Edgar Allan Poe's short stories are often available for free and are excellent horror reads. Stories like 'The Tell - Tale Heart' and 'The Fall of the House of Usher' are full of psychological horror. 'Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus' by Mary Shelley is also a great free horror - related read, exploring themes of creation and monstrosity.
Algernon Blackwood's 'The Willows' is a great free horror story. It creates a sense of unease and dread through its description of nature. Also, M.R. James' ghost stories, such as 'Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad', are freely available and are known for their spooky atmosphere.
Another good one is 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker. This classic tells the story of the vampire Dracula and his attempts to spread his undead curse. It has a great atmosphere and introduced many of the vampire tropes we know today.
Agatha Christie's 'And Then There Were None' is an excellent choice. It's a mystery filled with suspense and a touch of horror as the characters are killed off one by one on the isolated island. It keeps you guessing until the very end.
One great haunted horror fiction book is 'The Haunting of Hill House' by Shirley Jackson. It's a classic that creates a really spooky atmosphere with its haunted house setting.
One could be 'Pet Sematary' by Stephen King. It's a terrifying tale about a burial ground with some very dark secrets. The concept of bringing the dead back to life in a not - so - normal way is really spooky.
Some might have a strong sense of psychological horror. For example, like in 'The Silence of the Lambs', it plays on the fears and the mindsets of the characters and the readers. The idea of a serial killer on the loose and the complex relationship between the hunter and the hunted is a characteristic that makes it so engaging.
Some of the books in that list likely had a strong sense of atmosphere. For example, they might have created a really gloomy and oppressive setting, like a haunted house or a desolate forest. This helps to build up the fear factor.
One great new vampire horror fiction is 'The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires'. It combines the charm of the southern setting with a terrifying vampire story. The characters are well - developed and the horror is very real.
One great book is 'The Haunting of Hill House' by Shirley Jackson. It has a really spooky atmosphere that can be great for inspiring horror game concepts. The characters are well - developed and the sense of dread builds throughout the story.
'The Red Badge of Courage' by Stephen Crane is often available for free. It's a classic that delves into the psychological aspects of a young soldier in the Civil War.
A lesser - known but interesting free medical fiction book is 'The House of God' by Samuel Shem. It gives a satirical look at the medical profession through the eyes of a young intern. You can look for it on websites that offer free e - books. Also, 'Mount Misery' by the same author continues the story and can also be found for free sometimes. These books offer insights into the medical world along with engaging fictional stories.