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Curious Warnings


Synopsis


A lavishly illustrated collector's edition containing all the supernatural tales ever written by M.R. James, the undisputed father of the modern ghost story.

'James is clearly the best that's ever been' MARK GATISS

M.R. James is one of the finest authors of supernatural fiction in the English language and revered as the father of the modern English ghost story. Many of his stories were originally written as Christmas entertainments and were read aloud by the author to selected gatherings of friends.

'There are all sorts of writers of all sorts of nightmares, but M.R. James wrote the best ghost stories. He may well have created the ghost story in its current form. Nobody can do what he did as well as he could' NEIL GAIMAN

Authorised by the writer's estate, Curious Warnings: The Complete Ghost Stories is the only volume that collects together all of James' much-loved supernatural tales - including the classics, 'Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad', 'A Warning to the Curious' and 'Canon Alberic's Scrapbook' - together with his novel The Five Jars, story fragments, essays and poetry. Illustrated by award-winning artist Les Edwards and featuring an extensive historical Afterword by editor Stephen Jones, this is the ultimate collection for fans of M.R. James and the classic British ghost story.

M. R. James, Stephen Jones, Les Edwards

Summary

Chapter 1: The Shadow of the Lighthouse

* Emily, a young woman from New York, arrives on the remote island of Blackmoore to care for her ailing great-grandmother.
* She senses a strange presence on the island and is disturbed by the eerie warnings inscribed on the lighthouse, such as "Beware the Shadow" and "Death Lurks in the Darkness."
* Emily encounters a mysterious elderly woman named Mrs. Armstrong, who claims to have seen the Shadow, a spectral figure associated with tragedy.

Chapter 2: The Curse of the Islanders

* Emily learns about the legend of the islanders, who are said to be cursed due to an ancient shipwreck.
* As she explores the island, she discovers remnants of the wrecked ship and strange symbols carved into the rocks.
* A local historian, Professor Duncan, believes that the Shadow is a manifestation of the islanders' guilt and their connection to the past.

Chapter 3: The Whispers of the Wind

* Emily begins to hear strange whispers and noises that seem to come from the wind.
* She experiences visions of a ghostly ship sailing into the harbor and people drowning in the treacherous waters.
* She confides in Father Michael, the local priest, who suggests that supernatural forces may be at play.

Chapter 4: The Darkened Path

* As Emily follows the warnings on the lighthouse, she encounters a series of obstacles and traps.
* She is chased by a shadowy figure through the woods and sees strange apparitions that seem to taunt her.
* The line between reality and the supernatural blurs as Emily struggles to uncover the truth behind the island's curse.

Chapter 5: The Haunted House

* Emily explores an abandoned house on the shore, where she finds a hidden diary detailing the tragic events of the shipwreck.
* She discovers that the curse was placed on the islanders by a vengeful spirit who lost loved ones in the disaster.
* Emily realizes that Mrs. Armstrong is a descendant of that spirit and is seeking revenge.

Chapter 6: The Lighthouse's Truth

* Emily confronts Mrs. Armstrong at the lighthouse and learns the full extent of the curse.
* The Shadow is a manifestation of the islanders' fear and the guilt they carry for the tragedy.
* Emily must find a way to break the curse and bring peace to the spirits of the past and present.

Chapter 7: The Light in the Darkness

* Emily confronts her own fears and discovers her inner strength.
* With the help of Professor Duncan and Father Michael, she performs a ritual to appease the vengeful spirits and lift the curse.
* The Shadow disappears, and Emily experiences a sense of liberation and closure.

Chapter 8: The Legacy of Blackmoore

* Emily returns to New York, forever changed by her time on Blackmoore.
* She recognizes the importance of facing her fears and the power of healing through connection and understanding.
* The island and its curious warnings serve as a reminder of the hidden truths and unspoken secrets that shape our lives.