"The Lure of the Dreamscape" by Ian Gordon / Van Melsen Mythos

[@HorrorBabble]

First book of stories now available: UK: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CGXFZCH5 USA: www.amazon.com/dp/B0CGXFZCH5 The Peter Van Melsen Playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLeNNKRLWxwoO0VCrw61QeyrZk_DQYZycx

[@jonshepherd2550]

Thank you Ia Ian you go from strength to strength .. great story reminiscent in parts of lord Dunsany at his best... bravo Sir

[@johnnyd.1004]

Absolutely! Van Melsen is one of the best recurring characters I've seen in quite a while.

[@billielyons-super70]

I love the way you bring classic, brilliant horror into this century. It’s heartening to know that the possibility of “the unspeakable” did not die in the 1900s.

[@Duchess_Van_Hoof]

One thing I like about Mr. Van Melsen is that he is no action hero, he doesn't engage in pugilism or shoot down dozens of cultists. I am not even sure how much of an occultist he is. He is just a paranormal investigator, well read and with a good instinct for the unusual.

[@Doperwtje81]

Peter Van Melson is quickly becoming one of my favourite fictional investigators. Thank you very much for this!

[@boosqueezy2418]

he’s not real???

[@Duchess_Van_Hoof]

Definitely up there with the likes of Sherlock Holmes in my mind.

[@biggusdickus5986]

Well Sherlock was real, or rather he was based on Conan Doyles forensic turor.

[@jacobmullin3428]

Oh, simply excellent. I always look forward to these longer readings, I do love to listen to them while I work. Weird tales of Horror and the macabre always do wonders to hasten the completion of tasks at hand. A days work hardly feels complete without hearing “You fool! Warren is dead.”

[@athena8794]

Same here! Whether I'm at work doing a maintenance day on the ship, or working on projects at home (currently taking a food break from a sewing project), HorrorBabble makes things flow so much quicker

[@taterpussy3825]

Same here. When I complete a task I've been known to say "You fool! Warren is done..."

[@joefranklin7345]

P

[@tomcurran1538]

Yep, either cooking or driving back and forth to my farm near "Mayberry," North Carolina. What a great narrator and author Ian is! I guess he has a Jordy accent like Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits(?)

[@rickyhurtt5568]

What is a jordy accent. I am old enuff and remember Dire Straits. Sultan of swing

[@joshuazane3210]

This is a delightfully surreal yarn. It almost has shades of "The Dream Quest of Unknown Kadath". I'll definitely listen to this again to catch details I might have missed. Well done, Ian!

[@HorrorBabble]

Thanks as always, Joshua!

[@jeffashley5512]

I'm here Ian. I am ready for a tale. Let's go. Bravo! Bravo!!! Ian you and Jennifer never fail to deliver the best for us. Well done. Well done indeed. Blessed Be from Tennessee.

[@Allistar]

And Alabama. Thank you

[@thefisherking78]

@@Allistar me too 😜

[@Eidridin]

This was such an Alice in Wonderland level of weird and wonder. It successfully captured the absurdity and abrupt dreams could be as well. Probably my favorite part was how tea time represented a sense of normalcy in the dreamscape. Ian Gordon, one of the best fiction writers of the 21st century.

[@HorrorBabble]

Thank you for listening, Eidridin!

[@debacofzomb9889]

We really gotta start helping Ian make this channel bigger. It's every bit as good as MCP, Dr Creepen, Dark Somnium et cetera.

[@johnblack8872]

Id argue its miles better than anything else

[@debacofzomb9889]

@@johnblack8872 so no reason we shouldn't help him expand. People missing out.

[@johnblack8872]

@@debacofzomb9889 i agree

[@jmpsthrufyre]

Don't know who those other blokes are, but I agree wholeheartedly Share and sub you heathen knobends!!!

