT OF STELLA MAYBERLY is shipping soon; but I did go through and get the "matchbook kindle" version of all, so I don't have to wait for my paperbacks to ..."

That's why I get the paperbacks--old school; it's so much easier to pick it off my shelves to re-read..... :) I'm excited to start this one now! Although Eltonsbrody is STILL on my mind....I know I'm going to have to re-read that one sooner, rather than later--just in case I missed something.


Valancourt Books (valancourt_books) | 1020 comments Mod
Reviewed today in the Washington Post, Michael Dirda says, "This shocker—contemporaneous with Henry James’s 'The Turn of the Screw' and Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s 'The Yellow Wallpaper'— remains a chillingly ambiguous masterpiece."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/entert...


Kimberly (kimberly_3238) | 382 comments Valancourt Books wrote: "Reviewed today in the Washington Post, Michael Dirda says, "This shocker—contemporaneous with Henry James’s 'The Turn of the Screw' and Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s 'The Yellow Wallpaper'— remains a ..."

GREAT review!!


Nancy Oakes (quinnsmom) | 302 comments The ambiguity is everything in this book. I read it twice taking two different points of view and it works both ways.


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