THE MAGNUS ARCHIVES #4 - Pageturner 

"It felt like real leather." Me in the background: "IT'S SKIN! IT'S HUMAN SKIN!"

loving the archivist's rage at his predecessor's carelessness

mary keay had the bee movie script tattooed on her in sanskrit

I do love how Jonathan sim's real voice is very monotonous and dull but his impressions of the other characters statements is so realistic Capturing their hesitation to their chuckles It makes me believe he actually wanted to be a voice actor. I mean the reports would definitely not say the person paused there or was a little scared while talking about this, he must have added it himself

"if it was tea it was years old" the british: oh shit that's spooky

So we're all in agreement: All these books are made from people's skin

jared just, took this guys trash can? i know its a small thing like they arent that expensive and extenuating circumstances and all but he really did just take this dudes trash can

i just got myself into TMA and one thing it taught me..is that horror is more scary when bad things DIDN'T happen

He works with *lights,* he has a *lightner* book, his friend got struck by *lightning.* This light thing can’t be a coincidence

9:23 *grbookworm1818* G.R happens to be the initials of one, Gertrude Robinson, Jonathan's predecessor. 1818 is the founding date of the Magnus Institute. I can imagine that an archivist would be quite the bookworm too. Could be a coincidence, but not likely.

I love that in the first 3 he's just like: "Eh sounds like bullshit" but in this one he's like "Oh fuck a Lightner bokk god damn it" It really makes you think that these are important, dangerous and too common to be dismissed. Excited to hear more hints like that.

Raise your hand if you also thought Mary's son was named Jared, not Gerard (apparently the second one is correct)

"It felt like real leather" Me: Aw, that ain't good.

I know it’s beside the point, but it is Extremely Adorable for Gerry to have gone through a “gothy eye sketch” phase, just like any other artist. Growing up under the shadow of The Beholding or not, questionably tasteful realistic eyes are a part of growing up. I think it’s really humanizing.

“...I knew it from the scar on the back of my childhood friend, who’d been struck by lightning because of me.” WAIT WAIT WAIT WAIT WHAT!!?? THIS GUY???

Decided to leave the playlist running while I went to sleep. Huge-ass thunder storm hit my hood right afterwards. Then I happened to have one of my sleep paralysis episodes. This is normal for me, but this one was waaaay more intense than I'm used to. Got so darn scared, I had to force myself awake -just in time to hear what had to be old Zeus's loudest fart in history. Immediately I went and turned the laptop off and unplugged the charger, and my desktop's plug, just before the lights went down in my house. I don't know if the overload could have harmed my stuff, but I'm thankful to the demons from hell for giving me the heads up. 10/10 would do it again!

"the lesser key of Solomon" is a book about how to summon demons. It was written by a catholic priest a very long time ago. It's a real thing, look it up.

I actually feel the mother was the real villain and Jared just takes care of the mess she and lightner made

The static buildup whenever John says "Ex Altiora" is a nice touch I didn't catch on my first listen.

I really love how subtle and understated these stories are. Nothing too over-the-top or bombastic like a bad creepypasta, no blood dripping from the walls, just a low key and deeply unsettling mystery

I'm relistening rn and holy shit I didn't expect so many major characters to turn up or be mentioned in one episode in early season one

What I love so much about these stories (I’m new to them, I’ve only listened to 1-4 so far) is that every story teller is so ‘normal’. They’re not ‘final girls’, they’re ordinary and they actually do realistic things unlike lots of horror story characters. It makes it feel way more real, like a casual diary entry, and i think that’s why they’re so spooky- because of the colloquial tone and the way these don’t seem that unrealistic. As if all the supernatural/scary/unrealistic stuff that happens in the stories could happen in real life and slip by us, unnoticed.

