The Wind in the Cedars and Others: Edited by S. T. Joshi

August Derleth's stories of Sac Prairie, published in the late 1940s and 1950s, develop the themes he had initiated in his earlier tales. Domestic conflict is etched in several poignant narratives, including several dealing with women struggling against abusive husbands or societal expectations that limit their career goals. Derleth's alter ego, Steve Grendon, is featured in two stories where wistful pathos is the focus. Two previously unpublished tales are also included. The highlight of this volume is the substantial title novella, which is unusual in Derleth's work for its incorporation of hints of the supernatural into the midst of a romantic scenario: John Ashmun believes that the ghost of his dead wife, Louise, is haunting him, and his new wife, Leigh, must deal with the emotional trauma that John is suffering. All told, this book highlights many of the elements that make August Derleth's work unforgettable.