Glimpses of the Unknown: Lost Ghost Stories is the first in the “Tales of the Weird” series from the British Library, here collecting lost tales hat have rarely, if ever, been anthologized since their initial publication during the period 1899-1929. Editor Mike Ashley has done a very nice job coming up with this fine selection; and his short biographical sketches of each author are a welcomed feature, though in some cases the authors are so obscure there is little information he can offer. This anthology is a real find for lovers of classic Edwardian era ghost stories; it’s quite literally like coming across little nuggets of long buried treasure.

On the Embankment - Hugh E. Wright.... Chilling tale of how it happens that one particular seat on the Thames Embankment is never occupied.

The Mystery of the Gables - Elsie Norris..... Yes, it’s the old storyline of spending a night in a haunted house, but here rather well done.

The Missing Word - Austin Philips..... A nicely executed stormy night campfire story, modernized here within a telegraph gallery. Dare I say that the ending was, um... telegraphed?

Phantom Death - Huan Mee..... A mysterious painting has a haunting effect on those who view it.

The Wraith of the Rapier - Firth Scott.... At a superb price, a collector purchases a beautiful centuries-old rapier which creates a bizarre tingling sensation when gripped, and, of course, he gets much more than he bargained for.

The Soul of Maddalina Tonelli - James Barr..... A sweet story of a violinist, a Stradivarius, and a woman with an uncommon interest in him and the instrument.

Haunted! - Jack Edwards..... The exclaimed title is justly followed up with a very strong opening in which, through sight and sounds, we grasp the fear of the frightful visions that are tormenting Ernest Roydon. The story continues apace to a chilling conclusion.

Our Strange Traveller - Percy James Brebner..... Clever tale of two Englishmen on a walking tour in France who espy a most confounding traveler along the way.

A Regent of Love Rhymes - Guy Thorpe..... Originally appearing in the periodical “Lady’s Realm” in 1906, this is a unique and quite touching little gem.

Amid the Trees - Francis Xavier..... An evocative and spellbinding tale of love and longing.

The River’s Edge - Mary Schultze..... A predictable story of faith and a helping hand from beyond.

A Futile Ghost - Mary Reynolds..... Some neat twists and turns distinguish this story of love and inheritance.

Ghosts - Lumley Deakin..... The offbeat opening grabs you by the lapels in this finely crafted tale of greed and treachery.

Kearney - Elizabeth Jordan..... Lieutenant Belden discovers the key ingredient to freeing himself from a relentless haunting presence.

When Spirits Steal - Philippa Forest..... A pair of travelers encounter a frightfully nervous servant girl at an inn. A bizarre series of events soon reveals her unusual affliction.

The House of the Black Evil - Eric Purves..... When the interior of a house is found to be shrouded in complete and utter darkness, a band of townspeople investigate the mystery.

The Woman in the Veil - E. F. Benson..... Effective and atmospheric tale by one of the masters of weird fiction.

The Treasure of the Tombs - F. Britten Austin..... This predictable but nevertheless exciting pulp adventure story (with just a hint of the supernatural) closes out the collection. ( )