Ghost Stories Selected and Introduced by Mark Gatiss

Sherlock star Mark Gatiss selects and introduces chilling tales by the unsung master of the classic ghost story - E.F. Benson.

There's nothing sinister about a London bus. Nothing supernatural could occur on a busy Tube platform. There's nothing terrifying about a little caterpillar. And a telephone, what could be scary about that? Don't be frightened of the dark corners of your room. Don't be alarmed by a sudden, inexplicable chill. There's no need for a ticking clock, a limping footstep, or a knock at the door to start you trembling. There's nothing to be scared of. Nothing at all.

E F Benson's first book, Dodo, was published to popular acclaim in 1893 and was followed by over 100 books, including novels, histories, biographies and ghost stories. In 1920, Benson became a full-time tenant of Lamb House in Rye, which had once been home to the novelist Henry James. Rye provided the setting for the Mapp and Lucia stories and their author served three terms as mayor of Rye in the late 1930s. Benson died on February 29, 1940. Mark Gatiss is a novelist, actor, and screenwriter. He has written for Doctor Who and Sherlock, the latter of which he co-created, and appeared on Game of Thrones.