The Mistress in Black - (Seth's Christmas Ghost Stories) by Rosemary Timperley (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

World-renowned cartoonist Seth returns with three new ghost stories for 2025.

Reading a ghost story on Christmas Eve was once as much a part of traditional Christmas celebrations as turkey, eggnog, and Santa Claus. World-famous cartoonist Seth selects and beautifully illustrates each book for this beloved series in his own inimitable way, bringing back these classic Christmas ghost stories for readers across North America.

From the moment Miss Anderson begins her new teaching job, she encounters ghostly figures and a strange scent of smoke. Whispers of arson and murder circulate among the staff, but Miss Anderson soon discovers there might be more to the tragic story of the woman in black.

Review Quotes

Praise for Seth's Christmas Ghost Stories

"[This] series of Christmas ghost stories, miniature books chosen and illustrated by the cartoonist Seth . . . [offers] chills--and charm."
--John Williams, New York Times Book Review

"An addicting revival of the Victorian-born tradition of reading scary stories at holidays."
--Chicago Tribune

"Did you know there is an old tradition of telling ghost stories on Christmas Eve? For the past several years Canadian publisher Biblioasis has revived the tradition, one thin, tiny book at a time (illustrated by minimalistic, idiosyncratic cartoonist Seth). They've revived ghosts by Edith Wharton, Charles Dickens and others . . . What is, after all, 'A Christmas Carol' but a ghost story, handed down, every holiday?"
--Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune

"I just bought my set of these and they . . . are . . . PERFECT. I hope they do these every year."
--Patton Oswalt

"Each of these tiny books . . . is cleverly illustrated by the cartoonist known as Seth. Even smaller than a Christmas card, they make fun literary stocking stuffers."
--Ron Charles, Washington Post

"[The Mistress in Black's] foreboding and quick resolution are accentuated by Seth's equally skillful work."
--Literary Review of Canada

"Printed in a stocking-ready size and featuring striking covers and Seth's distinct illustrations, these are beautiful and uniquely collectible. But of course, none of this matters if the stories don't equal the packaging. This year, Seth has chosen three moody, atmospheric pieces to fill your season with holiday fear . . . Overall, this is another fine set of Christmas ghost stories, perfect for the gray, dreary days that lead us into the magic of the holidays. As always, they are highly recommended."
--Blu Gilliand, Cemetery Dance

"Each story, from cover to inside decorations (Seth's term for what the rest of us might call illustrations), sets the scene and mood, while never giving anything away: They're the creaky door that invites you inside, the things bumped into in the night."
--Tom Bowden, Book Beat

About the Author

Rosemary Timperley (1920-1988) was a British author, screenwriter, and editor of ghost stories.

Seth is the cartoonist behind the comic-book series Palookaville, which started in the stone age as a pamphlet and is now a semi-annual hardcover. His comics have appeared in the New York Times Magazine, Best American Comics, and McSweeney's Quarterly. His illustrations have appeared in numerous publications including the cover of the New Yorker, The Walrus, and Canadian Notes & Queries. He is the subject of a documentary from the National Film Board of Canada, Seth's Dominion. Seth lives in Guelph, Ontario, with his wife Tania and their two cats in an old house he has named "Inkwell's End."