Shadows and Silence

The ghost story, in its many guises, continues to thrive, despite being written off many times over the past half-century, perhaps most notably by H.R. Wakefield, one of the masters of the genre, who wrote in 1961: "I believe ghost story writing to be a dying art." Wakefield could not have been more wrong; and the rich legacy of such writers in the genre as Wakefield himself, M.R. James, and Robert Aickman, who were all able to hint at horror rather than spell it out, is apparent in the twenty-five stories in SHADOWS AND SILENCE. There is horror here in abundance; but it is a haunting horror, which clearly demonstrates that the example given has been followed by the present day practitioners whose work appears in this volume.Of the seventeen stories which appeared in the first Ash-Tree Press anthology, MIDNIGHT NEVER COMES, in 1997, no less than fifteen received honourable mentions in THE YEAR'S BEST FANTASY AND HORROR. That success has provided added impetus to ensure that the stories in this volume live up to the quality of their predecessors. The stories in SHADOWS AND SILENCE encompass an even wider range of themes, showcasing the versatility of the supernatural story.The ghost story is alive, well, and ready to face the challenges of the future.An Ash-Tree Press Limited Edition.CONTENTSThe Rag-and-Bone Men • (1999) • short story by Steve DuffyThe Last of Mr. Benjimen • (2000) • short story by Rick KennettMr. Justice Delaney • (2000) • short story by John MorrowThe Fairhaven Phantom Train • (2000) • short story by Jessica Amanda SalmonsonThe Man in the Blue Mercedes • (2000) • short story by Frances OliverThe Graveyard • (2000) • short story by Don TumasonisThe Slow Fall of Dust in a Quiet Place • (2000) • short story by Steve Rasnic TemTourist Trap • (2000) • short story by Barbara RodenThe Witness Tree • (2000) • short story by Steve BurtFrosted Glass • (2000) • short story by Jane JakemanSpider • (2000) • short story by John PelanThe Counsels of Night • (2000) • short story by Ron WeighellNo Strings • (2000) • short story by Ramsey CampbellThe Mummers • (2000) • short story by Paul Finch"Which, Being Translated, Means" • (2000) • short story by Cooper Renner"Excuse Me ... " • (2000) • short story by John WhitbournThe Hangman's Beautiful Daughter • (2000) • short story by Michael ChislettThe Other Side of the Bay • (2000) • short story by Nick DiMartinoWolferton Hall • (2000) • short story by James DoigLittler • (2000) • short story by Hugh B. CaveOne Over the Twelve • (2000) • short story by C. E. WardThe Chapel of Unrest • (2000) • short story by Stephen VolkThe Last Reel • (2000) • short story by David G. RowlandsThe Spirit Mirror • (2000) • short story by Keris McDonaldMr. Dark's Carnival • novelette by Glen Hirshberg