Sir Albert is an explorer leading an expedition for the enigmatic Lady Athelton into the darkest depths of the New World. Following in the steps of the Monk, Ferdinand de Castile, who returned half-sane from his visit in the 16th Century, his journal hints at a hidden city deep in the jungle. Thge closer he gets to the goal, the more driven Lady Athelton becomes in reaching their goal. As they near the end, they find it guarded by a local tribe, one sworn to not release the horror that sleeps within the city. The same horror that Ferdinand de Castile encountered all those centuries ago. Only now, Sir Albert finds that Lady Athelton has known of the secrets all along and desires them for herself.

The Dreaming Demon is an interesting short tale, certainly with nods to Lovecraft and Haggard. The tale is fairly simple following the expedition for the main part and the tension is built up slowly but surely through the course of the story as more is revealed. The book is descriptive, both the details set in England and the nature of the journey through the jungle. The main characters come across as well defined in the short time we meet them although it is a shame only a few are really detailed to any degree. The framing device of a story being told to someone where the story is that of a story being told by someone doesn’t really add anything except to try and extend the horror onwards. Not to mention that the story of the Monk is being followed by the characters as well, so it does become fairly layered. The other problem with  the story is that while the horror in it is undefined and unknowable, it isn’t really horrifying enough or have enough impact on the characters towards the end.

Overall, its a good read, not as horrifying as it could be, but descriptive and interesting enough to enjoy