The Portent of the Shadow, by E. Nesbit

On this, the 5th anniversary of the podcast I read a special, slightly longer story than usual.In H.P. Lovecraft's archetypal tale of cosmic horror, the narrator describes how after finding a number of unusual items in his late uncle's belongings he discovers details of a series of increasingly disturbing events. Further investigation reveals evidence of an ancient horror lying deep beneath the Pacific and the terrible realisation that there are still those in the world that may be affected by its malevolent influence.Certain terms used and attitudes held by characters in this tale may not be suitable for all listeners or sensibilities. Please listen at your own discretion.If you're enjoying these stories, why not buy me a nice cup of tea? ⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/mrspikesbedtimestories⁠⁠⁠.Mr Spike's Bedtime Stories theme and incidental music composed by Graham Walmsley.Graham is the creator of role playing games including 'Cthulhu Dark' and 'Cosmic Dark' and you can find him on Substack at ⁠⁠https://grahamwalmsley.substack.com/⁠⁠ and Bluesky ⁠⁠@grahamwalmsley.bsky.social⁠⁠If you are enjoying these tales, why not leave a review on your listening platform of choice.My thanks to Scott Dorward for audio post-production processing.

In this western horror, a young farmer discovers the horrifying reason why his neighbour avoids the hillock on the edge of his land, as its history is reluctantly revealed to him. Certain terms used and attitudes held by characters in this tale may not be suitable for all listeners or sensibilities. Please listen at your own discretion.If you're enjoying these stories, why not buy me a nice cup of tea? ⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/mrspikesbedtimestories⁠⁠.Mr Spike's Bedtime Stories theme and incidental music composed by Graham Walmsley.Graham is the creator of role playing games including 'Cthulhu Dark' and 'Cosmic Dark' and you can find him on Substack at ⁠https://grahamwalmsley.substack.com/⁠ and Bluesky ⁠@grahamwalmsley.bsky.social⁠If you are enjoying these tales, why not leave a review on your listening platform of choice.My thanks to Scott Dorward for audio post-production processing.

A chance encounter in a country inn reveals the history of two old men with a dark past. Whilst medical students in the city of Edinburgh many years ago the pair were involved in an illicit and grisly trade that culminated in one terrifying night where the consequences of their actions were visited upon them in a most ghastly fashion.If you would like to support the podcast with a small donation, you can do so by visiting ⁠https://ko-fi.com/mrspikesbedtimestories⁠.Mr Spike's Bedtime Stories theme and incidental music composed by Graham Walmsley.Graham is the creator of role playing games including 'Cthulhu Dark' and 'Cosmic Dark' and you can find him on Substack at https://grahamwalmsley.substack.com/ and Bluesky @grahamwalmsley.bsky.socialIf you are enjoying these tales, why not leave a review on your listening platform of choice.

A very Happy New Year from the podcast!With the New Year comes a new feature - you can now make a wee donation, large or small or nothing at all, by visiting https://ko-fi.com/mrspikesbedtimestories and clicking on the "Donate" button.Any and all contributions very gratefully received. Thanks to everyone who's either a long-time listener or has just happened upon the podcast. I really appreciate your support and hope you enjoy the stories. Onwards and upwards!Mr Spike's Bedtime Stories theme and incidental music composed by Graham Walmsley.Graham is the creator of role playing games including 'Cthulhu Dark' and 'Cosmic Dark' and you can find him on Substack at https://grahamwalmsley.substack.com/ and BlueSky @grahamwalmsley.bsky.socialIf you are enjoying these tales, why not leave a review on your listening platform of choice.

After he inherits a country estate from a distant relative, the narrator moves in with his sister, only to discover the sinister truth surrounding the disappearance at Christmas of one of its former occupants. Mr Spike's Bedtime Stories theme and incidental music composed by Graham Walmsley.Graham is the creator of role playing games including 'Cthulhu Dark' and 'Cosmic Dark' and you can find him on Substack at https://grahamwalmsley.substack.com/ and Twitter @grahamwalmsleyMy thanks to Scott Dorward for audio post-production processing.If you are enjoying these tales, why not leave a review on your listening platform of choice or buy me a nice cup of tea at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/mrspikesbedtimestories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

After he happens upon an old obituary notice our narrator unravels the mysterious and unusual circumstances surrounding the death of a clergyman a century earlier.Mr Spike's Bedtime Stories theme and incidental music composed by Graham Walmsley.Graham is the creator of role playing games including 'Cthulhu Dark' and 'Cosmic Dark' and you can find him on Substack at https://grahamwalmsley.substack.com/ and Twitter @grahamwalmsleyMy thanks to Scott Dorward for audio post-production processing.If you are enjoying these tales, why not leave a review on your listening platform of choice or buy me a nice cup of tea at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/mrspikesbedtimestories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ .

In his search for somewhere secluded for his studies, a student happens across what appears to be the perfect location. However the house he chooses has a sinister history which soon threatens his peace and quiet in the most terrifying manner.Mr Spike's Bedtime Stories theme and incidental music composed by Graham Walmsley.Graham is the creator of role playing games including 'Cthulhu Dark' and 'Cosmic Dark' and you can find him on Substack at https://grahamwalmsley.substack.com/ and Twitter @grahamwalmsleyMy thanks to Scott Dorward for audio post-production processing.If you are enjoying these tales, why not leave a review on your listening platform of choice or buy me a nice cup of tea at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/mrspikesbedtimestories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ .

The housekeeper of a country house relates to a group of party guests the story of the unsettling supernatural events which befell a married couple of her acquaintance many years before. Mr Spike's Bedtime Stories theme and incidental music composed by Graham Walmsley.Graham is the creator of role playing games including 'Cthulhu Dark' and 'Cosmic Dark' and you can find him on Substack at https://grahamwalmsley.substack.com/ and Twitter @grahamwalmsleyMy thanks to Scott Dorward for audio post-production processing.If you are enjoying these tales, why not leave a review on your listening platform of choice or buy me a nice cup of tea at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/mrspikesbedtimestories⁠⁠⁠⁠ .

A sculptor living in Paris makes a discovery which has unexpected and terrible consequences.Mr Spike's Bedtime Stories theme and incidental music composed by Graham Walmsley.Graham is the creator of role playing games including 'Cthulhu Dark' and 'Cosmic Dark' and you can find him on Substack at https://grahamwalmsley.substack.com/ and Twitter @grahamwalmsleyMy thanks to Scott Dorward for audio post-production processing.If you are enjoying these tales, why not leave a review on your listening platform of choice or buy me a nice cup of tea at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/mrspikesbedtimestories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ .

In 'The Lost Room' a man returns from taking the evening air to discover that the room in which he lives has undergone a mysterious transformation and its new inhabitants perhaps not as genial as they might appear.Mr Spike's Bedtime Stories theme and incidental music composed by Graham Walmsley.Graham is the creator of role playing games including 'Cthulhu Dark' and 'Cosmic Dark' and you can find him on Substack at https://grahamwalmsley.substack.com/ and Twitter @grahamwalmsleyIf you are enjoying these tales, why not leave a review on your listening platform of choice.