One good free thriller story is 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe. It's a short but intense story about a man's descent into madness.
Another interesting free thriller is 'The Monkey's Paw'. It's a classic that involves a cursed object and the unexpected and often terrifying consequences that follow when wishes are made upon it. It's a great example of how a simple premise can be turned into a thrilling and thought - provoking story.
Suspense is key. It builds up gradually, like in 'The Silence of the Lambs'. There are often unexpected twists and turns. And the story usually delves deep into the human psyche, exploring themes like madness, obsession, or paranoia. It makes the reader feel unease and keeps them guessing until the very end.
There's 'Before I Go to Sleep' by S. J. Watson. It's a story about a woman with amnesia trying to figure out her past and her relationship, all while there are some menacing elements that make it a thriller. Also, 'The Silent Patient' by Alex Michaelides has elements of a romantic relationship intertwined with a dark mystery about a woman who stops speaking after a tragic event. The exploration of the relationship between the psychologist and the patient adds a romantic - thriller aspect to the story.
Dracula by Bram Stoker is also a great choice. It has elements of mystery and horror which make it a thrilling read. There are free versions available online. This novel not only has the terrifying Count Dracula but also a complex web of characters and a sense of impending doom that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. The setting, the Transylvanian landscape and the old castles, add to the overall atmosphere of the story.
A well - known free thriller short story is 'Lamb to the Slaughter' by Roald Dahl. It's about a woman who commits a murder in a rather unexpected way. Then there's 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, which is more of a psychological thriller short story that delves into the mind of a woman going mad. These stories are popular because they are able to create a sense of suspense and unease within a relatively short amount of reading time. They often have unique plot twists or explore dark aspects of human nature that keep readers on the edge of their seats.
There's also 'The Yellow Wallpaper' which is a psychological thriller. A woman is confined to a room with yellow wallpaper as part of her 'rest cure'. As she spends more time in the room, she starts to hallucinate and see things in the wallpaper, and her mental state deteriorates in a very chilling way.
One good title could be 'The Darkening Shadow'. It gives a sense of something menacing approaching. Another could be 'Whispers in the Night' which implies a mystery and a sense of unease. And 'The Hidden Danger' is also great as it makes the reader wonder what the danger is that's hidden.
One great thriller teller story is 'The Silence of the Lambs'. It has a brilliant and terrifying antagonist in Hannibal Lecter. His mind - games with Clarice Starling keep the audience on the edge of their seats.
One classic is 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe. It's about a man who kills an old man because he's unnerved by the old man's 'vulture - like' eye. The murderer hides the body under the floorboards, but he starts to hear the heartbeat of the dead man, which drives him to confess.
One great woman - centered thriller story is 'Gone Girl'. It focuses on Amy Dunne, a complex female character. The story is full of twists and turns as her disappearance unfolds and secrets are revealed about her marriage. Another is 'The Girl on the Train'. The female protagonist's hazy memories play a key role in a mystery that involves a missing woman. And 'Sharp Objects' is also notable. It delves into the dark past of the female lead as she investigates a series of murders in her hometown.