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Gatiss made a decent go of the traditional M.R. James Ghost Story For Christmas with the aforementioned Tractate Middoth, but it paled in comparison with his earlier original script for a ghostly festive three-parter that aired in the days leading up to Christmas 2008.

Like Dyson's Ghost Stories, Crooked House takes obvious inspiration from the classic portmanteau horror films of the 1960s and 70s, in particular those of Amicus Productions, whose films Gatiss enthused about in Episode 2 of A History Of Horror. (Ghost Stories' Andy Nyman and his frequent collaborator Derren Brown both also make appearances in Crooked House.)

Initially airing as three episodes, but later gathered into a single film, Crooked House tells three ghost stories set around the demolished Tudor mansion Geap Manor, one set in the Georgian era, one in the Roaring Twenties, and one in the present day. Gatiss himself plays a fruitily sinister museum curator telling the stories to Lee Ingleby, whose recent find of the manor's door knocker precipitates the final story.

As with Doctor Who, Gatiss' writing demonstrates a good ear for affectionate parody of the dialogue and style of historical periods. The first two stories are both in this fun vein with elements of old fashioned creepiness. The final story of the door knocker, however, ties the whole thing together with some genuine scares. Crooked House is a ghost story gem that deserves a slot on the regular festive viewing schedule.