[@debacofzomb9889]

@@jmpsthrufyre what's this??? How did you know that I'm a heathen????!! *GASP* Who told you?? Whoooooo!!!!??????

[@RodM.Peters]

A little over an hour into it and I'm completely enthralled. The story is compelling, the writing is of absolute top quality, reminding me a bit of some of the best Neil Gaiman's novels, highly imaginative, with vivid descrptions that grip you for the richness of the language. Huge thumb up so far.

[@HorrorBabble]

Thank you, Rod!

[@MoonLitChild]

Another fantastic addition to the Van Melsen canon and a great nod to the one and only Randolph Carter! This series is my favorite original supernatural series in a long while. I look forward to seeing where things go from here, and am still hoping we get a flashback to when Peter met Kane.

[@HorrorBabble]

Thank you RaeBae. The Van Melsen meets Cane story is part of phase 2 -- it's titled: "The Owlman of Greenhill Copse"

[@pjsix]

Adore horrorbabble. You guys both make sleep easier AND work easier (I listen to audiobooks while I work). Thanks to all involved, especially with the cthulhu mythos series.

[@ToddWaid1]

Omg super long Van Melsen story. Excellent. What a excellent Valentine's Day gift. Ian your the best. Thank You!

[@richardferguson6893]

Finally taking the time to properly work through the Van Melsen chronicles and kicking myself for not doing it earlier. The richness of the stories and the through-lines are top notch; I'd put these up against and fantasy/horror being put out today. Brilliant stuff.

[@HorrorBabble]

Thank you!

[@RolandWieffering1]

Great, I hope van Melsen will reappear very often in the future. The sphere of dusty old bookshops, and people who know what they are talking about, always appeal to me. Very good Ian, keep them coming. Roland from Holland. 🍻😋

[@HorrorBabble]

Thanks as always, Roland.

[@susancooley5208]

I had my family listen to the first 5 stories, all in order last night to get everyone up to speed and familiar with Horrorbabble's slice of the mythos, the wonderful and fantastic Van Melsen Cycle as I have been calling it, and now they all are excited for the end of the first part of the cycle tonight. My main account Nub Guru under Gregory Turner has all the stories, in chronological order, and we are now enjoying this! Thank you so much Ian, Jen, and the whole Horrorbabble Family!

[@HorrorBabble]

That's awesome! Thanks, Susan!

[@gregoryturner9530]

@@HorrorBabble yeah my mom here has supremely good tastes! Thanks to her we all get to enjoy your wonderful narration of our favorite authors! Thank you Ian for this fantastic new series and additions to the Cthulu Mythos! The renowned paranormal investigator, Peter Van Melsen, deserves a Saturn award (technically these ARE videos, so they should qualify) for how good part one of the Private Collection has been. If there was a way for us all to get your stories nominated for one, or more like all the categories, I'd be right on it like white on rice! Everyone here at Horrorbabble deserve the recognition for all you folks do to keep the classics from being forgotten by the next generations.

[@gregoryturner9530]

2:46:20 Bookmarked

[@Scarter63]

Three hours of Van Melsen! What a treat!

[@stevepalpatine2828]

I've been saving this one, I like to keep them for nights I can do them justice, I've grown to admire your man Van Melsen, this is one the best yet, he's like the best parts of Carnacki and Randolph Carter rolled into one man, you've gotten quite a talent for tale weaving Ian, I always look forward to your own works.

[@HorrorBabble]

Thanks, Steve!

[@AcornElectron]

Bloody love it when Jen comes in unexpectedly x

[@cobrachicken07]

What on earth?! A Van Melsen novella?! Horror Babble, you just made my evening 😱😂❤️

[@feralbluee]

Like Wow!! i think years from now, you will be like the renowned scifi / fantasy writers we have now! i hope to hear many more Peter Van Melsen stories. i can’t stand how talented you are. i mean what are going to do next? an unknown tale of Merlin in the ‘in between’ before Arthur?! thanks much for all you do. and you and your family be happy!! 🌹🌱

[@HorrorBabble]

Thanks as always!

