Ghost Tales by the Fireside - True Ghost Stories Podcast

In the thrilling conclusion to this dark and winding tale, Chapter VII reveals secrets, ghosts, and justice beneath the moonlit ruins of Bordesley Abbey. Phillis Spencer faces betrayal and a desperate struggle as George Cookes’ sinister plan to abduct and force her into marriage is foiled by an unexpected apparition—the ghostly figure of her supposedly dead lover, Tom Spencer. But all is not as it seems, and the truth of Tom’s fate, along with that of the duplicitous George Cookes, comes to light. Amid sword fights and confessions, long-buried crimes are revealed, and Cookes’ villainy collapses under the weight of his misdeeds. The cunning Dr. Wilmore’s role as both accomplice and savior is laid bare, and with justice served, the festive spirit of redemption and new beginnings takes center stage. The story ends on a joyful note, with a double wedding in Tardebigge Church as Tom and Phillis, and Tony Bates and Mattie, tie the knot, proving that love and loyalty can triumph over even the darkest plots. This final chapter is a rollercoaster of suspense, romance, and poetic justice, wrapping up the tale with warmth and celebration. Tune in to witness the dramatic conclusion and the Christmas joy that follows.

In Chapter VI, the sinister plans of George Cookes and the conflicted morality of Dr. Wilmore come to a head in a tale of deception, coercion, and dark bargains. Cookes, desperate to claim the fortune of Phillis Spencer, coerces the reluctant doctor into aiding his plot to abduct the grieving heiress. Blackmail and guilt over past crimes bind the doctor’s hand, forcing him to betray the very woman he had vowed to protect. Believing she is partaking in another ritual to see the spirit of her lost love, Tom Spencer, Phillis is lured once again to the ruins of the Abbey Gate House under the cold winter moon. But what she finds is not the ghostly comfort she seeks—it is a shocking betrayal. As Cookes steps into the circle meant to summon Tom’s spirit, Phillis’s hope turns to horror when the man she trusted reveals his true face. Will Phillis find a way to escape the machinations of Cookes and the shadow of the doctor's guilt? Or will her fate be sealed in the cold moonlit ruins? This episode unravels the depths of greed and manipulation, testing the boundaries of loyalty and morality in the face of desperation. Tune in to uncover the dark turn of this eerie tale.

In Chapter V, the story ventures into the chilling realm of the supernatural as Phillis Spencer turns to the infamous Redditch Wizard, Dr. Wilmore, to contact the spirit of her lost love, Tom Spencer. On All Hallows’ Eve, under the shadow of ancient superstition, Phillis and her maid secretly visit the eerie Abbey Gate House, where the doctor prepares to summon Tom’s spirit through a mystical mirror. Within the doctor’s shadowy sanctum, filled with strange artifacts, bones, and ancient tomes, Phillis is faced with a choice: to glimpse Tom in a crystal or to question him through the enchanted mirror. Choosing the latter, she steels herself for what lies ahead, receiving a stern warning not to look away or behind her during the ritual. As the smoke clears, Tom’s face materializes in the mirror, lifelike yet otherworldly. Phillis seizes the fleeting chance to ask three questions, her emotions teetering between hope and despair. She learns of Tom’s enduring love and his disapproval of her moving on, but his answer to her final question—a haunting revelation about his peace in the afterlife—leaves her shaken to her core. This episode dives into the eerie and emotional, exploring the lengths to which love and grief can drive a person. Will Phillis find closure in this otherworldly encounter, or will the answers she sought lead to more torment? Tune in for a spine-tingling tale of forbidden magic, spectral apparitions, and the enduring power of love and regret.

In Chapter IV, the story takes a darker and more chilling turn. Following the brutal fight, both Tom Spencer and Henry Hardwick hover near death, but the fates of these two men are intertwined with schemes and secrets. Dr. Wilmore struggles to save Hardwick, while George Cookes sees opportunity in his demise. With Hardwick gone, Cookes believes he can eliminate Tom as a rival and secure Phillis Spencer’s hand—and her fortune. Phillis, devastated by Tom’s reported death, descends into grief and remorse. Haunted by her harsh words to him on the night of the party, she spurns Cookes’s advances and retreats into sorrow. But Cookes, relentless and calculating, devises new ways to manipulate her emotions and win her over. When Phillis turns to Dr. Wilmore for solace, her heartbreak takes a supernatural twist. Desperate to see Tom one last time, she pleads with the doctor to summon his spirit. Despite his warnings about the dangers of invoking the dead, the doctor agrees, setting the stage for a chilling act of mystic science. This episode delves into love lost, schemes born of greed, and the eerie line between life and death. Will Phillis’s desire to see Tom again bring her closure—or lead to more tragedy? And what secrets will be unearthed as the doctor works his dark craft? Join us for a gripping tale of heartbreak, deceit, and the supernatural in this haunting chapter.