Unpleasant Dreams

Jim Harold's Spooky Studio
  • 4.8 (522)
  • 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. A Christmas Carol

    12/22/2025

    A Christmas Carol

    As the holidays return, so does one of our favorite traditions—Cassandra Harold’s evocative reading of A Christmas Carol. Dickens’ ghostly tale of reckoning, regret, and redemption takes on a particularly eerie tone in this retelling. A familiar story, re-aired for the season, and perfect for listening with your family and friends by flickering candlelight or by a holiday fire. Enjoy this super sized Christmas edition of Unpleasant Dreams. Merry Christmas and God Bless Us Every One! This episode includes the complete story. A Christmas Carol  by Charles Dickens, originally published 1843 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

    3h 20m
  2. The Room in the Tower

    06/18/2025

    The Room in the Tower

    After a brief hiatus, Unpleasant Dreams returns with a chilling classic from the early 20th century. This week, Cassandra Harold narrates E.F. Benson’s “The Room in the Tower,” a haunting tale first published in 1912 that explores the terrifying power of dreams—and what happens when they begin to bleed into reality. As always, Cassandra’s evocative narration brings this eerie story to life in a way that lingers long after the final word. Dim the lights and settle in—your nightmares await. “The Room in the Tower” is in the public domain. If you enjoy the show, please share it with family and 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

    34 min
  3. A Midnight Visitor

    05/14/2025

    A Midnight Visitor

    This week we revisit "A Midnight Visitor" by John Kendrick Bangs . One night, a stressed and overworked man is overcome with fear after a ghostly encounter in his home. Bangs was an American author and the creator of the Bangsian fantasy genre, where the use of the afterlife is the main setting in which its characters, act and interact. The short story was published in 1894 as part of the anthology The Water Ghost and Others 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

    37 min
  4. The Haunted Orchard

    04/30/2025

    The Haunted Orchard

    This week on Unpleasant Dreams, Cassandra Harold is back narrating the eerie story, The Haunted Orchard . What better way to celebrate spring than a haunted orchard! Written by Richard Le Gallienne, the story touches on themes like memory, loss, and the invisible bond between the living and the dead. With a series of vivid and emotional moments, Le Gallienne tells a tale that draws you in and makes you think about how the past sticks with us and shapes our lives today. The Haunted Orchard was published in 1912 and is the public domain. Thank you 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

    22 min
  5. The Damned Thing

    04/24/2025

    The Damned Thing

    Due to Cassandra Harold not being spared from the nasty cold in the household, we are re-airing the short horror story "The Damned Thing" by Ambrose Bierce. A man finds himself haunted by an unseen, malevolent force. Will he overcome it, will it drive him mad, or worse? "The Damned Thing" by Ambrose Bierce was originally published 1893 and is in the Public Domain. Thanks for listening and please 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

    28 min
  6. The Beckoning Fair One Part 3

    04/16/2025

    The Beckoning Fair One Part 3

    This week on Unpleasant Dreams, Cassandra Harold concludes her narration of the novella The Beckoning Fair One by Oliver Onions. We thank our listener again for the wonderful suggestion of this story. If you have a short story (that's in the public domain) that you would like Cassandra to perform, please let us know by contacting Jim Harold HERE. Please tell your friends about the show! The Beckoning Fair One was first published in 1911 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

    1h 3m
  7. The Beckoning Fair One Part 2

    04/10/2025

    The Beckoning Fair One Part 2

    This week on Unpleasant Dreams, Cassandra Harold continues narrating the novella The Beckoning Fair One by Oliver Onions. In her introduction this week, Cassandra gives us a mini lesson on "Free Indirect Discourse" and how it is used in this story. Stay tuned next week for the conclusion of the story and please tell your friends about the show! The Beckoning Fair One was first published in 1911 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

    1 hr
  8. The Beckoning Fair One Part 1

    04/02/2025

    The Beckoning Fair One Part 1

    This week on Unpleasant Dreams, Cassandra Harold begins narrating the novella The Beckoning Fair One by Oliver Onions. First published in 1911, The Beckoning Fair One is a classic psychological horror novella about a writer, Paul Oleron, who moves into an old, abandoned house to work on his novel. This week Cassandra shares with us the first four chapters to set up the story. Thanks to a fan of the show for suggesting this great story! Stay tuned next week for more and please tell your friends about the show! The Beckoning Fair One 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

    50 min
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4.8
out of 5
522 Ratings

About

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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