Nezu Press

[Jeff Matthews]

I stumbled upon this press when looking for F.M. Mayor and Ellen Glasgow ghost stories. I purchased a couple of their books (the Mayor and the Preedy/Bowen) and was impressed by the solid but very affordable hardcover production value, with gorgeous jackets and scholarly introductions. I shared a couple emails with the proprietor and she was very kind and responsive. I'd love to see them gain some traction:

Current supernatural catalogue | Nezu Press

About | Nezu Press

 

[bendk]

It is nice to see new publishers in the horror/weird fiction business. I'll give them a try. Probably the short story collection. Love the cover art.

 

[Zaharoff]

Nezu - Sundial

Whoa!
I had bought from Sundial Press for years. One of their titles that seemed to be perpetually forthcoming was Flora Mayor's The Room Opposite.

During Covid, Sundial closed not long after Frank died. I gathered the Mayor was gone again.
Now I see Nezu offers it, and I shall doubtless buy.

Has anyone purchased a Nezu title yet?
Their website says they are p.o.d. Since print-on-demand books vary greatly, can anyone comment on the paper quality?

 

[Cronopio]

Never heard of any of those authors. Am I ignorant?

 

[Zaharoff]

Never heard of any of those authors. Am I ignorant?

Perhaps you know George Preedy (Margaret Gabrielle Vere Campbell) better under another pen-name, Marjorie Bowen.
The Devil Snar'd has elements of supernatural.

I had ordered three titles, two were jacketed, one laminated.
Production wise, the books reminded me of PS. They have a good feel to them. Useful introduction by Gina, some photos, quality proofreading. Reasonable shipping.
Seems Nezu's focus is on period supernatural.

And no, you are not ignorant. These are simply authors "new" to you. If you are still developing your tastes, these may be enjoyable.

 

[Ironrose]

"Perhaps you know George Preedy (Margaret Gabrielle Vere Campbell) better under another pen-name, Marjorie Bowen.
The Devil Snar'd has elements of supernatural.

I had ordered three titles, two were jacketed, one laminated.
Production wise, the books reminded me of PS. They have a good feel to them. Useful introduction by Gina, some photos, quality proofreading. Reasonable shipping.
Seems Nezu's focus is on period supernatural."

I bought two of these, The Devil Snar'd and The Room Opposite. I've now read The Devil Snar'd, and it was good. I was skeptical at first. I thought the dialog was somewhat artificial, and I was afraid the book was too light, but it won me over in the end. The end, in fact was handled quite well. The reader was showed where the story was heading, then the action shifted to the other characters and their response.

They do have a good feel to them. My only disappointment was the packing. It could have been just a bit better; they arrived with badly dinged corners. This always bothers me.

 

[Zaharoff]

...My only disappointment was the packing. It could have been just a bit better; they arrived with badly dinged corners. This always bothers me.

Perils of print-on-demand. Often they just slide books into a box. Amazon has gotten sloppy this way, as well.
I actually quit buying a periodical because the p-o-d shipping was dismal. The wrong item (once), no item (twice).
Canceled the subscription and bought from Amazon instead of the press.
To their credit, Nezu's books use better paper (not the lightweight count), and exterior boards don't have that slimy feel.

 

[Zaharoff]

Preedy (AKA - Marjorie Bowen)

Preedy, George (M Bowen) - The Devil Snar’d

Grace had supported husband Philip during the rough years.
Reading his works, proofing, editing, advising.
Success finally arrived, and Philip, lionized, was soon besotted with actress Angela.
Younger, prettier, glamorous.
Only Grace would not yield to the alluring rival, would not grant a divorce.
Then Philip moved Grace and himself to Medlar's Farm, on the Scottish border.
The home had already witnessed murders and suicide. Cursed or haunted.
Grace soon believes she will never depart alive, certain Angela and Philip will murder her.
The story carefully balances supernatural elements with anxiety and mental breakdown.
While not a page turner, the narrative flows easily.
Character behavior and attitudes seem dated, even for the 1930’s when this was published.

 

[Cronopio]

Never heard of any of those authors. Am I ignorant?

