Pan Book of Horror Stories: Volume 1

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The early editions of the Pan Book of Horror Stories were notable for their lurid cover art [2] and Van Thal's introduction of stories by new authors alongside classics of the genre. The first edition included works by Peter Fleming, Muriel Spark, Bram Stoker and C. S. Forester. Later volumes featured Ray Bradbury and Lord Dunsany among others. Basil Copper made his debut in fifth volume, with the story "The Spider". [3] The series also published work by Charles Birkin, R. Chetwynd-Hayes and Alex Hamilton. [4] After volume nine, Van Thal placed a heavier reliance on new authors. The series grew in popularity and was the stepping stone for much new talent. [1] In the 1970s, the increasingly violent content of the Pan Books provoked some controversy. [4] In the early 1980s a slow decline in standards was observed. Popularity rose again in the late decade, but a multitude of reprint stories from Stephen King and a severe slide in quality ended the iconic series in 1989. The last book is now a rare collectors item, owing to the small print run it received. A puppet master tries to destroy his own puppets but they have other ideas. Okay but treads familiar territory. (3/5) Simon Jay is a pseudonym for Colin James Alexander, who was born in Lincolnshire but moved to New Zealand as a boy. He was a doctor and surgeon who, when not publishing in the medical field, found time to produce two detective novels. The Cell: Three Tales of Horror (1969) - Contains the stories "The Cell", "The Hunter", and "The Dead End" The early Pan collections were a mix of established writers and new writers, Stephen King had a short story included in one of these anthologies. The series ran to 30 volumes and the first 24 were edited by Herbert Van Thal, these were the books I remember most. After volume nine the emphasis was placed more on new authors. In the 1970’s the stories became increasingly more violent and graphic. The quality of the stories in the 1980’s lead to a decline in popularity and the series eventually ended in 1989. This, the twelfth volume, was published in 1971.

Access-restricted-item true Addeddate 2023-01-12 09:30:58 Bookplateleaf 0002 Boxid IA40407813 Camera Sony Alpha-A6300 (Control) Collection_set printdisabled External-identifier Love Me, Love Me, Love Me’ by M. S. Waddell. A man becomes infatuated by a phantom girl appearing and vanishing around his property. A very subtle and beautifully written piece that is rich in atmosphere.The authors, most of whom were of obscure origin and who remained obscure, had several obsessions. Darkest Africa and the mysterious East was one (cue immeasurable fathomless cruelty); in case you think they were all racist blighters, they also seemed to think that behind the façade of every English country house was a retired surgeon just aching to graft your normal legs onto the body of his stunted daughter. Or chain you in the library and gradually eat bits of you. As I'm working through a list of short fiction authors in the early W's (Karl Edward Wagner through Ian Watson, if you must know), I'm currently reading some Elizabeth Walter pieces, and pulled this off the shelf to read "The Isle of Regrets" The problem with this story is that you are bound to know exactly what is coming from the title and the first two paragraphs. It’s well enough written, but no surprises. CAMERA OBSCURA, by Basil Copper: A loan shark goes after a collector with a remarkable object. A simple revenge story in spirit, but Copper adds enough otherworldly weirdness to make it thoroughly effective. 4/5

A U.S edition of the first Pan book was released by Gold Medal, an imprint of Fawcett Publications, and books 3, 4 and 5 were released by Berkley Medallion. While the first book was complete in its contents, the other three books gave only a small selection of their UK counterparts. There is no evidence to support PBoH #2 ever having a US release. This is a genuinely creepy Lovecraftian tale. One dark night a man runs from a gang of louts and takes refuge in an abandoned building. There he encounters obscenely hideous beings.Harry Harrison (1925-2012) began as a comic book artist working for EC Comics, especially in Weird Science and Weird Fantasy, before going on to become one of the great American science fiction authors, famous for a series of novels about a character known as The Stainless Steel Rat, beginning in 1961, and also Make Room! Make Room! (1966), which was the inspiration for the movie Soylent Green (1973). THE CHILDREN, by W. Baker-Evans: A man is stranded in the woods when he meets a group of feral children. An uninspiring effort with no atmosphere and a twist that seems very tame by modern standards. Village of the Damned it ain't! THE ISLAND OF REGRETS, by Elizabeth Walter. A newly-engaged couple's holiday to Brittany turns sour. Tons of atmosphere and suspense in this old-fashioned ghost story which is up there with the best of M. R. James. It sits out of place in this anthology, almost as if it's too good for it. 5/5 he saw with a final glance that Laffler and Sbirro were already at the kitchen door, Sbirro holding the door invitingly wide with one hand, while the other rested, almost tenderly, on Laffler’s meaty shoulders.

His first Western, Plumb Drillin', was originally set to be a movie starring Steve McQueen before the actor's untimely death in 1980 [ citation needed]. Suitable Applicant’ by Charles Braunstone. A woman gets a job working for a man who her missing best friend previously worked for. It all happens here – bloodthirstiness and kinky sex! This is another of those stories which is enjoyable for its sheer weirdness, as well as gripping build-up. You’ll probably guess where the story is going, but then one or two more embellishments lift it further. THE RETURN, by G. M. Glaskin: A 17-year-old girl, dozing in the grass, is assailed by a horrible sight. Verbose, purple prose thought = a chore to read. 1/5Walter Winward was a British-born novelist, who lived in the United States, North Africa, France, Malta, Mexico, Turkey, and Sweden, and worked at a variety of different occupations ranging from Royal Marine Commando to professional gambler. THE FUR BROOCH, by Dulcie Gray: A young woman is desperate to get rid of her slimeball suitor, but he has other ideas. Written in a very genteel and decidedly old-fashioned style, but this somehow works; a gore story written by a prim and proper old lady - at least that's what it feels like. 3/5

DREAM HOUSE, by Dulcie Gray: A married couple rent their dream home, but their relationship is troubled. A mundane-feeling tale, without much to recommend it, aside from the very funny letter at the end. 3/5 The Bean-Nighe’ by Dorothy K. Haynes. A woman who lives a tough life runs into a hag-like apparition on her remote journey to work. Her domestic life (constant work, living in a small house with her mother, ill brother and sister who keeps her awake at nights) is every bit as horrific as the apparition she sees. This is a doom-laden tale from one of the most consistent writers in the genre. I have yet to read a bad story from her. The cover of my edition (a head in a hat-box) is clearly inspired by this one. A hospital patient recalls a train trip that took him to a mysterious shed where he was tortured and blinded. Intriguing first person set up is let down by an unsatisfactory second half that explains the mystery. (3/5) The Growth’ by Bruce Lowery. A mother and son are increasingly worried by the size of a growth on her body. Things don't improve as it soon begins to move. I enjoyed this. It builds nicely, and you wonder where it’s all heading. It’s also a moving tale, with her unable to accept what is happening, and desperately hoping for a successful operation Here we have a classy ghost story all about the passion of lovers too wild to be constrained by death.When a moneylender attempts to collect a debt from an eccentric with a strange photographic device, his life takes a bizarre twist. Effective step into the "Twilight Zone" and a highlight of the volume. (5/5)