World-renowned cartoonist Seth returns with three new ghost stories for 2024.

After the death of his wife in childbirth, Captain Dalgety has grown distant from his estate and young daughter. But during his walk home one afternoon, a sudden thunderstorm causes a series of revelations, and the captain’s life takes an unexpected turn.

Laurence Whistler's profile page

Seth is the cartoonist behind the comic-book series Palookaville, which started in the stone age as a pamphlet and is now a semi-annual hardcover. His comics have appeared in the New York Times Magazine, Best American Comics, and McSweeney’s Quarterly. His illustrations have appeared in numerous publications including the cover of the New Yorker, The Walrus, and Canadian Notes & Queries. He is the subject of a recent documentary from the National Film Board of Canada, Seth’s Dominion. Seth lives in Guelph, Ontario, with his wife Tania and their two cats in an old house he has named “Inkwell’s End.”

Seth's profile page

Praise for Christmas Ghost Stories

“[This] series of Christmas ghost stories, miniature books chosen and illustrated by the cartoonist Seth … [offers] chills—and charm.”

—John Williams, New York Times Book Review

"Did you know there is an old tradition of telling ghost stories on Christmas Eve? For the past several years Canadian publisher Biblioasis has revived the tradition, one thin, tiny book at a time (illustrated by minimalistic, idiosyncratic cartoonist Seth). They’ve revived ghosts by Edith Wharton, Charles Dickens and others ... What is, after all, 'A Christmas Carol' but a ghost story, handed down, every holiday?"

—Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune

“I just bought my set of these and they … are … PERFECT. I hope they do these every year.”

—Patton Oswalt

"A perfectly sized collectible with Seth’s signature illustrations throughout, this latest edition would make for a fine stocking stuffer. Just don’t wait until Christmas morning to open it."

—Literary Review of Canada

"Internationally celebrated Guelph cartoonist Seth dug deep into his archive of ghost stories to resurrect a Victorian tradition of reading one on Christmas Eve."

—Deb Dundas, Toronto Star

"Awesome pocket editions of forgotten horror stories, or mystery stories, from the past, in this perfect set . . . This 'Ghost Story for Christmas' series is some of the most delightful reading that I do all year."

—Christopher Hamelin, So Many Damn Books Podcast

"These annual sets of ghost stories from cartoonist Seth and publisher Biblioasis has, over the last few years, become one of my favorite holiday traditions. The 2023 set arrives bearing three creepy stories and an armload of stark, atmospheric illustrations that perfectly capture and bolster them to chilling effect ... Like these stories, Seth’s illustrations suggest more than they actually show, adding to the quiet horror creeping around the edges. These are perfect for a quick read on a cold winter’s night, and are sure to warm the cockles of any jaded horror fan’s heart."

—Blu Gilliand, Cemetery Dance

"[If] you are looking to add a little old world charm to your winter celebrations, this book series just may be for you. This year’s batch in particular offers up some fantastic reads, accompanied once again by stark and unsettling (in the best way) illustrations by accomplished illustrator Seth."

—Lindsey Childs, Prairie Fire

"Illustrator Seth returns for the tenth year with a new batch of ghost stories originally written and published for the Christmas season . . . each story printed as a pocket-sized book taking about a half hour to hour to read, focusing on eerie and macabre (but never gory) tales of misadventure with bad spirits."

—Tom Bowden, Book Beat

"This year marks the 10th anniversary of these beautifully designed pocket-sized books that revive the Victorian tradition of sharing spooky tales on Christmas Eve . . . As someone who has collected these books for years, it's exciting to get three more of these pocket-sized treasures."

—Mark Frauenfelder, Boing Boing