About This Book
Reach for this short story when your middle or high schooler is ready to explore the nuances of psychological suspense and the deceptive nature of appearances. While Roald Dahl is famous for his whimsical children's books, this tale is part of his darker collection for more mature readers. It follows Billy Weaver, a young businessman who finds a too good to be true bed and breakfast run by a seemingly sweet old lady. Parents might choose this story to spark discussions about intuition, the 'sting in the tail' literary technique, and why we sometimes ignore red flags in pursuit of comfort or politeness. It is a masterclass in building dread through subtle clues rather than overt gore.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
1. DISTRESS: The ending is a 'cliffhanger of doom.' While no violence occurs on page, the realization that the landlady poisons and stuffs her guests is deeply unsettling. The description of the preserved parrot and dachshund can be eerie for sensitive readers. 2. CONVERSATION: Be ready to discuss the 'bitter almond' scent, which is a classic literary indicator of cyanide poisoning. This is a great moment to talk about trusting one's 'gut feeling' or intuition when a situation feels 'off' despite a polite exterior.
Ideal Reader
A twelve to fifteen-year-old who enjoys 'Twilight Zone' style mysteries and is beginning to appreciate irony and subtext in literature.
Parent Prep
Read the last two pages specifically to understand the taxidermy reveal. The story is best read cold to preserve the twist. A child asking, 'Wait, did she kill him?' at the very last sentence.
Age Experience
A 12-year-old might focus on the 'creepy' factor of the taxidermy. An older teen will likely appreciate the craftsmanship of the foreshadowing and the landlady's manipulative dialogue.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many horror stories that rely on monsters, this relies entirely on the subversion of the 'kindly grandmother' trope.
Read plot summary
Billy Weaver, a seventeen-year-old starting a new job, arrives in Bath and is lured into a bed and breakfast by a hypnotic sign. The landlady is incredibly welcoming but eccentric. Billy notices only two other names in the guestbook from years prior and vaguely remembers them from news headlines. As they drink tea that tastes of bitter almonds, the landlady reveals her hobby of taxidermy on her former pets, and the story ends with the chilling implication that Billy is her next project.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Billy notices the names in the guestbook several times. Why do you think he chooses to ignore his suspicion instead of leaving?
2
The landlady says she stuffs all her 'little pets' herself when they pass away. How does this comment change meaning from the beginning of the scene to the end?
3
Dahl uses the word 'compelling' to describe the B&B sign. In what ways does the landlady use a sense of 'hominess' to trap Billy?
4
If the story continued for one more page, what do you think would happen next? How does the lack of a 'final' ending make the story scarier?
