👻 Ghost Stories

They Return at Evening

✍️ H R Wakefield
Reader Score
4.6
(1 review)
$11.99
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Thirteen psychological ghost stories by H R Wakefield that shaped modern supernatural fiction.

Wakefield shifts focus from Victorian ghosts to a more modern, psychological horror. His style is refined and chilling, creating an atmosphere that is quiet yet deeply unsettling. The collection spans diverse locations including cursed houses and haunted golf courses. Spectral telephones add to the eerie tone. The book balances understatement with sudden shocks. Stories like The Red Lodge and He Cometh and He Passeth By are included. These works are now regarded as classics of the genre. The Seventeenth Hole at Duncaster offers another perspective on the supernatural. Wakefield qualifies through his ability to evoke dread without melodrama. This volume appeals to readers who prefer subtle terror over explicit violence. It does not cater to those wanting traditional Victorian ghost stories.

Key Themes
cursed houses spectral telephones haunted golf courses
Literary Context

Published in 1928, this collection helped shape modern supernatural fiction. Wakefield moved beyond traditional Victorian ghosts to depict a psychological and modern form of horror. The stories balance eerie understatement with sudden shocks. They remain relevant for their quiet, civilized, and deeply unsettling tone.

Difficulty
●● Medium
Recommended For Fans Of
M R James · Shirley Jackson · Robert Aickman · Daphne du Maurier
👻
Ghost Stories
🏛 Wildside Press 📅 2025 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781667662008

📝 Description: They Return at Evening

H R Wakefield presents a collection of thirteen ghost stories in They Return at Evening. Originally published in 1928, these tales helped shape modern supernatural fiction by moving beyond traditional Victorian ghosts. The author employs a refined and chilling style to depict a psychological form of horror that feels quiet, civilized, and deeply unsettling. This volume balances eerie understatement with sudden shocks across various settings. Readers will encounter cursed houses, haunted golf courses, and spectral telephones within these pages. The collection includes stories now regarded as classics of the genre. Wakefield demonstrates his qualification through works like The Red Lodge and He Cometh and He Passeth By. Another notable entry is The Seventeenth Hole at Duncaster. These narratives draw on early twentieth-century traditions while establishing a new standard for the supernatural. The book suits readers who appreciate subtle dread over loud scares. It may not suit those seeking traditional Victorian ghost tropes or explicit gore. The organization allows each tale to stand alone while contributing to a cohesive atmosphere of unease. This edition brings Wakefield’s psychological approach to contemporary audiences. The stories avoid melodrama in favor of quiet terror. Fans of early modern horror will find value in the understated tension. The collection remains relevant for its unique blend of civilized manners and spectral intrusion.

💎 Our verdict on They Return at Evening

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Wakefield excels at evoking deep unease without resorting to melodrama or explicit gore. His psychological approach transforms standard ghost story elements, such as spectral telephones, into instruments of modern dread. The collection’s strength lies in its balance of understatement and sudden shock, making each tale distinct yet part of a unified atmosphere. While it may disappoint those seeking traditional Victorian tropes, it is a masterclass in quiet terror. Fans of early modern horror and refined supernatural fiction will find this volume essential for understanding the genre's shift toward internalized fear.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who prefer subtle terror over explicit violence will find profound satisfaction in this collection. Wakefield’s refined style creates a quiet, civilized dread that lingers long after reading. Those interested in the psychological underpinnings of horror, particularly how early twentieth-century writers moved away from Victorian clichés, will appreciate the nuanced tension. The inclusion of diverse settings, from cursed houses to haunted golf courses, offers variety while maintaining a cohesive tone of unease. It is ideal for enthusiasts of understated shocks and atmospheric storytelling who value literary quality over gore.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.6
Based on 1 reviews
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Horror Reads editorial team

Wakefield excels at evoking deep unease without resorting to melodrama or explicit gore. His psychological approach transforms standard ghost story elements, such as spectral telephones, into instruments of modern dread. The collection’s strength lies in its balance of understatement and sudden shock, making each tale distinct yet part of a unified atmosphere. While it may disappoint those seeking traditional Victorian tropes, it is a masterclass in quiet terror. Fans of early modern horror and refined supernatural fiction will find this volume essential for understanding the genre's shift toward internalized fear.

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