Diary Horror: Final Entries of the Doomed

[@mercy2606]

The switch up in what's killed grandad nearly sent me to my own early grave, excellently done.

[@Withintheflame]

Agreed!

[@RandolphTheWhite1]

Agreed, also!

[@Duchess_Van_Hoof]

"What killed grandad?" is arguably your finest and single most terrifying narration yet.

[@michaelkottler]

I agree. "What Killed Grandad" is a superior reading indeed.

[@Withintheflame]

I have to say that you are absolutely right. When his voice changed right at the very end I got gooseboops so good

[@PacoFTW]

holy hell the end of what killed grandad gave me big time shivers good work with the voice acting as always ian!

[@Gribbo9999]

What Killed granddad is seriously spooky! That was so well done. Being a Machester lad myself just added to the chill. If you ask me if it's as scary on second listening, well I won't be listening again. So the point is Moot.

[@dalton7276]

Hear hear! It toats got me

[@michaelkottler]

A fine turn of phrase on your part. "Moot", indeed!

[@Withintheflame]

I've listened to it 4 times and it is as scary every single time it doesn't lose any potency. It's literally my favorite reading on this channel

[@blixten2928]

The first reading: it sounds SO real. Just SO would a person talk to a tape recorder. You should be writing radio plays, it was a tremendous pleasure to listen to. Beautifully acted (and written, if you wrote it?).

[@farmgirl5931]

Lol I am a dyslexic milk allergy sufferer. Totally read this as "dairy horror" hahah love your work! Xoxo

[@SC-jh9qp]

🐮🗡️

[@JohnGalt-vr3lx]

I am surprised the thought of a dairy horror story didn't cow you into shutting off the video. Although I guess you could milk the situation for a few jokes. Although thinking that the fear of a dairy story would cow you into not listening to this, might just be a bunch of bull.

[@farmgirl5931]

@@JohnGalt-vr3lx lol thanks for the laugh! Awesome.

[@IMjustAGirlInTheWorld1983]

Omg thought it was just me. Fellow dyslexic

[@JohnGalt-vr3lx]

@@IMjustAGirlInTheWorld1983 did u guys notice that they made the very name for our condition, a strange word that is hard to spell. And yes yes I know that dys means altered function, i.e. dysphagia. And lexic meaning words i.e. lexicon (a book of words like a dictionary)

[@wolfieworby5653]

"What killed grandad?" Is officially the SCARIEST reading to date. I've listened to every book near enough that you guys have read, and honestly have no idea how I've ever missed this one. That shit. THAT was terrifying.

[@colemarie9262]

Oh man, journal entries or field notes or "manuscript found in the papers of the late Dr./Professor so and so" are some of my favorites! I'm so excited for this series, excellent idea guys!

[@5422rkg]

II iiiooi

[@5422rkg]

II

[@mortuarycookiezshane4192]

The diary format is so intriguing. I feel like it makes situations more personal and real. Especially with diaries and journals ppl tend to put down things that would generally remain internal and not available in other formats. It also adds an air of mystery and investigative feeling for the reader. These things have come and past and we as the reader are trying to sort it out. Dracula feels like one of the best examples of this. But the diary of Alonzo Typer also has it as well as the house on the borderlands.

[@L0NG_PR0NG]

Agreed, since my first read through of Dracula I’ve always loved this format. If I’m not mistaken, The Ocean Ogre and The Temple also follow this format. I love the mystery created by not having real time insight into the periods between each entry. It almost creates a sense of dread as you keep expecting the entries to become worse and worse for the writer.

[@joedent3323]

Don't forget Frankenstein!

[@AcornElectron]

“That we bore electric lanterns, spades, and a curious coil of wire with attached instruments, I will even affirm; for these things all played a part in the single hideous scene which remains burned into my shaken recollection. But of what followed, and of the reason I was found alone and dazed on the edge of the swamp next morning, I must insist that I know nothing save what I have told you over and over again….” Keep up the good work and, as always, stay safe!

[@Eris123451]

Well you can certainly say that again and you most likely will do.

[@AcornElectron]

@@Eris123451 I might 😉. There’s only so many lines in that statement and HB uses the intro quite frequently 🤣

[@Eris123451]

@@AcornElectron I know that perfectly well; but you always make me smile nonetheless and for some reason your comments always appeal to my own slightly weird sense of humor. Statement remains one of my favorite Lovecraft stories along with The Cats of Ulthar and a few others. Keep up the good work and, as always, stay safe!

[@AcornElectron]

@@Eris123451 🥰

[@SchleimKeim77]

"Notebook found in a deserted house" will never stop giving me the chills.

