In this selection of some of Saki's best short stories, we enter a fictional world in which the Edwardian gently are pitched against the rude forces of nature and maiden aunts struggle unsuccessfully to contain the merciless antics of children in their charge. Saki is perhaps the ultimate master of writing complete stories in just a few pages and his sublime craftsmanship is accompanied by a wicked black humour. The combination of sharp comedy and precise technique is quite unique and completely irresistible.

These stories are read for you by Richard Mitchley who has worked in theatres throughout Britain as well as the BBC and ITV together with his own Mayfly Theatre company and Eve Karpf who trained at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. She is widely experienced both as a reader of audio books and as a BBC radio actress.