The Case of Charles Dexter Ward
"New York Times" reviewer William Poster noted that this second Lovecraft collection comprised mostly the author's "lesser writings," faulting in particular his poems and prose poems, which "tend to reveal his weaknesses rather than reveal his stature. Without the coloring excitement of narrative suspense and climax his language seems thin and obvious, getting most of its effects by the hypnotic repetition or judicious timing of adjectives like 'slimy,' 'nameless,' or 'loathsome.'" E. F. Bleiler described "Beyond" as "really an afterthought volume", commenting that "The fiction is almost all minor, although "The Case of Charles Dexter Ward", despite its being strangely tired and routine, has interesting concepts and good moments".