One characteristic is the ability to quickly create a sense of unease. In a short story, there's not much time to waste, so they often start with a strange or disturbing situation right away. For example, in many of Poe's short horror stories, like 'The Tell - Tale Heart', the narrator's madness is presented from the very beginning.
They are often concise. Each story can quickly set a spooky mood and deliver a scare without a lot of build - up. For example, in 'Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark', many stories start right into the creepy action.
One characteristic is the use of suspense. For example, in 'The Tell - Tale Heart', Poe builds suspense by making the narrator's paranoia about the old man's eye grow gradually. Another is the creation of a sense of unease. In 'The Yellow Wallpaper', the description of the wallpaper and the woman's increasing obsession with it makes the reader feel uncomfortable. Also, often there are elements of the unknown or the supernatural like in 'The Monkey's Paw' where the power of the paw is a mystery.
'In a Dark, Dark Room and Other Scary Stories' is also suitable. The stories are short and easy to read. They include things like witches, haunted rooms, and other classic horror elements. It helps introduce the basic concepts of horror in a digestible way. It's a great choice for those new to horror stories as it doesn't go into extreme gore or overly complex horror themes.
The book 'Dark Tales' is popular. It has a variety of short horror stories that range from the classic haunted house type to more psychological horror. The stories are crafted in a way that they can be read quickly but still leave a lasting impression of unease.
Well, one characteristic is the use of sensuality to heighten the horror. For instance, in some stories, the sexual allure of a character might be tied to their menacing nature. It creates a sense of danger and unease that is different from regular horror.
'Roald Dahl's Book of Ghost Stories' is also worth checking out. Roald Dahl is known for his unique and often darkly humorous writing. In this book, he has selected and sometimes even retold some classic ghost and horror short stories. It offers a different take on horror as Dahl's style is quite distinct from more traditional horror writers.
Sure. 'The Best of H.P. Lovecraft' is a great collection. His stories are filled with cosmic horror and strange creatures. Another one is 'Night Shift' by Stephen King. It contains many terrifying short stories that are sure to give you chills.
Sure. 'Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark' is a classic collection. It has a lot of really spooky short stories that have been scaring people for years.