A Podcast to the Curious - The M.R. James Podcast

Episode 99 – Curfew by Lucy M. Boston

18 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This episode Mike and Will examine Curfew by Lucy M. Boston, a childhood tale of haunted bells, unearthed coffins and post-Jamesian highjinx aplenty. ...

Episode 99 – Curfew by Lucy M. Boston

18 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This episode Mike and Will examine Curfew by Lucy M. Boston, a childhood tale of haunted bells, unearthed coffins and post-Jamesian highjinx aplenty. ...

Episode 98 – The Nature of the Evidence by May Sinclair

27 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

M.R. James said that sex had no place in a ghost story. But was he right? This episode we attempt to answer this question and more, as we cover The Na...

Episode 98 – The Nature of the Evidence by May Sinclair

27 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

M.R. James said that sex had no place in a ghost story. But was he right? This episode we attempt to answer this question and more, as we cover The Na...

Episode 97 – Mark Gatiss’s Lot 249

15 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Hold on to your mummy! This episode Mike and Will discuss Mark Gatiss’s recent Ghost Story for Christmas TV adaptation Lot 249, as well as the A...

Episode 97 – Mark Gatiss’s Lot 249

15 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Hold on to your mummy! This episode Mike and Will discuss Mark Gatiss’s recent Ghost Story for Christmas TV adaptation Lot 249, as well as the A...

Episode 96 – The Real and the Counterfeit by Louisa Baldwin

21 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode, Mike and Will grab their literary toboggans and gallop joyously out into the snow, only to be hit in the face by a terrifying fictional ...

Episode 96 – The Real and the Counterfeit by Louisa Baldwin

21 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode, Mike and Will grab their literary toboggans and gallop joyously out into the snow, only to be hit in the face by a terrifying fictional ...

Episode 95 – The Weird of the Walfords by Louisa Baldwin

02 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Who would win in a fight between a man and a bed? Find the answer to this question and more in our new episode on The Weird of the Walfords by Louisa ...

Episode 95 – The Weird of the Walfords by Louisa Baldwin

02 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Who would win in a fight between a man and a bed? Find the answer to this question and more in our new episode on The Weird of the Walfords by Louisa ...

Episode 94 – Exploring Eleanor Scott with Vicky Margree and Dan Orrells

21 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode we speak with two experts to better understand Eleanor Scott and her story Randall’s Round, Dr Vicky Margree and Prof Dan Orrells. ...

Episode 94 – Exploring Eleanor Scott with Vicky Margree and Dan Orrells

21 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode we speak with two experts to better understand Eleanor Scott and her story Randall’s Round, Dr Vicky Margree and Prof Dan Orrells. ...

Episode 93 – Count Magnus Awakens

08 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A BBC Ghost Story for Christmas is thankfully as traditional as quaffing eggnog and leaving out a carrot for Rudolph. And what a treat, as this year ...

Episode 93 – Count Magnus Awakens

08 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A BBC Ghost Story for Christmas is thankfully as traditional as quaffing eggnog and leaving out a carrot for Rudolph. And what a treat, as this year ...

Episode 92 – Randalls Round by Eleanor Scott

12 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode Mike and Will explore freaky folk-dance, village-based villainy and Cotswold chicanery in Eleanor Scott’s awesome Jamesian folk-ho...

Episode 92 – Randalls Round by Eleanor Scott

12 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode Mike and Will explore freaky folk-dance, village-based villainy and Cotswold chicanery in Eleanor Scott’s awesome Jamesian folk-ho...

Episode 91 – Let Loose by Mary Cholmondeley

05 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In the first episode of Season 4 tm, Mike and Will are delighted by Let Loose by Mary Cholmondeley, a tale of crypts, clergymen and crikey, what is th...

Episode 91 – Let Loose by Mary Cholmondeley

05 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In the first episode of Season 4 tm, Mike and Will are delighted by Let Loose by Mary Cholmondeley, a tale of crypts, clergymen and crikey, what is th...

Episode 90 – Right Through My Hair by Noel Boston

17 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Join Will and Mike for haunted cathedrals, lecherous minor canons and hair-based horrors in Noel Boston’s ‘Right Through My Hair’! ...

