This week Mike and Will attempt some foul necromancy with MR James’ little-known tale ‘The Experiment’. Ghosts and Scholars described it as “weak and difficult” story: can your hosts revive it from the dead? Story notes Rosemary and Daroll Pardoe’s invaluable notes, from Ghosts and Scholars Bishop Moore: a hardcore bibliophile after James’ own heart, his manuscript collection doubled the size of the Cambridge University Library when it was purchased in 1714. Was the murder of the rector of Rockland St Peter on Twelth Night in 1608 one of James’ inspirations for this story? Will and Mike also investigated some spooky goings on at Mill Hill Surgery: do check out the Halloween special of BBC soap Doctors before it disappears from iPlayer.

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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