I Read Dead People
Chilling tales from authors passed
There’s no better way to get into the Halloween spirit than reading spooky tales from the beyond. We’ve curated a collection of works that have outlived their creators, from the mildly spooky to the absolutely terrifying, so that when your friends ask why you’re trembling, you’ll whisper: I read dead people.
Dark Tales by Shirley Jackson
A delicious collection of horror from master storyteller Shirley Jackson. She was launched into fame in 1948 after her short story “The Lottery” was published in the New Yorker, and a thrilling secession of short stories followed, as well as full length classics like The Haunting of Hill House. If a touch of macabre and that urban legend vibe is what you’re looking for, you’ve found it.
The Complete Tales & Poems of Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe is synonymous with this time of year. The author actually passed away on October 7, 1879 in circumstances that are as mysterious as his stories. In this collection, “The Tell Tale Heart”, where the beating of a hideous heart pounds through the floorboards, sits alongside the heartbreaking poem of lost love “Annabelle Lee” as well the famous lines of “The Raven”. Your fall just wouldn’t be complete with it.
The Rim of Morning: Two Tales of Cosmic Horror by William Sloane
Sloane publish these tales, his two only novels, not too long after graduating college, but their relevance in cosmic horror is enduring. In “To Walk the Night”, college buddies Bark and Jerry come upon great revelations in the Arizona desert after discovering the body of a past professor in his lab. And in “In The Edge of Running Water”, the experiments of retired electrophysicist Julian Blair threaten to shake up his small town in Maine. Get ready for a great horror double feature!
The King in Yellow: Tales of Mystery & the Supernatural by Robert W. Chambers
While mostly thought of as horror, Chambers embraces many other genres in this work, such as romance, sci-fi and history. Published in 1895, many consider this one of the earliest collection of Victorian gothic/horror of its kind. Most notably, the first four stories are a two-act play also titled The King in Yellow which got a nod in the storyline of the TV show “True Detective” in 2014, much to the delight of literary watchers.
Ghost Stories of Henry James by Henry James
Walk the fine line of supernatural thriller with Henry James. These ghost stories dive into the darker side of the human psyche and include ‘The Jolly Corner’, a compelling story of psychological doubling; ‘Owen Wingrave’, which is also a subtle parable of military tradition; ‘The Friends of the Friends’, a strange story of uncanny love; and ‘The Private Life’, which finds a shrewd, high comedy in its ghostly theme.
The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole
Walpole paved the way for the supernatural genre with this work. Claimed to be translation of a story from the Middle Ages, The Castle of Otranto centers around Manfred, an evil prince. He plans to marry his dead son’s fiancee Isabella, having cast his own wife to the dungeons. But Isabella escapes the castle with a rescuer who sets in motion a prophecy of doom riddled with supernatural occurrences that will lead to Manfred’s downfall.
Rosemary’s Baby by Ira Levin
Rosemary and her actor husband move into an old New York City apartment with an ominous feel and strange neighbors. As soon as Rosemary becomes pregnant, her neighbors become even more creepy and involved in her life, and she slowly realizes people around her are not who they seem. Dark and suspenseful, this novel has been praised by Truman Capote as “a brilliant tale of modern deviltry” and was even made into a movie starring Mia Farrow.
The Bloody Chamber: And Other Stories by Angela Carter and Kelly Link
Before J.K. Rowling, there was Angela Carter, a brilliant author of supernatural fiction. In this story collection, Carter puts a subversive and suspenseful spin on classic fairy tales and myths. Rather than straight adaptations of these familiar stories, the author revisits them to conjure up disturbing and delightful retellings that linger in the reader’s mind.
The Other by Thomas Tryon and Don Chaon
This psychological horror focuses on twin brothers Holland and Niles Perry, whose personalities couldn’t be more different. While Holland is mischievous and loves pranks, Niles is a good boy who is eager to please. One summer, the extended family gather on the rural family farm to mourn the gruesome, accidental death of the boys’ father. Mixing in mystery, tragedy, and lyrical writing, author Thomas Tryon creates the ultimate chilling thriller.
The Complete Fiction of H.P. Lovecraft
H.P. Lovecraft is one of the most influential horror writers in modern literature, and his best-loved novel, novellas, and short stories are contained in this comprehensive work. This is a must-have for new and old fans alike, featuring some of the most enticing and suspenseful stories from this famed author.
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz and Brett Helquist
Most people remember this classic collection of spooky stories from when they were children, but all ages can still enjoy this creepy bit of nostalgia. With a splash of zombies, revenge, madness, and more, you will definitely want to keep the lights on when whispering these chilling classics and gasping at the accompanying artwork.
Find more haunted collections of authors past and present by clicking here, and don’t forget book your reservation for our literary Halloween party, Boos and Books, on October 30th.
Like what you read? Give us a 👏 so other readers can enjoy it, too!
For more literary content, follow Strand on Instagram 📷, Twitter 🐥, and Facebook 👤. Plus, sign up for our 📩 Strand Insider newsletter 💌!
