What are some of the most notable themes in Ramsey Campbell short stories?

Well, in 'Ramsey Campbell Collected Short Fiction', you can expect to find stories that often play with the reader's fears. His works might feature elements like haunted places, strange characters, and unexplainable events. For example, he may use settings such as old, dilapidated houses to create a sense of dread. His stories also tend to explore the darker aspects of human nature, like how people react when faced with the unknown or the terrifying.

Another excellent one is 'The Franklyn Paragraphs'. It delves deep into the realm of the strange and the uncanny. The story is filled with vivid descriptions that draw you into its disturbing world, and Campbell's use of language really adds to the overall atmosphere of horror and mystery.

One of his great stories is 'The Doll Who Ate His Mother'. It's a disturbing yet engaging tale that showcases Campbell's ability to create a sense of unease. The imagery in it is quite vivid and stays with the reader long after they've finished reading.

One more is 'The End of the Line'. This story has a great sense of foreboding from the very start. The characters are complex and their fates are intertwined with the eerie events that unfold. It shows Campbell's ability to create a fully immersive and terrifying short story experience.

I'm not sure exactly, but he's written quite a lot over the years.

They are often ordinary people. Just normal folks who find themselves in extraordinary and terrifying situations. For instance, a simple librarian or a middle - aged man living in a small town.

For beginners, 'The Companion' is a good start. It has a relatively straightforward plot but still has that signature Campbell spookiness. It's not overly complex, so it's easy to get into his style of writing through this story.

Ramsey Campbell's 'The Face That Must Die' is also crucial. It delves deep into the psyche of a deranged character, creating a sense of unease and horror that lingers long after reading. The story is filled with psychological twists and turns that make it a standout in the horror genre.

His unique use of atmosphere. He can create a really oppressive and spooky mood right from the start. For example, in many of his novels, the settings seem normal at first but then gradually turn into something menacing.

His use of atmosphere. He can create a sense of doom and gloom that surrounds the reader from the first page. For example, in many of his stories, the settings are dreary and desolate, like old, abandoned houses or fog - covered streets, which immediately sets a spooky mood.