Books published by Valancourt Books

Swedish Mysteries tells the story of young Gustavus Ericson, who, after his father is murdered and his mother and sister imprisoned by the tyrant King Christian, leads a revolution against Christian's oppression. Against this historical backdrop, Anna Maria Mackenzie weaves a Gothic tale of intrigue, treachery, and murder, complete with all the trappings of the Gothic novel: secret tribunals, ruined monasteries, and orphans of unknown parentage.One of the prolific Mackenzie's most thrilling tales, Swedish Mysteries has remained out of print and forgotten since its initial publication in 1801. This new edition includes the unabridged text of the three volume first edition, a reproduction of the first edition's title page, along with a new introduction and explanatory notes by Janina Nordius. In her introduction, Professor Nordius discusses the historical background of the novel and addresses its importance within a body of 18th and 19th century English literature dealing with Gustavus Ericson.

Young Claudio di Bartelma leaves the home of his adoptive father, the Marchese di Bartelma, to attend university at Rome. There, he befriends the handsome and mischievous Lodovico di Ponta. Together, the two youths become involved in a variety of amorous pursuits and humorous adventures. But their fun is short-lived, as events quickly take a turn for the sinister. A mysterious pilgrim seems to stalk their steps, and Claudio is drawn into an affair with an enigmatic older woman, Viola, who lives in splendour but yet claims to be imprisoned. Meanwhile, Claudio investigates the truth of his parentage. Who were his parents, and what is his connection to Lodovico's father, the Count di Ponta, who many years ago was involved in a murderous love affair with his brother's wife? Midnight meetings among ruins, supernatural warnings, and a vengeful spectre will help to reveal the shocking truth behind the strange mysteries!A clever mix of Bildungsroman, picaresque tale, mystery, and Gothic horror, Astonishment!!! (1802) shows Francis Lathom at the height of his powers. This new edition, the first since 1821, includes the unabridged text of the first edition, a reproduction of the first edition's title page, and the complete text of two contemporary reviews.

The body of a woman who had been hanged infested by the devil -- Hobgoblins that appeared near the castle of Lusignan in 1620 -- A Young Lady murdered by an evil Spirit through her impious wishes, and afterwards transformed into a Black Cat -- The Night-mare -- A young gentleman who sold himself to the devil.These are just some of the forty-four short stories contained in this strange collection. First published in 1804 during the height of the Gothic literary phenomenon, Isabella Lewis's Terrific Tales sought to capitalize on the public's fascination with spectres, ghosts, demons, and other supernatural happenings.But the most shocking thing about these horror stories is, as Lewis claims, they are all true! Meticulously culled from accounts in ancient Roman texts, medieval monks' manuscripts, church documents, and actual legal records, and supported by factual evidence, these terrifying and bizarre tales will make even modern readers reconsider their beliefs regarding the supernatural.This curious book, which is very likely the first such collection of ghost stories published in the English language, is extremely rare today, with only four copies known to exist. The Valancourt Books edition reprints the unabridged 1804 text, together with a new preface, in a cloth-bound hardcover volume with an attractive dust jacket.