Brenda's B&B (short story)
Brenda's B&B was the fourteenth story printed in the The Panda Book of Horror anthology. The epistolary story was written by Paul Magrs.
The story made use of elements from his Iris Wildthyme and Brenda and Effie series, further connecting and intertwining the two series.
Plot[[edit] | [edit source]]
Brenda has sent out a letter to readers of the book series about herself and Effie, penned by Paul Magrs. Brenda is advertising her B&B in Whitby, North Yorkshire. She addresses the rumour about Whitby, that it's a nexus point for the weird and malign, and she calls it all codswallop. Then she inadvertently lists off a few examples to the contrary.
She returns to talking about the hotel, and how it's so relaxing. She tells you that if you do visit, you should check out the Abbey where Dracula is reputed to have come ashore. She tells you to book a room now, and to read about her adventures in her book series.
Characters[[edit] | [edit source]]
Worldbuilding[[edit] | [edit source]]
- Brenda reminisces about the "funny do" about Jessie from the Christmas Hotel, how she had been transformed at the Deadly Boutique into a creature from before time began; how her own fiancé came back from the dead and dragged her off the side of the West Cliff; and the demon-possessed furniture from Hotel Miramar.
- Brenda recalls how they remade that film, Get Thee Inside Me, Satan, starring Karla Sorenson. She also remembers how they accidentally opened a Dreadful Flap during the production.
- Paul Magrs wrote Never the Bride, Something Borrowed, Conjugal Rites, and Hell's Belles.
People[[edit] | [edit source]]
- Brenda mentions Iris Wildthyme and Panda.
- She calls Dracula a "foppish old cadaver".
Locations and businesses[[edit] | [edit source]]
- The Christmas Hotel has pie-and-peas supper nights, and Cosmic Cabarets on Wednesday evenings.
- Whitby is located next to the North Sea.
- The abbey is located at the top of the 199 steps.
- The Christmas Hotel, The Walrus and the Carpenter, Church Street, and a church are all located in Whitby.
Continuity[[edit] | [edit source]]
- Brenda lives in Whitby. (PROSE: Talented Witches, Fellowship of Ink)
- Paul Magrs writes about Iris Wildthyme (PROSE: Bafflement and Devotion, et al.) and Brenda and Effie. (PROSE: The Story of Fester Cat)
- Get Thee Inside Me, Satan was previously seen in PROSE: The Ninnies on Putney Common, and Karla Sorenson starred in the lead role. (PROSE: To the Devil — a Diva!, Wildthyme Beyond!)
