The Thing in the Woods

Margery Williams (1881 - 1944)

Dr. Haverill is asked to fill in as local physician for the skittish Dr. Lennox in a small Pennsylvania town. The locals seem to be a superstitious bunch, prone to fearing traveling in the woods at night and with good reason. It seems a series of vicious attacks have occurred by what appears to be some kind of large animal. As the bodies begin to pile up, Dr. Haverill starts to question whether the responsible party could be something beyond humanity.

Writer Margery Williams Bianco (writing here under the pseudonym Harper Williams) is perhaps better known for writing the children's classic "The Velveteen Rabbit", but this dark slice of mystery horror fiction was found to be admired by none other than H. P. Lovecraft. Lovecraft scholars have noted in particular a distinct influence that this book had on his famous story "The Dunwich Horror".

Also please note that this book is of its time and features racially insensitive language in the early chapters. Those who are concerned with such language should be advised.

Genre(s): Horror & Supernatural Fiction

Language: English

Section Chapter Reader Time
Play 01 Chapter I: Lennox Says Good-Bye Ben Tucker
00:14:17
Play 02 Chapter II: The Light in the Woods Ben Tucker
00:10:52
Play 03 Chapter III: A Mysterious Call Ben Tucker
00:22:37
Play 04 Chapter IV: Dutchman's Hill Ben Tucker
00:16:07
Play 05 Chapter V: The Dead Cyclist Ben Tucker
00:12:30
Play 06 Chapter VI: A Boycotted Household Ben Tucker
00:09:09
Play 07 Chapter VII: What Happened in the Laboratory Ben Tucker
00:18:21
Play 08 Chapter VIII: I Go Fishing Ben Tucker
00:21:01
Play 09 Chapter IX: Problems Ben Tucker
00:12:06
Play 10 Chapter X: The Chicken-Huckster's House Ben Tucker
00:10:04
Play 11 Chapter XI: Jakey Walks Ben Tucker
00:09:45
Play 12 Chapter XII: Mr. Crowfoot Ben Tucker
00:08:35
Play 13 Chapter XIII: An Afternoon Drive Ben Tucker
00:11:11
Play 14 Chapter XIV: The Cry in the Night Ben Tucker
00:11:19
Play 15 Chapter XV: Suspicions Ben Tucker
00:17:56
Play 16 Chapter XVI: I Catch a Burglar Ben Tucker
00:11:04
Play 17 Chapter XVII: A Midnight Chase Ben Tucker
00:11:20
Play 18 Chapter XVIII: Lennox's Story Ben Tucker
00:18:52
Play 19 Chapter XIX: The Mill Dam Ben Tucker
00:25:12
Play 20 Chapter XX: What We Found in the Saw-Mill Ben Tucker
00:22:29
Play 21 Chapter XXI: The Thing in the Woods Ben Tucker
00:23:09
Play 22 Chapter XXII: The Silver Bullet Ben Tucker
00:16:25