Episode 90 – Right Through My Hair by Noel Boston

17 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Join Will and Mike for haunted cathedrals, lecherous minor canons and hair-based horrors in Noel Boston’s ‘Right Through My Hair’! ...

Episode 89 – Cushi

18 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Open your hymn books to episode 89, as we’re back in church for Christopher Woodforde’s “Cushi”: a tale of capering cats, sabo...

Episode 89 – Cushi

18 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Open your hymn books to episode 89, as we’re back in church for Christopher Woodforde’s “Cushi”: a tale of capering cats, sabo...

Episode 88 – Canon Alberic’s Scrap-Book Revisited

22 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Join Mike and Will for a special 10th anniversary (give or take a few months) special in which your now-aged hosts look back over a decade of M.R. Jam...

Episode 88 – Canon Alberic’s Scrap-Book Revisited

22 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Join Mike and Will for a special 10th anniversary (give or take a few months) special in which your now-aged hosts look back over a decade of M.R. Jam...

Episode 87 – Mark Gatiss’s The Mezzotint

02 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Mike and Will share their thoughts on Mark Gatiss’s recent TV adaptation of M.R. James’s The Mezzotint. Join us for some ...

Episode 87 – Mark Gatiss’s The Mezzotint

02 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Mike and Will share their thoughts on Mark Gatiss’s recent TV adaptation of M.R. James’s The Mezzotint. Join us for some ...

Episode 86 – Lucky’s Grove by H.R. Wakefield

21 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Ho ho, and indeed ho! In this special festive episode, Mike and Will pull on their wellies and wander straight into Lucky’s Grove by H.R. Wakefi...

Episode 86 – Lucky’s Grove by H.R. Wakefield

21 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Ho ho, and indeed ho! In this special festive episode, Mike and Will pull on their wellies and wander straight into Lucky’s Grove by H.R. Wakefi...

Episode 85 – The Tudor Chimney by A.N.L. Munby

02 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This episode Mike and Will grab their torches and disappear up ‘The Tudor Chimney’ by A.N.L. Munby. But what is that shape moving up abov...

Episode 85 – The Tudor Chimney by A.N.L. Munby

02 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This episode Mike and Will grab their torches and disappear up ‘The Tudor Chimney’ by A.N.L. Munby. But what is that shape moving up abov...

Episode 84 – Bosworth Summit Pound

29 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Ahoy there listeners!  Be grabbin’ yer nautical gear for a  cruise on the high seas of Leicestershire, with LTC Rolt and his story Bosworth Su...

Episode 84 – Bosworth Summit Pound

29 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Ahoy there listeners!  Be grabbin’ yer nautical gear for a  cruise on the high seas of Leicestershire, with LTC Rolt and his story Bosworth Su...

Episode 83 – A Room in a Rectory

06 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This episode Will and Mike hitch up their cassocks, pack their prayer books and head to ‘Southshire’ to open ‘A Room in a Rectory&...

Episode 83 – A Room in a Rectory

06 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This episode Will and Mike hitch up their cassocks, pack their prayer books and head to ‘Southshire’ to open ‘A Room in a Rectory&...

Episode 82 – Echoes from the Abbey

24 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week Will and Mike don their warmest Christmas jumpers for dinner with Dr James and the troubled incumbents of Medborough Abbey, in the company o...

Episode 82 – Echoes from the Abbey

24 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week Will and Mike don their warmest Christmas jumpers for dinner with Dr James and the troubled incumbents of Medborough Abbey, in the company o...

Episode 81 – The Demoniac Goat by M.P. Dare

03 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This episode Mike and Will brace themselves for the ‘appalling stench of goat, cordite, sulphur, and burning human flesh’ in M.P. Dare&#82...

Episode 81 – The Demoniac Goat by M.P. Dare

03 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This episode Mike and Will brace themselves for the ‘appalling stench of goat, cordite, sulphur, and burning human flesh’ in M.P. Dare&#82...

Episode 80 – The Sundial by R.H. Malden

30 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This Halloween Mike and Will stroll out into the garden to take a look at The Sundial by R.H. Malden. But who is that lurking in the bushes? Thanks t...

