Edgar Allen Poe has to be one of the most recognized authors in America, for good reason. He helped pioneer the modern short story, detective fiction, and psychological horror, and he’s often considered the first American writer to make a living solely through writing. Every time you read one of his stories, you feel that you can’t be too far from Halloween.
This list is special because you can click each title to read the story — thank you to the Poe Museum for making them available online. Enjoy!
The Tell-Tale Heart
An unnamed narrator insists on his sanity after murdering an elderly man with a clouded, pale, “vulture-like” eye, arguing that only a person of sound mind could execute such a meticulously planned act.
The Cask Of Amontillado
Amid a vibrant carnival in an unidentified Italian city, the narrator lures his friend into the depths of catacombs to taste a prized amontillado wine, only to unveil a chilling tale of vengeance.
The Fall Of The House Of Usher
Poe describes the enigmatic and decaying mansion of the Usher family as it mirrors the physical and mental deterioration of its inhabitants, siblings Roderick and Madeline.
The Masque Of The Red Death
Prince Prospero and other nobles take refuge in a walled abbey to escape the Red Death, a plague sweeping over the land. While people outside the walls are dying, they throw a lavish masquerade ball, and Poe demonstrates the inescapable fact of mortality.
The Black Cat
Once an animal lover, the narrator gradually descends into alcoholism and cruelty, turning his violence toward his beloved black cat, Pluto. As paranoia and madness consume him, a series of disturbing events lead to a psychologically intense finale.
The Raven
A distraught scholar mourns the loss of his love when he is visited by a mysterious raven, speaking a single word, “Nevermore.” As the eerie dialogue unfolds, the scholar descends into madness, haunted by the relentless repetition of this ominous phrase.
Annabel Lee
Annabel Lee narrates the profound love between a young couple. Even angels succumb to envy, resulting in the woman’s death. However, the narrator argues that not even death can sever so strong a bond.
The Murders In The Rogue Morgue
A double murder in the heart of Paris: a mother with her head severed and her daughter stuffed into a chimney. Amid the chaos, the only clues are a pair of gold bags, a tuft of hair, and a bloodied razor. Adding to the mystery, witnesses offer conflicting accounts of languages they heard spoken.
William Wilson
William encounters a doppelgänger at school, sharing not only name but birthday. Sneaking into the double’s room one night, he’s horrified to find a face identical to his own. William flees, haunted, and descends into debauchery.
The Pit And The Pendulum
An unnamed narrator finds himself imprisoned by the Spanish Inquisition, facing a series of torturous trials. As he navigates the ominous pit and the menacing swing of a razor-sharp pendulum, Poe uses psychological torment to explore fear and survival.