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The author of Skulls in the Stars is an associate professor of physics, specializing in optical science, at UNC Charlotte. The blog covers topics in physics and optics, the history of science, classic pulp fantasy and horror fiction, and the surprising intersections between these areas. -
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Category Archives: Horror
Barry Pain’s “The Undying Thing and Others”
The famed H.P. Lovecraft was not only a masterful author of horror fiction, he was also a connoisseur of it. He eagerly snapped up volumes, new and old, seeking the best work of the genre, both famous and obscure. His … Continue reading
Posted in Horror, Lovecraft
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George Soane’s “The Stranger Knight” (1812-14)
Note: In the interest of disclosure, I wanted to mention that Valancourt Books has graciously asked me to write an introduction to an upcoming release, John Blackburn’s Broken Boy (1959)! Very excited, but I don’t think it affects my blog posts … Continue reading
Posted in Horror
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Valancourt Books’ “Terrifying Transformations”
I’ve been a fan of the publisher Valancourt Books for almost as long as I’ve been writing this blog (my first post on one of their publications can be read here). They have done an amazing job reprinting rare and … Continue reading
Posted in Horror
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Halloween treats 2012 (Updated!)
It is time again for my yearly dose of creepy and classic horror stories for some chilling Halloween reading! You can also read my previous editions: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011 and my 2010 post on the true story of the “Lady of the … Continue reading
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Introducing the “Science Chamber of Horrors”!
Those who have been following this blog for a while know that I spent two full years posting a daily “weird science fact” on Twitter, which have all been compiled into posts here. I still carry on the weird science … Continue reading
Posted in General science, Horror
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Bram Stoker’s The Lair of the White Worm
Bram Stoker’s name is inextricably and deservedly associated with horror fiction, thanks to his famous novel Dracula. Of course, he wrote other novels and short stories, many of which are mostly (and undeservedly) forgotten today. With this in mind, I … Continue reading
Bram Stoker’s “The Jewel of Seven Stars”
Late at night, barrister Malcolm Ross is awakened from a pleasant dream by a pounding on his door. A policeman is waiting for him there, with an urgent summons from Margaret Trelawny, a young woman whom Ross had recently met … Continue reading
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Dennis Wheatley’s To the Devil a Daughter
Occasionally, I just have a feeling about a book. I’ve read a number of novels by the author Dennis Wheatley (1897-1977) and have generally been impressed. Way back in 2008 I favorably reviewed Wheatley’s supernatural thrillers The Devil Rides Out … Continue reading
Laird Barron’s The Croning
I love Laird Barron’s writing! I first came across his work in the horror collection Haunted Legends; Barron’s story, “The Redfield Girls”, really stood out to me above all the others in terms of its eloquence and eeriness. Since then, … Continue reading
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Asamatsu Ken’s Queen of K’n-Yan
Been a crazy time at work lately, and things look to remain crazy for a couple more weeks! In the meantime, I’m catching up on some of my weird fiction blogging. One of the most remarkable and persistent aspects of … Continue reading
Posted in Horror
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