The earliest of Blackwood's collections according to Wikipedia, and I wouldn't say they're his best work. He's one of my all-time favorite horror writers, and these stories seem more like he's finding his style. Much of the horror comes from the psychological state of the narrator, and it seems like he's finding that here. Even if you don't like this collection, don't write Blackwood off until you've read "The Willows" and "The Wendigo."

"The Empty House" 2 Stars
It's a very standard haunted house story with some little psychological flourishes.

"A Haunted Island" 2.5 Stars
Neat, but not the most interesting.

"A Case of Eavesdropping" 3.5 Stars
There's a few of these crime horror stories in this collection, and the genre blend keeps things fresh.

"Keeping His Promise" 2.5 Stars
Another one that's pretty standard, though fleshing out the characters is a nice touch.

"With Intent to Steal" 3 Stars
Some nice moments with the narrator's doubt and trust wavering, but the dream sequences bring it down.

"The Wood of the Dead" 2.5 Stars
It starts fine with the old man, but by the end it's pretty stale.

"Smith: An Episode in a Lodging-House" 3.5 Stars
It's a cool little magical story, but it's become rather generic over time.

"A Suspicious Gift" 2 Stars
It's definitely a bit tired.

"The Strange Adventures of a Private Secretary in New York" 3 Stars
A really strong build to a really lame end.

"Skeleton Lake: An Episode in Camp" 4 Stars
The best story of the collection. One of Blackwood's strengths is in his exotic locales. The wilds of Canada especially. Desperation is scary.