The Teacher's Tales of Terror

By Chris Priestley

Chris Priestley has readers on the edge of their seats in this trio of
terrifying stories as a teacher and his pupils share three
spine-chilling tales. But, of course, with a very surprising ending that
resounds like a slamming door on a quiet night!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
• Release date: Mar 7, 2011
• ISBN: 9781408823026

Chris Priestley

Chris Priestley is the author of the critically acclaimed Tales of Terror series, the award-winning novel Mister Creecher, and in 2018, Chris won the Portsmouth Shorter Novel Award for Flesh and Blood. He is most prominently inspired by the tradition of horror stories by authors such as Edgar Allan Poe and Mary Shelley. He lives in Cambridge, where he continues to think up marvellously macabre stories, but he is also a talented artist and illustrator. He illustrates his own material and his cartoons have been published in the Independent as well as other national newspapers.

Book preview

1

Mr Munro

It was the beginning of March and the air was chill and dank. Mrs Nesbitt, the head teacher of St Apollonia’s School, stood in the playground, peering up at the darkening sky through her wire-rimmed spectacles. She shivered and hoped that the snow that was forecast would not arrive.

St Apollonia’s was marking World Book Day by having a special celebration of the school’s Victorian heritage. All of the staff and pupils had been asked to dress up for the occasion and, in the main, the pupils – or at least their parents – had made a reasonable effort.

The snow would spoil the formal group photographs that were going to be taken in the playground that afternoon. There was a lovely old class photograph in the office from the 1890s and Mrs Nesbitt thought it might be nice to have similar ones done of each of the present year groups with their teachers.

Turning away from the glowering sky, she was somewhat startled to see a strange man standing in front of her. She had not heard his footsteps at all. It was as if he had materialised out of the cold air itself.

He was tall and thin, his face pallid and sour, with a large expanse of forehead beneath a sharply receding hairline. He wore a dark three-piece suit, and a watch chain twinkled across his waistcoat. He had the air of a butler about him, thought Mrs Nesbitt – or an undertaker, perhaps.

‘You requested a supply teacher,’ he said after a moment, seeing the confusion on her face.

‘Ah – Mr Munnings?’ she said. ‘Of course.’

‘Munro,’ he said, correcting her. ‘It is Mr Munro.’

‘Oh – I’m terribly sorry,’ she replied. There seemed something strangely familiar about him. ‘Have you worked at St Apollonia’s before?’

‘Many years ago, yes,’ he replied, looking across the tarmac to the school entrance.

His tone of voice gave the distinct impression that his previous experience of the place had not been a joyful one. Though looking at his cheerless expression, she doubted whether many of his experiences were joyful.

‘It was very good of you to make yourself available at such short notice,’ said Mrs Nesbitt. ‘I’m afraid Mr Filbert has been taken ill. He was so looking forward to today. It’s such a shame.’

Mrs Nesbitt looked at Mr Munro’s clothing and smiled.

‘And thank you so much for taking the trouble to get into the spirit of our Victorian Day. Your suit is very . . . very authentic.’

Mr Munro raised an eyebrow and let it fall slowly before speaking again.

‘Where should I go?’ he said.

‘You are with 7UM, Mr Munro,’ she replied. ‘They are a lively bunch.’

‘Indeed?’ said Mr Munro with more than a hint of disapproval.

‘What lessons do you have planned?’ asked Mrs Nesbitt.

Mr Munro held up a rather battered old leather briefcase.

‘I shall be reading them some stories,’ he said.

‘Oh lovely,’ said Mrs Nesbitt. ‘Can I ask you what you’ve chosen?’

Mr Munro tapped his briefcase.

‘I have brought a volume of Victorian short stories. I hope they may find them diverting.’

Mrs Nesbitt laughed.

‘Might find them diverting,’ she repeated. ‘Oh, that’s very good. You really have got into the swing of it. But what sort of stories are they? As I say, they’re a lovely group – lovely – but they’re likely to become a wee bit restless if –’

‘I think these stories will be sufficient to keep them quiet,’ said Mr Munro.

Mrs Nesbitt forced a smile. She did not like being interrupted and in any case she was not sure that the exercise was about keeping the class ‘quiet’. She was about to point this out when her secretary came pattering towards them down the steps of the school.

‘Mrs Nesbitt,’ she said breathlessly. ‘Sorry to disturb you, but there has been a bit of an incident.’

‘What sort of incident, Mrs Jackson?’

‘It’s Luke Driscoll,’ she said. ‘He’s brought a spear into

Reviews for The Teacher's Tales of Terror

[passion4reading_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

At home from boarding school, Edgar is a lonely child who likes to escape his indifferent parents to visit his relation of unknown degree, called Uncle Montague, to listen to stories. And what stories they are! This latest visit incorporates items from around the study into each tale, and then Uncle Montague tops it all off by narrating a final story where he himself is the subject.This is a collection of self-contained short stories framed by a larger narrative involving Uncle Montague and Edgar. Even though the tales aren't quite up to the standard of his other work Tales of Terror from the Black Ship in my opinion, they are nevertheless sinister and frightening, just occasionally bordering on the unpleasant. Edgar's narration on the other hand is a marvellous study in creepiness, the author managing to increase the tension and suspense in small degrees, creating a wonderful sense of foreboding and unease until all is revealed at the end. I especially liked the idea of the sugar bowl on the tea tray having to be refilled at regular intervals and Edgar blaming this on his uncle's sweet tooth, even though he never actually sees him take one.As always I admire Chris Priestley's twisted imagination that can conjure up stories like these, and even though the narratives' subjects are children, don't be fooled into thinking that this is a children's book, some of the stories are far too disturbing for a younger readership. Worth re-reading again and again.

