"It was the face of a man who had died in a paroxysm of terror."

Two young medical students, seeking a quiet place to study, rent a massive, dilapidated old house in Dublin's Aungier Street. But the silence they seek is soon shattered by heavy, unseen footsteps, the scratching of a giant rat, and the terrifying apparition of a large man with a crimson velvet waistcoat. They soon discover the house's dark history: it was once the residence of a notorious "hanging judge" who took his own life within its walls. As the atmosphere grows increasingly oppressive, the students realize that the Judge's spirit is not merely wandering-it is actively seeking a new victim.

The Master of Atmospheric Dread: Le Fanu is a pioneer of psychological horror. In this story, he uses the "uncanny"-taking a familiar domestic space and making it feel wrong. The horror isn't just in the ghost itself, but in the growing sense of unease, the shadows that move on their own, and the feeling of being watched by something that "ought not to be there."

The Legacy of the "Hanging Judge": The figure of the Judge represents a common theme in Le Fanu's work: the past refusing to stay buried. The Judge's cruelty in life translates into a predatory supernatural presence in death. The story's climax is a masterclass in suspense, as one of the students finds himself paralyzed by the gaze of the long-dead jurist.

A Classic for Fans of the Macabre: Often cited as one of the greatest ghost stories ever written, this tale influenced a generation of horror writers, including M.R. James. It is a brief but unforgettable journey into the heart of a haunted city.

Open the door to Aungier Street. Purchase this classic of Gothic horror today.