Can you recommend a few best horror stories for beginners?

A more modern option could be 'The Conjuring' series tie - in novel. It has a clear story line about a family being haunted by a malevolent spirit. The scares are there from the beginning, and it's a good introduction to the horror genre as it has elements of both the supernatural and psychological horror.

For beginners, 'The Call of Cthulhu' is a great start. It's very well - known and has a simple enough plot to follow while still being full of that eldritch horror. It gives a good taste of the genre with its dark and mysterious elements. Another good one is 'The Colour Out of Space' as it is relatively short and easy to understand, but still manages to create a sense of unease and horror.

Roald Dahl's 'The Witches' is another good option. It's a bit more on the lighter side of horror but still has its spooky moments. The story is about a boy who discovers the existence of witches and has to stop their evil plan to turn all children into mice. It has Dahl's signature dark humor and engaging storytelling.

For beginners, 'Dracula' can be a good choice. Although it's a long novel, the story is so engaging. You can easily get into the world of vampires and the fight against Dracula. 'The Fall of the House of Usher' is also not too difficult. Poe's writing is vivid, and you can quickly feel the horror of the decaying Usher family. And 'The Pit and the Pendulum' shows how a simple setting can create extreme horror, which is a great lesson for those new to classical horror.

I'd say 'The Lottery and Other Stories' by Shirley Jackson could be a good choice for beginners. The stories in it are quite accessible. For example, 'The Lottery' has a very unexpected and creepy ending that gives a taste of what horror short stories can be like without being too extreme.

Sure. 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson is a good start. It's short and simple yet packs a powerful psychological punch as it reveals the dark side of a small town's traditions. Another one is 'The Monkey's Paw' by W. W. Jacobs. It shows how our wishes can turn into nightmares in a very psychological way. And 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' by Robert Louis Stevenson, which explores the duality of human nature in a rather spooky and thought - provoking way.

I would also suggest 'The Black Cat' by Edgar Allan Poe. It's about a man whose personality deteriorates and he starts to harm his pets, especially his black cat. There are elements of the supernatural as the cat seems to have an otherworldly presence. It's a short and easy - to - read story that can introduce beginners to the horror genre.

Sure. 'The Monkey's Paw' is a good start. It has a simple yet engaging plot about wishes gone wrong. 'The Tell - Tale Heart' is also great as it's short and straightforward in its horror. The narrator's paranoia and guilt are very palpable.