SOLVED. Adult Short Horror Story. Frightening Unearthed Mosaic. [s]

[JJ]

Read this short story in an anthology of ghost stories in the late 1970's. The writers were nearly all from Britain. Story concerns man in the modern-day English countryside who, either accidentally or on purpose, uncovers an ancient mosaic. As he uncovers more he recognizes the landscape depicted in the mosaic--it is where he is now staying. In the distance is a small figure. As he chips away at the dirt and debris of the mosaic and more of the image is revealed, he realizes the figure is coming closer. Style is somewhat similar to M.R. James.

[[on hiatus] The rockabilly werewolf from Mars]

I don't recognize the story off hand, but here are some authors with a similar style to James to look into:
R.H. Malden
Eleanor Scott (her story Celui-la from the collection Randalls Round somewhat similar, but features a mural rather than a mosaic, and is set in france)
L.T.C. Rolt
A.N.L. Munby
E.F. Benson
E.G. Swain
H. Russell Wakefield

Also look into the anthologies edited by Hugh Lamb, which often featured stories of this type.

[Kris]

JJ, is this story for adults or teens?

[JJ]

Hello Kris, The story was for adult readers.

[JJ]

Yes, H. R. Wakefield's style was similar to James. His "Blind Man's Buff" is the single most terrifying story I've ever read. (going off topic) ..thanks to all for replying. I'm familiar with most of the authors you've kindly listed so I'll check them out. ..also the Lamb anthologies. :)

[JJ]

Hello again, The Eleanor Scott story Celui-La is the story I've been looking for, for all these many years. I can't thank you all enough for your help--I had about given up hope and told myself I had imagined reading the story! I know exactly how to find this again, and am looking forward to re-reading it (even if it isn't as good as" Blind Man's Buff' lol). Cheers! PS. I'd forgotten about those Lamb anthologies--those were some great ones..and the titles! Gotta love them :)

[Scott]

I love stories like this and am happy to see that I have it in a collection I haven't read yet.

The Century's Best Horror Fiction Volume One

[Kris]

Glad you found your story, JJ. Can you remember which anthology/book you found it in?

[JJ]

Scott wrote: "I love stories like this and am happy to see that I have it in a collection I haven't read yet.

The Century's Best Horror Fiction Volume One"

Definitely some outstanding stories in this one.

[JJ]

Kris wrote: "Glad you found your story, JJ. Can you remember which anthology/book you found it in?"

Yes, I fortunately can! It was the Lamb anthology "A Wave of Fear." Lots of excellent entries of the subtle, creeping dread kind of English ghost story I'm so fond of.

[Kris]

Great. Thanks for the update. A Wave of Fear: A Classic Horror Anthology by Hugh Lamb