Description
World-renowned cartoonist Seth returns with three new ghost stories for 2024.
After the death of his wife in childbirth, Captain Dalgety has grown distant from his estate and young daughter. But during his walk home one afternoon, a sudden thunderstorm causes a series of revelations, and the captain’s life takes an unexpected turn.
Praise for Seth’s Christmas Ghost Stories
“[This] series of Christmas ghost stories, miniature books chosen and illustrated by the cartoonist Seth . . . [offers] chills—and charm.”
—John Williams, New York Times Book Review
“Full of foreboding . . . Seth complements the artful story . . . with bold and evocative imagery that transports readers to the haunting scene.”
—Literary Review of Canada
“These slim books are tame compared to much contemporary horror . . . But there’s power in that restraint. More goosebump-raising, less gag-inducing, the tales prioritize chilling atmospheres and psychological tension . . . With vivid prose and menacing illustrations, each story can add a delightful tinge of darkness to any booklover’s stocking.”
—Alexander Sallas, Literary Review of Canada‘s Bookworm
“This year marks the 10th anniversary of Seth’s Christmas Ghost Stories—a delightful series of compact little booklets illustrated by the Canadian cartoonist [Seth] . . . start a new/old Christmas tradition even more terrifying than fruit cake.”
—Ron Charles, Washington Post Book Club newsletter
“For the 10th anniversary of the series, award-winning Guelph comics artist Seth has chosen three more vintage short tales . . . to decorate in his bold, evocative style, making these macabre madeleines the perfect stocking stuffers.”
—Doug Brod, Toronto Star
“Internationally celebrated Guelph cartoonist Seth dug deep into his archive of ghost stories to resurrect a Victorian tradition of reading one on Christmas Eve.”
—Deb Dundas, Toronto Star
“I just bought my set of these and they . . . are . . . PERFECT. I hope they do these every year.”
—Patton Oswalt
“This year’s additions include The Amethyst Cross by Mary Fitt, Laurence Whistler’s Captain Dalgety Returns and L.P. Hartley’s Podolo . . . all featuring handsome and slightly creepy illustrations by Seth. They’re the perfect size and length to read while cozied up next to the tree or under your blanket with a flashlight.”
—Winnipeg Free Press
“Did you know there is an old tradition of telling ghost stories on Christmas Eve? For the past several years Canadian publisher Biblioasis has revived the tradition, one thin, tiny book at a time (illustrated by minimalistic, idiosyncratic cartoonist Seth). They’ve revived ghosts by Edith Wharton, Charles Dickens and others . . . What is, after all, ‘A Christmas Carol’ but a ghost story, handed down, every holiday?”
—Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune
“It’s become a favorite December tradition for me—reviewing the new set of Seth’s Christmas Ghost Stories as delivered to my stocking each year by the fine folks at Biblioasis. This year’s package contains tales of dread that will raise goosebumps on your arms faster than the coldest winter wind . . . Whistler does a great job of mixing the very real sorrow Dalgety feels at the loss of his wife with the abject terror he faces in the wake of the storm . . . Save it for the coldest, darkest part of the night.”
—Blu Gilliand, Cemetery Dance
“Awesome pocket editions of forgotten horror stories, or mystery stories, from the past, in this perfect set . . . This ‘Ghost Story for Christmas’ series is some of the most delightful reading that I do all year.”
—Christopher Hamelin, So Many Damn Books Podcast
“Illustrator Seth returns for the tenth year with a new batch of ghost stories originally written and published for the Christmas season . . . each story printed as a pocket-sized book taking about a half hour to hour to read, focusing on eerie and macabre (but never gory) tales of misadventure with bad spirits.”
—Tom Bowden, Book Beat
“This year marks the 10th anniversary of these beautifully designed pocket-sized books that revive the Victorian tradition of sharing spooky tales on Christmas Eve . . . As someone who has collected these books for years, it’s exciting to get three more of these pocket-sized treasures.”
—Mark Frauenfelder, Boing Boing
“[If] you are looking to add a little old world charm to your winter celebrations, this book series just may be for you. This year’s batch in particular offers up some fantastic reads, accompanied once again by stark and unsettling (in the best way) illustrations by accomplished illustrator Seth.”
—Lindsey Childs, Prairie Fire
“Seth’s books—petite and illustrated with gorgeous minimalist designs—feel somehow like a more mature version of my childhood traditions. In reality, Seth’s Christmas Ghost Stories are a tradition everyone, young and old, can make a part of their holidays. With these beautifully illustrated books, it seems in this case one really can judge a book by its cover.”
—The Charlatan
