Gregory Pendennis – Piranhas in Petticoats

Gregory Pendennis – Piranhas in Petticoats (Elmslie & Co., 1913, 1934: Spear, 1975, 1980) )

THE MENACE WITHIN

“I mean, confound it all, you insolent baggage! Your country’s about to wage war on the Hun!”

On the surface, Rosie Prenderghast-Smythe seemed no different to any other correct young English debutante. Beautiful. Wealthy. Devoted to Daddy and ‘Mumsy’. Fiercely proud of the Great British way of life.

Why then, had top brass been seen fit to haul in the Duke de Risqué to explain his dearest grand-daughter’s recent muddle-headed outbursts at perceived “injustices”. Outbursts which may yet see her gaoled as a threat to national security?

The answer was more terrible than de Risqué dared fear. His dearest grand-daughter had fallen prey to an even deadlier enemy than Kaiser Bill, Satan and all their hordes combined. The young fool had been duped into joining the Suffragette movement.

Heavily disguised, securing employment far below his station, de Risqué learns from his ‘fellow’ gossiping pantry maids that, brainwashed by her Soviet pay-mistresses, Rosie is recruiting an all-women’s football team to challenge his Majesty’s first XI for the Football Association Challenge Cup at the Crystal Palace!

Can the Duke knock some sense into Miss Prenderghast-Smythe’s dizzy little head before she can bring the Empire to its knees?

Spear 1980 edition

*covers shown are the ‘34 Elmslie and the 2nd Spear edition. If anyone has the originals, please scan ‘em up!*

With apologies to Franklin Marsh (and the entire human race)

Ray Russell – The Devil’s Mirror

Ray Russell – The Devil’s Mirror (Sphere 1980)

Shattering Reflections Of A Terrifying Demonic Evil

In this chilling collection of tales the Grand Master of occult horror serves up a suitably satanic concoction of devilish delights.

There’s a Russian composer, Cholodenco, who makes a Faustian pact at his friend’s expense: the lecherous old man who exacts a particularly hideous revenge on his nubile young wife and her lover: a sinister musical time machine that reveals a ghastly atrocity from the dark abyss of time. and in each brilliantly abominable offering Ray Russell weaves a web of evil that captures the reader in a nerve-rending network of waking nightmares.

Comet Wine
The Runaway Lovers
Quoth The Raven
Here Comes John Henry!
Xong of Xuxan
A Most Miraculous Organ
The Humanic Complex
God Will Provide
The Charm
The Better Man
Ripples
Yesterdays
The Darwin Sampler
Acres Of Bread
The Devil’s Mirror
A Whole New Ball Game
The Freedom Fighter
The World Of Lights
Skin Deep
Space Opera
Ghost Of A Chance
The Hell You Say
Time Bomb
The Great Earth Centauri Galactic Postal System
The Fortunes Of Popowcer
Captain Clark of the Space Patrol
Unholy Travesty

Brian Ball – Lesson For The Damned

Brian Ball – Lesson For The Damned (Nel, 1971)

Penny was born under a good sign. The right star at the right time. She is ideal for the Devil.

Midsummer Night approaches: a windswept Peak District lays bare its soul, anticipating the arrival of His Satanic Majesty. And Penny, the provincial young Night School mistress from a nearby estate, prepares herself for the ultimate violation.

But what if the Devil wants more?
Serial offender Brian Ball strikes again. See also Witchfinder: The Evil At Monteine and Witchfinder: The Mark Of The Beast on Morbid Mayflowers.

Peter Haining – The Black Magic Omnibus

Peter Haining – The Black Magic Omnibus (Robson, 1976: Futura, 1977)

I’ve never seen the Robson edition but the contents were recycled over two Futura paperbacks the following year and its a strong selection, the first volume perhaps moreso than the second.

The Black Magic Omnibus: Volume 1 – ed. Peter Haining (Futura, 1977)

Introduction – Peter Haining
Prologue – Dennis Wheatley

Roger Zelazny – The Salvation Of Faust
Dorothy Pitkin Buck – Transgressor’s Way
August Derleth – Lesandro’s Familiar
Manly Wade Wellman – The Liers In Wait
Seabury Quinn – Is The Devil A Gentleman?
Margaret Irwin – Monsieur Seeks A Wife
Eric Frank Russell – The Rythm Of The Rats
Jerome Bixby – The Magic Potion
Robert Arthur – The Mirror Of Cagliostro
Aleister Crowley – The Dream Circean
M. P. Shiel – The Primate Of The Rose
H. P. Lovecraft – Witches’ Hollow
Shirley Jackson – The Daemon Lover
Ursula Le Guin – April In Paris
Fritz Leiber – Cry Witch!

The Black Magic Omnibus: Volume 2 – ed. Peter Haining (Futura, 1977)

Introduction – Peter Haining

Robert Graves – An Appointment For Candlemass
Samuel M. Clawson – Double Hex
Gaston Leroux – In Letters Of Fire
Hans Heinz Ewers – Vampire’s Prey
Feodor Sologub – Invoker Of The Beast
William Sambrot – Night Of The Leopard
Jorge Luis Borges – The Circular Ruins
W. B. Seabrook – The Wedding Guests
Avram Davidson – The Power Of Every Root
Richard Matheson – By Appointment Only
MacKinlay Kantor – The Witch Doctor Of Rosy Ridge
Joan Fleming – Writer’s Witch
Larry M. Harris – The Power Of The Job
Gordon MacCreagh – Dr. Muncing, Exorcist

Epilogue – Ray Bradbury