" A] very unusual story ...] an interest develops strongly, it increases, and we move on to a climax that is full of excitement. Nothing save the book itself can indicate its peculiar atmosphere and its real merit." - "Daily Telegraph"
"A very exquisite book, written with rare charm and great art." - "Manchester Guardian"
"A book of distinction and charm." - "New York Times"
"There are few contemporary stories of childhood reaching the artistic height of "The Spring Song."" - "Springfield Republican"
Thirteen-year-old Grif Weston and his siblings, Barbara, Ann, Jim, Edward, and Edward's friend Palmer Dorset, travel to their grandfather's home in rural Ireland, where they hope to pass an eventful summer. Unexpected dangers and adventures lurk, as the children must solve the kidnapping of their beloved dog Pouncer and thwart a burglary attempt on Grandpapa's house. Yet there is another danger, far more sinister, involving Billy Tremaine, a local boy who died at age fourteen in a tragedy no one wants to talk about.
When Grif hears a mysterious figure singing an old tune called "The Spring Song," old Mr. Bradley tells him that it's Billy's ghost, trying to lure Grif into joining him in the world of the dead; shortly afterwards Grif falls ill with an inexplicable sickness. But Palmer Dorset, an avid reader of Sherlock Holmes tales, is determined to solve these mysteries, and he'll risk every danger to find the truth behind Mr. Bradley's ghastly stories and Grif's unexplainable illness. . . .
Forrest Reid (1875-1947) is unequaled among English-language writers in his novels of boyhood and adolescence. In "The Spring Song" (1916), he weaves a classic boys' adventure tale with a chilling ghost story in the vein of Henry James's "The Turn of the Screw." This edition, the first since the novel's original publication, is newly typeset from the original edition and features a new introduction by Mark Valentine.

"It belongs to those short, perfect books that are rarely written in English." - "Evening Standard"
" T]his extremely odd performance is indicative of great power." - Gerald Gould, "The Observer"
" A] right intriguing comedy and mystery. As entertainment during your insomnia, it is earnestly recommended." - "Milwaukee Journal"
" A] perfect masterpiece of hair-raising horror. It may offend some of its readers, but it will not bore them." - "Pittsburgh Post-Gazette"
A female killer stalks the streets of London, sleeping with young men before slashing their throats and mutilating their bodies. The crimes have baffled the police and enraged Londoners, who demand the murderer's arrest. Mary, Duchess of Dove, a gentle young widow who is beloved by all who know her, seems an unlikely suspect, but the clues all point to her. The police have a variety of theories - perhaps the Duchess has been hypnotized or drugged, maybe she has an evil double, or could it be a Communist plot to discredit the peerage? Inspector Basil Icelin is determined to solve the mystery, but the true explanation is far more shocking and terrifying than anyone could ever imagine.
Michael Arlen (1895-1956) became a rich and world-famous celebrity after the publication of his bestseller "The Green Hat" in 1924. "Hell said the Duchess" (1934) is a delightfully bizarre book, telling a "bedtime story" in a light, humorous style that contrasts oddly with its gruesome and horrific subject matter. This first-ever reprinting of what Karl Edward Wagner has called the best supernatural horror novel ever written includes an introduction by Mark Valentine.

" G]rew upon me with every page, until I came to the dramatic climax . . . often brilliant . . . with] the brilliance of fever, almost of delirium." - "Punch"
"It is very shocking . . . Houghton] has proved himself to possess considerable talent." - "Spectator"
""Neighbours" is a novel about ideas concerning life. It is full of dialogue, and good dialogue. It has beautiful moments. It is original." - Arnold Bennett, "Evening Standard"
"His novels bring us the finest and most firmly thought-out exposition of the spiritual problem of modern times." - "New York Times"
"In Claude Houghton's work you have come to expect not only an unusual and fast-moving story, but one with its hidden excitements or seeming touch of fantasy, the significance of which may not be apparent until you have reached the last page." - "Sunday Times"
The narrator of "Neighbours" is a young writer who has taken a room in the attic of a lodging house, where he hopes to find a quiet atmosphere in which to work. One night, the sound of a man's laughter outside his door alerts him to the existence of Victor, a fellow lodger in an adjoining room. The narrator feels an immediate and inexplicable hatred for his unwanted neighbour, which develops into an obsession as he listens to Victor's fervent conversations and amorous adventures through the thin wall and records it all in minute detail on endless sheets of paper. His morbid fascination with Victor gradually begins to dominate his existence, leading to a shocking climax when he finally resolves to destroy his neighbour, the man he blames for ruining his life . . .
Claude Houghton (1889-1961) won a devoted cult following in the 1930s with novels like "I Am Jonathan Scrivener" (1930) and "This Was Ivor Trent" (1935), psychological thrillers with brilliantly sharp dialogue and unusual metaphysical themes. This edition of his astonishing first novel, "Neighbours" (1926), is the first in over 75 years and features a new introduction by Mark Valentine.