Fear Walks the Night by Frederick Cowles and read by Christopher Halton

Tonight on Haunted Tales of Darkness, we return to the work of Frederick Cowles with “Fear Walks the Night”, a wonderfully traditional tale of an ancient house, medieval sorcery and an evil that refuses to remain buried. At Templars’ Lodge, disturbing events seem to centre upon an ominous portrait of Simon de Lacey, a sinister figure from the house's past whose reputation is steeped in occult practices. But as the mystery is investigated, it becomes increasingly apparent that the portrait may be only the outward sign of something much darker. Cowles builds his story around some of the finest ingredients of the classic English supernatural tradition: old manuscripts and legends, ecclesiastical ritual, secret architecture, a house burdened by its history, and the gradual intrusion of the inexplicable into an otherwise rational world. The result is a splendidly atmospheric piece of old-fashioned supernatural horror, culminating in one of Cowles's most memorable discoveries. Frederick Cowles belonged to the generation of British supernatural writers who continued the antiquarian ghost-story tradition associated with M. R. James, while introducing darker elements of witchcraft, sorcery, vampirism and occult folklore into their fiction. Although largely forgotten today, his stories deserve a place alongside many of the better-known writers of the period. “Fear Walks the Night” is particularly recommended for admirers of M. R. James, E. G. Swain, R. H. Malden, Arthur Gray and A. M. Burrage. 🎙️ Read by Christopher Halton 🕯️ Haunted Tales of Darkness If you enjoy forgotten ghost stories and supernatural classics, please consider subscribing, commenting and sharing the video. Your support helps me continue bringing these neglected stories back into the light. 0:18 - Introduction 01:08 - Main Story 31:00- Epilogue If you would like to help support future work, you can now support the channel directly via Patreon. Your support is important to my continued existence.   / chrishalton