[@boosqueezy2418]

you should be a famous writer! you’re in my top 3 favorite authors of all time, and i am an avid reader! you’re sensationally talented. thanks for sharing your gifts with us!!! keep them coming!

[@HorrorBabble]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@lifewladye]

I love these Peter Van Melsen stories 🥰

[@vivanecrosis]

SUPERB! I listened to this whilst sorting out my studio and then doing some art. A totally remarkable story with great imagery. You sure are a good writer.

[@HorrorBabble]

Thanks, Alex -- would love to see the art!

[@KendrilThomsigh]

I've been following the Van Melsen storyline since you dropped the Soul Stealer, and this one has edged out the Knavesmire Vampire for my favourite of the series. Exceptional writing as always, and told wonderfully. Eagerly awaiting the next installment!

[@HorrorBabble]

Thank you!

[@hydroknight01]

Utterly worth the wait! Still to totally wrap my head around it, but that only means I can look forward to another listening in the near future. Many heartfelt thanks to the HorrorBabble team for bringing us the gem that is Peter Van Melsen, and now Jason Murphy too.

[@HorrorBabble]

Thank you for listening, hydro!

[@hydroknight01]

Have just been listening to the Bandcamp version of this, and noticed that Part 4 is missing from that version. Has anyone else reported this?

[@andrusman100]

Aw my favorite P.I. Returns! Thanks for sharing these wonderfully spine chilling creations of yours Ian.

[@BeastlyEwok]

Dream Come True. Best Valentine's Gift ever! Thank you so much Ian.

[@ryanrobison8973]

Just saw another one of these released today. I'm going through all of them in order!! Thanks for the great stories. You are a very talented writer and narrator.

[@HorrorBabble]

Thank you!

[@nitayrafowicz5934]

How come I didn't know it was a thing for a WHOLE MONTH?! This is awesome! Ellen and Peter are, without a doubt the greatest P.I investigators out there! P.s. Gotta love the self awareness by having old Lovecraft in his father's library..

[@Ivanhoe52]

For me, the best one of Peter Van Melsen yet. It's so cool that the story also carries a flavour of some of the best classics. And diction has been executed superbly (the one knows his own creation best). Dreams can really be hellish and fearfull, don' I know it... As Jordan Peterson have sed: "...yeah, only because you haven't been in hell, it doesn't mean that it doesen't exsist, buddy!" With all the specal effects that we have today, it would be ashame not to film all the stories (old and new ones) especialy this one. A masterpiece. Once again, greetings from Croatia

[@basvandriel2497]

Thank you Ian, absolute pleasure to listen to as always. I really like the feeling that there is a sort of science behind all the occultism. At least the characters imply that and seem to believe it. Especially the discussion between Cane and Van Melsen about active elements really sold the idea that you are listening to two experts speaking in occult jargon without it feeling like a lore dump. Very tasteful!

[@HorrorBabble]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)

[@phoenixjames6126]

Every take of our amazing paranormal investigator is better that the last. A stupendous addition to the epic. Tying so many loose ends, and tantalizing and teasing the reader of things to come. In short, absolutely spectacular!!

[@HorrorBabble]

Thank you!

[@optimus_tango]

Yes!!!!!! The Jason Murphy mystery answered!

[@scyphe]

This was a great and reality bending adventure with the great Peter Van Melsen. When I had completed the first five stories I was worried that it was the end of Van Melsen tales. Thankfully I had a very nice surprise when this popped up. Thank you Ian, this was a great experience.

[@HorrorBabble]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@williamfawkes8379]

Took me a bit to get through it all, but it was really good. Thanks much for the wonderful journey.

[@HorrorBabble]

Glad you enjoyed it, William!

