A group of pals travel to a supposedly haunted country retreat on Christmas Eve with the mission of finding supernatural proof. The pals, who spent the holiday alone in their apartments, reunite on Twelfth Night at a lavish feast and exchange ghost encounter tales. The Haunted House explores distinctly Victorian themes?sex and desire, nostalgia and loss?in ways that still have resonance today. It is "conducted" by Charles Dickens and features contributions by Elizabeth Gaskell and Wilkie Collins, among others. This collection is a quirky and pure delight, cleverly designed and written, with hints of Dickensian humour.