Demons and Shadows: The Ghostly Best Stories [Paperback]

Robert Westall (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1997 | Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

"Cats, old churches, antiques and antique dealers: these are a few of the creatures, settings, items and individuals that crop up again and again in this collection of Westall's fiendishly clever, spine-tingling short fiction. . . . Besides being genuinely creepy, these stories are witty, wise and laced with insight."--Publishers Weekly.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Cats, old churches, antiques and antique dealers: these are a few of the creatures, settings, items and individuals that crop up again and again in this posthumous collection of Westall's fiendishly clever, spine-tingling short fiction. In "Graveyard Shift," a story which has not previously appeared in print, a cemetery superintendent whose duties include ushering the recently departed into the next world encounters a sinister, modern-day vampire. The book's 10 other entries are culled from various collections of the author's work. "A Walk on the Wild Side" is the chronicle of a shape-shifting cat's attempts to monopolize the affections of her owner. Felines also figure in "The Creatures in the House," in which a motley crew of strays star in an uproarious slapstick scene and save the soul of the woman who rescued them. "The Last Day of Miss Dorinda Molyneaux," the tale of a haunted church, shares a common theme with Westall's recent novel The Stones of Muncaster Cathedral. Besides being genuinely creepy, these stories are witty, wise and laced with insight. Ages 10-up.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up-This first volume in a projected set includes eight short stories, all but one previously published. The flawless execution of plot and character clearly illustrates Westall's skill in spinning a tale. These are not slash-and-gore horror stories, but rather subtle, sometimes whimsical page-turners that are so fraught with tension. The contents range from the almost playful "Graveyard Shift," in which a cemetery custodian, who visits nightly with the spirits of the newly dead, has an ugly run-in with a vampire, to the truly frightening "The Last Day of Miss Dorinda Molyneaux," a tale about a corpse that vandalizes the tombs of his contemporaries and fancies little girls. The heavy use of Briticisms may cause confusion for some readers, but for horror buffs this book should prove to be a fine addition.
Patricia A. Dollisch, DeKalb County Public Library, Decatur, GA
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux (September 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374417016
• ISBN-13: 978-0374417017
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,329,970 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Greatest Volume of Scary Stories Ever, March 31, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Demons and Shadows: The Ghostly Best Stories (Paperback)

If you are into intrigue, suspense, and scary mysteries, then this is the book for you! I normally am not that interested in books but I gave this one a chance and loved it! I am speechless, I can't even describe it. It is an awesome book though. I love all of the stories!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars "Demons and Shadows", June 15, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Demons and Shadows: The Ghostly Best Stories (Paperback)

The chilling story of the Graveyard shift is a story you must read. It is a creepy tale written by the fantastic Robert Westall. It is a short but satisfying tale. But DO beware! A chill will run down your spine and your heart will be in your throat. An eerie feel will be all around while you enjoy this creepy tale. The story is about a widower named Cem Robson. He is a cemetry super intendant who is constantly haunted by the people who died and are buried in the cemetry next to his home. They would turn up every night in the creeky rocking chair in Cems home. But one night he gets an unusual visitor named Dr.Warwrick. He was a man who nobody liked. Cem is very scared of the doctor. Cem was then told that the Doctor had been buried alive. Cem was told to dig up the coffin, take it to the Doctor's house. What will happen to frightened Cem? What about the nasty Doctor? Will the creepy cemetry be the same again? You will have to read this thrilling story to find out!