Episode 80 – The Sundial by R.H. Malden

30 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This Halloween Mike and Will stroll out into the garden to take a look at The Sundial by R.H. Malden. But who is that lurking in the bushes? Thanks t...

Episode 79 – The Seventeenth Hole at Duncaster

06 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today we head to East Anglia for a round of golf in the company of enthusiastic James fan H.R. Wakefield. No whistling ‘ere though – you m...

Episode 79 – The Seventeenth Hole at Duncaster

06 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today we head to East Anglia for a round of golf in the company of enthusiastic James fan H.R. Wakefield. No whistling ‘ere though – you m...

Episode 78 – Brother John’s Bequest by Arthur Gray

02 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This episode Mike and Will travel back to 16th century Cambridge to get acquainted with a rather unsavory guest at Jesus College in ‘Brother Joh...

Episode 78 – Brother John’s Bequest by Arthur Gray

02 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This episode Mike and Will travel back to 16th century Cambridge to get acquainted with a rather unsavory guest at Jesus College in ‘Brother Joh...

Episode 77 – The Man with the Roller by E.G. Swain

07 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This episode Mike and Will put on their dancing shoes and head out to the lawn, only to encounter The Man with the Roller by E.G. Swain! Massive than...

Episode 77 – The Man with the Roller by E.G. Swain

07 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This episode Mike and Will put on their dancing shoes and head out to the lawn, only to encounter The Man with the Roller by E.G. Swain! Massive than...

Episode 76 – How Fear Departed From the Long Gallery

29 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We liven up our social distancing by finishing off the Benson boys, with Fred’s How Fear Departed From the Long Gallery.  Dirty Dick gets his ...

Episode 76 – How Fear Departed From the Long Gallery

29 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We liven up our social distancing by finishing off the Benson boys, with Fred’s How Fear Departed From the Long Gallery.  Dirty Dick gets his ...

Episode 75 – The Traveller by R.H. Benson

09 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This episode explores some ecclesiastical terrors in R.H. Benson’s ‘The Traveller’. It was ‘too ecclesiastical’ for M.R....

Episode 75 – The Traveller by R.H. Benson

09 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This episode explores some ecclesiastical terrors in R.H. Benson’s ‘The Traveller’. It was ‘too ecclesiastical’ for M.R....

Ep74 – Review of Martin’s Close on BBC4

06 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Excitement abounds in the podcast house as Big Santy C leaves us a new BBC Ghost Story for Christmas, courtesy of BBC4 and Mr Mark Gatiss!  Will and ...

Ep74 – Review of Martin’s Close on BBC4

06 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Excitement abounds in the podcast house as Big Santy C leaves us a new BBC Ghost Story for Christmas, courtesy of BBC4 and Mr Mark Gatiss!  Will and ...

Episode 73 – Out of the sea by A.C. Benson

12 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This episode Mike and Will indulge in murder, moralising and supernatural goat-based mayhem in A.C. Benson’s ‘Out of the Sea’. Big t...

Episode 73 – Out of the sea by A.C. Benson

12 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This episode Mike and Will indulge in murder, moralising and supernatural goat-based mayhem in A.C. Benson’s ‘Out of the Sea’. Big t...

Episode 72- By One, By Two and By Three by Adrian Ross

17 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Like a prodigal and slightly deranged friend, Will and Mike return to explore another author inspired by MR James.  This week we look at the story By...

Episode 72- By One, By Two and By Three by Adrian Ross

17 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Like a prodigal and slightly deranged friend, Will and Mike return to explore another author inspired by MR James.  This week we look at the story By...

Episode 71 – An Antiquary’s Ghost Story by Augustus Jessopp

21 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This episode Mike & Will kick off Season 3 with ‘An Antiquary’s Ghost Story’ by Augustus Jessopp! Scroll down for a full list of...

Episode 71 – An Antiquary’s Ghost Story by Augustus Jessopp

21 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This episode Mike & Will kick off Season 3 with ‘An Antiquary’s Ghost Story’ by Augustus Jessopp! Scroll down for a full list of...

Episode 70 – Negotium Perambulans by E.F. Benson

07 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This episode Mike and Will grab their guidebook, pack their bucket and spade and head off for a terrifying trip to sunny Cornwall in E.F. Benson&#8217...