Perhaps you know George Preedy (Margaret Gabrielle Vere Campbell) better under another pen-name, Marjorie Bowen.
The Devil Snar'd has elements of supernatural.

I had ordered three titles, two were jacketed, one laminated.
Production wise, the books reminded me of PS. They have a good feel to them. Useful introduction by Gina, some photos, quality proofreading. Reasonable shipping.
Seems Nezu's focus is on period supernatural.

And no, you are not ignorant. These are simply authors "new" to you. If you are still developing your tastes, these may be enjoyable.

Thank you for this considerate reply. It is true that authors you haven't read or heard of may be considered "new". I have heard of Marjorie Bowen, although I have not read anything by her yet.

Thanks also for the recommendation.

 

[Zaharoff]

E. Yolland

Yolland, E. - Mistress Bridget And Other Tales

Historical fiction, set following the English Civil War.
With Cromwell deceased, lawlessness on both sides increases.
Adding fuel to the fires of hatred, Matthew Hopkins and his henchmen scour the land to find and execute witches, for a fee, witches being an all-purpose scapegoat for many.
Bridget is a headstrong girl, liked and disliked in equal measure by grateful / resentful villagers.
Turmoil boils over when Bridget’s parents hurriedly depart to tend an ailing relative, leaving the twenty year old Bridget to protect manor and possessions from roving cutthroats.
The yarn is well written, spiced with details and factual tidbits to please fans of this genre.

In addition, there are seven short stories. A few are barely tinged with supernatural elements, others deal with financial obsessions. Money, lack of money, hidden money, inheritances.
While I would not label this a barn burner, it was a quietly satisfying book.
Again, readers who enjoy Victorian / Edwardian prose may find this rewarding.

 

[Zaharoff]

Flora Mayor

Mayor, F. W. - The Room Opposite

For years, Sundial Press listed this as forthcoming. Then, during the Pandemic, the press shuttered (RIP Frank Kibblewhite) and I sighed that it was gone again.
Not so!
Nezu Press has resurrected this collection, including Gina Collia’s generous notes.

The title story is a wraparound one, as two friends set forth on separate journeys. The younger spends an uncomfortable night in a sinister inn. The older friend? His experience reflects the darker shade of the mirror, with Chance a cruel jester.

The elusive stranger appears in “The Kind Action Of Mr Robinson”. Marsden, owing to foolish gambling, is in debt. Until a black clad figure sidles up and loans him £500, to be repaid in the far future. Repayment only if he survives to the due date.

“Tales Of The Widow Weeks” present anecdotes of the venomous village crone. Some whisper witch, but who believes in witches? And what harm could a trinket or small box cause?

Women outnumber men in the boarding house. Several relocate frequently. While there, they brag about their son, or nephew, or grandson. Glorious males. “Christmas Night At The Almira” finds Mrs Gwynne waiting for her oh-so-busy son. A mournful tale of aging discards.

“Mother And Daughter” is similar, with the bright young thing nervously dashing about, while her mother simply wants to sit still, enjoy each others’ company.

Spinsters and widows abide at the battered holiday home, as do the stray gentlemen. Add the lone young female, and the shy, yet interested young man. “The Lounge At The Royal”, where the ladies observe and pen letters, where every tomorrow may bring the gust of unpleasant change.

Mayor’s eye for the plight of females is piercing in these surplus women stories.

Then there is Flora’s essay on her time in rep, “Life In A Touring Company”.
The resplendent, glittering theatre exteriors contrasted with the cramped, shabby dressing rooms.
Malicious hierarchies, the troupe as family, pressures of travel, wretched food, and financial security – what is that? Yet for all that, the stage beckons!
Oh, that Arthur Machen was able to read this. Or today, Reggie Oliver.
♪ Hi diddle dee dee …

 

[Zaharoff]

Nezu has recently announced a fat anthology (600+ pages) of Egyptology.
This links to Gina's blog entry, more in-depth than the Nezu website.

Embalmed Alive and Other Tales of Egyptian Mummies

Ghost stories, supernatural and weird fiction, forgotten female authors, Victorian fiction.

hauntedlibraryblog.blogspot.com