1. Flying Teacups

The compelling story of London housewife Alma Fielding whose home and family are assailed by a lively and frightening poltergeist in 1938.

Reports in the papers pique Nandor Fodor's interest, and the chief ghost hunter of the International Institute for Psychical Research embarks on a quest to establish the authenticity of Alma's experiences.

Alma undergoes investigations at the Institute involving sitting and seances before its members.

But when the proceedings take an unsettling turn, Fodor turns to the methodologies pioneered by Sigmund Freud.

Against these events, war looms large over Great Britain, with popular culture and a deepening interest in spiritualism reflecting the anxieties of the day.

Kate Summerscale's acclaimed book abridged in five parts by Julian Wilkinson.

Read by Emma Fielding.

Producer: Elizabeth Allard.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2020.