Ward, C. E. - Ghostly Quarters

Four novellas, all bearing the lingering echoes of M. R. James to varying degree.

The family vacations at Stowby-by-Sea, a faded seaside town that had know better days, and would only know worse in its future. Idling a break, mother and son take turn about the town, then turn into the “Promenade Walk” arriving at an emporium of antiques, relics, treasure, junk. Only it is closed. No matter. The mother had been alarmed and left hurriedly.
Years pass, along with a few more outings, and the young man continues to be drawn to the shop. More so, it appears, even after he learns bits of the murky history of the proprietor and his family.

James unexpectedly inherits a country estate, manor and grounds. A series of deaths had filled “Some Episodes Of A Family History” causing the fortuitous bequest. The estate is too much for one person, and the solicitor assumes James will sell. The new owner, however, is curious, especially after he hears that the place has a “history”, and, as one character declares, “it isn’t very pleasant.”

The most Jamesian of the novellas is “Warlock’s End”. The manor had been renamed by a sinister new arrival to Prior’s Bromley. Domineering type, self-possessed and apparently able to hex any opposition, literally. For fans of Mr. Karswell, the stylish Lucian Starlight could pass for his brother.