Scary Ghost Stories and Tales of Christmases Long, Long Ago

By Donna Huber

The other day, I heard the song It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year. I listen to this song every year, but this year, the line "scary ghost stories" struck me. In Victorian times, it was customary for ghost stories to be shared around the fire during the holidays. The most famous, of course, being A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. The song was written in 1963, so perhaps the tradition of ghost stories continued much longer into the 20th century. Though the Victorians shared any type of ghost story, not necessarily about Christmas, here are a few holiday-themed scary ghost stories for your Christmas reading.

If you are looking for more books to read for Christmas, be sure to check out all the 25 Days of Christmas Reading recommendations.

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Christmas Ghost Stories: Classic Victorian Tales for Cold Winter Nights by A.R. Wells

When frost gathers on windowpanes and darkness falls early, the Victorians gathered by firelight to share tales of spectres, curses, and restless spirits - a tradition revived for modern readers.

The masters understood something we’ve that true terror doesn’t announce itself with gore or shock, but creeps in through the familiar made wrong. A child’s voice where no child should be. A room numbered impossibly. An invisible hand that grows bolder in the dark.

This collection gathers eight essential tales from Gaskell, James, Benson, Doyle, and their contemporaries - writers who didn’t just tell ghost stories but perfected them into an art form. Each story has been chosen to build an authentic Victorian escalating dread, mounting unease, and finally, when the fear has peaked, merciful release.

The fire burns bright. The shadows gather. And the dead, as always, have much to say. (Goodreads)

Buy Christmas Ghost Stories at Amazon

The Winter Spirits: Ghostly Tales for Frosty Nights

The tradition of a haunted tale at Christmas has flourished across the centuries. These twelve stories, authored by some of today's most loved and lauded writers of historical and gothic fiction, are all centered on Christmas or Advent, boldly and playfully re-imagining a beloved tradition for a modern audience. Taking you from a haunted Tuscan villa to a remote Scottish island with a dark secret, these stories are your ultimate companion for frosty nights.

Featuring new and original stories from Bridget Collins, Imogen Hermes Gowar, Kiran Millwood Hargrave, Andrew Michael Hurley, Jess Kidd, Natasha Pulley, Elizabeth Macneal, Laura Purcell, Susan Stokes Chapman, Laura Shepherd-Robinson, Stuart Turton, and Catriona Ward. (Goodreads)

Buy The Winter Spirits at Amazon

If you want a full length novel...

Mr. Dickens and His Carol by Samantha Silva

Charles Dickens is not feeling the Christmas spirit. His newest book is an utter flop, the critics have turned against him, relatives near and far hound him for money. While his wife plans a lavish holiday party for their ever-expanding family and circle of friends, Dickens has visions of the poor house. But when his publishers try to blackmail him into writing a Christmas book to save them all from financial ruin, he refuses. And a serious bout of writer’s block sets in. Frazzled and filled with self-doubt, Dickens seeks solace in his great palace of thinking, the city of London itself. On one of his long night walks, in a once-beloved square, he meets the mysterious Eleanor Lovejoy, who might be just the muse he needs. As Dickens’ deadlines close in, Eleanor propels him on a Scrooge-like journey that tests everything he believes about generosity, friendship, ambition, and love. The story he writes will change Christmas forever. (Goodreads)

Read my review.

Buy Mr. Dickens and His Carol at Amazon

Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the founder of Girl Who Reads and the author of how-to marketing book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour.

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