The complete lost classic of psychological horror from the master himself, Arthur Machen! It is a coincidence… But what happens when one coincidence turns into two? Or three? Or more? Dyson knows something is strange after a man in spectacles casts aside an ancient coin that has been missing for centuries. But when Dyson meets mysterious stranger after mysterious stranger looking for the man in spectacles, he realizes someone is not telling the truth. But who can he trust? An early influence over H. P. Lovecraft’s “The Call of the Cthulu,” The Three Imposters is sure to please any fan of psychological horror. Now with a brand new foreword by game designer of the acclaimed role-playing game Call of the Cthulu, Sandy Petersen!
Arthur Machen (1863–1947) was a Welsh author and actor best known for his fantasy and horror fiction. He grew up with intentions of becoming a doctor, but followed a boyhood passion of the supernatural and occult and started to write. In 1890, Machen began publishing short stories in literary magazines. Four years later, he released his breakthrough work, The Great God Pan. Decried upon initial publication for its depictions of sex and violence, the tale has since become a horror classic and has been hailed as “maybe the best [horror story] in the English language” by Stephen King. Machen continued to publish supernatural novels but spent time as actor in a traveling player company after his wife’s death. His literary career revived once more with the publication of his works The House of Souls and The Hill of Dreams. During World War I, Machen became a full-time journalist. Though he rallied for republications of his works, Machen’s literary career ultimately diminished, and he lived much of his life in poor finances.