Haunted Castles

Russell links postpulp literature and the Grand Guignol tradition with the modern sensibilities of America in the 1960s … [He is] a fascinating combination of the liberal and the heretic. – Guillermo del ToroA sleek, compelling tale of diabolical possession that prefigures Ira Levin’s Rosemary’s Baby * The Washington Post *[A] sincere and subtle tale of ultimate evil that feels less dated than many of the works it inspired. * The Seattle Times *With gripping clarity and incisive wit, Russell weaves a suspenseful plot that’s more of an intellectual thriller than a horror yarn … The Case Against Satan retains its harrowing, relevant edge. * NPR *

Ray Russell (1924-1999) was a pioneer of the modern horror genre. As an editor at Playboy, he helped publish such writers as Ray Bradbury, Kurt Vonnegut, and Charles Beaumont. His best known work, “Sardonicus,” was called by Stephen King “perhaps the finest example of the modern Gothic ever written.” He received the World Fantasy Award for Lifetime Achievement in 1991.

Guillermo del Toro (Foreword) is a Mexican director, producer, screenwriter, novelist, and designer. He cofounded the Guadalajara International Film Festival and formed his own production company, Tequila Gang. He is most widely recognized for his Academy Award-winning film, Pan’s Labyrinth, and the Hellboy film franchise. He has received Nebula and Hugo awards, was nominated for a Bram Stoker Award, and is an avid collector and student of arcane memorabilia and weird fiction. He is series editor of Penguin Horror.