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Study 181 - The Tarn (Patreon)

Published:
2026-10-15 18:08:08
Imported:
2026-10
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Content

Resentment leads to revenge in Hugh Walpole's supernatural suspense story, The Tarn!

Special thanks to our excellent reader, artist Jack Hughes!

Revisit our episode on Mrs. Lunt by Walpole.

Grab your copy of The Valancourt Book of Horror Stories!

Next up: Miss Mack by Michael McDowell

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Comments

Ryan Thomas

I was looking at a map of the Lake District. How is Cockermouth? I ask, because I dare not Goggle that at work.

Me Myself

The story had some good psychological insights and subtle characterization. Maybe Walpole was more perceptive than his critics realized.

Doug Bolden (edited)

Comment edits

2026-10-20 03:00 Benson's comments on Walpole helps the story feel like an echo towards "Casting the Runes" by M.R. James (or vice versa). Something for sure went down at the The Chit Chat Club (which makes sense considering the time, their age, and the setting). It is fun to see both authors come to the conclusion that the bitter upstart outsider goes too far, though. At least they could agree on that.
2026-10-15 19:46 Benson's comments on Walpole helps the story feel like an echo towards "Casting the Runes" by M.R. James (or vice versa). That old Cambridge magic I suppose. It is fun to see both authors come to the conclusion that the bitter upstart outsider goes too far, though. At least they could agree on that. NOTE: I originally wrote "Chit-Chat Club" though Walpole would have been a bit late for that and despite some criss-cross in general writing style/themes with other members I can't really find much that suggests he hung out with the ghostly story bunch. And E.F. Benson was *right* there.

Benson's comments on Walpole helps the story feel like an echo towards "Casting the Runes" by M.R. James (or vice versa). That old Cambridge magic I suppose. It is fun to see both authors come to the conclusion that the bitter upstart outsider goes too far, though. At least they could agree on that. NOTE: I originally wrote "Chit-Chat Club" though Walpole would have been a bit late for that and despite some criss-cross in general writing style/themes with other members I can't really find much that suggests he hung out with the ghostly story bunch. And E.F. Benson was *right* there.

It's a Ghost.

After reading this story and “Mrs. Lunt," I’m beginning to wonder how many people Hugh Walpole killed and afterwards felt haunted by it 🙂

Levi Krain

Chad casually equates cosmic horror to a philosophy of acceptance and letting go and I find myself looking at my bookshelf and thinking -- "Wait. Was Lao Tzu the first cosmic horror writer?"

Fredrik Bridell

Oh, *tjärn*, yes, that IS a Swedish word. A small, still (but potentially deep) lake in the woods. The is a /ɕ/, similar to the /ʃ/ in “sheet” but even further forward, the <ä> is not a fancy a, it's an /ɛː/ sound (in this word, the long vowel variant) ... Actually, you know what, just listen to it: https://sv.forvo.com/word/tj%C3%A4rn/ It's funny, when Chris said it I was like one of those obnoxious foreigners who are like “What? What did he say? I don't know that word? Oh, he meant TJÄRN!” and if you're not a native speaker you'll be like “come ON, that's what I SAID". What can I say, Swedish has a lot of different vowel sounds. By the way, I'm totally stealing this ”water spirit who avenges the drowned” idea for a Vaesen RPG session.

Ben Gilbert

“If someone held your head underwater too long as a kid…” Are you Tommy Maximoff?

William Tank

All this morning I have been thinking about Chad as Don Draper. I love it.

James Anthony

Listening to the "you have to spend a season abroad" portion put me in mind of that Danny Pudi interview with Larry King where Larry asked him about his favorite luxury

Long time hater

Really appreciated the bio before diving in The reflections from people who know the author really paint him as the Foster character, i wonder if he had any insight into this. When Foster is seemingly obliviously describing the affluent journeys one 'must do', i could help thing about poor Frank Grimes discovering Homer had been an astronaut: "you...went into outer space? YOU?" "Sure, you've never been?"

Science Doctor, PhD

This. This is one reason why I really like this show (I mean, after the humor, the joyful feeling one gets in seeing two old friends just have a good time together, and the references to old-person things that makes me feel seen). I sometimes go back and forth about how much of an author's history I want to know about when reading a book. It can be distracting, and if the author is particularly problematic it may even put me off reading their work, but it can also really deepen the experience. I also had big Frank Grimes thoughts during this story, though also definitely a bit about somebody who maybe wasn't 'that' good at something and is going to make it everybody elses' problem.

Jim Cannon

In the midst of the episode I had to curtail my Walpoling activities for I had become esurient. Once cheesy comestibles had been purchased, I resumed the podcast and listened rapt to its inevitable, twisty conclusion. What a senseless waste of human life.

Corey Wittig

As soon as you guys said the title of the magazine “Success” I began to hear Iggy Pop’s song of that name in my head and imagining Walpole thumbing his nose at his hero detractors. Good for you, Hugh!

Falconhoof (edited)

Comment edits

2026-10-20 03:00 I love the fact Fenwick spends the whole story bemoaning his poverty and lack of success, but then right at the end, we casually discover that he has both a housekeeper and a gardener. It's like one of those 90's sitcoms, where the unemployed protagonist lives in a huge New York apartment
2026-10-19 15:37 I love the fact that Fenwick spends the whole story bemoaning his poverty and lack of success, but then right at the end, we discover that he has both a housekeeper and a gardener. It's like one of those 90's sitcoms, where the unemployed protagonist inexplicably lives in a huge New York apartment

I love the fact that Fenwick spends the whole story bemoaning his poverty and lack of success, but then right at the end, we discover that he has both a housekeeper and a gardener. It's like one of those 90's sitcoms, where the unemployed protagonist inexplicably lives in a huge New York apartment

Falconhoof

Also, a word of caution for Chad. Before you plan any elaborate revenge plots, that involve strangling Jon Hamm near a secluded body of water. Bear in mind, that the man has a famously strong and muscular neck

Fraser Burnett

Excellent episode. "Seashore Macabre" is another Walpole banger.

Fraser Burnett

Also, Chad's digression on wealth was 100% on point. There's only one war...

Jason Thompson

Hey, have y’all ever considered doing “Beloved” by Toni Morrison? I just finished it and that book is WEIRD as hell and super supernatural! It may feel too heavy and political for 2 white podcast hosts, but I heartily recommend at least reading it.

Jeremey Guttilla

Wow. Sliding doors and John Ham is reading strange stories on a podcast. I just want to say I’m glad Chad is the one here with us… in the dark.

Steve

It's pronounced Fen-ick and Kes-ick. AC Benson was gay too, and along with his brothers EF and RH, also noted authors of ghost and other stories.

Steve

Seems I still qualify.

L. G. Merrick

Would he have gotten Chris an audition for the part of Don’s work partner, Roger Sterling? Then who knows, today we might be listening to them cohost a podcast called At the Mountains of Mad Men