This anthology presents a curated collection of twelve supernatural narratives that explore the boundary between the living and the spectral in Victorian literature. Each story functions as an independent exploration of dread, utilizing the conventions of the era to examine human vulnerability in the face of the unknown. The collection features a variety of protagonists, ranging from skeptics encountering the inexplicable to individuals haunted by past transgressions, all navigating worlds where the rational is constantly undermined by the supernatural. The narrative frameworks vary, employing epistolary elements, first-person accounts, and third-person omniscient perspectives to heighten the sense of unease.

Discussion often centers on the efficacy of these stories in maintaining their unsettling quality despite the passage of time. Readers frequently highlight the inclusion of both canonical authors and rare, overlooked voices as a primary strength of the anthology. Critics note that the collection successfully balances traditional gothic tropes with the specific anxieties inherent to the Victorian era. The pacing is generally described as deliberate, allowing for the gradual accumulation of atmosphere before the supernatural climax. Many enthusiasts appreciate how the anthology showcases the significant role women writers played in shaping the development of the ghost story genre.