Can you recommend some from the NPR top 100 horror novels and stories?

One great horror novel is 'The Haunting of Hill House' by Shirley Jackson. It has been highly regarded and often recommended. The sense of dread and the psychological horror in it are masterfully crafted. Another one could be 'American Psycho' by Bret Easton Ellis. It delves deep into the mind of a deranged character in a disturbing yet fascinating way. And 'The Exorcist' by William Peter Blatty is also a classic. The story of a young girl possessed is truly terrifying.

One characteristic is the ability to create a sense of unease. In 'We Have Always Lived in the Castle' by Shirley Jackson, the strange behavior of the main characters and the secrets in the village make the reader feel on edge. Another is the use of atmosphere. In 'The Turn of the Screw' by Henry James, the spooky old manor and the unexplained apparitions add to the overall horror. And a lot of them have complex characters that are either victims or perpetrators of the horror, like in 'American Psycho' where Patrick Bateman's character is both terrifying and fascinating.

One NPR horror story I recall was about a family that moved into an old house. Strange noises started at night. They'd hear creaking floors and whispers. It turned out there was a hidden attic where a previous owner had some dark secrets. It was really spooky.

Sure. 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen is likely to be on that list. It's a classic with the wonderful relationship between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. Another one could be 'Outlander' by Diana Gabaldon, which combines time - travel and a passionate love story.

Well, 'The Yellow Wallpaper' is often considered a great horror story. It shows the mental decline of a woman trapped in a room. Another could be 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe, with its narrator's descent into madness over an old man's eye.

Sure. 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' is often considered a great one. It has a complex mystery and a really interesting protagonist. The story is full of twists and turns that keep you hooked from start to finish.

One of the top ones is 'The Girl with All the Gifts' by M. R. Carey. It has a unique take on the zombie - like apocalypse genre. Another top pick could be 'Bird Box' by Josh Malerman. The idea of not being able to see without facing great danger is very creepy. And 'The Silence' by Don DeLillo, which creates a sense of unease and horror through its exploration of modern society and the unknown.

There's also 'The Yellow Wallpaper'. A woman is confined to a room with yellow wallpaper for her 'nervous condition'. As she stares at the wallpaper more and more, she descends into madness, seeing strange figures and patterns. The slow build - up of her insanity is quite disturbing.

Well, from 'top 100 horror short stories', 'The Masque of the Red Death' is a must - read. It shows the inevitability of death even in the face of those who try to escape it through seclusion and revelry. Then there's 'The Cask of Amontillado' where the narrator lures his so - called friend into the catacombs for a most dreadful revenge. Oh, and 'The Black Cat' is also very good, with the narrator's deteriorating mental state and his relationship with the cat leading to some truly horrifying events.

One of the well - known ones is 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe. It's a story about a man who is driven mad by the old man's vulture - like eye and ends up killing him. Another great one could be 'The Monkey's Paw' where a family makes wishes on a cursed paw with terrifying consequences.