Collected together for the first time in two handsomely produced volumes from PS Publishing
are all the supernatural and macabre short stories and novellas of legendary British writer
Basil Copper. Drawn from numerous collections, anthologies and magazines as varied as the
legendary Pan Book of Horror Stories series, rare and collectible compilations edited by
Peter Haining and Richard Dalby, and the author's own highly-prized books from Arkham
House, these two extensive collections contain more than four decades' worth of weird
fiction from one of the genre's most renowned practitioners. In this initial volume you
will find such classics of the macabre as the author's first professionally published
short story, 'The Spider', along with memorable tales like "Camera Obscura' (adapted by
Rod Serling for the TV series Night Gallery), 'The Academy of Pain', 'Amber Print', 'The
Recompensing of Albano Pizar' (dramatised by BBC Radio 4) and the author's terrifying
Cthulhu Mythos novella, 'Shaft Number 247'. With an historical Introduction by editor
Stephen Jones, volume one of Darkness, Mist and Shadow: The Collected Macabre Tales
of Basil Copper also contains original illustrations by Dave Carson, Les Edwards,
Bob Eggleton, Gary Gianni and Allen Koszowski, along with a stunning cover
painting by Stephen E. Fabian.
| INTRODUCTION |
Stephen Jones |
| THE SPIDER |
|
| CAMERA OBSCURA |
|
| THE JANISSARIES OF EMILION |
|
| THE CAVE |
|
| THE GREY HOUSE |
|
| OLD MRS. CARTWRIGHT |
|
| CHARON |
|
| THE GREAT VORE |
|
| THE ACADEMY OF PAIN |
|
| DOCTOR PORTHOS |
|
| ARCHIVES OF THE DEAD |
|
| AMBER PRINT |
|
| OUT OF THE FOG |
|
| THE HOUSE BY THE TARN |
|
| THE KNOCKER AT THE PORTICO |
|
| THE SECOND PASSENGER |
|
| THE RECOMPENSING OF ALBANO PIZAR |
|
| THE GOSSIPS |
|
| A VERY PLEASANT FELLOW |
|
| A MESSAGE FROM THE STARS |
|
| CRY WOLF |
|
| THE TRODES |
|
| DUST TO DUST |
|
| THE FLABBY MEN |
|
| THE WAY THE WORLD DIED |
|
| THE TREASURE OF OUR LADY |
|
| JUSTICE AT THE CROSSROADS |
|
| MRS. VAN DONK |
|
| THE STRANGER |
|
| THE MADONNA OF THE FOUR-ALE BAR |
|
| SHAFT NUMBER 247 |
|
Reviews
"Every now and then a book is published which defines the horror genre. A book which transcends normal publishing to become a landmark. PS Publishing's mammoth collection of Basil Copper's short stories is just such an occasion."
—TALES FROM THE BLACK ABYSS, April 21, 2010
"A considered purchase, yes, but a purchase that will reward you with every story you read. If you are a fan of Basil Copper—these books are a welcome addition to any collection and if you are discovering Basil Copper for the first time, what are you waiting for? Buy the books now before they become extremely sought after collectibles."
—Johnny Mains
ALL THINGS HORROR, April 2010