[beyre_3 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was an enjoyable read even for this adult, though the audience is intended for youth. Filled with wonderful descriptions and charming illustrations, the book flowed nicely with short stories that were tied together. Though the stories are short, the characters within are given adequate introduction and brought to life. Some stories were a little bit gruesome, but most were pretty mild.

[cflorap · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Poor Edward. He has dull parents, won't play with the local kids when he's home from boarding school, and is dull and unimaginative himself. But visits with his old Uncle Montague (no one is sure how many "great"s should go before his name, so Edward just calls him Uncle) start to awaken some fear in the boy. Uncle Montague lives alone in the woods in a cold, dark house full of mysterious items that each seem to have a ghastly history that unfolds in a chilling tale. Edward wants to believe these are just stories, because how could Uncle know stories in which most of the protagonists mysteriously died or disappeared? What's more, how could he possibly own the accursed items that were responsible?These ghost stories within a ghost story are wonderfully creepy and disturbing, reminiscent of Edgar Allen Poe, with Roberts' illustrations reminding one of Edward Gorey. Easily frightened readers may want to avoid Priestly's Tales of Terror books, or at least refrain from reading them before bed, but they would be perfect for reading aloud at a Halloween or slumber party.The Tales of Terror books are recommended for middle school audiences, although younger readers who enjoy ghost stories will like them as well. The short chapters, suspense, and fast pace also make these great for reluctant readers.

[gothydevil_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A great collection of spine-tingling short stories all wrapped in a larger story that has a great twist at the very end.....

[reallifereading · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Uncle Montague’s Tales of Terror is such a delight. It would be the ideal RIP read, but reading it in the chilly wintry nights did just fine. Enchanting and endearing in that creepy sort of way. If you like Tim Burton movies, this book’s for you.

[bookwormygirl · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Young Edgar loves visiting his eccentric, Great-Great Uncle Montague even if it means going though the spooky woods to get there. For Uncle Montague is a very talented storyteller and has a story to tell about all the creepy odds and ends he has lying around his study.I loved the goosebumpy feeling I had the whole time I read this book. The fact that each tale’s main character was a child made it even more spooky for me. I loved the gothicy feel each tale had and although the stories were short they were definitely potent and got their message across. As always, my main complaint with short stories... that they are just too short and right when I'm finally getting into the story they end.Needless to say, I thought Mr. Priestley delivered with this group of stories. The underlying story of Uncle Montague and Edgar was, I think, the creepiest by far... but I won't give anything away. I loved the wordplay used, I think Mr. Priestley has a talent for using simple words and descriptions that definitely enhance his stories and make them far more sinister. Although I felt some of the stories ended quite abruptly, in retrospect, I think, this was what made me think of them well after I was done reading them.I recommend that younger readers take the warning on the back cover seriously, as this isn't a book to be read alone or late at night... especially those who are faint of heart. If they are brave enough, then I definitely recommend a quick glance in the closet and definitely take a peek under the bed.As the not-so-young adult I am, I found these to be deliciously creepy, spine-tingling and definitely worth the read.

[phoebesmum · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

imagine a cross between M R James and Edward Gorey, in particular 'The Gashlycrumb Tinies', and you pretty much have this book spread out in a nutshell. Solitary Edgar is in the habit, during the school holidays, of visiting his Uncle Montague, an equally solitary soul whose house (or at any rate the study, the only room Edgar has ever been in, save the lavatory) is filled with curios, each of which has a story behind it. A ghastly, creepy story which inevitably ends in the grisly death of its juvenile protagonist. And, behind it all, there is Uncle Montague's own strange and sinister history, and the mystery of the children who haunt the woods that Edgar must pass through …The stories themselves vary; some are genuinely scary, others fall flat, while still others are just plain weird, but they're short enough to read several in one sitting, and the entire book isn't likely to take more than an evening or two. David Robert's black and white illos add to the Goreyesque quality and contribute considerably to the overall atmosphere.

[hagelrat · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a wonderful book for readers of all ages, but should be read under the duvet by torchlight. I expected a fairly creepy offering, but in the best tradition of fairy tales this is a book of short stories in which horrible things happen to children, for no particular reason other than life can be like that. The stories are interwoven with the wider tale of Edgar’s visits to his Uncle, the story teller and an increasing sense of trepidation as we head back to the fireplace each time. Something more is going on here, are these really just made up stories to frighten a small boy or is something considerably more sinister occurring?