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The Whispering Shell
Julie loves her job as a curator at the old Museum, despite her mother’s disappointment that she hasn’t pursued a far more glamorous and prestigious career. Her mother is gone now anyhow, along with her disapproval - drowned in a swimming accident last summer.
When Julie’s school outreach sessions in the natural history room lead her thoughts to the water cycle and its interconnections, troubling events start to occur. Terrible accidents. All involving water. And somehow, the young victims all seem to have come into contact with the same conch shell exhibited in that room.
During a teachers’ strike, Julie has to bring her young son Oliver to work with her for the week. She warns him not to wander off, but when she leaves him alone in the natural history room for only a few moments, she returns to find him gone.
Putting the shell to her own ear, she finds that its whispers are now far more sinister than the familiar sigh of the sea…
The Whispering Shell is the fifth short story in the Eerie Exhibits collection, written by award-winning author Victoria Williamson, and available to purchase as an anthology.
When Julie’s school outreach sessions in the natural history room lead her thoughts to the water cycle and its interconnections, troubling events start to occur. Terrible accidents. All involving water. And somehow, the young victims all seem to have come into contact with the same conch shell exhibited in that room.
During a teachers’ strike, Julie has to bring her young son Oliver to work with her for the week. She warns him not to wander off, but when she leaves him alone in the natural history room for only a few moments, she returns to find him gone.
Putting the shell to her own ear, she finds that its whispers are now far more sinister than the familiar sigh of the sea…
The Whispering Shell is the fifth short story in the Eerie Exhibits collection, written by award-winning author Victoria Williamson, and available to purchase as an anthology.
40 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 29, 2025
3 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Williamson
30 books81 followersA lifelong storyteller and daydreamer, Victoria Williamson is an author and teacher who has lived and worked in Africa, China, America and the UK.
Victoria grew up in Kirkintilloch, north Glasgow, surrounded by hills on the edge of a forest estate where many of her early ghost stories and fantasy tales were born amid the magical trees and spooky old ruined buildings.
After studying Physics at the University of Glasgow, she set out on her own real life adventures, which included teaching Maths and Science in Cameroon, training teachers in Malawi, teaching English in China and working with children with special needs in the UK.
A qualified primary school teacher with a degree in Mandarin Chinese from Yunnan University and a Master’s degree in Special Needs Education, Victoria is passionate about creating inclusive worlds in her novels where all children can see a reflection of themselves in a heroic role.
Victoria’s experiences of teaching young children in a deprived area of Glasgow, many of whom were asylum seekers, inspired her debut novel, The Fox Girl and the White Gazelle, an uplifting tale of friendship between Glasgow girl Caylin and Syrian refugee Reema.
Victoria writes fantasy, adventure, science fiction and contemporary issue novels for Middle Grade (9-12), Teen, and Young Adult readers. Many of her books have been inspired by children she has met on her travels, both abroad and in the UK. She is currently working on a Middle Grade novel exploring the issues faced by a boy with ADHD who is struggling to fit in with his new step-family, and a spooky adventure novel for Teens, centred around a cast of characters with special needs including deafness, Down Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy.
Twenty percent of her author royalties for The Fox Girl and the White Gazelle are donated to the Scottish Refugee Council.
You can find out more about Victoria's books, school visits and upcoming events on her website: www.strangelymagical.com
Victoria grew up in Kirkintilloch, north Glasgow, surrounded by hills on the edge of a forest estate where many of her early ghost stories and fantasy tales were born amid the magical trees and spooky old ruined buildings.
After studying Physics at the University of Glasgow, she set out on her own real life adventures, which included teaching Maths and Science in Cameroon, training teachers in Malawi, teaching English in China and working with children with special needs in the UK.
A qualified primary school teacher with a degree in Mandarin Chinese from Yunnan University and a Master’s degree in Special Needs Education, Victoria is passionate about creating inclusive worlds in her novels where all children can see a reflection of themselves in a heroic role.
Victoria’s experiences of teaching young children in a deprived area of Glasgow, many of whom were asylum seekers, inspired her debut novel, The Fox Girl and the White Gazelle, an uplifting tale of friendship between Glasgow girl Caylin and Syrian refugee Reema.
Victoria writes fantasy, adventure, science fiction and contemporary issue novels for Middle Grade (9-12), Teen, and Young Adult readers. Many of her books have been inspired by children she has met on her travels, both abroad and in the UK. She is currently working on a Middle Grade novel exploring the issues faced by a boy with ADHD who is struggling to fit in with his new step-family, and a spooky adventure novel for Teens, centred around a cast of characters with special needs including deafness, Down Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy.
Twenty percent of her author royalties for The Fox Girl and the White Gazelle are donated to the Scottish Refugee Council.
You can find out more about Victoria's books, school visits and upcoming events on her website: www.strangelymagical.com
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 22, 2025
Eerie and Captivating
This is truly a unique take on the horror genre. What is it about the exhibits collection that influences the hearts and minds of those who dare to examine them?
Williamson does a fantastic job of developing the psychology of the protoganist. Julie is a single mother riddled with anxiety and not quite dealing with the loss of her overbearing mother. Where relief should be the overwhelming emotion, Julie is plagued with not quite living up to her mother’s expectations. And her son is a carbon copy of her.
When children visiting the museum and examining the collection of interactive pieces, the begin to die. Julie knows something’s amiss, but will she respond to the warning signs in time?
A fantastic short read!
This is truly a unique take on the horror genre. What is it about the exhibits collection that influences the hearts and minds of those who dare to examine them?
Williamson does a fantastic job of developing the psychology of the protoganist. Julie is a single mother riddled with anxiety and not quite dealing with the loss of her overbearing mother. Where relief should be the overwhelming emotion, Julie is plagued with not quite living up to her mother’s expectations. And her son is a carbon copy of her.
When children visiting the museum and examining the collection of interactive pieces, the begin to die. Julie knows something’s amiss, but will she respond to the warning signs in time?
A fantastic short read!
October 22, 2025
Spooky
Wow, this was really spooky. I'm never going to listen to a conch shell again! Every person had their own experience, specific to their own close family members and bonds.
Another good one for this author!
Wow, this was really spooky. I'm never going to listen to a conch shell again! Every person had their own experience, specific to their own close family members and bonds.
Another good one for this author!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews