The Turn of the Screw, originally published in 1898, is a gothic ghost story novella written by Henry James.Due to its original content, the novella became a favourite text of academics who subscribe to New Criticism. The novella has had differing interpretations, often mutually exclusive. Many critics have tried to determine the exact nature of the evil hinted at by the story. However, others have argued that the true brilliance of the novella comes...

A timeless gothic romance of mystery, danger, and suspense. This horror classic examines the tensions between hedonism and honour through Ann Radcliffe's masterfully atmospheric prose. First published in 1791, this captivating novel is set against the background of the isolated French countryside while the shadow of the country's ongoing revolution looms. When virtuous Adeline is forced to seek refuge in the depths of the forest with Monsieur Pierre...

The Lady of the Shroud (1909) is a novel by Irish author Bram Stoker. Written just before the outbreak of the Balkan Wars, The Lady of the Shroud is a prophetic and politically informed work of fiction that helped to establish the Irish master of Gothic horror's reputation as a leading writer of the early-twentieth century. When Rupert Saint Leger is unexpectedly named heir to his uncle's fortune, he is even more surprised to learn the details of...

This vintage book contains William Wilkie Collins' 1880 novel, "Jezebel's Daughter". Based in the 1858 play "The Red Vial", it is a dramatic story of deceit and mystery based around Mrs. Fontaine, a disquieting widow who employs various poisons and remedies to manipulate her family and friends. This volume is highly recommend for lovers of chilling literature, and it is not to be missed by fans of Collins' masterful work. William Wilkie Collins (1824–1889)...

Dark and nightmarish, Shirley Jackson's short stories represent a singular and ever-powerful genre unto themselves. "The Lottery" remains one of the most terrifying stories ever published--all the more so for its lucid, convincing realism--and one of the most controversial; it has become an essential classic of American fiction. This selection of Jackson's stories showcases a true master at the height of her haunting powers.

First published in a 1841 edition of Graham's Magazine, The Murders in the Rue Morgue is often cited as the first modern detective story. The first of three stories to center around C. Auguste Dupin, Poe's fictional detective, The Murders in the Rue Morgue involves Dupin's investigation of two women's murders. Establishing many of the tropes that would later become common to detective fiction, the story begins with an explanation of Dupin's theory...

The Italian (1797) is a novel by Ann Radcliffe. Radcliffe's final novel is a tragic story of romance and mystery set in Naples during the brutal years of the Holy Inquisition. Published in the aftermath of the French Revolution, the novel investigates the issues of religion and class that had inspired the Republican cause, changing Europe and the world forever. Considered an essential work of Gothic fiction, The Italian is an early example of her...

The Haunted Bookshop (1919) is a novel by Christopher Morley. Although less popular than Kitty Foyle (1939), a novel adapted into an Academy Award-winning film, The Haunted Bookshop is a fast-paced thriller that deserves a modern audience. From unassuming beginnings as a tale about a lovelorn advertising salesman who visits a charming bookstore, The Haunted Bookshop quickly morphs into a story of paranoia, stalking, and kidnapping. "If you are ever...

"He felt the presence of the hand of Reginald Clark ― unmistakably ― groping in his brain as if searching for something that had still escaped him. He tried to move, to cry out, but his limbs were paralyzed. When, by a superhuman effort, he at last succeeded in shaking off the numbness that held him enchained, he awoke just in time to see a figure, that of a man, disappearing in the wall that separated Reginald's apartments from his room…" This...

An early entry in what would become known as the horror genre, this spellbinding classic has captivated readers for generations Following the death of his fiancée, Laurie Baxter becomes consumed by an obsession with the supernatural. Attempting to reach his deceased bride, he attends rituals and séances, delving ever deeper into the dark embrace of the occult. But instead of reconnecting with his lost love, Laurie is brought into contact with forces...