[@michaelkottler]

Agreed. "Notebook Found in a Deserted House" is a Bloch masterpiece, and likely the pick of this litter.

[@markbaumbargt3430]

I've read, and/or listened to, this story about a dozen times over the last thirty years and it never gets old.

[@AnnyMacToo]

What killed Granddad scared the freak out of me!!! And I don't scare easy. Bravo!!! More scary stories please!!!

[@darkbritt265]

Holy crap, you are such a great narrator. What Killed Grandad is the first narration that has ever given me literal chills of fright. Props!

[@HorrorBabble]

Thank you!

[@nicholashurst780]

that change in speaker in the last moment of What Killed Grandad made my blood turn cold. Great work

[@PinheadLarryVEVO]

The perfect gift after a long stressful day of work. I don't know if I'm ready to get scared by What Killed Grandad again though!

[@ragnarrthorsen2792]

I'm listening to this whilst lone working on night shift in a care home. Excellent stories and narration. The first story set the atmosphere perfectly. Thanks for this.

[@jeffashley5512]

Day off from the arcade waiting for the weather to warm to putter in the garden. Horrorbabble has provided the perfect collection to listen as I work. Thanks Ian. 💀 Blessed Be from Tennessee. )O(

[@tomatoangel1]

Oh, so well narrated/performed! You are a treasure.

[@soulreaver1983]

Cthulhu himself approves this awesome channel!!🐙👍👍👍

[@kellyhigham4950]

Thank you for keeping me company in the wee small hours x

[@bluegreenglue6565]

Such an enjoyable collection. Fittingly, I'm working on a scrapbook while listening, pasting in photos and descriptions from a trip with my Mum to Providence, RI last October. Just now, looking at photos of the Hotel Providence, where we slept in the Edith Wharton Suite. Didn't see anything Cyclopean, but we had a good dinner and that was even better. : )

[@candancecarmean770]

I am excited.. I just found this channel and subscribed under 5 min into the first story. This is one of my favorite genres of stories and your brilliant narration and choice of said stories is phenomenal . Bravo fine sir from a new very impressed new fan❤️!!!!!!!!!

[@HorrorBabble]

Welcome aboard!

[@aurorawilliams282]

Yesss, I love the horror stories where they're just frantically writing right up until the very moment something crashes into the room and devours them!

[@cobrachicken07]

So many talented Diarists have met thier ends in uncanny, curious ways. This is an excellent catalog from that genre, with several that are new to me! I am grateful. for it! Thank you

[@richardstrachmesserschmiti4979]

Quote: Referring to Innsmouth : The abundance of fish was certainly uncanny.🐟🐠🐡🛢 Hp Lovecraft Now that’s humor in a journal 📓

[@rhoddryice5412]

There are several gems in this collection. But “What Killed Grandad” is an absolutely amazing production. If there will ever be a vote for top ten Horrorbabble productions it must surely be on the list. “Horror in the Lighthouse” is a close 2nd in this collection I think.

[@grantus1231]

Good Evening Mr Gordon, Thank you for this.

[@BaldingClamydia]

Oh my god! The first one I was fine with until the ending! That was wonderfully done

[@hababalmahi5684]

Excellent work, Horrorbabble! Looking forward to binging this while staying in and lazing off. Thanks

[@violetfemme411]

You guys really helped in my recovery from pneumonia. I was thorougly entertained by these treasures. Great idea these long collections, as I can nap and go back later to continue listening 💜

[@HorrorBabble]

Glad to hear you're over that... nasty business!

[@battlehaggis4421]

Oh looking fwd to hearing this lot 🙂 feel like crap, nothing like a good bunch of horror to doze along with.. many thanks Ian awesome work as always

[@setamonkeytoy]

Got some of my favourites in this collection. I like a found diary story, as you don't know if the writer survived the experience till the end. Although on this channel there's a reasonable chance they didn't. 😁 Thanks to Ian and Jennifer and the Horrorbabble crew. ( waiting for the next instalment of ocean dread with baited breath.❤)

[@AgentMulder1805]

Excellent collection of Babbling Horror! Thanks for your great channel. From Aussie Babbler! 🇦🇺👍

[@tikkidaddy]

The Grandad story still gives me the crawls...thanks Ian!

[@jasonfx28]

Ian-you and Tony Walker- keep me company many a night. I had to edit this comment after hearing the first installment. Even after reading the other comments and preparing myself for the ending, I think I still almost 💩 myself! Speechless!

