Books published by publisher Audio Sommelier

A lot happens in this very short story by H.P. Lovecraft, but it begins as the title might lend itself to imagine - with a terrible old man. As three thieves find out about this old man’s treasures, they decide to visit with the man with the intent to steal his riches. Their plan goes horribly wrong when one of the three hears screaming from the getaway car. When he enters the house, he finds the hideous, yellow-eyed man staring evilly at him, waiting to usher in his doom.

Edgar Allan Poe is a master of short horror stories, and “The Cask of Amontillado” is among his finest. This woeful tale comes from a mysterious narrator seeking revenge against an acquaintance, the ironically ill-fortuned Fortunato. The narrator lures him into his family’s crypt with the promise of fine Amontillado wine, but though two go down only one returns. The ending lines will leave readers with a chill running down their spine and a thirst for more Poe.

A plague known as the Red Death has swept through the country, killing half the kingdom. Prince Prospero hides away in his castle with his favorite courtiers, unconcerned. One night, he throws a lavish masquerade ball, but the party goes south when a mysterious guest appears dressed as a plague victim. Dive into this chilling Gothic tale for yourself to see what has entranced readers since its publication in 1842.

Ever want to blame the worst thing you’ve ever done on someone (or something) else? Edgar Allan Poe believes you don’t have to, and that each time someone does something that is against their best interest, they are being visited by the Imp of the Perverse. The narrator of this story, in fact, is visited by this imp after he murders a man via poisonous candle. After thinking he got away with it, he gets a visit from the imp on the streets of his town - and begins to question whether he can hold his secret in any longer.

A man treks through the frigid Yukon with his dog. When night falls, the temperature drops to negative 75, and they struggle to keep warm. This classic tale of man vs. wild draws on classic themes of adventure, perseverance, and survival as the two try to make it through the night. First published in 1908, it became one of the most anthologized short stories of the 20th century.

Petty criminals Bill and Sam decide to kidnap 10-year-old Johnny for ransom money from his wealthy father. The plan turns on its head, however, when Johnny “Red Chief” Dorset decides he likes his captors better than his father. Their plan for ransom quickly turns into a desperate attempt to be rid of the boy, whose father seems relieved rather than worried that he’s missing. This entertaining short story is a perfect example of poetic justice and hijinks gone wrong.

Arthur Machen’s novella explores the disturbing consequences of toying with the line between the earthly world and the spiritual realm. The Great God Pan centers around an ominous woman named Helen, who lives in the woods and invites morbid happenings. The book faced harsh censure upon its publication in 1894 for its explicit content, but today it is considered a hallmark of horror fiction. Stephen King himself called it “one of the best horror stories ever written”, making it essential reading for any dedicated fans of the genre.

This is a charming children’s story penned by the great literary legend Oscar Wilde. The giant protects his beloved garden from intrusion...but at a cost of eternal winter inside. Then one day a special young boy shows up who changes everything. Though infused with religious symbolism, you don’t have to embrace religious faith to appreciate this timeless lesson about love and generosity.

Aylmer has a great career as a scientist and a beautiful new wife, Georgiana. There’s only one problem - Georgiana has a small red birthmark on her cheek. Aylmer grows increasingly disgusted with the birthmark and becomes obsessed with removing the one thing barring his wife from perfection. With “The Birthmark”, Hawthorne crafted a tale of tragic irony and dangerous obsession to rival Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart”.

Jim Bridger was a legendary frontiersman of the Western United States c. 1820-1850. In addition to being a skilled outdoorsman, he was also an expert mediator. Bridger helped negotiate relations among native tribes and the white men who were intruding on their land. This book aims to preserve the extraordinary legacy of this humble man who certainly earned his reputation as “The Grand Old Man of the Rockies”.

In this classic tale, the young Puritan Goodman Brown heads into the woods for a meeting with the devil. His world turns on its head, however, when he sees who else has gathered for the satanic ceremony. This one evening will forever mar how he sees his neighbors, his family, and himself. See for yourself why Hawthorne’s chilling allegory for Puritan culture and the loss of innocence has become a staple of early American fiction.