Can you recommend some old Victorian ghost stories?

They often feature spooky old mansions. In many old Victorian ghost stories, the setting is a large, imposing mansion with creaky floors and dark corridors, which adds to the sense of mystery and fear.

One well - known Victorian ghost short story is 'The Monkey's Paw' by W.W. Jacobs. It's a spooky tale about a magical paw that grants wishes but with terrible consequences. Another is 'The Signal - Man' by Charles Dickens, which has a very eerie atmosphere set around a railway signal - man who experiences strange apparitions. Also, 'Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad' by M.R. James is a classic. It tells the story of a professor who discovers a whistle with a rather malevolent supernatural connection.

Another great free Victorian ghost story is 'The Woman in Black' by Susan Hill. It has a very spooky atmosphere. The story revolves around a young solicitor who travels to a remote village and is haunted by the figure of a woman in black. There are many websites where you can access free e - copies of this story, especially those dedicated to classic literature.

There are quite a few. 'Thrawn Janet' by Robert Louis Stevenson is a great example. It's about a minister who encounters a strange and possibly haunted woman. In addition, 'A Terribly Strange Bed' by Wilkie Collins is an exciting short Victorian ghost story. It features a man who finds himself in a very dangerous situation in a strange bed that seems to have a life of its own. And 'The Phantom Coach' by Amelia B. Edwards is also a good one, with its ghostly coach and spooky happenings in the Victorian landscape.

Well, 'The Monkey's Paw' is often considered among the best Victorian ghost stories. It shows how a simple wish - granting device can bring about great horror. The story is short but very impactful, with a sense of doom that pervades throughout. Also, Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol' can be seen as a sort of ghost story, where the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future visit Scrooge and change his life. It has that Victorian charm and a moral lesson within the ghostly encounters.

One characteristic is the use of spooky settings. Old Victorian houses, fog - covered moors, and desolate graveyards are common settings. For example, in 'The Woman in Black', the haunted Eel Marsh House is a key part of the horror.

There's 'Uncle Silas' by Sheridan Le Fanu which has some elements of a Victorian ghost story. The story has a sense of mystery and unease throughout. In addition, 'The Phantom Ship' by Frederick Marryat is also a Victorian - era work that has elements of the supernatural. It tells the story of a cursed ship and the strange events that occur around it.

Well, 'Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad' by M.R. James is also a top pick. It involves an academic who finds a strange whistle on a beach. When he blows it, he summons a terrifying apparition. James was a master of creating a sense of unease in a Victorian context.

One great Christmas Victorian ghost story is 'The Signal-Man' by Charles Dickens. It has a very eerie atmosphere set around a railway signal - man who experiences some strange apparitions. Another is 'The Haunted Man and the Ghost's Bargain', also by Dickens. It explores themes of redemption and the haunting past during the Christmas season.

M. R. James was a well - known author of old Victorian ghost stories. His works were known for their subtle horror and the way he built up tension.