Beckoning Fair One is a haunting and atmospheric novel that follows the protagonist, Paul Oleron, as he becomes obsessed with a mysterious female presence in his new home. As Oleron's obsession grows, he becomes increasingly isolated from the outside world, unable to focus on his work or relationships.

The novel is filled with eerie and unsettling moments, as Oleron becomes convinced that the female presence is using her supernatural powers to control him. The tension builds steadily throughout the story, leading to a chilling climax that will leave readers on the edge of their seats.

Oliver Onions does a fantastic job of creating a sense of unease and dread throughout the novel, using vivid descriptions and a slow-building plot to keep readers hooked until the very end. The writing is lyrical and evocative, drawing readers into Oleron's increasingly unstable mindset as he descends further into madness.

Overall, Beckoning Fair One is a gripping and atmospheric read that will appeal to fans of psychological horror and supernatural fiction. With its well-drawn characters, eerie setting, and tense plot, this novel is sure to leave a lasting impression on readers long after they turn the final page.

Book Description:
"The Beckoning Fair One" is the most famous, and most widely anthologized, work by British author Oliver Onions. This novella, along with eight other stories, appeared in the collection Widdershins, published in 1911.
As a contemporary reviewer in the London literary magazine The Athenaeum noted: "To write a good ghost-story is a test of several qualities in union... imagination, a sense of horror, a certain elusiveness, a vagueness, as it were, and not too close a definition.... Mr. Onions...certainly has all the qualities required to write a ghost-story. ... 'The Beckoning Fair One' is...a very successful example of what a ghost-story should be, without improper definition or ruthless explanation -- only atmosphere."
Indeed, the elusive "Fair One" may or may not be real; the protagonist Oleron may or may not be losing his grip on reality; and the dilapidated old house that is the setting for Oleron's disintegration may or may not have a malevolent will of its own. A dripping water tap, the hushed sound of a woman brushing her hair, fleeting shadows, a growing obsession... it all could be manifestations of a fevered imagination, or of a deadly supernatural haunting. - Summary by Louise J. Belle