M.R. James developed a successful formula for creating spine-chilling ghost stories which in turn influenced writers such as H.P. Lovecraft and Stephen King.

His stories always start with the mundane and gradually descend into darkness until the horror becomes overwhelming. The main characters are generally isolated male figures such as dons and antiquaries (James himself was an academic) who cannot relate to others. This sense of isolation is sometimes reflected in the setting - a lonely beach, an single room or an empty church.

Often, the main character will discover an ancient relic which should not be disturbed. From here, on the action speeds up. Indistinct figures pursue from a distance, getting closer all the time. There is a feeling of being watched, of someone or something hidden behind the corner. A sense of unravelling and menace which usually culminates in the main character witnessing an extreme and undefined terror.