Algernon Blackwood

Algernon Blackwood: The Kit-Bag

Synopsis: “The Kit-Bag” is a short story by Algernon Blackwood, published in December 1908 in Pall Mall Magazine. Johnson has spent ten days in court observing the trial of a brutal murderer named John Turk, whose image haunts him. Eager to leave for the Alps and put this disturbing experience behind him, he is packing his bags when he hears furtive footsteps on the stairs, as if someone were lurking in the shadows. As his unease grows, the atmosphere becomes increasingly oppressive, and the night, which promised to be peaceful, turns into a terrifying experience.

Algernon Blackwood: The Transfer

In Algernon Blackwood’s 1911 short story, “The Transfer,” the narrative revolves around a governess endowed with exceptional perceptive abilities who serves in the household of a wealthy family. The woman forms a unique bond with Jamie, one of the children in the household, who is particularly distressed by a visit from his father’s older brother. It appears that Jamie is experiencing a sense of apprehension towards his uncle, a sentiment that is not fully comprehended by the other members of the household, with the exception of the governess. She hypothesises that she is aware of the underlying cause of the child’s apprehension and its potential correlation with an isolated section of the garden, where, intriguingly, the flora exhibits a distinct lack of growth.

Algernon Blackwood: The Empty House

“The Empty House” is a haunting short story by Algernon Blackwood, first published in 1906. The tale delves into the terror emanating from a place that appears harmless yet harbors a dark past. Jim Shorthouse accompanies his aunt Julia—an avid enthusiast of the supernatural—on a nocturnal investigation inside a house rumored to be cursed. Though the dwelling itself seems unremarkable, those who enter it are gripped by an inexplicable dread. As the pair ventures deeper into their exploration, the atmosphere grows increasingly oppressive, and the strange phenomena they encounter not only defy their reason but also threaten to shatter their courage.

Algernon Blackwood: The Doll

‘The Doll,’ a short story by Algernon Blackwood published in 1946, tells the story of Colonel Hymbers Masters, a retired Indian Army officer. One night, a man brings a package to the Colonel’s house with the express instruction that it is to be delivered only to him. Several days later, the Colonel discovers that the package contains a doll and orders it to be destroyed. The cook, however, disregards the instruction and gives it to Monica, the Colonel’s daughter, who immediately takes a liking to the doll and makes it her companion. From that moment on, mysterious events disrupt life at the Masters’ residence.