[@japesdoom2150]

Youv outdone yourselves with this one folks.van melsen and your telling of his tales are brilliant ian.thank you for putting this on here.still havent found a channel that compares.think on pay day il head to your patreon

[@HorrorBabble]

That's kind of you, John! Thanks for listening.

[@shadownet3d]

A story well written and well told. Thank you!

[@HorrorBabble]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@brycecurtis8483]

Thanks yet again for this marvelous channel. Truly a selfless work of Love, and it shows. Strange these spooky tales should bring me such comfort! Bless you all, Bryce.

[@HorrorBabble]

Thank you, Bryce.

[@johnmathias3964]

Amazing totally immersive story thank you !

[@entrepreneursfinest]

Absolutely superb, as always. Thanks Jennifer and Ian! Loved the referencing of Peter's dream by Jason from a third person view. An excellent stroke!

[@jasonfreeman2863]

Excellent!! Thanks so much!

[@joz6683]

Thanks for this, keeping this for Thursday evening as I have a nasal endoscopy in the afternoon, so keeping this as my reward. The Van Melsen stories never fail to entertain, maybe they should be collected in a book, just a thought.

[@HorrorBabble]

Hope it goes well tomorrow, Joz. And yes, a book is something we're certainly hoping to put out at some stage.

[@joz6683]

@@HorrorBabble In time for Christmas I hope 😁 Adding it to my list...

[@joz6683]

@@HorrorBabble It did and thanks for a great story...

[@Jose-oq6kj]

~1:25:00... the artist name earned a rewind and a chuckle. Well played.

[@craigbounous2948]

So excited to listen to this after work! Thanks Ian and Jen, Happy Valentines Day!

[@captainbullshit4282]

Amazing story, I honestly can't wait to finish the next 2 on the playlist.

[@HorrorBabble]

Thank you!

[@marinakaiser7639]

Hey dear H.B.i'm so sorry i was yesterday sooo busy and all the Valentinsday stories 🤣❤❤but i would never miss one of yours. Please don't be offended 🥰🤗‼

[@HorrorBabble]

Never!

[@marinakaiser7639]

@@HorrorBabble Thank you

[@thefisherking78]

I'm only about half an hour in, but the dreamscape is *deliciously* surreal and I'm loving it.

[@mrg6185]

3 and a half hours of Horror Babble. Happy days (or nights in this case) Thanks guys can't wait to listen, you never disappoint Edit to say wow, 999 likes... Let's make it a thousand :)

[@garymcdonnell5791]

Thank you so so much!! Peter v m are my favourite stories ever just brilliant thanks for the hours of joy!! and happy Christmas to you too all the best to all... x

[@loganlogon3720]

Thank you for another gem of a story, and on Valentines Day to boot. I feel so loved!😄

[@allenhonaker4107]

Simply superb. Descriptions on a par with Steven King. 💕

[@Drifter2025]

The very last chapter reminds me of a great movie series that never gets enough recognition. Phantasm, the white room and the tall man.

[@HorrorBabble]

Unsurprisingly, I'm a huge Phantasm fan. Thanks Phillip!

[@Drifter2025]

@@HorrorBabble I can't wait to hear the next stop on the travels of Peter and maybe Jason. Keep writing great stories!

[@donaldmccleary9015]

Wow! These are good! Great job! These are so detailed that I had to take notes! Van Melsen is awesome!! I want to hear more about the background of him and his friends.

[@HorrorBabble]

Thanks for sticking with it, Donald!

[@Beardwhip]

I am detecting vague scents of The Dark Tower in this one... I can't say I'm familiar with much older literature, but I grew up glued to King's books, & this entry in the Van Melson series reminds me vaguely of the dark tower & a bit of the stand. Namely the pursual... The man in the hat... The man in black? Randall Flagg vibes? Regardless of inspiration or nods this is fantastic. Will be seeking out the rest of this series.

