Murder mask

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

76592

Title

Murder mask

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

In a tale of Gothic horror, a vengeful butler returns to his wealthy family home, armed with a cursed mask and a deadly poison. As a masquerade party begins, the mask's supernatural influence twists the host's jealousy into murder, forcing him to confront a prophecy that demands he slay his greatest love before dawn.

Summary up to 500 words

In Edgar Daniel Kramer's chilling tale "Murder Mask," the narrative centers on the return of Antonio Colletti, a vengeful cousin plotting against his wealthy uncle's estate and the newlywed couple, Nita and Tomaso Romani. Upon discovering a crimson mask in his grandfather's shop, Colletti uncovers a sinister prophecy: whoever wears the mask is doomed to slay the person they love best before daybreak. Colletti's initial plan involves sabotaging the couple by poisoning their wine at a lavish masquerade, but this scheme fails. Instead, the mask's malevolent influence manifests on Tomaso Romani. As the party intensifies, Tomaso's jealousy over Nita's interactions with Colletti boils over. The mask, appearing alive and pressing against his face, drives him into a frenzy of blind rage. In a tragic fit, Tomaso stabs Nita with a dagger, killing her instantly. Horrified by his actions, he realizes the curse has taken hold. Colletti, initially gloating over the death, is forced by the dying Tomaso to wear the mask himself. The prophecy immediately turns against Colletti; having loved only himself, he is condemned to suicide. After drinking a poison vial to hasten his end, Colletti collapses and dies. Consumed by grief and the weight of the curse, Tomaso plunges his dagger into his own heart, joining his wife and his cousin in death as the morning breaks. The story serves as a grim exploration of how external curses can amplify internal hatreds, leading to a cascade of violence that ultimately consumes the entire family.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Local file path

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Categories

• Short Stories
• Horror