This might change how I shop at local book stores....

wooow, there's so much to unpack here. what's really exciting is hearing the narrator talk about a case that he clearly takes seriously! i had him kinda pegged as a sceptic who could only ever begrudgingly admit that sometimes details didn't add up in ways that couldn't be explained, but apparently spooky books with supernatural powers are something he accepts as real and cause for alarm! apparently it's something the institute has a history of dealing with? i hope we get more info on that front. secondly, the stuff with mary and jared key is interesting. whatever these books are, it seems that mary was a fan, and jared was not. also, was mary a ghost? her supposed death sounded pretty horrific, but the description the statement giver gave of her didn't make her sound at all incorporeal. the way her tattoos seem to match the description of the sheets of skin covered in sanskrit is pretty troubling though. i don't even know what to say about the statement giver's original spooky book. it was good set up for introducing us to the concept of the library of yurgen lightner, which i assume will come up again. when he talked about the lichtenburg figure, did he mean that seeing it reminded him of his childhood friend's scar, or that it literally was that scar, because it sounded like it was talking about the latter. is it a book that manifests people's deep seeded guilt and punishes them for it? looking forward to learning more about this world.

The Magnus Archives need more love. More likes, more subscribers, more attention. These are great, especially to listen to while assembling models.

My theory is that the donation place sold it so cheap because they wanted to get rid of it, maybe it just travels from person to person until it is destroyed.

Relistening this after finishing s4 *screem* This is such an info-packed ep. "He looked at the title, then flicked through it very quickly, before laughing, just once and nodding, apparently to himself, as though he’d just come to some sort of decision." - iconic "If I never hear the name Jurgen Leitner again it will be too soon." *insert eye emoji* " Jurgen Leitner has done the world enough harm and we must pursue all available avenues to ensure that he does no more." *eye emoji intensifies*

It's so interesting to relisten from the beginning and catch all the references you missed. Also interesting to note that Jon doesn't have a single moment of skepticism about this statement

It seems like just like the previous story, these doppelgangers are testing the protagonists and they fail from their point of view when they basically don't follow the idiot horror movie character tropes like opening the thing that says "don't open" or in this case just got rid of the book instead of keeping it. I think the book might have become useless when Dominic decided to get rid of it.

It shall be so fun to go back through every episode once i have context. All i can muster for now are my mousebrained thoughts about "sky?? portal tower?? ozone--sulfur? flesh? lightning??"

I have trouble listening to podcast, and yes, I realize how late I am to the party and listening to this, but I genuinely am starting to like this a lot. It's fun to listen while drawing or can't sleep and rather stare at my ceiling than watch a show or listen to music. In short: Fuck yeah I don't regret finding this

a thing that i wish someone has immediately explained to me: the way John pronounces names "Gerard" and "Jared" makes them almost indistinguishable from each other, unless you're used to hearing posh British. son of Mary Keay, a goth with certain ties to to Leitner books mentioned in this episode, is named Gerard. later in the series a recurring character named Jared also makes an appearance in the statements. I'd advise checking transcripts if you can't tell which one is mentioned (there are a couple of rare instances like that; since these plotlines don't intersect, the issue doesn't come up often).

Can I just appreciate the title being "Page Turner" not only the subject but also giving the listener their first real confirmation of the super natural and making them want to keep going

The sheer talent and range of Jon's voice acter is astounding.

just finished this log and i have the chills. i know there’s absolutely a story beneath the surface, or perhaps multiple, or perhaps a countless amount. i wonder what’s ahead of me

The fact that only now I find out about the Magnus Archives is a crime, these stories are great.

So Gerard just... walked away with this guy’s trash can?

“it felt like real leather” “smelt like ozone” me: ITS FUCKING SKIN HOLY SHIT

Gerry.....my sweet emo child UGH

Listening to this episode was no skin off my back!

"Maybe calf..." Me, studying anthropodermic biblioplagy, recognizing the description of "Maybe calf": 👀 oop

These are soo great...cant wait to get my stories published and read some day.

