Horror Story Review: "Left by the Tide" by Edward E. Schiff
The unnamed narrator of this short tale recounts how he rose before everyone else in the hotel to take an early morning plunge at the beach. The tide was out, revealing things that are normally covered with water. He swam out to a small island, normally submerged. The sound of a splash caught his attention.
He saw a pool in the center of the island and figured perhaps a seal or something got stranded. But he looked closer and saw a drowned man on his back, hands behind him, skin shriveled from long exposure to water.
This is a creepy little tale, but one I’ve not been able to find outside print anthologies. I rather liked it. It hearkens back to its time and origins—pulps magazines of the 1920s—and it is an engaging little read.
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Title: “Left by the Tide”
Author: Edward E. Schiff
First published: Weird Tales March 1929
Source: ISFDB
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© 2016 Denise Longrie
Comments
Rufuszen wrote on January 15, 2016, 10:58 AM
Sounds more like the start of a twenties detective story, like Lord Peter Wimsey!
msiduri wrote on January 15, 2016, 12:23 PM
Oh, but where did that splash come from....?
MegL wrote on January 15, 2016, 2:48 PM
It sounds like something I read a long time ago but maybe not. Creepy swim!
msiduri wrote on January 15, 2016, 3:58 PM
It was creepy.
LeaPea2417 wrote on January 15, 2016, 6:25 PM
I have not heard of this story before. It sounds interesting.
msiduri wrote on January 16, 2016, 8:38 AM
It's not very well known. And it was interesting.
CalmGemini wrote on January 16, 2016, 12:12 PM
I have not read this story.As you said,it does sound creepy.Will have to look it up.
msiduri wrote on January 16, 2016, 12:31 PM
If you read it, let me know what you think.