Unpleasant Dreams

Jim Harold's Spooky Studio
  • 5.0 (22)
  • DOCUMENTARY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Classic horror tales told by Cassandra Harold. We feature stories from Poe, Lovecraft, Stevenson, Dickens, Bierce and more. Jim Harold Media LLC respects writers' intellectual property. All fictional stories on Unpleasant Dreams are in the U.S. public domain, published before 1928.

  1. 5 DAYS AGO

    The Dead Valley

    Cassandra Harold is back on Unpleasant Dreams this week narrating the short story "The Dead Valley" by Ralph Adams Cram. Cram's reputation as a writer stems solely from six stories published in Black Spirits and White: A Book of Ghost Stories. "The Dead Valley" is his most well-known and frequently reprinted tale, which H.P. Lovecraft later praised for its masterful use of atmosphere and description to evoke a haunting sense of regional horror. Content Warning: This story includes the death of a dog, which some listeners may find upsetting. Please listen with care. "The Death Valley" was published in 1893 and is in the public domain. -- Jim Harold Media LLC respects writers' intellectual property. All fictional stories on Unpleasant Dreams are in the U.S. public domain, published before 1928. For more on public domain and copyright, visit the Cornell University Library's guide on public domain: https://copyright.cornell.edu/publicdomain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    30 min

  2. 5 MAR

    The Monkey's Paw

    This week on Unpleasant Dreams, Cassandra Harold is on vocal rest—doctor’s orders—so we’re revisiting her first Unpleasant Dreams reading from 2023: The Monkey’s Paw by W.W. Jacobs. This chilling tale is one of Jim Harold’s favorite short stories, and its haunting moral remains timeless—be careful what you wish for. Originally published in Harper’s Monthly in 1902, The Monkey’s Paw is now in the public domain. Thanks for listening, and don’t forget to share the show with your friends! -- Jim Harold Media LLC respects writers' intellectual property. All fictional stories on Unpleasant Dreams are in the U.S. public domain, published before 1928. For more on public domain and copyright, visit the Cornell University Library's guide on public domain: https://copyright.cornell.edu/publicdomain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    33 min
  3. Thurnley Abbey

    27 FEB

    Thurnley Abbey

    In this chilling episode of Unpleasant Dreams, Cassandra brings to life Thurnley Abbey, a masterful ghost story by Perceval Landon. First published in 1908 and in the public domain, this unsettling tale follows a skeptical traveler who dismisses superstitions—until he finds himself spending the night in a cursed abbey with a horrifying secret. Thanks for listening and please share the show! -- Jim Harold Media LLC respects writers' intellectual property. All fictional stories on Unpleasant Dreams are in the U.S. public domain, published before 1928. For more on public domain and copyright, visit the Cornell University Library's guide on public domain: https://copyright.cornell.edu/publicdomain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    44 min
  4. Caterpillars

    19 FEB

    Caterpillars

    In this spine-chilling episode of Unpleasant Dreams, Cassandra Harold takes on the eerie tale Caterpillars by E.F. Benson, first published in 1912 and is in the public domain. A short story that twists the innocence of nature into something far more sinister. For Cassandra, this episode is a particularly unsettling one, as she has a deep fear of bugs—making the creeping horror of this story all the more real and terrifying. Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please share the podcast! -- Jim Harold Media LLC respects writers' intellectual property. All fictional stories on Unpleasant Dreams are in the U.S. public domain, published before 1928. For more on public domain and copyright, visit the Cornell University Library's guide on public domain: https://copyright.cornell.edu/publicdomain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    26 min
  5. The Body Snatcher

    12 FEB

    The Body Snatcher

    On this episode of Unpleasant Dreams, Cassandra reads the supernatural horror short story, The Body Snatcher by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson. William Burke and William Hare gained notoriety for allegedly carrying out at least sixteen "anatomy murders"—murders committed for the purpose of providing fresh cadavers for medical study—over the course of roughly ten months in 1828. Their gruesome actions captured the public's imagination and made headlines, leaving a lasting impression that endured for many years. The case inspired authors like Robert Louis Stevenson, with The Body Snatcher being one of the most famous fictionalized retellings of the murders. The Body Snatcher is in the public domain and was published in 1884. We hope you enjoy! -- Jim Harold Media LLC respects writers' intellectual property. All fictional stories on Unpleasant Dreams are in the U.S. public domain, published before 1928. For more on public domain and copyright, visit the Cornell University Library's guide on public domain: https://copyright.cornell.edu/publicdomain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    51 min
  6. The Red Room

    5 FEB

    The Red Room

    This week Cassandra reads H.G. Wells' The Red Room. The narrator of The Red Room is a 28-year-old who doesn't believe in the supernatural. He comes to Lorraine Castle with the intention of spending the night in the Red Room, a place rumored to be haunted. As Cassandra explains it, the story "intertwines the psychological with the supernatural in a delectable way." How do you personally deal with the fear of the unknown? Enjoy! H.G. Wells' The Red Room was first published in 1896 and is in the public domain. -- Jim Harold Media LLC respects writers' intellectual property. All fictional stories on Unpleasant Dreams are in the U.S. public domain, published before 1928. For more on public domain and copyright, visit the Cornell University Library's guide on public domain: https://copyright.cornell.edu/publicdomain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    29 min
  7. A Quicksilver Cassandra

    29 JAN

    A Quicksilver Cassandra

    This week on Unpleasant Dreams, Cassandra Harold takes us on a journey through the whimsical and thought-provoking short story, "A Quicksilver Cassandra" by John Kendrick Bangs. Known for his wit and satire, Bangs weaves a tale that blends fantasy with a touch of the absurd, much like the prophetess Cassandra (not our Cassandra!) herself—gifted with the power of prophecy but cursed to have no one believe her. "A Quicksilver Cassandra" was first published in 1894 and is in the public domain. It was a part of Bangs' short story collection "The Water Ghost & Others." If you enjoy the show, share it with friends or anyone who enjoys a good blend of literature and musings from Cassandra. -- Jim Harold Media LLC respects writers' intellectual property. All fictional stories on Unpleasant Dreams are in the U.S. public domain, published before 1928. For more on public domain and copyright, visit the Cornell University Library's guide on public domain: https://copyright.cornell.edu/publicdomain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    14 min
  8. 'Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad'

    22 JAN

    'Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad'

    This week on Unpleasant Dreams, Cassandra reads the eerie ghost story “Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad” by M.R. James. First published in 1904 and now in the public domain, this chilling tale is part of James’ Ghost Stories of an Antiquary collection. The story’s title is inspired by a 1793 poem of the same name by Robert Burns, which Cassandra also reads in this episode. Thanks for listening, and be sure to share the podcast with your friends! -- Jim Harold Media LLC respects writers' intellectual property. All fictional stories on Unpleasant Dreams are in the U.S. public domain, published before 1928. For more on public domain and copyright, visit the Cornell University Library's guide on public domain: https://copyright.cornell.edu/publicdomain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    51 min
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Classic horror tales told by Cassandra Harold. We feature stories from Poe, Lovecraft, Stevenson, Dickens, Bierce and more. Jim Harold Media LLC respects writers' intellectual property. All fictional stories on Unpleasant Dreams are in the U.S. public domain, published before 1928.

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