Horror Stories by Howard Phillips Lovecraft.

Horror Stories by Howard Phillips Lovecraft.

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Horror Stories by Howard Phillips Lovecraft. episodes

  • 75 - The Thing on the Doorstep by H. P. Lovecraft.
    The Thing on the Doorstep by H. P. Lovecraft.  
    "The Thing on the Doorstep" is a short horror story by American author H. P. Lovecraft, written between August 21 and 24, 1933, and first published in the January 1937 issue of Weird Tales. The narrative centers on Daniel Upton, a physician who recounts the harrowing experiences of his childhood friend, the poet and scholar Edward Pickman Derby, following Derby's marriage to the mysterious and occult-involved Asenath Waite, daughter of the disreputable Ephraim Waite. Set primarily in the fictional New England town of Arkham—home to the renowned Miskatonic University—the story unfolds as a first-person account of escalating supernatural disturbances, including hypnotic influences and apparent exchanges of consciousness between individuals. 
    As part of Lovecraft's broader Cthulhu Mythos, the tale integrates recurring motifs from his fictional universe, such as ancient eldritch entities and connections to the degenerate coastal community of Innsmouth, while emphasizing psychological terror over overt cosmic spectacle. Key characters include the intellectual yet vulnerable Derby, whose fascination with the esoteric leads to his undoing; Asenath, portrayed as a commanding figure with anomalous abilities inherited from her father's sorcerous legacy; and Upton himself, whose rational perspective gradually erodes amid the unfolding events. The plot builds tension through Derby's letters and Upton's observations, culminating in acts of violence driven by otherworldly possession. 
    The story is notable for its exploration of themes including the fragility of personal identity, the horrors of mental domination, and the madness induced by confronting forbidden occult knowledge. Critics have analyzed its use of the mind-exchange device as a vehicle for examining monstrous androgyny and the blurring of self, reflecting Lovecraft's recurring concerns with inheritance and degeneration. It exemplifies Lovecraft's late style, blending introspective dread with subtle Mythos lore, and has been praised for evoking fear through the protagonist's faltering grip on sanity. 

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    1 hr 4 min
  • 74 - The Haunter in the Dark by H. P. Lovecraft.
    The Haunter in the Dark by H. P. Lovecraft.  
    "The Haunter of the Dark" is a horror short story by American author H. P. Lovecraft, written between November 5 and 9, 1935, and first published in the December 1936 issue of Weird Tales. Dedicated to fellow Weird Tales contributor Robert Bloch, it marks Lovecraft's final completed work before his death on March 15, 1937. The story is a cornerstone of the Cthulhu Mythos, Lovecraft's shared fictional universe of ancient cosmic entities, and explicitly features the deity Nyarlathotep in the form of a malevolent avatar. 
    Set in Lovecraft's hometown of Providence, Rhode Island, during the winter of 1934–1935, the narrative follows Robert Blake, a young writer and painter with a keen interest in the occult and architecture, who becomes obsessed with a long-abandoned church on Federal Hill. Blake's exploration of the church's foreboding steeple uncovers the Shining Trapezohedron, a bizarre, angle-altered crystal of unknown extraterrestrial origin that acts as a gateway to other worlds and summons the titular Haunter of the Dark—a gelatinous, shadowy being with multiple eyes that fears light and bestows terrifying secrets upon its summoners. The plot builds to a climax during a violent thunderstorm that causes a citywide power outage, allowing the entity to manifest and leading to Blake's fatal encounter with it. 
    The story is largely semi-autobiographical, with protagonist Robert Blake serving as a stand-in for Lovecraft, reflecting his fascination with Providence's historic architecture and his declining health while writing it; Blake dies from a profound nervous shock amid visions of cosmic horror. It weaves in references to other Mythos elements, including the Necronomicon, Yog-Sothoth, and Azathoth, emphasizing themes of human insignificance against incomprehensible outer gods and the perils of forbidden knowledge. The tale's atmospheric dread, detailed descriptions of urban decay, and psychological descent have influenced subsequent horror literature and media, solidifying its place in speculative fiction. 

