Nathaniel Hawthorne's short story is the ur-American horror tale.
Now, sit down and try to come up with a lasting horror monster that will stand the test of time and that you just pull off the top of your head.
Tough guys are generally no match for the eldritch horrors of Laird Barron's Imago Sequence — which, if you had to sum it up, you could describe in an extremely reductive manner as H.
The story of Osso, Mastrosso, and Carcagnosso is based on an urban legend that is still popular in Italy.
Down a Dark Hall is a gothic classic, and one of Lois Duncan's best.
Modern horror's ultimate stylist, Ramsey Campbell started his career as a Lovecraft imitator before going off in his own direction.