The inventor of the modern horror tale (and the detective story), and still essential.

Among Victorian authors of supernatural fiction, Mrs. Riddell ranks second only to LeFanu.

Includes 'The Turn of the Screw', thought by many (though not by me) to be the greatest ghost story ever written.

Written as a mystery, 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' is still a darkly gripping narrative even when you know the plot in advance.

A strange yet fascinating writer, with a powerful macabre imagination.

Richly poetic, subtle tales drowning in linguistic, historical, mythological and artistic erudition (good thing there are footnotes!).

Startlingly grim and chilling horror tales by an author who is much better known for her children's books.

A masterful tale of possession from the Victorian era.

M. R. James was - and is - the supreme master of the ghost story. At his best (which is most of the time), he wrote what I think are the creepiest tales in the world, despite his penchant for sly humor.

Genteel but satisfyingly eerie, these are psychologically rich tales in the manner of Henry James (except that Wharton is a better writer).

Anyone who enjoys the stories of Oliver Onions and/or Algernon Blackwood should also like Hichens.

If you can bear his occasionally histrionic style (think Poe on drugs), Shiel can be quite a powerful weird writer.

For me, Algernon Blackwood is the all-time king of supernatural fiction. It just doesn't get any better than 'The Willows' and 'The Wendigo', both included here.