Horror! UK and Ireland Edition Quiz

Answer: Dennis Wheatley

Wheatley wrote numerous novels from the 1930s until the 1960s, with his output including thrillers and mysteries, as well as those about the occult. 'The Devil Rides Out' was his second published novel, and was adapted as a movie in 1968 by Hammer Film Productions, the well known British producer of horror films.

They also filmed 'To the Devil a Daughter', in 1976, so these may be among Wheatley's better known works. Other novels by Wheatley include series about the character Roger Brook, classed as historical espionage books, and the Gregory Sallust novels, which are mainly espionage with some occult connections.

Answer: Otranto

'The Castle of Otranto' was originally published anonymously, with Walpole only acknowledging authorship in the second edition. It tells the story of a mysterious castle, a doomed heir, an illegitimate son and eventual redemption - all the ingredients of Gothic literature. Walpole is often credited as the founder of the genre.

The novel is his best known work, but not the only one, as he also wrote 'Some Anecdotes of Painting in England' (1762), which is a history of art and 'Historic Doubts on the Life and Reign of Richard III' (1768) as well as other novels.

Answer: Prometheus

The book, first published anonymously in 1818, has the full title of 'Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus'. Mary Shelley's name did not appear as the author until 1822, while a revised edition, which included much rewriting by the author, came out in 1831. Prometheus, in Greek myth, was the creator of mankind, so Shelley was comparing Frankenstein, and his attempts to create life, to ancient myth.

Answer: Montague Rhodes

Montague Rhodes James was a scholar, particularly of mediaeval times, and was employed in education, at Cambridge University and Eton College. His first collection of ghost stories, with the title 'Ghost Stories of an Antiquary', was published in 1904 and was followed by several more volumes. The stories were placed in realistic settings, which served to increase the 'fear factor', with James credited with moving horror stories away from Victorian gothic themes.

Margaret Rose were the given names of the second daughter of King George VI, so the sister of Queen Elizabeth II. Melvin Russell Ballard Jr. is a member of the Latter Day Saints, and Michael Robert was adapted from the names of Mike Nesmith, who was actually named Robert Michael.

Answer: Rats

'The Rats' was a frightening story of mutated, dog sized, rats, who developed a taste for eating humans alive. Even those who escaped this fate died within twenty four hours if they had been bitten. Herbert helped to write the screenplay for a 1982 Canadian film based on his book, although with the location moved to Toronto.

Herbert's other novels include 'The Fog' (1975), 'Shrine' (1983) and 'The Secret of Crickley Hall' (2006).

Answer: Terry Pratchett

Probably not quite as horrific as most of the books in this quiz. 'Good Omens' is about the Apocalypse and a case of mistaken identity - the boy thought to be the Anti-Christ is normal, while the real Anti-Christ uses his powers without understanding where they came from. Gaiman and Pratchett worked together on the novel, although both agree that Pratchett contributed more due to his background in fantasy. Pratchett, who died in 2015 from a form of Alzheimer's disease, delighted many readers with his 'Discworld' series. Gaiman has written so much, it's hard to know what to include.

His works include 'The Sandman' series, novels for both adults and children, film scripts and even episodes for 'Doctor Who', including 'The Doctor's Wife' from 2011.

Answer: Books of Blood

The six volumes contain a total of thirty stories, and their realistic settings, combined with demons, ghosts and the supernatural, are terrifying. The movie business has found the tales a useful source of material, and several of them have been used as the basis of films. Possibly the best known is 'Candyman' (1992), based on the story 'The Forbidden'. Barker himself has worked on many of the film versions as writer, director and/or producer. Among his other works are 'The Hellbound Heart' (1986) and 'Mister B. Gone' (2007).

Answer: Irish

Although he was born in England, his family was Irish and Darren (real surname O'Shaughnessy) has lived in Ireland from the age of six. He began writing in his teens, and his first book, 'Ayuamarca', was published in 1999 when he was twenty-seven. The series named 'The Saga of Darren Shan' was about vampires, and contained twelve novels, including 'Cirque du Freak' (2000). 'The Demonata' is about demons, with 'Lord Loss' being the first novel to be published, in 2005, although this does not correspond to the reading order, since two later books in the series cover chronologically earlier times.

Answer: Algernon

Algernon Blackwood was an author with a prodigious output of supernatural and ghost stories. His collections of short stories began in 1906 with 'The Empty House and Other Ghost Stories' and continued until his death in 1951. Many editions have been published since, with varied selections of stories taken from different previous publications available. Blackwood's other works include novels, plays and stories for children.

His work has been praised by H.P. Lovecraft and Henry Miller, and he has been cited as an influence on many other authors.

Answer: Bram Stoker

'The Lair of the White Worm' was published the year before Stoker's death, and is not remembered as one of the author's best. On the other hand, his 1897 novel 'Dracula' created a character who has been part of popular culture ever since. The first film to be based on the book was 'Nosferatu' in 1922. Since it was unauthorised, and the attempts to disguise the source were so poor, the film makers were sued, with a court ordering that all copies be destroyed. Future adaptations were more successful, though, with the character appearing in pretty much any type of popular culture known to mankind. Dracula has appeared on the stage, radio, television, comics and video games, to name just a few.

His name has even been adapted for a breakfast cereal - Count Chocula.