The Dead and the Countess

Reviews / Votes

Praise for Christmas Ghost Stories

"[This] series of Christmas ghost stories, miniature books chosen and illustrated by the cartoonist Seth ... [offers] chills-and charm."
-John Williams, New York Times Book Review

"[I]t's worth asking why Christmas and ghosts go so well together, and what the hearthside season's haunts are trying to tell us. They live on in the 2022 edition of Christmas Ghost Stories from Biblioasis, a series of chilling classics illustrated by Seth ... perfect for slipping into a stocking, or tucking into a coat pocket to while away a rinkside hour."
-Globe and Mail


"Internationally celebrated Guelph cartoonist Seth dug deep into his archive of ghost stories to resurrect a Victorian tradition of reading one on Christmas Eve."
-Deb Dundas, Toronto Star


"I just bought my set of these and they ... are ... PERFECT. I hope they do these every year."
-Patton Oswalt

"Seth's design and illustrations are alone worth the price of admission, capturing and interpreting the mood of each story."
-Book Beat

"If you're looking to lace your Christmas cheer with a little fear, then Seth, Biblioasis, and these three authors have the perfect gift for you."
-Cemetery Dance

"A nice, creepy reprieve from all the holly and jolly of the holidays. Seth's black and white illustrations provide a delicious sense for foreboding and unease to these tales of the dearly departed."
-Lindsey Childs, Prairie Fire


"These slim volumes make great gifts; they are beautiful to behold and satisfying to read. Seth's Christmas Ghost Stories are a great tradition for book lovers to adopt. The slow-burning nature of older ghost stories, which makes them perhaps too tame for Halloween, makes them perfect for the winter holidays."
-Quarantine Review


"I loved them, and really enjoyed the whole concept of reading ghost stories for the holidays (I appreciate a good scare any time of year!) ... These beautiful books are perfect stocking-stuffers, and even better is that they are beautifully illustrated by Canadian darling Seth."
-Anne Logan, I've Read This


"[Seth's] illustrations are bold yet simple, and the use of shadows brings a lifelike quality to the playful cartoon style. Seth visually guides readers through each scene and adds thrill to every tale...This book collection kept me up at night with its chilling tales and gave me a chance to reflect on what tradition means during the holiday season."
-Justin Ball, The Charlatan


"Really beautiful art, and great stories."
-So Many Damn Books


"What I love about these books is that they're really a proper blast from the past ... If you know someone who likes their spooky stories, then they'd make a perfect Christmas gift. They look lovely, the artwork is fantastic, and they're just a great read ... I highly recommend them."
-Total Christmas Podcast


"Taking classic short stories and adding design and geometry-heavy illustrations, Seth reintroduces eerie works from writers including Gertrude Atherton, Lady Asquith, and Shirley Jackson, among many others ... great small gifts for holiday exchanges."
-Paste Magazine