Characterized by gratuitous acts of brutality and surprise endings, these tales of obsession and violence are the creations of a twentieth-century French writer whose works were staged by the legendary Théâtre du Grand-Guignol of Paris. The precursors of modern thrillers and slasher films, these stories have been specially selected for this edition and introduced by horror specialist S. T. Joshi.Thirty-nine conte cruel ("cruel tales") include "In the Light of the Red Lamp,"...

A second collection of those intriguing thrillers that keep us on the edge of our seats.Contents:The Look by Maurice LevelA husband and wife commit a terrible, haunting crime together.Guarded by Mearle ProutA mountain murder unleashes deadly, unforeseen consequences.The Gong Ringers by Hasan VokineTravellers fall into a deadly trap set by unlikely suspects.An ...