Somehow hearing "Gerard Keay" (i've seen the name passed around by the fans) really jolted me. was not expecting for him to come in so soon. Also I keep having to move back 10 seconds because I'm trying to do other things and it's really adding to the atmosphere. Edit: OMG Thanks for 5 likes!!!! Holy cow, I've never had this many likes before!!!!!! Thank y'all so much!!!!!!!!1

honestly reading the comments is pretty helpful because otherwise i would not remember ANY of the names. i have no clue what half the characters are called and if they do appear again i will likely not recognize them.

On a relisten, and... **SPOILERS FOR MAG 81** - - - - - - - - - - "The incident in 1994" is a hell of a way for Jon to refer to his childhood trauma. I don't believe we got a date in MAG 81, but Jon being 8 in 94 does check out. Which also means he's optimistic enough to believe that he's the last person to have come in contact with a Leitner (apart from the guy who got eaten by Mr. Spider RIP).

When Jonathan reads something from a Leitner book it gets staticky.

Gerard just straight up stole this guy’s trash can??💀

"I'm not crazy, I have a JOB!" what a guy XD

Woah woah woah, hold on a second- So I'm _almost_ finished with season 1 and I came here to recap some Keay stuff, but the book caught my attention "From Higher" or "Out of the Heights", with pictures of a *cliff/mountain and a sky that makes you feel like you're falling into it* ?? I'VE HEARD THAT BEFORE (Tell me guys, am I into something here?)

Truly enthralling performance by the voice actor. Well done!

I think one of the things I like about this episode in particular is that it highlights that John doesn't think the supernatural can't occur. He just knows that most of the things people say happened to them is actually nothing.

im new to the fandom, and im hyped to see these podcasts come together.

holy shit i turned around when listening to this and just barely saw a person with long hair just cross the corner of my window and nearly gave me a heart attack

This is the episode that got me hooked on this series. Something about the description of the book *vastly* fascinated me, and the mystery regarding the Library of Jurgen Leitner had me intrigued.

ok ive gotta say this, my brain as soon as it heard GRBookworm (Deactivated) my brain went like: *_Remember the guy called Graham ? the one that ate books?_* Honestly it probably has no relativity to this one but i just had to comment it.

this dudes voice is so relaxing... I could listen to it all day

dont read this comment if youve havent caught up yet on the series . . . . , its intersting listening to this episode again cause its one the very few outside of near the end of the season that john dosnt question if this statemeant is true or not. from the wording at the end it honestly sounds like hes convinced these book do actually cause harm to people yet with so many other statemeants he writes them off at the beginning

First time listener and this one really got to me. The ozone smell and the nausea and the headache gives me sensory overload just thinking about it! Very effective! Edit: One of my favorite horror novels is called Mr B Gone by Clive Barker and This episode definitely reminds me of it so much

What harm ever came from reading a book?

RELISTENING TO EVERYTHING ESP IN THIS EP IS JUST *INSERT KERMIT FLAILING* WOW!!!! Also pff, Gerard having poorly dyed black hair is 👌

wholeheartedly love/hate that this is amalgamation of two creepiest things in series: evil books and the sky what have you done to me. i liked reading.

I just started this podcast, so I don't know anything about it, but I do know that the Keys of Solomon are famous grimoires involving demonology, so this should be very interesting

This one reminds me a lot of The Starless Sea, strange book, the taste of the tea. Idk just getting vibes from it.

Oh my god. So Mary's ghost was written on all over because the/a book was made of her skin.

Eating lemon slices while watching this

Odd question: what was the name of the tea?

this is my third time listening through the whole thing in 3 months. i hear Jurgen leitner and no matter where i am (which includes class), ill just say "motherFUCKING JURGEN LEITNER". ive gotten many weird looks before

"I'm not some crazy person wandering in off the street. I work, I do practical things with my hands, and I am not prone to crazed flights of fancy." weird flex, but okay.