[@HorrorBabble]

There are indeed some similarities, despite the fact that I didn't read The Dark Tower series till after penning the first draft of this many years ago. I think the idea of a mystical tower or mast for me personally was inspired by the TV mast at Winter Hill that I could see from my bedroom window growing up: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_Hill_transmitting_station That, coupled with a wide variety of obscure stories, video games, and The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway by Genesis. (at least, these are the things that spring to mind when thinking about it)

[@indigo5784]

And he is back! Amazing! Just amazing!

[@dondawson2174]

Love these stories. Always enjoy the long ones. Thank you for your commitment to providing quality horror.

[@rhoddryice5412]

The prologue was promising. Will be back for chapter one later.

[@jedsmith381]

An absolute treasure to enjoy

[@hereticsaint100]

You've outdone yourselves on this one! I appreciated the various and sundry references to other horror works. The plot was entertaining. And of course the reading was superb.

[@HorrorBabble]

Thank you!

[@Eris123451]

Once again the sheer hard work and care that goes into making these productions so admirable and so enjoyable is deeply appreciated, this stuff doesn't happen just by magic as it were. Although then again perhaps it does ? Maybe better not to know ?

[@HorrorBabble]

Thanks, Eris!

[@dexterisabo3137]

Absolutely awesome Ian. If there was an award for Lovecraftian horror, you would have just won it. As for the "Man in the Hat" , if that's who I think it was, Van Melsen is gonna be smoking a whole lot of cigarettes in the next part of the series lol

[@HorrorBabble]

Thanks for listening, Dexter! I'm sure you'll find out eventually. :) Ian

[@susanhepburn6040]

Fabulous! Outstanding work in every regard. Thank you so much to all involved!

[@HorrorBabble]

Thanks again!

[@thomasturner2007]

Hope you are going to do more Van Melson pieces. Really like him as a character. This one is my favorite, so far.

[@Nanosuit37]

Excellent! Very good. Thank you.

[@boosqueezy2418]

you have no idea how happy this makes me!

[@CPWebster]

Not only is Ian Gordon's narration on a par with the late great Richard Burton, but listening itself is soporific, and what a great tale:)

[@HorrorBabble]

Thanks, Christopher!

[@tomcurran1538]

Never thought of Richard Burton.

[@Oraphel]

A phantasmagoric love-song to the Dream Cycle…

[@tikkidaddy]

Its 0548 here for reference... Closed my eyes...imagined the gas mask...and I could almost catch the scent of incense... Probably because I was at one time acquainted with a New Orleans incense maker who used the Japanese process with a sandalwood base...one "pinky finger" diameter stick about a foot long burned for hours. Her Dragons Blood formulation was my favorite... Other than those I enjoy frankincense and myrrh....Ahhhh...the theatre of the mind and memory...thanks old friends...great yarn!

[@HorrorBabble]

Thanks as always, Mark!

[@rebfj86]

Amazing quality storytelling and voice acting as always Ian and Jennifer. I’ve been especially been looking forward to another Van Melsen story 😊.

[@HorrorBabble]

Thanks so much!

[@scyphe]

Oh, same here. I could lay down, close my eyes and listen to Van Melsen stories for years, letting Ian's and Jennifer's voices create the most amazing imagery in my mind. Every Van Melsen story so far have activated my imagination to create all these wonderful and dreadful places and events in such an engrossing manner to the point where it seems that the world created in my mind seems real.

[@AcornElectron]

3 and a half hours requires more attention than tonight can afford at the moment, being it’s Valentine’s Day and all.. I’ll reconvene at midnight and bring to bear my mind on the subject.

[@kixuh6314]

I listen to you while I sleep and when I woke up with was playing, i was originally on a different novel. Kinda creepy because I liked my dream so much.

[@laurenceweens9638]

This is excellent as always!

[@derekdecker555]

Duuuuuuuuuude, I just discovered these and I am loving them!!! Can’t wait for the next. The only thing that makes me kinda sad is Christopher Lee isn’t here to play Van Melsen in the eventual movies. Who do we think would be a good modern actor to play him? Fassbender maybe?

