A creeping dread emanates from the shadowed corners of existence, as ordinary lives are irrevocably twisted by cosmic and eldritch forces. The collection explores the unsettling intersections of the mundane and the monstrous, focusing on characters who stumble upon ancient evils or descend into madness. Lumley's prose crafts an atmosphere of pervasive unease, where the known world dissolves into a landscape of primal fears and unknowable entities.

Brian Lumley's 'Dagon's Bell and Other Discords' is recognized within the horror community for its potent blend of Lovecraftian mythos and Lumley's own distinctive, often visceral, style. Reviewers frequently highlight the collection's success in evoking a sense of cosmic dread and the unsettling nature of the unknown. The stories are often praised for their atmospheric intensity and the disturbing psychological impact they have on the reader. This work is considered a significant contribution to modern cosmic horror literature, solidifying Lumley's reputation as a master of the genre.