When I was young I ha a strict rule not to read M.R James after 8 p.m. so I would not wake up screaming. James was a first-class British scholar specializing in studies of early manuscript --many of his description of manuscripts are still cited by other scholars. He used his historical knowledge for background in these stories, which often involve scholars who unwisely investigate dangerous ancient mysteries. A few of them, notably "The Tractate MIddoth" have what might be called happy endings, in that the people who suffer supernatural attack deserve it, but most of them involve fairly innocent people who blunder unto horrible often fatal experiences. ( )