num_pages: 5
description: Listening Length: 4 hours and 13 minutesAn award-winning collection of four ghostly tales inspired by M. R. James.Casting the Runes adapted by Stephen GallagherWhen academic Jo Harrington (Anna Maxwell Martin) is sent a paperThe Truth of Alchemy by Anton Karswellfor peer review she pulls no punches. Jo writes that the paper has no place in a serious academic publication and that Karswell is a half-bright fool. When the editor writes a rejection note to Karswell he inadvertently includes Jos entire email. Occultist Karswell (Reece Shearsmith) doesnt 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 MLitt 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. BenedictTeenager 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 manhe even took in a child refugee last year but she stole from him and ran away. 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 BarnesWhen 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. Greg 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 rumors that Abbot-Thomas possessed a hidden fortune and Parsbury and Chantry set out to find it.A View from a Hill adapted by Mark MorrisComedian 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. While 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 childrens laughter but theres no one there. Later that night she listens to the recording and hears a childs 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.
language: English
title: The Conception of Terror: Tales Inspired by M.R. James, Volume 1
publisher: Audible Studios