If you like stories with a strong sense of the supernatural, 'The Fall of the House of Usher' would be a good first choice. It has a spooky setting, strange characters, and an overall feeling of impending doom. Reading this story first can give you a sense of Poe's ability to create a haunting and immersive world within a short story.
I would recommend starting with 'The Tell - Tale Heart'. It's one of his most famous short stories and gives a good introduction to his style. It's relatively short and easy to understand, while still showing his talent for creating a tense and disturbing atmosphere.
It's subjective, but many consider 'The Tell-Tale Heart' one of his best. The intense psychological drama and suspense make it a standout.
Edgar Allan Poe's first short story was 'Metzengerstein'.
There is also 'The Oval Portrait', a short but very impactful story. It plays with the idea of art and the relationship between the artist and his creation. And 'William Wilson' which is a complex story about identity and the doppelganger concept. These stories all showcase Poe's great talent for storytelling and his ability to create unique and engaging short works.
One of the short stories written by Edgar Allan Poe is 'The Tell-Tale Heart'. It's a classic tale of horror and psychological tension.
One cannot forget 'The Pit and the Pendulum'. It's set during the Spanish Inquisition and the protagonist endures various tortures. The story is filled with intense fear and anxiety. Poe's ability to make the reader feel the same emotions as the characters in such a short space is what makes these short stories so great. His use of vivid language, dark themes, and complex characters all contribute to the greatness of these works.
Well, 'The Fall of the House of Usher' is also often regarded as among the best. It has this gloomy and oppressive mood from the start. The description of the decaying house and the strange malady of the Usher siblings, along with the spooky events that unfold as the narrator stays with them, is really a hallmark of Poe's writing.
His stories are full of psychological depth. In 'The Oval Portrait', Poe delves into the relationship between art and the artist, and how the artist's obsession can have unexpected and somewhat disturbing consequences. He makes the reader think about the human psyche and its complex nature.
Many consider 'The Tell-Tale Heart' to be one of his best. It's a gripping tale full of suspense and psychological depth.
I think 'The Masque of the Red Death' stands out. It combines elements of horror and symbolism in a really compelling way. Different stories appeal to different people, though, so it's subjective.