1908: The Roly-Poly Pudding by Beatrix Potter

An attempted child murder under the floorboards of the family home. This was my first introduction to crime fiction, aged three. Naughty Tom Kitten is only just saved from the clutches of two villainous squatters, Samuel Whiskers and his wife, Anna Maria. These two large rats sought to eat him as the furry filling of a roly-poly pudding. Without a shred of morality, they went so far as to steal the very ingredients and rolling pin from Tom Kitten’s mother, Tabitha Twitchit. The negative impact on Tom Kitten is revealed to be life-changing (he should otherwise have benefited from a very good living as a rat-catcher, like his sisters), whilst the two offenders escape justice. A beautifully illustrated, memorable short story that warns of the potential pitfalls of childhood disobedience, and most importantly, the dangers that can be very close to home in the form of both male and female offenders. Revisiting this story now, having since worked in child safeguarding, I consider Beatrix Potter’s wisdom and method of delivery to be commendable.

1915: The Pavilion by E. Nesbit

A few years ago, whilst browsing in Waterstones, I spotted “E. Nesbit Horror Stories”. The name felt oddly out of place to me who knew no better. To my surprise and delight, this was a collection of short stories written for adults by the author of Five Children and It. I am a fan of M. R. James and his short stories (as you will read shortly), and for me, The Pavilion by E. Nesbit is on a par with the best of his. As such, it’s amongst my all-time favourites for its power to draw the reader into a vivid, unsettling tale. E. Nesbit’s summertime story entertains with the romance and bravado of young adulthood as enjoyed by the gentry of the 1860s, amongst which murderous intent lurks and a dark legend involving the estate’s pavilion is put to the test. The dreadful outcome delivered to Amelia, Ernestine, Eugene and Frederick should entertain any avid reader of spooky, gothic tales. First published in 1915 in The Strand Magazine, this short story reached the format of a book many decades later, and so I openly acknowledge my rule flexing.

The Pavilion is available to read through the online archive:

https://archive.org/details/1915thepavilionenesbitinstrandmagnov/page/n9/mode/2up

1925: The Haunted Dolls’ House by M. R. James

As those familiar with M. R. James’ short stories will know, many feature a bachelor whose scholarly wits and firmly-held beliefs are tested by a threatening supernatural entity in an isolated, unwelcoming location. I love M. R. James’ depictions of historic buildings and remote landscapes, and how he builds suspense by introducing doubts into the mind of the victim, notching up the anxiety level before something terrible strikes. There is an intimacy to his stories which absorbs me in the unnerving experiences of complete strangers, as my mind too, runs away with itself. The Haunted Dolls’ House, which was first published in A Warning to the Curious and Other Ghost Stories, is noticeably different. A married antiques dealer sells the dolls’ house to another dealer. “Thank God for that!”, says the first dealer’s wife, and the story begins. I like the way M. R. James chose to haunt the antique dolls’ house with a miniature tale that could have made a story in its own right, so that it is instead viewed remotely, from the ‘modern’ day. I do wonder whether the concept of a time capsule was M. R. James’ inspiration, used to acknowledge the thirty years that had passed since he published his first ghost story in The National Review in 1895. Certainly, I believe The Haunted Dolls’ House draws attention to the change of the times and you might find yourself contemplating, which is more disturbing, the supernatural or the natural?

1939: And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

One of my two favourite Agatha Christie novels is And Then There Were None. It is likely that the fantastic 1980s film, Clue, had primed me to enjoy this story. Both involve a group of strangers brought together by the organiser of an exclusive event. Quite soon, the guests find themselves trapped within the confines of the estate, but only after they realise someone is systematically bumping them off. Personal secrets, suspicion and fear all come into play. Unlike the black comedy that is Clue, And Then There Were None is a serious whodunnit, famous for both its timelessly appealing storyline and its elegant, isolated setting that was inspired by the stunning Burgh Island in South Devon. I believe this particular Agatha Christie mystery gives readers a superb thrill in trying to fathom out who’s the murderer and who will be the next victim. Agatha Christie’s masterful words really do get you thinking. So, however many dramatised versions you may have watched, you must read the book!

1946: Comet in Moominland by Tove Jansson

Beautiful scenery, exploration and adventure! If Moominland existed, I probably would be writing this from the beach where Moomintroll collected pearls. When you read the Moomins stories as a child, it feels like you are witnessing an excitingly dangerous form of homeschooling. There’s so much time to appreciate the world around you, your family and friends. Tove Jansson’s Comet in Moominland was the first book I chose from a school library that had a spine thick enough to display its title. I was eight-years-old at the time, and my new school in a new county was more stress-inducing than the fear of an impending comet strike. The escapism this book gave me was perfect because it was also educational. I love this book even more today for its character depth, captivating imagery and the seemingly effortless way in which Tove Jansson packages up the challenges life may throw at you and makes them both understandable and, most importantly, conquerable.