Maynard & Sims - Shadows at Midnight

[The Lurker In The Shadows]

L.H. Maynard and M.P.N. Sims - Shadows at Midnight - Ten Ghost Stories (William Kimber, 1979)



I - Veneer
II - Benjamin's Shadow
III - Mr Dawson's Church Story
IV - The Bassinet
V - In the Tradition of
VI - A Gruesome
VII - Smoke
VIII - The Window
IX - Non Omnis Moriar
X - Border End

"In this masterly collection of tales, the authors take us into that unquiet land, in the witching time of night, where malign presences seek to entwine the unwary in their web of evil. Their ghosts, or evil spirits, or gruesome influences - no one expression sums them all up - remain lingering in their chosen abodes, be it wardrobe, cradle or tomb, to threaten the existence of the innocent. But not all the spirits are terrifying. Some, like the laughing children of Border End, seek to enthrall by cajolery, though their threat remains as great. The authors do not delve too far into explanations for their phantoms. Indeed how could they? For who can explain the midnight land?"
(Inner blurb)

[dem bones]

Thanks for posting this, Lurks. Great to see this section kicking off again.

I've never even seen a copy of Shadows At Midnight but I know the story Benjamin's Shadow from Hugh Lamb's Tales Of Fear, where it was credited to Micheal Sims, and it's a horrible little chiller.

Cornwall. An old lady leaves the narrator her entire fortune provided he spends the rest of his life on her estate, otherwise the will is declared null and void. The place is haunted by all manner of apparitions - a tiny spectral hand, mewling voices, the bath-water turning to blood, a couple dressed in the attire of a previous century, etc.

When, one morning, he sees the wall 'rippling' as he shaves, he decides it's time to investigate. He discovers a child's bones, gives them a decent burial, but still the haunting persists.

[Johnlprobert]

There's a copy of this in Fantasy Centre, Dem.

I've got the Sarob Press reprint, along with their follow-up, Echoes of Darkness. They're very much in a gentler vein rather than full-on horror as they consider themselves 'Ghost Story' writers rather than 'Horror Writers', allegedly.

[The Lurker In The Shadows]

If I remember the review from Ghosts & Scholars correctly, the stories were revised slightly for the Sarob reprint.

I picked my copy up in a second hand shop in Yorkshire a few years back, where I also got an early edition of "Ghost Stories of an Antiquary". It's been on the shelf waiting to be read ever since, but I'm tempted to give it a go soon.

[dem bones]

I just re-read the review of the original edition, Lurks (it's in Ghosts & Scholars 3). David Rowlands absolutely slaughters Shadows At Midnight and wonders why Kimber ever published something "so inept and ill-conceived. Give it a miss."

"The publisher's jacket blurb says 'The authors do not delve too far into explanations for their phantoms .... ' I would retort in frustration: 'They darned well don't delve at all!' Indeed, one can scarcely call these stories .."

No wonder they rewrote it! John, if i had the Fantasy Centre's asking price, i'd buy it on the strength of Mr. Rowlands' review alone. Something in my bones tells me it's one of the greats!

[Johnlprobert]

I've got to say the book didn't do much for me, Dem- I'd save my money if I were you!

[micksims]

“A welcome re-issue.” STEVE JONES, BEST NEW HORROR 2000

“Truly none should miss out on ‘Border End’. The authors affinity for the tumult of emotions that an adolescent experiences rivals the sympathetic hand of the great Robert Westall.”
– Bill Barnett ALL HALLOWS.

“This is another excellent book from Sarob. If ghost tales are your thing, get hold of this collection.” – David Howe, SHIVERS.

“There is nothing wrong with the writing here, and this book is to be thoroughly recommended.” – Paul Brazier, INTERZONE.

“The stories are still all good examples of the understated.”
JOHN PELAN

“Sarob Press must be congratulated in producing this fine limited edition hardback which would be a welcome addition to any collection.” – Steve Lockley, HWA.

Just to give another few views.