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    56 min
  • 73 - The Shadow Over Innsmouth, Chapter V.
    The Shadow Over Innsmouth, Chapter V.  
    "The Shadow over Innsmouth" by H. P. Lovecraft is a horror novella written in November–December 1931. A young student's antiquarian tour through New England leads him to the decaying seaport of Innsmouth, where he encounters strange inhabitants with an unsettling appearance and discovers dark secrets about the town's history. His inquiries uncover a sinister conspiracy involving an ancient undersea civilization and a mysterious cult, leading to a nightmarish revelation that threatens his sanity and survival.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/horror-stories-by-howard-phillips-lovecraft--7455588/support.
    15 min
  • 72 - The Shadow Over Innsmouth, Chapter IV.
    The Shadow Over Innsmouth, Chapter IV.  
    "The Shadow over Innsmouth" by H. P. Lovecraft is a horror novella written in November–December 1931. A young student's antiquarian tour through New England leads him to the decaying seaport of Innsmouth, where he encounters strange inhabitants with an unsettling appearance and discovers dark secrets about the town's history. His inquiries uncover a sinister conspiracy involving an ancient undersea civilization and a mysterious cult, leading to a nightmarish revelation that threatens his sanity and survival.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/horror-stories-by-howard-phillips-lovecraft--7455588/support.
    30 min
  • 71 - The Shadow Over Innsmouth, Chapter III.
    The Shadow Over Innsmouth, Chapter III.  
    "The Shadow over Innsmouth" by H. P. Lovecraft is a horror novella written in November–December 1931. A young student's antiquarian tour through New England leads him to the decaying seaport of Innsmouth, where he encounters strange inhabitants with an unsettling appearance and discovers dark secrets about the town's history. His inquiries uncover a sinister conspiracy involving an ancient undersea civilization and a mysterious cult, leading to a nightmarish revelation that threatens his sanity and survival.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/horror-stories-by-howard-phillips-lovecraft--7455588/support.
    26 min
  • 70 - The Shadow Over Innsmouth, Chapter II.
    The Shadow Over Innsmouth, Chapter II.  
    "The Shadow over Innsmouth" by H. P. Lovecraft is a horror novella written in November–December 1931. A young student's antiquarian tour through New England leads him to the decaying seaport of Innsmouth, where he encounters strange inhabitants with an unsettling appearance and discovers dark secrets about the town's history. His inquiries uncover a sinister conspiracy involving an ancient undersea civilization and a mysterious cult, leading to a nightmarish revelation that threatens his sanity and survival.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/horror-stories-by-howard-phillips-lovecraft--7455588/support.
    15 min
  • 69 - The Shadow Over Innsmouth, Chapter I.
    The Shadow Over Innsmouth, Chapter I.  
    "The Shadow over Innsmouth" by H. P. Lovecraft is a horror novella written in November–December 1931. A young student's antiquarian tour through New England leads him to the decaying seaport of Innsmouth, where he encounters strange inhabitants with an unsettling appearance and discovers dark secrets about the town's history. His inquiries uncover a sinister conspiracy involving an ancient undersea civilization and a mysterious cult, leading to a nightmarish revelation that threatens his sanity and survival.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/horror-stories-by-howard-phillips-lovecraft--7455588/support.
    15 min
  • 68 - The Case of Charles Dexter Ward, Chapter 5: A Nightmare and a Cataclysm (Part 2).
    68 - The Case of Charles Dexter Ward, Chapter 5: A Nightmare and a Cataclysm (Part 2).  
    The Case of Charles Dexter Ward is a horror novella by American author H. P. Lovecraft, written between January and March 1927 and first published posthumously in serialized form in the May and July 1941 issues of Weird Tales. Set primarily in Lovecraft's hometown of Providence, Rhode Island, during the early 20th century, the narrative centers on Charles Dexter Ward, a young, affluent antiquarian whose fascination with 18th-century colonial history leads him to investigate his distant ancestor Joseph Curwen, a notorious figure accused of sorcery and necromancy in the 1760s. This obsession draws Ward into a web of occult secrets, blending historical research with supernatural dread, and culminates in events that endanger his family and sanity. At approximately 51,500 words, it stands as Lovecraft's only full-length novel, marking a departure from his typical short fiction toward a more expansive, detective-like structure.  
    The story unfolds through the perspective of Dr. Marinus Willett, Ward's family physician, who recounts the young man's intellectual pursuits, behavioral changes, and eventual disappearance while sifting through historical documents, eyewitness accounts, and arcane discoveries. Lovecraft draws heavily on Providence's real colonial architecture, graveyards, and folklore—such as the historical persecution of Curwen, loosely based on an actual 18th-century figure—to ground the tale in atmospheric authenticity, emphasizing themes of genealogy, the perils of resurrecting the past, and humanity's vulnerability to cosmic forces beyond comprehension. Unlike many of Lovecraft's works featuring extraterrestrial entities, this novel focuses on human sorcery and alchemy, exploring how intellectual curiosity can unleash malevolent legacies.  
    First appearing in an abridged version in Weird Tales, the complete text was published in book form in 1943 by Arkham House, cementing its place in Lovecraft's oeuvre as a pivotal exploration of historical horror. The novella has influenced subsequent weird fiction and adaptations, including audio dramas and comics, for its intricate plotting and vivid evocation of New England gothic elements. 

