Tales of the unexpected

Between 1979-1986 nine series of the television program Tales of the Unexpected were screened on television, later in the evening. Episodes in the television series were based on short stories written by British author, Roald Dahl. Sixteen of the short stories appear in this book. Larger collections of Dahl's short stories have also been published.

Contents include Taste - Lamb to the slaughter - Man from the south -My lady love, my dove - Dip in the pool - Galloping Foxley - Skin - Neck - Nunc Dimittis - The landlady -William and Mary - The way up to heaven - Parson's pleasure - Mrs Bixby and the colonel's coat - Royal jelly - Edward the Conqueror. 

Written as one would expect from Roald Dahl, the stories contain a mix of humour and the macabre with a usually unexpected twist at the end. Although some of the stories appear a little out-dated they provide an easy entertaining read, especially when there is not enough time to read a novel.

I borrowed this book from the library when my grand-daughter was given a list of short stories to read to learn how writers create tension in their stories. 'Lamb to the slaughter' and 'The landlady' were two of the stories on the list.