And the Shadows book was followed up by Echoes of Darkness from Sarob, The Secret Geography of Nightmare, Selling Dark Miracles and Incantations from Prime and Falling Into Heaven from Sarob.

Since then we have concentrated on novels for Leisure but so far in 2011 we have written four ghost stories and hope we will have enough during the year for another collection.

[jamesdoig]

We still love yer Mick!

[finchinfin]

I have to say that this thread (sadly, I think) put me off reading Maynard and Sims.

Until I was tracking down early Sarob books and bought and read their novella, The Seminar. And it was a great time. It felt like a Hammer House of Horror episode. Loved every page. Luckily they’ve written lots so I’ve plenty to dig into.

Anyway, I know that this is an old thread but I hope anyone reading this won’t be dissuaded by the naysayers. (Mr. Probert, there’s one or two of yours I wish I’d given a miss!)

[finchinfin]

And, Mr. Doig, I’d love to read more of your work. Any reissues of Friends coming soon?

[jamesdoig]

Apr 12, 2023 1:02:18 GMT finchinfin said:

And, Mr. Doig, I’d love to read more of your work. Any reissues of Friends coming soon?

I reckon that thin volume would need to bulked up with a few more tales. On another matter, I almost missed this column by Michael Dirda that mentioned H.T.W. Bousfield (and the Lambs excellent anthology): www.washingtonpost.com/books/2022/10/26/scary-stories-novels-halloween/.

[humgoo]

Apr 12, 2023 6:36:53 GMT jamesdoig said:

I reckon that thin volume would need to bulked up with a few more tales.

Then bulk it up! The bulkier the merrier! What's been hindering you? That is, except attending those never-ending bookfairs and scouring those ubiquitous junkshops ... (Remember to make it paperback, and no "limited to 250 copies" please!)

[dem bones]

May 2, 2023 4:43:24 GMT humgoo said:

(Remember to make it paperback, and no "limited to 250 copies" please!

You heard the man!

[dem bones]

M. P. N. Sims - Ghost Stories of Churches (Enigmatic Press, 2019)

In The Tradition Of
Quiet Sorrow
Mr. Dawson's Church Story
The Man Who Wore the Wrong Coat

Blurb:
GHOST STORIES OF CHURCHES.
SIMS GHOST STORY SERIES #1
Four ghost stories set in and around churches. The author has had numerous books published in his 40+ years career. www.maynard-sims.com
This is book 1 in a 9 book series of ghost stories

In the Tradition Of: (re-revised version of a story that first appeared in Maynard & Sims' Shadows at Midnight: Ten Ghost Stories, 1979). Renovation work on the walls of the thirteenth century tower of Fenbury parish church is plagued by ill-fortune and accident after a workman finds "some sort of necklace." Rector Dean identifies the trinket as a medieval burial charm, such as those secured around the corpses' neck to fend off evil spirits. Subsequently, the crew are persecuted by a slab-throwing poltergeist, a phantom bell-ringer tolling the death knell through the night, and a hideous reek which most certainly does not emanate from blocked drains.

Mr. Dawson's Church Story: (re-revised version of a story that first appeared in Maynard & Sims' Shadows at Midnight: Ten Ghost Stories, 1979). The old man, a lover of ancient churches, spends his summer holiday touring those of East Anglia and Essex. Driving toward Colchester he stops to inspect a promising specimen he must have overlooked on the map. A gloomy fellow he takes to be a gardener cautions; "It's getting dark, Sir. Don't stay too long," but Mr. Dawson is soon too engrossed in his inspection to pay him any mind. A stirring in the churchyard; a loud crash as though of a toppled stone. Perhaps it might be better to head home after all ....

[finchinfin]

May 2, 2023 4:43:24 GMT humgoo said:

Apr 12, 2023 6:36:53 GMT jamesdoig said:

I reckon that thin volume would need to bulked up with a few more tales.

Then bulk it up! The bulkier the merrier! What's been hindering you? That is, except attending those never-ending bookfairs and scouring those ubiquitous junkshops ... (Remember to make it paperback, and no "limited to 250 copies" please!)

Ditto!