A few days ago, I came across this concise review by Nathan Ballingrud, author of North American Lake Monsters and The Visible Filth.

I just finished reading Burnt Offerings, by Robert Marasco. Forty-three years after its publication, it still packs a wallop. Second only to Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House in my personal pantheon of haunted house novels. Respect to Valancourt Books for bringing it, along with so many other forgotten horror novels, back into print. (Also, check out that beautiful art by Pye Parr, who also did the art for The Visible Filth.)

I wasn’t even aware that Valancourt Books had done a reprint of Marasco’s classic horror novel — but I was very glad to hear it! Two years ago, when I returned from the World Fantasy Convention in Washington, D.C, I wrote about my delight in discovering their magnificent back catalog in the Dealer’s Room, saying:

As they proclaim proudly on their website, Valancourt Books is an independent small press specializing in the rediscovery of rare, neglected, and out-of-print fiction… their small table was piled high with dozens of beautifully designed trade paperbacks reprinting long-out-of-print horror paperbacks, chiefly from the 70s and 80s. All it took was one glance to see that Valancourt Books has two significant strengths. First, their editorial team has excellent taste. They have reprinted work by Stephen Gregory, R. Chetwynd-Hayes, Hugh Walpole, Charles Birkin, Jack Cady, Basil Copper, Russell Thorndike, John Blackburn, Michael McDowell, Bram Stoker, and many, many others. And second, their design team is absolutely top-notch. Their books are gorgeous, with beautiful cover art and striking visual design.

Burnt Offerings was originally published in 1973 by Delacorte Press. I ordered the new edition two days ago; it is 230 pages, priced at $14.99 in trade paperback. See the complete details at the Valancourt website.