The Conception of Terror: Tales Inspired by M. R. James - Volume 1
An Audible Original Drama
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The Conception of Terror: Tales Inspired by M. R. James - Volume 1
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About this listen
A collection of four ghostly tales inspired by M. R. James.
Casting the Runes - adapted by Stephen Gallagher
When academic Jo Harrington (Anna Maxwell Martin) is sent a paper - The Truth of Alchemy, by Anton Karswell - for peer review, she pulls no punches. It has no place in a serious academic publication, and Karswell is a half-bright fool. However, when the editor writes a rejection note to Karswell, he inadvertently includes her entire email. Occultist Karswell (Reece Shearsmith) doesn’t take kindly to criticism.
On the tube home with her partner Edward Dunning (Tom Burke), Jo spots a poster with her name on it. It reads: 'In memory of Joanne Harrington, M.Litt, PhD, died September eighteenth, three days were allowed.' Is there anything that Edward can do to save Jo from this curse?
Lost Hearts - adapted by A. K. Benedict
Teenager Stephanie Elliot (Rosa Coduri) is taken to Aswarby House to be fostered by Mrs Bunch (Susan Jameson). Stephanie strikes up a friendship with Ben (Bill Milner), the adopted son of charismatic community leader Mr Abney (Jeff Rawle). He tells her that Mr Abney is a good man: he even took in a child refugee last year, but she ran away and stole from him. Stephanie is troubled by voices and visions of a dead girl clutching at her chest, and when Ben disappears she begins to suspect that all is not right in Aswarby House.
The Treasure of Abbot-Thomas - adapted by Jonathan Barnes
When former Somerton school pupil Greg Parsbury (Robert Bathurst) meets history teacher Mika Chantry (Pearl Mackie) at a memorial service for schoolmaster Sam Abbot-Thomas, he begs for her help. He has been sent a postcard by the estate of the mysterious and charismatic Abbot-Thomas. On it is a strange inscription in Latin, which he believes to be an inaugural clue in a treasure hunt: much like the elaborate treasure hunts Abbot-Thomas used to set back in the 1970s. There were rumours that Abbot-Thomas possessed a hidden fortune, and Parsbury and Chantry set out to find it.
A View from a Hill - adapted by Mark Morris
Comedian and podcaster Paul Fanshawe (Andy Nyman) and his wife, Sarah (Alice Lowe), visit the Cotswolds on holiday, trying to rebuild their lives after the death of their young son, Archie. Whilst out walking they spot a beautiful abbey across the valley on Gallows Hill, but when they reach it, they find the building is little more than rubble. While Sarah explores, Paul records commentary for his podcast. Sarah thinks she hears children’s laughter, but there’s no-one there. Later that night she listens back to the recording and hears a child’s voice whisper, 'Mummy.' Sarah is convinced that Archie is trying to reach them and wants to return to the ruins. But something far worse is waiting for them on Gallows Hill.
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What listeners say about The Conception of Terror: Tales Inspired by M. R. James - Volume 1
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- Sassa K-B
- 19-08-21
Loved them
These were some really good spooky stories! Excellent dramatisation and narration. Thoroughly enjoyed them, very captivating.
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- gavin wakeham
- 21-07-19
The conception of terror
This MR James production was outstanding, you get sucked into each story. The performance was superb when you listen to this late night it gives you a chill and an uneasy feeling thanks MR James
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- miss vicky williams
- 25-03-21
Brilliant
Every single story was a brilliant, updated production of well loved James stories. Totally gripped from beginning to end.
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- george tobin
- 07-12-22
really effective suspenseful horror
really well performed and highly suspenseful. I would recommend the treasure of abbot Thomas as pearl Mackie performance is absolutely outstanding
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- keithbwalters
- 14-05-23
Top notch adaptations
Well crafted and performed versions of classic tales - thoroughly enjoyed each one of them - great creepy stuff
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- Pam
- 07-04-24
really good scare
gripping listen, spooky stories. overall production good. made me want to shiver. Will look for more by this author
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- Bruce
- 11-04-19
A fine tribute to the great man
I’ve loved the M.R.James ghost stories for many years, and have collected all I can in various formats. I think the master would thoroughly approve of these tales and performances. They are genuinely scary , in his understated style. I was a little disappointed by the ending of “Lost Hearts”, but otherwise I enjoyed these a lot, and will definitely buy any future volumes when they appear.
Wonderful.
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4 people found this helpful
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- stephenkingfan
- 14-03-19
Dubious about reimagining MR James but it worked
As an MR James fan I wondered whether I would like these "inspired by" tales but I really did. Well cast actors made a difference and some of the narrative changes were cleverly conceived and executed. However, enough of MR James' wonderfully creepy touch remains at the heart of these dramatisations to ensure moments of real, chilling terror. Especially if you listen to them on your own in bed and in the dark like I did!
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3 people found this helpful
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- McLeod
- 14-10-21
Fantastic stories!
I really enjoyed this collection; great performances, great sound effects and great short stories. I will definitely listen to this again. It's titles like these that are included as part of the audible plus catalogue that make the membership price feel worth it. With these titles included, it feels worthwhile, whereas just the 1 credit per month would not be worth it.
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- Ruth Judd
- 11-01-23
Superb!
Absolutely fantastic renditions of classic M. R. James tales.
I can't wait for the next installment!
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