[@HorrorBabble]

Thanks, Derek! Fassbender... interesting!

[@thomasturner2007]

Very enjoyable. Narration is great!

[@Red13teen]

This was simply stunning!! What a tale... Like the best of Lovecraft's dream quest mixed with machens horror and a pinch of blackwood..God I love this

[@HorrorBabble]

Thank you!

[@jonathanfraser-smith5458]

All ways improves with a second listen after a few more episodes. Like a good piece of knotwork all interlinked.

[@Duchess_Van_Hoof]

Recurring plot points, a directed narrative, I do appreciate it.

[@Jose-oq6kj]

Late here but I am very intrigued! Thank you!

[@legendteller4893]

Haven't even gone more than a few seconds in and already know I'm going to enjoy this one ha ha

[@SixTough]

Certainly some chemistry between you two voice acting together. Truly immersive

[@thelastsausage635]

Absolutely BRILLIANT !!!!!! I was completely hooked from start to finish👍❤️💀

[@HorrorBabble]

Thank you!

[@soulreaver1983]

Awesome thanks Ian!been looking forward to this story all day!!😎👍👍

[@frankmcgovern5445]

Interesting scientific fact - scientists have found that the MOST powerful, compelling name for a character of Irish derivation isn’t “Jason Murphy.” It’s “Frank McGovern.” You can’t argue with science.

[@lifewladye]

Bravo Ian 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿🥰

[@user-bm9io7mg4c]

Thanks!

[@HorrorBabble]

Thank you!

[@flspacebear]

BRAVO!

[@jonathanfraser-smith5458]

Again another story that gets better the days after you finish listening. Takes some time for him to worm his way into your mind.

[@Whalewraith]

Bloody hell i like to chuck your storys on, after a trip to the bar on my days off as I snooze down. How long as this been up? Starting again after about the sixth time. Still I guess its good for your KZbin algorithm...

[@christopherlink9950]

Bravo!

[@thisisdavid2]

haha! our Van Melsen is BACK! Can't wait to listen on tomorrow's run! :)

[@geekxilladennismagnant4292]

Thank you

[@ProfBoggs]

I thought most of the tales told here were older, with expired copyright. I think the reason I thought that is entirely because the narrator's voice reminds me of the radio narrators from recording made througout the 1920s to the 1950s. While I imagine the narrator is a middle-aged fellow, it would be funny if he were a voice-actor barely into his twenties. That voice is amazing.

[@HorrorBabble]

I'm in my thirties, actually! Thanks for listening.

[@PhlashRockinmann]

I love these. My only complaints are that I never hear them in their entirety, as I put them on when I go to bed, and (as far as I know) they're not available in either e-book or physical book form.

[@WhoCares69]

Brilliant story 👏👏👏👏👏

[@HorrorBabble]

Thanks, Shaun.

[@benjaminirwin1988]

Absolutely excellent.

[@HorrorBabble]

Thank you, Benjamin!

[@setamonkeytoy]

yay, genuinely so excited!

[@andreasfilis9001]

I left the Case of Charles Dexter Ward for Van Melsen!

[@RolandWieffering1]

Charles Dexter Ward is probably the best Lovecraft story about black magick. The spells he copied from E. Levi's books about high magick. Yes, Joseph Curwen was one evil dude.... All the best from Holland.

[@andreasfilis9001]

@@RolandWieffering1 thanks for the information. I didn't knew the origin of the spells. I did some research and found that Manning, Whipple, Brown were actual persons and you can find their portraits. Names of other persons as Epeneton Olney were among the first who established Providence or descent from such families. All the best from Greece.

[@A_Muddy_Rambler]

Van Melsen = day made

[@Whalewraith]

I'm going to do this in chunks. Just got back from the bar ,I guess I'm going to last an hour .