Martin's Close Explained

Martin's Close
Author:M. R. James
Country:England
Language:English
Pub Date:1911

"Martin's Close" is a ghost story by British writer M. R. James, included in his 1911 collection More Ghost Stories of an Antiquary.

Plot summary

The story is presented as a report of a trial in the year 1684, before Judge Jeffreys. Squire George Martin has been accused of murdering a young girl named Ann Clark, with whom he had a one-sided romance. The prosecution presents the case that Martin murdered Ann Clark, because she ruined a good marriage proposal for him. During the trial, an event is described in which Martin acted in a guilty manner when confronted with a possible apparition of the girl. In the end, Martin is found guilty of the crime, despite his attempt to have the case dismissed on a legal technicality, and is sentenced to death.[1]

Adaptations

A version of the story, Martin's Close, adapted by Mark Gatiss, was broadcast on 24 December 2019 on BBC Four as part of the long-running A Ghost Story for Christmas series. It stars Peter Capaldi, Elliot Levey, Wilf Scolding, Sara Crowe, James Holmes, Jessica Temple, Simon Williams, Fisayo Akinade, and Ian Hallard.[2]

External links

Episode 14 - Martin's Close

Notes and References

  1. Book: James. M. R.. Collected Ghost Stories. 1993. Wordsworth. Ware, Hertfordshire. 1853260533. 160–175. Repr..
  2. Web site: Peter Capaldi (Doctor Who, The Thick Of It, Paddington) will star in Martin's Close, airing this Christmas on BBC Four. 21 August 2019. BBC Media Centre. 21 August 2019.