James is known as the originator of the “antiquarian ghost story”. His style of storytelling was known as Jamesian. One crucial element of this style is the discovery of an old book or other antiquarian object that somehow unlocks, calls down the wrath, or at least attracts the unwelcome attention of a supernatural menace, usually from beyond the grave.
According to James, the story must “put the reader into the position of saying to himself, ‘If I’m not very careful, something of this kind may happen to me!'” Enjoy!