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/horror-stories-by-howard-phillips-lovecraft--7455588/support.
    35 min
  • 67 - The Case of Charles Dexter Ward, Chapter 5: A Nightmare and a Cataclysm (Part 1).
    The Case of Charles Dexter Ward, Chapter 5: A Nightmare and a Cataclysm (Part 1).  
    The Case of Charles Dexter Ward is a horror novella by American author H. P. Lovecraft, written between January and March 1927 and first published posthumously in serialized form in the May and July 1941 issues of Weird Tales. Set primarily in Lovecraft's hometown of Providence, Rhode Island, during the early 20th century, the narrative centers on Charles Dexter Ward, a young, affluent antiquarian whose fascination with 18th-century colonial history leads him to investigate his distant ancestor Joseph Curwen, a notorious figure accused of sorcery and necromancy in the 1760s. This obsession draws Ward into a web of occult secrets, blending historical research with supernatural dread, and culminates in events that endanger his family and sanity. At approximately 51,500 words, it stands as Lovecraft's only full-length novel, marking a departure from his typical short fiction toward a more expansive, detective-like structure.  
    The story unfolds through the perspective of Dr. Marinus Willett, Ward's family physician, who recounts the young man's intellectual pursuits, behavioral changes, and eventual disappearance while sifting through historical documents, eyewitness accounts, and arcane discoveries. Lovecraft draws heavily on Providence's real colonial architecture, graveyards, and folklore—such as the historical persecution of Curwen, loosely based on an actual 18th-century figure—to ground the tale in atmospheric authenticity, emphasizing themes of genealogy, the perils of resurrecting the past, and humanity's vulnerability to cosmic forces beyond comprehension. Unlike many of Lovecraft's works featuring extraterrestrial entities, this novel focuses on human sorcery and alchemy, exploring how intellectual curiosity can unleash malevolent legacies.  
    First appearing in an abridged version in Weird Tales, the complete text was published in book form in 1943 by Arkham House, cementing its place in Lovecraft's oeuvre as a pivotal exploration of historical horror. The novella has influenced subsequent weird fiction and adaptations, including audio dramas and comics, for its intricate plotting and vivid evocation of New England gothic elements. 

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/horror-stories-by-howard-phillips-lovecraft--7455588/support.
    42 min
  • 66 - The Case of Charles Dexter Ward, Chapter 4: A Mutation and a Madness (Part 2).
    The Case of Charles Dexter Ward, Chapter 4: A Mutation and a Madness (Part 2).  
    The Case of Charles Dexter Ward is a horror novella by American author H. P. Lovecraft, written between January and March 1927 and first published posthumously in serialized form in the May and July 1941 issues of Weird Tales. Set primarily in Lovecraft's hometown of Providence, Rhode Island, during the early 20th century, the narrative centers on Charles Dexter Ward, a young, affluent antiquarian whose fascination with 18th-century colonial history leads him to investigate his distant ancestor Joseph Curwen, a notorious figure accused of sorcery and necromancy in the 1760s. This obsession draws Ward into a web of occult secrets, blending historical research with supernatural dread, and culminates in events that endanger his family and sanity. At approximately 51,500 words, it stands as Lovecraft's only full-length novel, marking a departure from his typical short fiction toward a more expansive, detective-like structure.  
    The story unfolds through the perspective of Dr. Marinus Willett, Ward's family physician, who recounts the young man's intellectual pursuits, behavioral changes, and eventual disappearance while sifting through historical documents, eyewitness accounts, and arcane discoveries. Lovecraft draws heavily on Providence's real colonial architecture, graveyards, and folklore—such as the historical persecution of Curwen, loosely based on an actual 18th-century figure—to ground the tale in atmospheric authenticity, emphasizing themes of genealogy, the perils of resurrecting the past, and humanity's vulnerability to cosmic forces beyond comprehension. Unlike many of Lovecraft's works featuring extraterrestrial entities, this novel focuses on human sorcery and alchemy, exploring how intellectual curiosity can unleash malevolent legacies.  
    First appearing in an abridged version in Weird Tales, the complete text was published in book form in 1943 by Arkham House, cementing its place in Lovecraft's oeuvre as a pivotal exploration of historical horror. The novella has influenced subsequent weird fiction and adaptations, including audio dramas and comics, for its intricate plotting and vivid evocation of New England gothic elements. 

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/horror-stories-by-howard-phillips-lovecraft--7455588/support.
    33 min

About Horror Stories by Howard Phillips Lovecraft.

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Horror Stories by Howard Phillips Lovecraft.  
Howard Phillips Lovecraft (August 20, 1890 – March 15, 1937) was an American author of weird fiction and horror, best known for originating the…