[@HorrorBabble]

Ha -- thanks, Jay! Tony will be putting an appearance in here on HB later this month!

[@stacybentoski1391]

What a wondrously classic voice perfect for story telling totally relaxing! Great job keep the stories coming!❣️🥰🌹a rose by any other name❣️🌹🌹🎸💋❣️

[@EndOfSmallSanctuary97]

That first story was extremely creepy and tense. Amazing voice performance too, felt very authentic and immersive.

[@shokmusic_AC]

"What Killed Granddad" was an excellent story and the narration was superb.

[@Gobi_Ness]

Thank you for all the wonderful and interesting stories you all read to us.

[@claudiajackson7863]

Great series guys! You might could have thrown Count Magnus in there too. Keep up the fantastic work. I expect nothing less from my favorite channel. God bless you guys!!! 😃

[@michaelkottler]

Given the extremely high-quality content of this compilation, I'm surprised it has "only" 147k listens. It was wonderful the 1st time I sat enraptured through it all and even better the 2nd, or technically the 7th (if you count the five nights I fell asleep to this) time(s). I really can't praise can't praise this one enough. Excellent again, HorrorBabble.

[@Foxiepawstotti]

Great Narrations from you both as ever. Clear and concise and always pronounced properly, something thats becoming rarer and rarer, even from Audiobook companies like Audible. You are one of the bastions of the English language, always a joy to listen to!

[@HorrorBabble]

Thanks again, Foxiepaws!

[@RayWright]

Excellent compilation! I enjoy Ian's voice immensely!

[@skeshavarz60]

Great work! The best narration ever! Excellent stories! Just loved it!

[@justincase9282]

Excellent selection. Thank you.

[@rickmills4801]

Re-listening to this first story 8AUG22, and there's been horrible news and I am fit-to-be-tied, as angry as I've been in decades. Thank you so very much for being here to get my mind off my nation's dissolution. I find myself fervently wishing I had a "Moot" to confront. He wouldn't know how to handle what I'm in the mood to do to the slimy likes o' HIM this night. The "Divil hisself" would have a knot in 'is tail, the way I feel. Thanks again for all you do. I appreciate your hard work.

[@andreasfilis9001]

Great selection of stories.

[@strideknight]

Just got to listening to this compilation. Such a great crop of stories and so well narrated, cheers guys.

[@sticksnstuffguy93]

Ok so Diary found in an abandoned house has got to be the freakyist (ok bad grammar) most freaky story I've heard on a long time! Well done!

[@donaldmccleary9015]

The author did a great job of talking like someone from certain rural regions during the timeframe of the book. This story, especially the end, is quite terrifying. Poor kid!

[@sawyerbates2032]

Something to fall asleep to this week. Nice!

[@Blakeneyd]

Beautifully read and brought to life! Poor Nigel and Willie - was really hoping they’d make it somehow. Glad @ least that Neptune lived.

[@lcaigel]

These were SO good, thank you!

[@blackfyre365]

Awesome- I love this type of story. Looking forward to a nice long listen today. Thank you! 💕

[@bobmanob666]

Alas, poor Warren. I knew him well….

[@Oraphel]

Did you write the opening story, Ian? The ending is chilling. What is particularly enjoyable about the diary format is its ability to create a slowly encroaching atmosphere. Things start out innocently and sometimes joyously enough, then little odd elements pop up, then the unrelenting creeping dread, until the horrific crescendo. Though this is not necessarily the case for Lovecraft's story, which has the dread from start to finish (Hodgson did it too with 'House on the Borderland'). Diary horror is a particularly terrifying kind of horror, because it really amplifies that suspension of disbelief. We could be very well reading (or listening/watching) someones last words. Thank you for the compilation, Ian.

[@blixten2928]

Yes, I was wondering the same thing. The reading was exceptionally excellent, it was as if written for an actor with exactly Ian's tastes, voice and acting abilities. A tremendous pleasure to hear.

[@70schild420]

Love the narration of “What killed grandad”.❤like old time radio❤

[@ogsus5773]

amazing voice work. i had gotten used to that sort of "style" you used for the lovecraft readings (for example). but the first short story just oozes personality. the writing probably supports the voice acting a lot but i wouldn't know about that. i just know that i enjoyed a lot this "performance", if you will. great job, keep it up

[@daviddrift7663]

Particularly enjoyed this one. Keep it up.Good work 👍

[@rosiemcnaughton9933]

Good stuff! Thank you both and your crew for all your efforts to keep us entertained. 👏👏

[@peterhoffman7830]

That first story is sooooo good!! Love it!!

