What if the home that rescued you was already digging your grave?Lost Hearts remains one of M. R. James's most unsettling masterpieces-an exquisitely crafted ghost story in which scholarly curiosity crosses the line into occult horror. This definitive modern edition preserves James's atmospheric dread while refreshing archaic phrasing, allowing contemporary readers to feel every creak of floorboards and hear every unearthly flute note as if standing beside Stephen himself.Inside these pages you'll journey to: Aswarby Hall's Shadowed Corridors - A labyrinth of locked rooms, forbidden libraries, and mirrors that reflect more than mortal shapes.The Alchemy of the Soul - Mr. Abney's chilling research links ancient Greek rituals, Eastern mysticism, and a thirst for eternal life that demands an innocent price.Ghosts that Scratch and Sing - Two murdered children, their hearts stolen, return with hollow ribs and haunting melodies that echo through the estate.Victorian Obsession and Moral Ruin - James's razor-sharp commentary on scholarship divorced from empathy, revealing how intellect can warp into monstrous hunger.Restored, Annotated, and Immersive - Faithful to the original plot yet streamlined for clarity, with subtle contextual notes that heighten the terror without breaking the spell.Whether you're a seasoned connoisseur of classic horror or stepping into James's nightmarish world for the first time, this edition of Lost Hearts will leave you checking every shadow-and questioning every act of kindness.