Ancient Sorceries

Welcome to the casebook of Dr John Silence, Physician Extraordinary. After a long and severe training – five years he was gone from the face of the earth, travelling who knows where – Silence returned to England as the greatest occult detective of the age. When he takes up an investigation, when he comes to the aid of some poor, frightened soul, you can be sure it will lead to the most strange and terrifying of circumstances: from pagan magic in remote France to battles with ancient Egyptian fire spirits, and from geometry defying alternate dimensions to the most macabre of haunted houses.

Some of the first works written by Algernon Blackwood – one of the twentieth century’s greatest ghost story writers – these John Silence tales are a visionary blend of horror, fantasy and science fiction, and remain today as some of pinnacle achievements of Weird Fiction.

About the Author

Algernon Blackwood (1869 – 1951) was one of the most influential horror writers of the twentieth century. Transcending the boundaries of conventional writing in the genre, his tales are celebrated for their atmospheric descriptions, psychological depth, and their deep interest in phenomena outside of conventional human experience. A lover of nature, his writing is imbued with a mysticism and awe for his surroundings, and much of his work is concerned with the beauty and terror to be found in moutainscapes and dark forests. Blackwood's influence extends beyond horror literature, inspiring authors across various genres and with his evocative storytelling and philosophical insight.