[@donaldmccleary9015]

This collection is awesome. Great job, Ian! Thank you! What Killed Grandad? The torn face and head of the grandfather is explained horrifically in the end. Oh my goodness, that one was scary. This belongs alongside great stories of terror! I know it is for me! Diary of Alonzo Typer is a classic tale. The way the family and mansion are described is phenomenal (Lovecraft rarely missed giving us plenty of details). Lovecraft used ancient "decadent Dutch" families that practiced witchcraft in several works. I can never get over the detailed descriptions of the decrepit mansion and family portraits. Notebook Found in a Deserted House - I like how this is written. It shows how the kid speaks when he writes in his diary using his words and dialect. However, the story also shows the difference in writing and talking when the kid writes the exact quotes of educated people or those from other regions (this is very true and how it works in real life because we write what we hear others say when we quote them). I always felt very sorry for the poor kid. Keep up the great work! Thanks! I love this and it is amazing!

[@skeshavarz60]

Superb narration! Really fabulous!

[@heatherallen385]

This is like the best of Radio 4's plays. Excellent

[@0The_Farlander0]

Love these kinds of stories. Think it's because it's the literary version of found footage horror, in a way.

[@joz6683]

Great complation keeping each tale for a different night, so no matter how bad the day went a good night's entertainment is in store.

[@the-reclining-roleplayer]

Alonzo Typer always comes out like a fever dream. No matter how many times I hear it, I still feel like I only grasp a portion of the story--repeated listens don't help, though that is a good thing!

[@L0NG_PR0NG]

“Curwen” seems to be an unfortunate surname for a young man to possess, in any century. Especially if the story involves the demise of one of his forebears…

[@lauratanner8475]

Yea ol Howard knew a few Curwens

[@barrycrump6189]

Excellent stuff - thank you.

[@stephaniestevenson6335]

I LOVE IT WHEN YOU RELEASE COLLECTIONS!!! Sorry, got a little excited there. Thanks again. Wonderful narration!

[@richardstrachmesserschmiti4979]

Bass reliefs would be better , 🪦🐠, however, diarist don’t generally carve their epithets on stone , and it would be difficult to use them on line. Not bad anyhow

[@danniramey5876]

I guess the main character in the first story found out what killed his grandpa after all, but seriously that was really good and freaky. Including the ending, even though like everyone else I had a feeling what the twist was. But good job everyone at horror babble. I really want you all to keep it up.

[@ktcooki276]

Hehe! Speak for yourself! I had no clue that was coming!😯😆

[@Allistar]

Outstanding. Thank you dearly

[@joshuazane3210]

Excellent selections. I love the sense of impending doom that this genre tends to have.

[@Haerleif]

this is so cool! great collection

[@valeriegrey8328]

Ian, your writing never fails to make me smile. Your protagonist characters are believable and likeable! And the stories are spooky too :)

[@HorrorBabble]

Thanks, Valerie.

[@feralbluee]

cripes, you are so good!!!! wish i could act. but i’m good backstage. love stage managing for off, off, off Broadway :) 🎭

[@brograb898]

The vocal change at the end of the first story actually terrified me as I was about to fall asleep. Excellent performance-like a mercury theatre production!

[@michaelknight4041]

That's what got me too! Ok that creeped me out. Lol

[@Mi-yc3oy]

Hall bedroom was one of my favorites. Very happy to hear or hear 🥳🥃

[@blackfyre365]

Great story, thank you! 💕

[@joedent3323]

Gin me! That was all quite good. Thanks!

[@steveharrison76]

Good Lord. That first story! The last few lines… wonderfully voiced. I’m pretty difficult to creep out but… yeah. A skin crawling tale, very well ‘told’ (acted) indeed.

[@HorrorBabble]

Thanks, Steve!

[@listerjne]

cant tell u how many times I've listened to notebook found in a deserted house ...... idk what it is about it but its so gripping !! willie is such a king rip probs

[@EightLivesLeft]

well done, sir. (two second pause). well done.

[@sarahallenhumboldt2638]

You did a wonderful job on your graphics.

[@boosqueezy2418]

oh man! this looks insanely good!

[@kathyevans3251]

I really enjoyed it.

