On a lone island an archaeologist and his assistant unearth a grave next to a large column. The column has different languages, and it reveals a dark past to the island, but this lucky discovery takes a sinister turn. Isolated, the small group is faced with the unknown and a very real threat to their lives. “On Skua Island” is the first story from Mr. Gaunt and Other Uneasy Essays by John Langan.

This collection has five stories all by Langan, and each reflects his unique style that combines the contemporary story with classic ghost stories and tales of horror. Subtle and descriptive, the plot builds to the moment of the revelation of terror. For example, in the story, “Episode Seven: Last Stand Against the Pack in the Kingdom of Purple Flowers” two survivors try to destroy a pack of dog- like creatures that pursue them, but it is more than a tale of survival but the changes that occur to the characters themselves. This is a collection that is both haunting and intriguing.