Returning to the wonderful Gothic Dome of the Portico Library, The Haunted Bookclub rides back into town on Amelia Edwards' The North Mail

A chilling story set on a bleak Northern moor in December.

Surely there is nothing more festive than a Ghost Story for the yuletide season?

For enjoyers of eerie tales, curious to know more about the stories that make their skin crawl. Join storyteller Gav Cross and author John Reppion as they delve into the stories behind some of your favourite spine-tingling tales. Whether you’re a seasoned ghost story expert or a newcomer to the realm of creepy fiction, Haunted Book Club welcomes all new members with open (and possibly skeletal) arms.

Featuring a performed reading of a classic Ghost Story, chosen by the audience, and then a spine chilling chat with expert insights about exactly what scared us… Or not!

Haunted Book Club is a collaboration between storyteller, Gav Cross and renowned author and Spirits of Place editor, John Reppion. Bringing their combined love of classic Victorian and Edwardian ghost and supernatural short fiction, this is a book club with a difference.

You don't need to have done any preparation…

The audience picks the story from an offered menu of classic tales, on the night.

Gav will read and perform the tale in his usual bombastic and robust style.

John will bring his knowledge, expertise and understanding of the story, the author and the creepy themes wrapped up inside of it.

And then we talk.

What spirits does the tale summon? What feelings does it evoke? We share thoughts, our fears, and our insights.

Like all good book clubs we want like this to have a community feel. A joining together in the love of literature whilst sharing a drink or two? Tea, coffee, cake or Port is encouraged.

The Haunted Book Club continues its tours of interesting and dark liminal spaces. From the Georgian splendour of Manchester’s Portico Library, to the Gothic ruins of Norton Priory, to the doom and gloom of Wavertree Lock-up –a former drunk tank and cholera quarantine chamber. Have ghost stories. Will travel…

No prior knowledge or even belief in ghosts is required of an audience.

Only an enthusiasm to listen, join in and share.

And it already resides in a dark little corner of the internet. Haunted Book Club brings its bi-weekly live online conversations to you:

https://linktr.ee/haunted_bookclub (https://linktr.ee/haunted_bookclub)

John Reppion is a writer, born in Liverpool.

Since 2003 he has co-written comics in partnership with his wife, Leah Moore, as Moore & Reppion. John's solo-scripted comics work has also appeared in 2000 AD, Judge Dredd Megazine, and Heavy Metal Magazine. He has written books and articles on Weird History, Folklore, Superstition, and Magic for the likes of The History Press, Fortean Times, Daily Grail Online, and Hellebore Zine. John's Horror and Weird Fiction has appeared in anthologies from the likes of Titan Publishing, PS Publishing, Swan River Press, and Sarob Press.

Gav Cross is a storyteller and performer. He creates weird and scary shows for grown ups and families. “The War of the Worlds - An Abridged & Performed Reading”, he brings humour, heart, and a touch of chaos to venues, festivals, and theatres across the UK.

Description supplied by the event organiser.