[@leeconroy2265]

Mate what killed grandad !!!SPOT ON !!!!! LOVED IT BUDDY !!!!X

[@michaelkottler]

So many worthwhile tales here including "Notebook Found in a Deserted House" by Robert Bloch and the disturbingly fun "What Killed Grandad?" which one assumes is a product of Mr. Gordon's fertile imagination, please correct me if that's inaccurate. In short, a very strong HorrorBabble compilation compelling multiple listens... ...especially as also included here are the creepy "The Diary of Alonzo Typer:" by HP Lovecraft and Bloch's ending to Poe's "The Horror in the Lighthouse" which we (apparently) have to thank for the intensely compelling feature film The Lighthouse (2019), which specifically credits the works of Melville despite the entire disturbing affair being so clearly inspired by the works of Mr. Lovecraft via Bloch. Again, this is a very strong Horrorbabble collection and a definite must-listen.

[@joshuagordon4267]

They say exposition makes for a poor story but I find that, if done well, it has a particular magic to it that you don't get from any other style of writing. It's akin to a story by the campfire deep in the dark woods, immersive and intimate.

[@iandavies3395]

I love the way you narrate this. Your accent fits the story and the narrative. The story mentions he lives near a school on Lord St just off Manchester Road which makes me assume it's in Farnworth near Bolton. So your accent is spot on! 👍

[@HorrorBabble]

Thanks, Ian! But I have an advantage: I'm from Bolton!

[@iandavies3395]

@@HorrorBabble No way! We've gotta star in my home town! I'm in Astley Bridge. Keep up the good work mate! Can't believe you're from Bolton - that's made my day! 😁

[@HorrorBabble]

Good old Astley Bridge. I lived in Bromley Cross for a while. Originally from Westhoughton though. I reckon I need to record more stories with the native accent!

[@stephaniehand503]

thanks

[@robshamas]

Speaking in rhymes is the best way to intimidate people. Had moot recited a limerick, I would have been to terrified to finish the recoding.

[@stevepalpatine2828]

So this is what Moot has been doing since he sold 4Chan... Another great one Ian, thanks for this 👍🏻

[@elainekent7026]

Love the narrator of the first story,

[@HorrorBabble]

Thanks, Elaine! That's me speaking in a more natural accent. Ian

[@CleCleHavez]

“The notebook found in a deserted house” was scary!

[@carolrios9216]

I love this! And The Hall Bedroom is one of my all time favorites. I thought at first they were saying "whole bedroom", then I figured it out and had to google "hall bedroom". I don't think that's a thing here in the U.S. Anyway, great story!

[@zombiemanjosh]

Definitely didn't read that as "Dairy Horror" and start imagining cheese monsters and haunted butter churns.

[@RedcoatsReturn]

The notebook story was…gripping…and……….terrifying! 😲🥺👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👍👍😉

[@eugenebelford4340]

Mot - Caananite god of underworld - nice literary reference there in the "Who Killed Grandad" story. :)

[@unclesam1756]

The diary format can either be really good or really really bad. Generally, if it ends with the author writing about himself being dragged away by the monster or he waffles on and on interminably about how little time he has it falls into the bad category. The exception is audio logs, of course, since the author doesn't have to sit down and write things out, but that limits the setting to modern times. I think what it boils down to is that the authors (the actual ones, not the characters writing the journals) never really put themselves in the mindset of the characters from whose perspective they're writing. They're always too calm, collected and detached from what's happening. I think most people's journals would devolve into "Shit's fucked! There's monsters. I'm gonna die!" and end there unless they survive and finish the story later once things have calmed down. Once they reach a point where they know they're in mortal danger they're not going to take time to write lengthy chapters describing how spooked they are. At the very least, I know that if a supernatural creature was stalking me I wouldn't be sitting at my desk scribbling about my feelings on the matter. It just strikes me as very silly every time I try to envision what's happening in these stories. "Notebook Found in a Deserted House" is one of the absolute worst I've ever seen. It's premise is good, but the execution is just terrible. I refuse to accept that it's written by an uneducated 12 year old. No hillbilly child is sitting down to write anything that long and filling it with innumerable unnecessary details in overly poetic fashion. His attitude is more professor than peasant, casually rambling on and on about mostly irrelevant and mundane things while monsters are breaking in to get him. And when he recounts what other people said he can suddenly write with perfect grammar. It's just poorly thought out. I will say, though, that it has one of my favorite scenes in any story where the postman pulls out his pistol and says "You're talking to the US mail!"

[@HorrorBabble]

Some good points here.

[@EleanorPeterson]

I find looking at the impossibly large radius of the reel of tape on the right-hand spool in the yellow C-60 cassette during 'What Killed Grandad?' deeply disturbing. It ought to be empty and thus small in size but, judging by the diameter, it's got more tape on it than the (full) left-hand spool.🤔

[@lauratanner8475]

Alright that first one creeped me out!