Very traditional ghost stories, some better than others. Outstanding for me were 'Blaeweary', The Dublin Epictatus' (very Jamesian!) and 'Avernus', with its wonderful atmosphere of oppression and horror. Gaskin's language is sometimes elaborate, often lovely; his pace is leisurely. He comes across as a bit of an old curmudgeon, but I quite like that. Not for those in a hurry. ( )