Episode 70 – Negotium Perambulans by E.F. Benson

07 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This episode Mike and Will grab their guidebook, pack their bucket and spade and head off for a terrifying trip to sunny Cornwall in E.F. Benson&#8217...

Episode 69 – Smee by A.M. Burrage

20 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Seasons greetings listeners! For this special festive episode Mike and Will turn off the lights and dive into the wardrobe for a game of hide-and-shri...

Episode 69 – Smee by A.M. Burrage

20 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Seasons greetings listeners! For this special festive episode Mike and Will turn off the lights and dive into the wardrobe for a game of hide-and-shri...

Episode 68: The Death Mask by Mrs H.D. Everett

19 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Textaphobes beware!  This month Will and Mike tackle Henrietta Dorothy Everett’s “The Death Mask”, a supernatural farce about termagant wives, ...

Episode 68: The Death Mask by Mrs H.D. Everett

19 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Textaphobes beware!  This month Will and Mike tackle Henrietta Dorothy Everett’s “The Death Mask”, a supernatural farce about termagant wives, ...

Episode 67 – Through a Glass Darkly conference report

10 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This episode it’s conference report time! We’ve just returned from Through a Glass Darkly, an M.R. James conference which brought together authors...

Episode 67 – Through a Glass Darkly conference report

10 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This episode it’s conference report time! We’ve just returned from Through a Glass Darkly, an M.R. James conference which brought together authors...

Episode 66 – The Monkey’s Paw

09 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This month Mike and Will throw caution to the wind and make an ill-fated wish on “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs.  Best known in...

Episode 66 – The Monkey’s Paw

09 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This month Mike and Will throw caution to the wind and make an ill-fated wish on “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs.  Best known in...

Episode 65 – The Story of the Moor Road

15 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This episode Mike and Will return to the realms of the ‘psychic detective’ in this tale from mother-son writing team Kate and Hesketh Hes...

Episode 65 – The Story of the Moor Road

15 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This episode Mike and Will return to the realms of the ‘psychic detective’ in this tale from mother-son writing team Kate and Hesketh Hes...

Episode 64 – Featherston’s Story by Mrs Henry Wood

11 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever had a hankering for upping sticks and moving overseas, where one’s limited means might stretch a little further and the wine flow ...

Episode 64 – Featherston’s Story by Mrs Henry Wood

11 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever had a hankering for upping sticks and moving overseas, where one’s limited means might stretch a little further and the wine flow ...

Episode 63 – Christmas Re-union by Sir Andrew Caldecott

21 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Ho ho ho! We have a festive cracker of an episode for you this month (literally), as Mike and Will explore Sir Andrew Caldecott’s M.R. James-ins...

Episode 63 – Christmas Re-union by Sir Andrew Caldecott

21 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Ho ho ho! We have a festive cracker of an episode for you this month (literally), as Mike and Will explore Sir Andrew Caldecott’s M.R. James-ins...

Episode 62 – The Upper Berth by F. Marion Crawford

26 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Mike and Will take a cruise across the pond in the good ship Kamchatka – but who’s hiding in The Upper Berth?  Joining us to narrate F. ...

Episode 62 – The Upper Berth by F. Marion Crawford

26 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Mike and Will take a cruise across the pond in the good ship Kamchatka – but who’s hiding in The Upper Berth?  Joining us to narrate F. ...

Episode 61 – The Open Door by Margaret Oliphant

15 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

This episode join Mike and Will as they don their kilts and sporrans and head north of Hadrian’s wall for some Scottish horror (no, not the midg...

Episode 61 – The Open Door by Margaret Oliphant

15 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

This episode join Mike and Will as they don their kilts and sporrans and head north of Hadrian’s wall for some Scottish horror (no, not the midg...

Episode 60 – The Signal-Man by Charles Dickens

06 Jul 2017

Contributed by Lukas

We’re back! This week Mike and Will descend gingerly into a gloomy railway cutting to investigate Charles Dickens’ The Signal-Man.  Dicke...

Episode 60 – The Signal-Man by Charles Dickens

06 Jul 2017

Contributed by Lukas

We’re back! This week Mike and Will descend gingerly into a gloomy railway cutting to investigate Charles Dickens’ The Signal-Man.  Dicke...

