The Conception of Terror: Tales Inspired by M. R. James - Volume 1 Audiobook By M. R. James, Stephen Gallagher, A. K. Benedict, Jonathan Barnes, Mark Morris cover art

The Conception of Terror: Tales Inspired by M. R. James - Volume 1

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The Conception of Terror: Tales Inspired by M. R. James - Volume 1

By: M. R. James, Stephen Gallagher, A. K. Benedict, Jonathan Barnes, Mark Morris
Narrated by: Robert Bathurst, Tom Burke, Rosa Coduri, Alice Lowe, Pearl Mackie, Anna Maxwell Martin, Andy Nyman, Jeff Rawle, Reece Shearsmith
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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.

Public Domain (P)2019 Audible, Ltd
Fantasy Horror Scary Heartfelt Funny Horror Fiction

Our favorite moments from The Conception of Terror

  • The Conception of Terror: Tales Inspired by M. R. James - Volume 1
  • "A half-bright fool"
  • The Conception of Terror: Tales Inspired by M. R. James - Volume 1
  • A terrifying message
  • The Conception of Terror: Tales Inspired by M. R. James - Volume 1
  • Ben meets Stephanie.
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About the Performer

Alice Lowe is an actress, writer, and director who focuses mainly on comedy. She is known for her roles on British television as Dr. Haynes in Black Mirror: Bandersnatch and Madeleine Wool/Liz Asher in Garth Marenghi's Darkplace. Alice wrote, directed, and acted in the 2016 movie Prevenge and starred in and co-wrote the 2012 film Sightseers. She was also featured in the educational children's television series Horrible Histories. Her television appearances include The Mighty Boosh, The IT Crowd, and Sherlock. Additionally, Alice has had roles in well-known British films such as Hot Fuzz, Kill List, The World’s End, and Paddington.

About the Performer

Pearl Mackie is a British actress, dancer, and singer best known for playing Bill Potts in the long-running British television series Doctor Who. Mackie grew up in London, graduated from the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, and landed one of her first roles in the film Svengali. Mackie also acted in the political satire Obama-ology at the Finborough Theatre in London and appeared on stage in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, The Birthday Party, The Crucible, and The Helen Project. Mackie is a premier audio narrator, including her appearance on the Audible title The Last Namsara.

About the Performer

Anna Maxwell Martin is an actress who has starred in a range of television roles such as DCS Patricia Carmichael on Line of Duty, N in Poppy Shakespeare, and Wendy in Mother’s Day for BBC. She is also known for her roles in Motherland, The Bletchley Circle, and much more. She has also starred on stage in productions such as Consent, Macbeth, and Cabaret.

About the Performer

Reece Shearsmith is a multi-talented English actor, writer, and comedian, and one of the four co-creators, writers, and actors of the award-winning British sketch show The League of Gentlemen. He has appeared in a variety of TV shows and films, including the independent hit Shaun of the Dead. He also co-created, co-wrote, and starred in the dark British comedy series Psychoville and writes for and stars in the British anthology series Inside No. 9. In The League of Gentlemen, Psychoville, and Inside No. 9, Shearsmith memorably portrays multiple characters. He is from Hull, England, and is a graduate of Bretton Hall Drama College.