Whispers of the Capital: London's Haunting Folklore (Whispers - Folklore of the British Isles)

By Mr Philip Wilkinson

What if the city you thought you knew was hiding something? London has always been a city of contrasts--gleaming towers rise above ancient catacombs, and modern life thrums atop centuries of blood, fire, and forgotten bones. In Whispers of the Capital: London's Haunting Folklore , the capital's most chilling legends are reimagined as richly atmospheric, character-driven tales that peel back the city's layers to reveal the strange, the spectral, and the downright terrifying. This isn't a dry catalogue of ghost stories or urban myths. It's a living, breathing collection of supernatural fiction inspired by true folklore and historic locations, written with reverence for the past and a keen eye for the uncanny. These stories aren't set in far-off woods or ancient castles--they unfold in the parks, ruins, back alleys and crumbling buildings that millions walk past every day, unaware of the spirits watching from the shadows. Among the stories you'll find within: The Shifting Lights of St Dunstan-in-the-East : A late-night photographer discovers ethereal, intelligent lights drifting through the bombed-out ruins of a Blitz-era church... and something darker watching from the nave. Whispers in the Crypt : The legend of the Highgate Vampire is reborn in a tale of obsession, scepticism, and things that stir behind sealed tombs. The Hunger at Newgate : Behind the heavy stones of Newgate Prison, a spectral black dog prowls--a harbinger of death and judgement that even the cruellest inmates fear. The Phantom Bus of Ladbroke Grove : A young cyclist narrowly survives a collision with a vehicle that doesn't exist... and learns of a terrifying accident buried in local memory. The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Expanded Edition): A fully developed retelling of the infamous tale that inspired fear across generations, told with new depth, characterisation, and historical menace. Each story is grounded in place and time, drawing on extensive research and authentic legends passed down over centuries. Some tales whisper, others howl--but all are threaded with that particular London flavour: gritty yet poetic, rich in history, and uncomfortably close to home. Whispers of the Capital is perfect for fans of folk horror, urban legends, and anyone who knows that cities have souls--and that sometimes, those souls speak back. It forms part of the acclaimed Whispers series, exploring regional folklore across the British Isles in haunting detail. Whether you're a seasoned reader of supernatural fiction or a newcomer fascinated by London's stranger side, this book invites you to walk familiar streets with new eyes. The kind of eyes that notice a flicker in a ruined window. A coach with no horses. A figure watching from a cemetery gate. The past is never truly gone. In London, it only waits.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0F62N7FLF
• ISBN13: 9798281024402
• Release Date: April 2025
• Publisher: Independently published
• Length: 150 Pages
• Dimensions: 9.2" x 0.6" x 6.2"