We love being scared, but only if it’s the right type of scared. We prefer great terrifying stories, the kind of nightmares we can get away from by putting down our novel. Fortunately, there are plenty of great horror books for us to read without having to spend any money on them. Here are classic horror books you can download for free right now at Project GutenbergOpens in a new tab.
Note: We’ve already recommended Mary Shelley’s FrankensteinOpens in a new tab and Robert Louis Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Opens in a new tabas fantastic science fiction booksOpens in a new tab you can download. Both are fabulous horror stories too.
Dracula (Bram Stoker)
Bram Stoker’s iconic Gothic horror novel DraculaOpens in a new tab is still a masterpiece of the genre. First published in 1897, it’s responsible for many of the vampire tropes we know to this day. It’s also absolutely terrifying for a modern audience, in an unexpected way. It tells the story of a monster who leaves his home to spread a terrible disease. But don’t worry. Vampires aren’t real. Maybe. You can also download more of Stoker’s scary stories, including The Lair of the White WormOpens in a new tab and The Jewel of Seven Stars.Opens in a new tab
The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe
It’s impossible to pick just one or two of Edgar Allan Poe’s stories to recommend. Arguably the greatest horror writer ever, he produced so many iconic works. So don’t pick. Read his Complete WorksOpens in a new tab, which includes all-time classic short stories like “The Cask of AmontilladoOpens in a new tab” and “The Tell-Tale HeartOpens in a new tab,” as well as famous poems like “The RavenOpens in a new tab” and “Annabel LeeOpens in a new tab.” If you want to skip “The Masque of the Red DeathOpens in a new tab” right now though, we understand.
The Turn of the Screw (Henry James)
Henry James’ 1898 novella The Turn of the Screw Opens in a new tabhas inspired countless adaptations in film, television, and literature since it was published. That hasn’t made the original story any less terrifying though. In fact, readers are till debating the true nature of evil in the classic ghost story. It makes us feel better about being trapped in our own, non-haunted homes. Things can always be worse. When you finish, you can also start working your way through James’ extensive bibliographyOpens in a new tab.
The King in Yellow (Robert W. Chambers)
The King in YellowOpens in a new tab was first published in 1895, but Robert W. Chambers’ collection of supernatural short stories is just as terrifying today as it was then. And while it’s a fantastic example of early horror fiction, it also includes elements of mythology, fantasy, mystery, science fiction, and romanceOpens in a new tab. Even if you’ve never read it, you were probably already terrified of it. It inspired season one of HBO’s True Detective, which spoke of the Yellow King of Carcosa.
The Mysteries of Udolpho (Ann Radcliffe)
A classic of the Gothic genre, Ann Radcliffe’s 1794 novel The Mysteries of Udolpho Opens in a new tabwas wildly popular when it was first releasedOpens in a new tab with good reason. Featuring ruined castles, the Italian countryside, a beautiful young heroine and an evil uncle trying to force her into a marriage she doesn’t want, it also features strange, possibly supernatural occurrences. If you’re looking for an even darker Gothic novel, you can also read Horace Walpole’s The Castle of OtrantoOpens in a new tab.
The Shunned House (H. P. Lovecraft)
One of the most famous horror writers of all-time, H.P. Lovecraft is almost a genre unto himself. His weird “Lovecraftian” tales of monsters and madness could fill days and days with terror. Unfortunately, most of his works or not yet in the public domain. But you can still download his great novella The Shunned HouseOpens in a new tab for free. It’s creepy and unsettling, and you can follow it up with his fantastic short story “The Dunwich HorrorOpens in a new tab.”
The Wendigo (Algernon Blackwood)
One of the most celebrated and prodigious horror writers of all-time, Algernon Blackwood left behind a cornucopia of creepy works. That includes his 1910 novella The WendigoOpens in a new tab. It’s a terrifying monster story whose influence can still be seen any time someone goes running through the woods or snow. And when you finish that you can work your way through more of Blackwood’s scariest storiesOpens in a new tab, which includes plays, novels, and short story collections. We highly recommend his Incredible AdventuresOpens in a new tab collection.
Ten Days in a Mad-House (Nellie Bly)
Not every nightmare is a work of fiction. That includees Nellie Bly’s firsthand, undercover 1897 account of being a patient at a New York City insane asylum. What she saw and experienced there was so terrifying, it led to major investigations and reforms. The bookOpens in a new tab, which was taken from her series of newspaper articles, remains a journalism classic.
Originally published April 6, 2020.
