By No Mortal Hand (Sarob Press, 2018)

This collection of stories by Daniel McGahey is a fine example of Jamesian ghostly fiction. By No Mortal Hand - the very title has a nice, old-school ring to it. Several of these stories first appeared in Ghosts & Scholars, which is always a mark of quality. Fans of M.R. James and the 'James Gang' of linked authors will find a lot to enjoy here.

And check out the lovely dust-jacket art! Splendid stuff by Paul Lowe, who captures the stained glass weirdness of the antiquarian spook genre perfectly.


Three stories are prequels/sequels to stories by Monty himself. The title story looks at the aftermath of the strange affair at Castringham, and what might have occurred if others had gone poking about Mrs Mothersole's last resting place - wherever that may be. 'Ex Libris, Lufford', concerns a notebook that once belonged to a certain rune-casting gentleman. Then there's 'If You Don't Come to Me, I'll Come to You', which fills in some background on a certain private school teacher.



McGahey also chronicles the adventures of his own antiquarian scholar, Dr Lawrence, who offers reminiscences of some odd discoveries and encounters. The story 'Ting-a-Ling-a-Ling' is a long and absorbing tale, with a strange clockwork mechanism at its heart. 'Night Work' sees the amiable academic experience a strange visitation, one in which he confronts the darkness that seems to be always lurking, ready to 'toy with innocents and guilty alike'. 'Figures on a Beach' is a satisfying seaside ghost story, while 'From Out of the Dark' ponders the power of dreams as a dying man anticipates being reunited with his deceased wife.

McGahey's spooks are pretty good. 'I looked in horror into what seemed a rudimentary face, the suggestion of an eye forcing its way through'. There is plenty of authentic horror here, but also gentleness and humanity. And the author's gift for pastiche of the traditional ghost story is particularly notable in the last two tales, both ostensibly published before the Great War in collections by 'Dr H.S. Grace'.

Overall, I found this book a pleasant bedtime read. There is just enough of the strange and sinister to provide a pleasant thrill, just enough carefully-researched detail to enfold the reader like a comfortable armchair. McGahey has an enviable imagination, and has come up with some very interesting variations on the antiquarian ghost story.