The Body Snatcher by Robert Louis Stevenson (~ 7,500 words)
The Brazillian Cat by Authur Conan Doyle (~ 8,000 words)
The Call of Cthulhu by H.P. Lovecraft (~ 12,000 words)
The Cedar Closet by Lafcadio Hearn (~ 3,750 words)
Dracula’s Guest by Bram Stoker (~ 4,750 words)
The Furnished Room by O. Henry (~ 2,500 words)
The Haunted Author by Marcus Clarke (~ 1,500 words)
John Charrington’s Wedding by E. Nesbit (~ 3,000 words)
The Lottery by Shirley Jackson (~ 3,500 words)
The Monkey’s Paw by W.W. Jacobs (~ 4,000 words)
The Mortal Immortal by Mary Shelley (~ 5,500 words)
Nerves by Anton Chekhov (~ 1,500 words)
The Night Wire by H. F. Arnold (~ 2,500 words)
An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Bierce (~ 3,750 words)
Oh Whistle, And I’ll Come To You, My Lad by M.R. James (~ 8,000 words)
The Signalman by Charles Dickens (~ 5,000 words)
Sredni Vashtar by Saki (~ 1,750 words)
The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe (~ 2,000 words)
A Terribly Strange Bed by Wilkie Collins (~ 6,750 words)
The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman (~ 6,000 words)
Update: In the comments, Em asks, “what about Washington Irving?” Ah, yes. Well, I originally drew the line at 10,000 words, but, in the end, couldn’t bring myself omit Call of Cthulhu. Having broken my own rule once, I see no reason not to do so again.
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving (~ 12,000 words)
And, while we’re at it:
Afterward by Edith Wharton (~ 12,000 words)
if too lazy to read, listen to the Classic Tales Podcast
Posted by Anonymous on October 30th, 2007.
DAMN YOU MATT why do you hate my productivity?
Posted by everichon on October 30th, 2007.
So glad you included M.R. James. That story was actually made into a very scary short (if I remember correctly) film. Black and white, beautifully shot. Gorgeous stuff.
Posted by Shannon on October 30th, 2007.
WHERE IS STEPHIN KING HE IS THE SCARIEST AUTHER OF ALL THESE. HAVE YOU HEARD OF CARRIE??????????????
Posted by Rob Cockerham on October 30th, 2007.
The Yellow Wallpaper: Terrifying on so many levels, like Rosemary’s Baby.
Posted by Anonymous on October 30th, 2007.
And if you’re brutally lazy, check my 10 free public domain scary movies. I think I’m dragging down the IQ around here again…
Posted by Jon on October 30th, 2007.
Great list. Kudos on the M.R. James–”Ghost Stories of an Antiquary” has to be one of the scariest books of all time.
Posted by Karen on October 30th, 2007.
Ooh, great list, but what about Washington Irving?
Posted by Em on October 30th, 2007.
My pitchers are pretty scary. Especially the ones with the Hummel Figurines having Satanic group sex. Man, I’m so hard right now.
Posted by Thomas Kinkade on October 30th, 2007.
Not Halloween-spooky, but creepy on the same levels as “The Yellow Wallpaper” and “Occurrence”– D.H. Lawrence’s “Rocking Horse Winner”.
Posted by lo on October 30th, 2007.
Great collection of stories, but why does Rob Cockerham have to be the funniest commenter ever? Ever!
Posted by Phill on October 31st, 2007.
Great list, but what about Irving Washington?
Posted by Nic on October 31st, 2007.
Great list, how about Irving Washington though?
Posted by Nic on October 31st, 2007.
I’m loving your list, but what about Flannery O’Connor? Some of the spookiest…
Posted by JAW on October 31st, 2007.
Cast of Amontillado!!
Posted by Ashik on October 31st, 2007.
I did my first undergrad research paper on “Afterward.” It stands out in my mind as one of the best-written short stories, of any genre, of all time. The more time I spent studying it the more detail I noticed: the thing is crafted like a house made of cinnabar. It so rocks that you included it.
Posted by The Scarlet Pervygirl on November 1st, 2007.