The Grisly Horror
In a remote area of the Mississippi swamps, Bristol McGrath returns to his childhood home, drawn by a telegram from Richard Ballville, his enemy, mentioning Constance Brand, the woman he loves. Upon arrival, he discovers the tortured body of Ahmed, Ballville's servant, who reveals that Constance is in danger. McGrath learns that Richard has been captured and tortured by a sinister figure named John De Albor, who has taken control of the local black population through dark rituals. McGrath finds Richard, who, despite his agony, reveals that Constance is alive but hidden in a secret location known as Lost Cave. Richard explains that he had kidnapped her to force her into marriage, but now De Albor has taken over, threatening both their lives. As McGrath prepares to rescue Constance, he is joined by Ali ibn Suleyman, Ahmed's brother, who seeks vengeance for his sibling's death. Navigating through the treacherous swamps, McGrath and Ali reach the cave where Constance is held. However, they are ambushed by De Albor, who reveals his true identity as a mixed-race octoroon and has drugged Constance. He plans to sacrifice her to Zemba, a monstrous ape worshipped by the local cult. In a desperate struggle, McGrath fights De Albor but is knocked unconscious. When he regains consciousness, he discovers that Constance has been taken to the sacrificial site. He follows the trail to a clearing where a horrific ritual is underway. The cultists, in a trance-like state, prepare to offer Constance to Zemba. McGrath intervenes, shooting the beast and causing chaos among the cultists. In the ensuing panic, he rescues Constance, but Zemba, wounded, attacks him. In a final confrontation, McGrath kills the creature, ensuring their escape. With the cult dismantled and their enemies dead, McGrath and Constance find freedom, marking a new beginning for their lives together.
By Robert E. Howard · First published 1932 · Genre: Horror, Fantasy, Adventure · 5 chapters · 13,318 words
First lines
_A gripping, thrilling tale of a ghastly horror that stalked the swamps of the Mississippi -- a tale of glorious heroism and the hunger of a black god._
The silence of the pine woods lay like a brooding cloak about the soul of Bristol McGrath. The black shadows seemed fixed, immovable as the weight of superstition that overhung this forgotten back-country. Vague ancestral dreads stirred at the back of McGrath's mind; for he was born in the pine woods, and sixteen years of roaming about the world had not erased their shadows. The fearsome tales at which he had shuddered as a child whispered again in his consciousness; tales of black shapes stalking the midnight glades.
What this Textopian page supports
The Grisly Horror is listed on Textopian as a novel by Robert E. Howard, dated 1932 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Robert E. Howard
- Date: 1932 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Horror, Fantasy, Adventure, Sword and Sorcery, Gothic Fiction
- Length: 13,318 words
- Structure: 5 chapters, 190 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Grisly Horror by Robert E. Howard
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Grisly Horror?
- How does this novel by Robert E. Howard fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Horror first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Devil In Iron by Robert E. Howard
- Skull Face by Robert E. Howard
- Skulls In The Stars by Robert E. Howard
- Red Shadows by Robert E. Howard
- Dig Me No Grave by Robert E. Howard
- People Of The Dark by Robert E. Howard
Genres
- Horror — The book features elements of fear, the macabre, and supernatural occurrences.
- Fantasy — It includes fantastical elements and settings typical of the genre.
- Adventure — The plot involves quests and perilous journeys, characteristic of adventure narratives.
- Sword and Sorcery — It combines elements of fantasy with heroic characters and action.
Tags
horror · fantasy · adventure · sword and sorcery · dark fantasy · supernatural · mythology · monsters · action · suspense · gothic · pulp fiction