Martin's Close (Fantasy and Horror Classics) - Paperback

by M. R. James (Author)

From the mind of M. R. James, the acknowledged master who redefined the ghost story for the 20th century and founded the 'antiquarian ghost story' genre, comes a unique tale where historical crime meets spectral justice.

A chilling 17th-century document, recounting the real-life investigation and trial of George Martin for the murder of a young woman named Ann Clark near a secluded spot in Dorset. The tension builds not from the initial crime, but from the horrifying realisation that the legal proceedings cannot outrun the supernatural. The accused must face a terrifying, direct intervention from the spirit world: the ghost of Ann Clark appears at the trial, delivering a silent, yet undeniable judgment that transcends all earthly law.

This story is a quintessential example of James' genius for blending historical crime with creeping dread, making it essential reading for fans of classic ghost stories and supernatural fiction, and proving that sometimes, only the dead can deliver true justice.