BONE BOOK BONE BOOK BONE BOOK

Here I am, years after first discovering this series, coming back to listen to it for my 4th or 5th time. It's been a good while since i last listened, and even knowing everything that's going to happen, I still get such a sense of dread when listening. This was such a well done series

Relistening to relive the good ol days

this is so interesting to listen to while i work, i am absolutely starting to understand why people love this so much

Going through this for the first time (albeit somewhat spoiled by an ill-conceived look at TV Tropes...), this seems like the episode where the very first hints of its overarching lore start coming up. The first three were, as far as I can tell, completely unrelated in any way (or if there is any connection hinted at I sure as heck missed it!), but the reveal at the end that the Institute's dealt with Jurgen Leitner before ("Ugh, this guy? _Again?")_ both sets a precedent for different spooky incidents potentially being connected, as well as almost certainly being setup for some future plot point I haven't gotten to yet. The otherwise unelaborated-upon thing with the eye's pretty clearly setup in a similar way, while also continuing the motif of "entrancing line art patterns". Deals and exchanges to do with the supernatural needing to be made "official" by the flow of money is also a motif reoccurring from the second episode.

i think im going to have to relisten to this i had to look up what so many things meant and people in the comments are so much smarter than me , i didn't even think something was wrong with the "real leather"

Started this series over again today and I'm giddy over all the connections already

really enjoying the stories so far, though I wish people didn't fill the comments of very early episodes with hints at spoilers even if they are vague. I enjoy seeing peoples thoughts on each episode after listening but the constant references to future events make me feel nervous about continuing to do so now.

The magnus archives needs more attention, this podcast is great!

How anyone can actually drink Lapsang Souchong rather than cooking with it is beyond me. That tea tastes like liquid beef jerky.

WHAT A MONSTER OF INFORMATION WTH?!?!?!?! THIS IS 3/4 TIMES THE AMOUNT FROM THE OTHER EPISODES?!?!

Guessing by the title, is this is continuation of the previous notebook eater story? Edit: oh my goodness. What is this story.

doing my religious relistening to the magnus archives in 2023

Eye spy the introduction of the eye-conic green 👁️ imagery

I fell asleep listening to this. Probably not a very good idea, considering the dreams I have are very vivid and this is a horror podcast

Captions please?

gerry and mike in one episode oh my gods

SPOILER FOR NEW LISTENERS It's so capitvating to relisten and catch that the statics are indeed here since the beginning but you didn't pay attention to it back then

Not me falling asleep watching this in a good way I have insomnia but when I hear this dudes voice I fall asleep

A book that drops animal bones? Whats next? A glowing cloud that drops animal corpses?

I started watching this with my cat and we both really enjoy it.

I shouldn’t be watching this at 9:22 but I am and I am going to regret it and not be able to sleep and will have multiple nightmares but I will still watch it cause I’m stupid and this podcast is amazing

Wowowowow. This is my fourth relisten and im still reeling at the things ive missed the first time around.

This would make such an amazing live action show. Like holy crap I am enthralled with this series. I'm binging till it's done

My favorite episodes of the entire thing involve Lightner's books or the individuals/entities involved with them.

'I'm not some crazy person on the street, i have a job and am not prone to flights of fancy' My guy, you work in theater, calm down.

Maybe I just missed something, but I'm kinda mad that he destroyed the book before try to figure out what it says. Because for all he knows it could be an ancient historical artifact with information otherwise lost to time, and now it's gone. All because something about the pictures made him smell ozone

wait so Lin Manuel Miranda didn’t write the hit broadway musical In The Heights(tm)????

I’ve been binging this series since this morning and was so enamored by the stories that I didn’t realize my phone was dying. Bravo, Rusty Quill team. Amazing work 😭

"key of Solomon" that's not something I hear every day.

The story teller is quite correct, there was an Oxfam right near Notting Hill Gate Tube for a long time. From at least the mid 1980s. It was on the south side of the street, in a parade of shops housed in an especially ugly concrete structure. But serious gentrification set in some time back, so the owners wouldn't need to have a charity shop there anymore. There's a bloomin Waitrose hard by....usually the store whose customers give their cast offs to Oxfam (which is good and right).

19:22 thunderstorm just started... perfect timing.