This book has been formatted to the highest digital standards and adjusted for readability on all devices. The story is set on an island separated from the rest of the world, on which evolution has taken a different course. The Nightmare resembles Edgar Rice Burroughs' The Land That Time Forgot, which was published a year later. While Bennett had submitted The Nightmare under her own name, she had asked to use a pseudonym, Jean Vail, if it was published. The magazine's editor instead chose to use Francis Stevens, which she stuck to for rest of her writings as well.

Excerpt: ""I never met a burglar, but if I ever should it would be embarrassing to point a pistol at him and not be able to fire it off. I admire the heroes of burglar stories. They're always such efficient people.