Episode 59 – The Haunted and the Haunters by Edward Bulwer-Lytton

26 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

This episode Mike and Will cover ‘The Haunted and the Haunters‘ by Charles Dickens’s BFF, Edward Bulwer-Lytton. M.R. James considere...

Episode 59 – The Haunted and the Haunters by Edward Bulwer-Lytton

26 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

This episode Mike and Will cover ‘The Haunted and the Haunters‘ by Charles Dickens’s BFF, Edward Bulwer-Lytton. M.R. James considere...

Episode 58 – The Familiar by J Sheridan Le Fanu

27 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Illustration by M. Grant Kellermeyer In this bumper episode we examine M.R. James’s favourite story by his favourite author, ‘The Familiar...

Episode 58 – The Familiar by J Sheridan Le Fanu

27 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Illustration by M. Grant Kellermeyer In this bumper episode we examine M.R. James’s favourite story by his favourite author, ‘The Familiar...

Episode 57 – The White and the Black by Erckmann-Chatrian

21 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Émile Erckmann and Alexandre Chatrian This episode Mike and Will pop across the channel for some booze-heavy French/German shinanigans in ‘The ...

Episode 57 – The White and the Black by Erckmann-Chatrian

21 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Émile Erckmann and Alexandre Chatrian This episode Mike and Will pop across the channel for some booze-heavy French/German shinanigans in ‘The ...

Episode 56 – A Relation of the Apparition of Mrs Veal by Daniel Defoe

31 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Happy Halloween listeners! In this bumper-bonus episode we talk about our first non-M.R. James ghost story, ‘A Relation of the Apparition of Mrs...

Episode 56 – A Relation of the Apparition of Mrs Veal by Daniel Defoe

31 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Happy Halloween listeners! In this bumper-bonus episode we talk about our first non-M.R. James ghost story, ‘A Relation of the Apparition of Mrs...

Episode 55 – A Vignette

12 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Nearly five years to the day that we released Episode 1, we are pleased to bring you ‘A Vignette’, M.R. James’s very last story! The...

Episode 55 – A Vignette

12 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Nearly five years to the day that we released Episode 1, we are pleased to bring you ‘A Vignette’, M.R. James’s very last story! The...

Episode 54 – Eton and Kings, part two

14 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

In this epic feature-length James-fest, Mike and Will conclude their coverage of ‘Eton and King’s’, M.R. James’s memoir of a ...

Episode 54 – Eton and Kings, part two

14 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

In this epic feature-length James-fest, Mike and Will conclude their coverage of ‘Eton and King’s’, M.R. James’s memoir of a ...

Episode 53 – Jacqueline Simpson interview

26 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

This episode Mike and Will interview folklorist Jacqueline Simpson about the influence of Scandinavian and English folklore on M.R. James’s ghos...

Episode 53 – Jacqueline Simpson interview

26 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

This episode Mike and Will interview folklorist Jacqueline Simpson about the influence of Scandinavian and English folklore on M.R. James’s ghos...

Episode 52 – Eton and King’s, part one

22 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

It’s back to school this week as Mike and Will pack their tuckboxes and top hats and join Monty for the first part of his memoir “Eton and...

Episode 52 – Eton and King’s, part one

22 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

It’s back to school this week as Mike and Will pack their tuckboxes and top hats and join Monty for the first part of his memoir “Eton and...

Episode 51 – M.R. James Conference 2016

31 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

This episode Mike and Will report on the the M.R. James conference, aka ‘Haunted Studies: The Ghost Stories of M.R. James’ and bring you ...

Episode 51 – M.R. James Conference 2016

31 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

This episode Mike and Will report on the the M.R. James conference, aka ‘Haunted Studies: The Ghost Stories of M.R. James’ and bring you ...

Episode 50 – A Night in King’s College Chapel

06 Feb 2016

Contributed by Lukas

This episode Mike and Will pack their sleeping bags and bed down for ‘A Night in King’s College Chapel’ by M.R. James. The episode a...

Episode 50 – A Night in King’s College Chapel

06 Feb 2016

Contributed by Lukas

This episode Mike and Will pack their sleeping bags and bed down for ‘A Night in King’s College Chapel’ by M.R. James. The episode a...