A collection of macabre tales designed to unsettle the reader through themes of psychological dread and supernatural intervention. Each story functions as a self-contained narrative, often focusing on ordinary individuals who encounter inexplicable, malevolent forces. The anthology utilizes a variety of perspectives, ranging from first-person accounts of mounting paranoia to third-person observations of tragic fates. These narratives operate within the constraints of classic horror tropes, emphasizing atmosphere and the slow erosion of safety in familiar environments.

This anthology series is recognized for its role in curating mid-century horror fiction for a broad audience. The seventeenth volume maintains the established tradition of the Fontana series by balancing established genre voices with unsettling thematic content. Readers typically approach these collections for their consistent focus on dread rather than overt gore. The work serves as a representative artifact of the horror anthology format prevalent during the 1980s.