HorrorBabble Presents: Notebook Found In A Deserted House

Friends, the Sun has finally set over the Vault – which means it is the perfect time to start winding down from the long day… and listen to something spooky. As usual we turn to HorrorBabble for another excellent reading of the best in Weird Fiction and tales of terror – and with Notebook Found in a Deserted House they certainly deliver. Of course it does help that the story that Ian Gordon has chose to narrate is courtesy of none other than Robert Bloch (Psycho, The House That Dripped Blood). In addition Notebook Found in a Deserted House which was originally published in Weird Tales in May of 1951, just so happens to be part of the Cthulhu Mythos of H.P. Lovecraft. Which is quite understandable as Lovecraft was an early supporter of Bloch’s dreams of writing – helping the 17 year old become the youngest member of the Lovecraft Circle. A collection of esteemed writers that included the likes of Clark Ashton Smith, Robert H. Barlow, August Derleth, and Frank Belknap Long among others.

The synopsis for Notebook Found in a Deserted House concerns Willie Osborne, it is this 12 year old and poor soul who is the author of said notebook. And when you take into account the name of the short story as well as starting your narration with how the child is scared that something sinister is going to happen to him – it’s certainly a strong hook to say the very least. Willie wastes no time in writing down how he came to be in such a terrible situation – including relating his upbringing of living with his Grandmother after his own Mother passed away. Or how his Grandmother would talk of “them ones” – the mysterious people living in the forests near his Uncle Fred and Aunt Lucy’s home. Sharing tales of when the Spring or the Fall rolls around, how the lights can be seen and strange noises heard up in the hills around the forest – proof that “them ones” were quite alive and still active.

Sadly for young Willie Osborne his Grandmother passes away which forces him to go and live with Fred and Lucy – that same home that is smack dab in the middle of the woods where “them ones” are said to frequent. Lending credence to the stories that Willie’s Grandmother told him is the fact that his Aunt and Uncle always make sure to lock the door after dark… and never go into the woods in the evening. As time passes for our protagonist he begins to feel more comfortable in his new home and even begins to explore the woods… but why are there no animals in the forest?

So turn down the lights if you are able and settle in to find out more about the Notebook Found in a Deserted House by Robert Bloch – courtesy of HorrorBabble!