The Amethyst Cross
A Ghost Story for Christmas
Will be published approx. on 1. May 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
75 pages
978-1-77196-640-5 (ISBN)
Description
World-renowned cartoonist Seth returns with three new ghost stories for 2024.
When Margaret finds a cottage to rent in the moorlands for her visiting Aunt Dorothea, she pays no mind to its rumored dark history. But when Dorothea goes missing only days after her arrival, a haunting tale of greed and murder soon comes to light.
When Margaret finds a cottage to rent in the moorlands for her visiting Aunt Dorothea, she pays no mind to its rumored dark history. But when Dorothea goes missing only days after her arrival, a haunting tale of greed and murder soon comes to light.
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
"Did you know there is an old tradition of telling ghost stories on Christmas Eve? For the past several years Canadian publisher Biblioasis has revived the tradition, one thin, tiny book at a time (illustrated by minimalistic, idiosyncratic cartoonist Seth). They've revived ghosts by Edith Wharton, Charles Dickens and others ... What is, after all, 'A Christmas Carol' but a ghost story, handed down, every holiday?"
-Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune
"I just bought my set of these and they ... are ... PERFECT. I hope they do these every year."
-Patton Oswalt
"Awesome pocket editions of forgotten horror stories, or mystery stories, from the past, in this perfect set . . . This 'Ghost Story for Christmas' series is some of the most delightful reading that I do all year."
-Christopher Hamelin, So Many Damn Books Podcast
"A perfectly sized collectible with Seth's signature illustrations throughout, this latest edition would make for a fine stocking stuffer. Just don't wait until Christmas morning to open it."
-Literary Review of Canada
"This year marks the 10th anniversary of Seth's Christmas Ghost Stories-a delightful series of compact little booklets illustrated by the Canadian cartoonist [Seth] . . . start a new/old Christmas tradition even more terrifying than fruit cake."
-Ron Charles, Washington Post Book Club newsletter
"For the 10th anniversary of the series, award-winning Guelph comics artist Seth has chosen three more vintage short tales . . . to decorate in his bold, evocative style, making these macabre madeleines the perfect stocking stuffers."
-Doug Brod, Toronto Star
"These slim books are tame compared to much contemporary horror . . . But there's power in that restraint. More goosebump-raising, less gag-inducing, the tales prioritize chilling atmospheres and psychological tension . . . With vivid prose and menacing illustrations, each story can add a delightful tinge of darkness to any booklover's stocking."
-Alexander Sallas, Literary Review of Canada's Bookworm
"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
"It's become a favorite December tradition for me-reviewing the new set of Seth's Christmas Ghost Stories as delivered to my stocking each year by the fine folks at Biblioasis. This year's package contains tales of dread that will raise goosebumps on your arms faster than the coldest winter wind . . . These stocking-sized one-sit reads really are a great way to spend those quiet moments when you can find them among the holiday craziness."
-Blu Gilliand, Cemetery Dance
"This year's additions include The Amethyst Cross by Mary Fitt, Laurence Whistler's Captain Dalgety Returns and L.P. Hartley's Podolo . . . all featuring handsome and slightly creepy illustrations by Seth. They're the perfect size and length to read while cozied up next to the tree or under your blanket with a flashlight."
-Winnipeg Free Press
"[If] you are looking to add a little old world charm to your winter celebrations, this book series just may be for you. This year's batch in particular offers up some fantastic reads, accompanied once again by stark and unsettling (in the best way) illustrations by accomplished illustrator Seth."
-Lindsey Childs, Prairie Fire
"Illustrator Seth returns for the tenth year with a new batch of ghost stories originally written and published for the Christmas season . . . each story printed as a pocket-sized book taking about a half hour to hour to read, focusing on eerie and macabre (but never gory) tales of misadventure with bad spirits."
-Tom Bowden, Book Beat
"This year marks the 10th anniversary of these beautifully designed pocket-sized books that revive the Victorian tradition of sharing spooky tales on Christmas Eve . . . As someone who has collected these books for years, it's exciting to get three more of these pocket-sized treasures."
-Mark Frauenfelder, Boing Boing
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Emeryville
Canada
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
black and white illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 150 mm
Width: 97 mm
Thickness: 8 mm
Weight
90 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-77196-640-5 (9781771966405)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Mary Fitt (1897-1959) was the pseudonym of Kathleen Freeman, a British classical scholar and prolific writer of mysteries and short stories.
Seth is the cartoonist behind the comic-book series Palookaville, which started in the stone age as a pamphlet and is now a semi-annual hardcover. His comics have appeared in the New York Times Magazine, Best American Comics, and McSweeney's Quarterly. His illustrations have appeared in numerous publications including the cover of the New Yorker, The Walrus, and Canadian Notes & Queries. He is the subject of a recent documentary from the National Film Board of Canada, Seth's Dominion. Seth lives in Guelph, Ontario, with his wife Tania and their two cats in an old house he has named "Inkwell's End."
Seth is the cartoonist behind the comic-book series Palookaville, which started in the stone age as a pamphlet and is now a semi-annual hardcover. His comics have appeared in the New York Times Magazine, Best American Comics, and McSweeney's Quarterly. His illustrations have appeared in numerous publications including the cover of the New Yorker, The Walrus, and Canadian Notes & Queries. He is the subject of a recent documentary from the National Film Board of Canada, Seth's Dominion. Seth lives in Guelph, Ontario, with his wife Tania and their two cats in an old house he has named "Inkwell's End."